I imagine that, by now, my regular reader has given up and wandered off somewhere else in search of nautical mutterings. Well, here's an attempt to rekindle your interest, before embarking on the saga of Sail Caledonia.
You may recall, from my previous post, that I was in search of a tow car: I eventually settled on a Skoda Yeti (where do they find these names) and can report favorably on it's ability to tow. Martina* behaved almost impeccably, dragging Vagabond on her trailer (Tarquin**) the lengths of the M40, the M6, the M74 and a chunk of the A9 in just over 12 hours.
But O, the joy of towing. In theory, there's a 60 miles per hour speed limit when towing a trailer. Trucks seem to be governed at 58. Then there's the dreaded trailer sway that cuts in when the car/trailer combination reach a critical speed which varies and seems to be determined by cross winds, road surfaces and other vehicles (for any given trailer and tow car combination).
So you have the choice - (a) hog the middle land (sorry, lane 2), observing the speed limit to creep past the trucks, ensuring the wrath of all unencumbered cars and white vans or (b) ignore the speed limit and creep up to the point where the dreaded sway is just on the point of setting in or (c) give up and resign to being governed by the trucks and stay in lane 1, being bounced about by the wonderfully degraded road surfaces on this part of the motorway.
Then there's the matter of what you can see behind you. Not much, even with extension mirrors.
And then there are the "services". Martina and Tarquin are about as long as one of the tractor and semi trailer rigs - they don't fit in the car parks assigned to caravans, so we have to share the truck parks. These have appalling surfaces, smell of hot oil, diesel and (frankly) human pee. One assumes that the holding tanks (or whatever passes for them in a truck) are emptied at these stops.......
And then there are the various bits of Tarquin that stop working or fall off during the journey. Like the stop, tail and indicator lamps. Martina (being a sophisticated and modern model) helpfully tells her driver when various lamps aren't working. This is fine when you start off - the issue can be fixed (by a strategic thump on the lamp concerned - and all is well. It's when she tells you that the left indicator is no longer working and your at 65 (shh) in the middle lane and you want to tell the drivers behind you are moving over..... or that you want to leave the motorway (to give the lamp another thump and experience the olfactory delight of the parking bay). And why is it always the left indicator?
Despite all her sophistication, Martina can't tell you when bits of the trailer fall off (including the wonderful strip of lights at the back). UK trailer regulations are rather opaque and there's a bit that says that the load must not overhang the rear of the trailer by a certain amount. To meet the letter of the law Tarquin is fitted with a pair of rails that are used to extend the rear of the trailer depending on the load length (the wonder of circumventing regulations - it's less complicated than tax minimization but the idea is the same). These are held in by a simple clamp, which has been known to work loose and allow one or other of these lumps of metal to be dropped on the carriageway. .
Then there's the rear of the trailer itself - this consists of a white plastic bar which carries the various rear lights (see above). This bar fits across the trailer on the ends of the extensions From time to time, one or other end of this bar works loose and drops onto the road. Other road users are most courteous and friendly, regularly flashing their headlights at you - you have to be on your toes to interpret these flashes (you're clear to pull in front of me, something has just dropped off (and hit me), get out of my way, etc).
This made the drive north to Fort William a slightly tense process and the Purser and I (with Martina et al)**** took a leisurely three days, stopping at Tebay services (ample room to park) and Pitchlochry. This latter stop was to see the Scottish herbalist - Vagabond et al were parked in a local caraven site for the night for the princely sum of £5.
Now you'll have to wait a day or so whilst I try to remember what happened in the Great Glen
* She was built in the Czech republic (admittedly of German descent) and Czech females of my acquaintance seem to share this name.
** Well it can't be Thomas because he was a Tank Engine, Terrance was a tractor in the same series of books and Tarquin sounds a controlling, feisty sort of name**)
*** Controlling and feisty because Tarquin limits your options as a driver, feisty in that, if ignored, he will totally take charge and you'll find yourself jack knifed across all three lanes or into the adjacent field.
**** You can tell I've been infected by the academic writing bug by the judicious use of "et al" in this instance.
Sunday, 14 June 2015
Monday, 20 April 2015
Freddie wakes up
The sun and the daffodils are out, the dawn chorus is deafening at 5 o'clock, so it must be spring. It's almost time to go sailing again (I know there are several hardy types who do it throughout the winter - but there are limits to the discomfort that I'll accept in the following of the sport).
It's time to check things out. I know there are lovely lists in well known yachting magazines of what you should do - here's my simplified view - Are there any bits of string that look frayed? Or pieces of wire that look very rusty. Has the anchor chain welded itself stiff with rust? Did I empty the portaloo at the end of last season? Does the satnav (sorry, chart plotter) still work? Is the gas cylinder empty? Have the flares expired?
Check complete.
Oops, I have forgotten the wheel bearings on the trailer.
Then there's the problem of reassembling Vagabond - where did I put the windex when I took it off the mast? Where does this piece of string fit? What about the sandwich box and the thermos. And so it goes on.
Vagabond has been undercover in a barn all winter. I had forgotten how dusty barns can get. It's going to take several days to get her clean - I wonder if I can get the local Polish car wash to do it for me?
Does Freddie still work - at least he's been sitting in a garage for four months or so. It's time to try him out. I need something to pretend it's the sea - the Council recently provided us with just the thing - the "domestic kitchen waste bin". It's bin day, so it has been emptied - a quick wash out and it serves the purpose. After several attempts, Freddie roared into life, squirting water from all the right orifices.
Now to go sailing.
Well, not yet. Our first appointment with the wet stuff will be at the end of May, when Sail Caledonia starts. In the meantime, I need a tow car.........
It's time to check things out. I know there are lovely lists in well known yachting magazines of what you should do - here's my simplified view - Are there any bits of string that look frayed? Or pieces of wire that look very rusty. Has the anchor chain welded itself stiff with rust? Did I empty the portaloo at the end of last season? Does the satnav (sorry, chart plotter) still work? Is the gas cylinder empty? Have the flares expired?
Check complete.
Oops, I have forgotten the wheel bearings on the trailer.
Then there's the problem of reassembling Vagabond - where did I put the windex when I took it off the mast? Where does this piece of string fit? What about the sandwich box and the thermos. And so it goes on.
Vagabond has been undercover in a barn all winter. I had forgotten how dusty barns can get. It's going to take several days to get her clean - I wonder if I can get the local Polish car wash to do it for me?
Does Freddie still work - at least he's been sitting in a garage for four months or so. It's time to try him out. I need something to pretend it's the sea - the Council recently provided us with just the thing - the "domestic kitchen waste bin". It's bin day, so it has been emptied - a quick wash out and it serves the purpose. After several attempts, Freddie roared into life, squirting water from all the right orifices.
Now to go sailing.
Well, not yet. Our first appointment with the wet stuff will be at the end of May, when Sail Caledonia starts. In the meantime, I need a tow car.........
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Another Boat Show edition
It's January, so time to go to the Boat Show and assist Swallow Boats with the sales campaign by stunning potential customers with my tales of sailing with Vagabond. Also to pick up a small container of gel coat to repair a few blemishes on Vagabonds hull.......but that will have to wait for some warmer weather.
Having spent the 3 months before Christmas with my head down in text books, writing mediocre academic essays and (after Christmas) preparing for my first academic examination for about 47 years*, it was a welcome break (or reconnection with reality, depending on your point of view) to spend two days talking boats and drinking coffee.
Swallow Boats had a BRE 20 and 4 models on the stand. Not the type of model that has just been banned from page 3 (topical tip) but 3D printed scale models of the current Swallow Fleet. Customers and potential customers visited the stand, small boys climbed in an out of the cabin and (as I understand) an order or two was taken.
Matt and I were both intrigued by the hydrojet powered canoe (http://www.hydraride.com/jet-propelled-watercrafts/). I wonder if you could fit one of the pump motor combinations in the outboard well?
I was also intrigued by the video that Swallow have of a BC23 running down wind with a sort of spinnaker / cruising chute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4AY49ChHN4
More research required.
Meanwhile, it's head down for the MSc course again for the next 3 months.
* In case my reader has forgotten (or perhaps I didn't tell you), I've resorted to more education to keep Alzhiemers at bay. I was going to attempt the MSc on a full time basis but, on looking at the required work load, have opted to "do" it over two years. I can't read fast enough to do it in one!
Having spent the 3 months before Christmas with my head down in text books, writing mediocre academic essays and (after Christmas) preparing for my first academic examination for about 47 years*, it was a welcome break (or reconnection with reality, depending on your point of view) to spend two days talking boats and drinking coffee.
Swallow Boats had a BRE 20 and 4 models on the stand. Not the type of model that has just been banned from page 3 (topical tip) but 3D printed scale models of the current Swallow Fleet. Customers and potential customers visited the stand, small boys climbed in an out of the cabin and (as I understand) an order or two was taken.
Matt and I were both intrigued by the hydrojet powered canoe (http://www.hydraride.com/jet-propelled-watercrafts/). I wonder if you could fit one of the pump motor combinations in the outboard well?
I was also intrigued by the video that Swallow have of a BC23 running down wind with a sort of spinnaker / cruising chute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4AY49ChHN4
More research required.
Meanwhile, it's head down for the MSc course again for the next 3 months.
* In case my reader has forgotten (or perhaps I didn't tell you), I've resorted to more education to keep Alzhiemers at bay. I was going to attempt the MSc on a full time basis but, on looking at the required work load, have opted to "do" it over two years. I can't read fast enough to do it in one!
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Southampton Boat Show edition
The Owner has just returned from a couple of days "helping" on the Swallow Boats stand at the SBS. When I first arrived at the show, I felt lost - Swallow Boats were nowhere to be seen in the small boats section. I had to join the crowd that trudged over not one but two bridges to the furthest reaches of the show (except for the Marina) to find the stand.
Swallow have been "upgraded" and now mingle with the likes of Benneteau, opposite the food bars. At least coffee is easy to find!
The stand is now enormous (by small boat standards). Gone is the little set of steps that let one climb into a BC 23. Instead, there are steps up to a platform that is at BC 23 gunnel level, with Equinox, Andy Dingles' new boat (in a rather becoming Burgandy red), nestling against one side of the platform. Seemingly towering over the other side of the platform is the NEW BC25, with a gloss black hull and white upper works. She boasts twin rudders, a Pilot House, electrically operated Dagger Board, built in shower and loo, clever sliding arrangements for cookers, sinks and fridges and a host of other "big boat" features. She's been built to a high standard under the watchfull eye of her prospective owner. He and Matt are still adding refinements......
Meanwhile, the interior finish of the BC 23 has been further developed and I'm pleased to see that one or two external improvements have been made to overcome niggles that I (and no doubt others) have expressed to Matt. He certainly listens to his customers.
Friday seemed to be a Swallow Boats association reunion event- I am sure there were more existing customers than potential ones. Saturday was completely different - the BC 25 attracted most of the attention and many interested and admiring comments.
I've returned home with several ideas to incorporate into Vagabond when I get the time (and money!). (Not to mention a GRP repair kit....) Time is going to be bit short in the next year, for I'm returning to University next week, to my "Alma Mater" (UCL) almost 50 years to the day when I first passed through it's gates.....This time I'm embarking on an MSc - I'm told it involves writing essays and taking exams again.....but at least it might help to keep the dreaded Alzie away. Provided the exams and the dissertation don't get in the way, I may get some sailing in too!
Swallow have been "upgraded" and now mingle with the likes of Benneteau, opposite the food bars. At least coffee is easy to find!
The stand is now enormous (by small boat standards). Gone is the little set of steps that let one climb into a BC 23. Instead, there are steps up to a platform that is at BC 23 gunnel level, with Equinox, Andy Dingles' new boat (in a rather becoming Burgandy red), nestling against one side of the platform. Seemingly towering over the other side of the platform is the NEW BC25, with a gloss black hull and white upper works. She boasts twin rudders, a Pilot House, electrically operated Dagger Board, built in shower and loo, clever sliding arrangements for cookers, sinks and fridges and a host of other "big boat" features. She's been built to a high standard under the watchfull eye of her prospective owner. He and Matt are still adding refinements......
Meanwhile, the interior finish of the BC 23 has been further developed and I'm pleased to see that one or two external improvements have been made to overcome niggles that I (and no doubt others) have expressed to Matt. He certainly listens to his customers.
Friday seemed to be a Swallow Boats association reunion event- I am sure there were more existing customers than potential ones. Saturday was completely different - the BC 25 attracted most of the attention and many interested and admiring comments.
I've returned home with several ideas to incorporate into Vagabond when I get the time (and money!). (Not to mention a GRP repair kit....) Time is going to be bit short in the next year, for I'm returning to University next week, to my "Alma Mater" (UCL) almost 50 years to the day when I first passed through it's gates.....This time I'm embarking on an MSc - I'm told it involves writing essays and taking exams again.....but at least it might help to keep the dreaded Alzie away. Provided the exams and the dissertation don't get in the way, I may get some sailing in too!
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
Auto Pilot ?
Vagabond is still in the barn. The rubbing strips have been rubbed (down) and varnished - to say that they look like new would be overstating matters - they look considerable less scuffed. The hull and deck has been washed in Bucks spring water (courtesy of the farm supply) and even polished. The scrapes and blemishes remain and will need fixing before the weather gets too cold the gel coat to set properly. The trailer wheel bearings have been identified and one of these days I'll be brave enough to jack up the trailer and start inspecting them and the brakes.
But a new project beckons. One of the things that's been limiting the distances that Vagabond can travel in a day (apart from rule (b), that is)* has been the strength or endurance of my tiller arm, for Vagabond has no auto pilot beyond a couple of pieces of string to "lash the helm". This means that the cockpit can't be left for any length of time unless we are hove to.**
What we need is an autopilot - the snag is that most of them consume battery amps to make the tiller move - battery amps are another commodity in short supply at sea.
Browsing the local newsagents for yachting magazine (just to look at, not to buy, you understand) I found an article about a home made wind vane auto pilot. ,
So I bought the mag and was smitten. It uses energy from the speed of the boat through the water acting on a second rudder as a power source to pull ropes attached to the tiller arm to correct the course to keep the boat on a constant course with respect to the wind.
I've been in contact with the designer, John Fleming *** and am slowly considering whether or not to purchase the plans or the kit. I wonder if I could convert it to turn a trimmer on the tail of the rudder rather than ropes to the tiller arm....
Watch this space. The Channel Islands and France may be within reach after all....
* see the previous posting
** Technical term meaning stopped in the middle of the ocean with the foresail and the main sail sort of opposing each other, so that all the boat does is drift down wind and wallow in the waves.
*** I've sent him lots of questions by e mail and had informative replies. You can see details of the Hebredian wind vane at www.windvaneselfsteering.co.uk
But a new project beckons. One of the things that's been limiting the distances that Vagabond can travel in a day (apart from rule (b), that is)* has been the strength or endurance of my tiller arm, for Vagabond has no auto pilot beyond a couple of pieces of string to "lash the helm". This means that the cockpit can't be left for any length of time unless we are hove to.**
What we need is an autopilot - the snag is that most of them consume battery amps to make the tiller move - battery amps are another commodity in short supply at sea.
Browsing the local newsagents for yachting magazine (just to look at, not to buy, you understand) I found an article about a home made wind vane auto pilot. ,
So I bought the mag and was smitten. It uses energy from the speed of the boat through the water acting on a second rudder as a power source to pull ropes attached to the tiller arm to correct the course to keep the boat on a constant course with respect to the wind.
I've been in contact with the designer, John Fleming *** and am slowly considering whether or not to purchase the plans or the kit. I wonder if I could convert it to turn a trimmer on the tail of the rudder rather than ropes to the tiller arm....
Watch this space. The Channel Islands and France may be within reach after all....
* see the previous posting
** Technical term meaning stopped in the middle of the ocean with the foresail and the main sail sort of opposing each other, so that all the boat does is drift down wind and wallow in the waves.
*** I've sent him lots of questions by e mail and had informative replies. You can see details of the Hebredian wind vane at www.windvaneselfsteering.co.uk
Sunday, 29 June 2014
In the barn and thanks
I've had some really nice notes of congratulations to our efforts, so some people are still reading this blog and I thankyou all for the compliments. I'm now feeling very embarrassed!
I put it down to being a wimpish sailor, really. I had three rules (a) don't go to sea if there's a sniff of F6 in the forecast, (b) don't sail at night and (c) try to go round pointy bits at slack tide, preferably during neaps!
I think the tributes should really go to the design and build quality of the boat. Despite being in a few uncomfortable situations (mainly because I ignored rule (a)), I've had every confidence that the boat will "take it". OK, a few things didn't work as well as expected (roller reefing - now fixed) but nothing broke at a critical moment. My confidence in the boat has been increased by the adoption of the "spreader" mast configuration. It has stiffened the rig considerably and (I think) improves the upwind performance too.
I wouldn't want to do it in an open boat. The idea that I was carrying with me a snug cabin, that would be available to me once we had got somewhere quieter, buoyed me up a few times!
Vagabond is now in a barn in Buckinghamshire, beside a renovated Gypsy caravan and the body of an old Bentley that has seen better days.
Vagabond is looking a bit the worse for wear, too. Her rubbing strips have been rubbed several times and the gel coat has a few crazes and biffs. The sails probably need cleaning and several pieces of cordage need replacing. As for Freddie, he's covered in salt, needs a wash and another service. Doris is in her cover and probably growing some excellent strains of mould.
I'll have to pay them all some attention in the next few weeks.
I put it down to being a wimpish sailor, really. I had three rules (a) don't go to sea if there's a sniff of F6 in the forecast, (b) don't sail at night and (c) try to go round pointy bits at slack tide, preferably during neaps!
I think the tributes should really go to the design and build quality of the boat. Despite being in a few uncomfortable situations (mainly because I ignored rule (a)), I've had every confidence that the boat will "take it". OK, a few things didn't work as well as expected (roller reefing - now fixed) but nothing broke at a critical moment. My confidence in the boat has been increased by the adoption of the "spreader" mast configuration. It has stiffened the rig considerably and (I think) improves the upwind performance too.
I wouldn't want to do it in an open boat. The idea that I was carrying with me a snug cabin, that would be available to me once we had got somewhere quieter, buoyed me up a few times!
Vagabond is now in a barn in Buckinghamshire, beside a renovated Gypsy caravan and the body of an old Bentley that has seen better days.
Vagabond is looking a bit the worse for wear, too. Her rubbing strips have been rubbed several times and the gel coat has a few crazes and biffs. The sails probably need cleaning and several pieces of cordage need replacing. As for Freddie, he's covered in salt, needs a wash and another service. Doris is in her cover and probably growing some excellent strains of mould.
I'll have to pay them all some attention in the next few weeks.
Friday, 27 June 2014
Stop Press - full mileage now computed.
I take it all back - the GPS was not in a sulk, nor was it an example of built in obsolescence - it was just missing a fully charged battery.
This means that I can now publish the full mileages for each year and the grand total - you can see these on the map but, to save you a click or two the full mileage (in nautical miles) was:
2125
As it took us 3 years, that's an average speed of about 2 miles a day!
This means that I can now publish the full mileages for each year and the grand total - you can see these on the map but, to save you a click or two the full mileage (in nautical miles) was:
2125
As it took us 3 years, that's an average speed of about 2 miles a day!
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