The Goose Comes Home and a Jib Comes Down

It only took a year but the Goose is finally home! Yes the famous "eXpedition" eDition by the indomitable Andy Lin is now safe and secure in my yard. I'll let the pictures tell the story of the move.

Sitting forlornly on her trailer.

Throwing some Titebond at a corner

All hooked up and ready for a move

Safe at home

Some work was done on the Blue Flower as well. I've encountered a few problems with lowering her jib during rising winds. The obvious answer was a downhaul. So after a quick trip to Ace work began in earnest, the Typesetter working and me photographing. First up was adding a nylock to the jib block. (There is probably a better name for this particular block but I'll simply put up a picture.)

Flattering picture of the Typesetter digging under the foredeck

Lending a hand. Literally

With the block in place we set up the downhaul. Seems there were a few other bits on the boat at one time as there are three distinct holes in the bowsprit. We added a block, ran the line through the hanks and a downhaul was had. Here are some pictures.

Always excited to get a new line on the boat

Through the block and aft. A great setup!

The second issue we tackled was the consistent issue with the triple block set up on the mainsheet. I've never been happy with the slow response and the amount of drag in the set up. Maybe with her original 80sqft of polytarp but now it's overkill and more so dangerous. I'm unable to get the boom far enough with sheet to control her safely and the slow response can be killer in high wind. My last  few forays in wind I've attached the mainsheet directly to the boom and held it in hand for better feel and control. After a bit of discussion it was decided a traveler rig was the best set up. We could have opted for a fancy double block but a single ring was used instead. The swivel block from the old set up was attached to the boom after a bit of eyebolt wrestling by the human vice and the new set up shows marked improvement while on the hard. We hope to do water testing soon!

Notice too that pictures have returned to the blog! My camera has already survived one capsising and is still going strong. Look for more pictures and adventures soon!

Busy Summer

Launch of my boat with it's original 80sqft sail plan. Stolen shamelessly from the Sleeping Schnauzer.

 It's been a fairly busy couple of days. Seze is now full rigged and waiting to return to her trailer. The varnish really improves the appearance of the vessel. Now he won't admit it, but when I first introduced him to wooden boats The Typesetter couldn't understand why people varnished wooden boats to make them look like fine cabinets. I think he understands now, his boat has more bare varnished wood then both of mine put together. Or it could just be a happy accident.
 Re-rigging the boat was an experience in itself. I have no camera and forgot to take notes when I disassembled the rig. I was left with spars ten miles away and a literal plastic bag of boat parts Now my rig is far from being the most complicated, I would imagine most plastic boats this size have far more rigging bits then mine, but it seemed daunting nonetheless. All my life I've been taking stuff apart. Sometimes to see how it worked, other times to simply take it apart for the sake of seeing how many parts were in it. And I can't count on one hand the times I put what I took apart back together. So while taking it apart is a theme,  putting it back together certainly isn't. Well the Typesetter put three good coats of spar varnish on my bits and let me know he was done. So with nothing else to do I picked them up and figured I'd wait a bit to look at pictures and the like to prepare.
 Turns out I'm also impulsive and impatient. What started as simply putting the bits back on turned into fully re-rigging the boat. First up was putting the pulleys and metal sidebars on the lower mast. Now when Andy rebuilt her, in his finite wisdom he added a tabernacle mast much like the one found on his Weekender. I'll spare you the details but just to say the first time I put it together I got it all backwards. On the plus side judging by the holes and wear telltales on the mast I was not the first to make this mistake.
 The rig proper was fairly easy to get done. I did learn that my fear of heights disappears when I'm rigging a gaff rig ten feet up on a shaky aluminum ladder. Who knew, right?
 With and extra day off evening work I pulled the Trudy off the blocks she's been resting on all winter and wrung out her spirit sail for the first time in a year. She's rested about as well as one would expect. A full restoration would be required to get her up to snuff. I could sail her now but a few hours of work will make her her truly ship shape once more. One thing that did impress me, as it always does is the simplicity of her sprit sail. I'd forgotten I'd added a boom and she responded well while yard sailing today. I think I'll need to fashion a proper mast and spars for her. And redo the rudder with less haste and more thought to actually making it work. Once I get the bugs worked out I hope to use her as my training ship for prospective captains and mates to Blue Flower. If you can sail an eight foot dinghy with a sprit rig I figure you can sail just about anything, certainly a 12' gaff rigged microjammer.
 As work continues on my current fleet a few nagging thoughts come up. As always, what is the next boat. This has been a constant on this blog and it's no closer to getting solved. The fact is I have a boat I can finish without too much work. She's the eXpedition Goose, 12' of pure Andy Linn innovation and planning. Really a scaled up Salem Electron, a PDR he sailed on the 2009 Texas 200. She's got a centerboard, rakish shape, a cloud of sail and designed for long distance solo sailing. Andy actually just finished his last? Texas 200 in an Perttu Korhonen designed Oooze Goose. She's carry four comfortably and be safe for Flathead if I wanted to take her out on big water. The cost is finishing up the centerboard, painting, framing and decking. And finding a 100sqft lug sail.
 Currently she sits in the Typesetters boat yard with a coat of primer and no wood work completed. It's almost August and I can't leave her there forever, nor in that state. She was given to me for free and she's mine so finding something to do with her is up to me. Part of me want's to find her a nice family who'll use her every weekend. I mean I could use her every weekend and I may end up doing that but only time will tell.
 IF I were to have a next boat, the list is short. Bolger Tinycat (Bobcat), Mayfly 14 and the Goat Island Skiff. All have their plus's and minus' but they are all a step up from the Super Teal. They will require more attention, patience, materials and money then my current build. If I were to add an in between boat I'd include the Bolger Payson Windsprint.
 But 80% of boating is planning and scheming that rarely comes to fruition.But it's a damn sight better then nothing at all!

Setting Her Up

 One of my favorite rituals is the after sail ritual with my boat. When she has done her duty and deserves some TLC for a job well done. I think these times with a boat, or any hobby, are important. When I'm on the water, I depend on my boat for my safe return home. Call it what you will but I have and will continue to view her as a living thing and as such deserving of kind words and attention. I've found things powered by steam and old cars are no different.
 First thing to do is to step the mast and raise the sails. This shakes out the rigging and makes inspecting it all the easier. Then it's on to sweeping the interior and inspecting the fore and aft bulkheads. Tonight this included tightening the eye bolts at the rear of the cockpit. One of them holds a Race-lite swivel block that has a habit of catching at the most inopportune times, leading to poor sail handling verging on dangerous. The Typesetter noticed them moving on the last sail so I decided to limit the movement of the eye. This involved removing the seat and getting into various contorted positions with a screw driver and crescent wrench. This lead to a general inspection and tightening of all screws, nuts and bolts on the entire vessel.
 The next step is prepping the vessel to sail at the next available moment. Part of the joy of a small boat is the impulsive sail. The more ready your boat, the more impulsive you can be. Having got the sailing out of my system I set the boat for full readiness. Anchor and anchor bag stowed forward. Two PFD's for captain and possible crew. A few good reading books in aft compartment as well as a small store of water, foul weather gear and ball bungees. Everything I need for a day on the pond.
 The final step is tarping the boat for storage. I use an old tent fly and secure it with railroad spikes. This keeps the water and tree needles out of the bilge.
 Today I found several interesting things I think are worthy of note. I finally got around to measuring my sails and found more then ten square feet I didn't know existed. Andy provided me a sail plan of 45sqft when I questioned him about my sails. Originally the Annas Discors sported eighty square feet of sail so a reduction seemed prudent. But according to my calculations and not to imprecise measurements I have 57.8sqft, very close to the 59sqft Leg O' Mutton specified in the original plans.
 One thing that has been annoying me of late is my seat. So today I decided to fix it. The seat itself is warped and the original Chinese pot metal screws appeared to have been attached by a palsied blind man. It's a amazing what wood screws can do. Seat now is firmly attached and ready for more use.
 One of the briefs in the making of this crafts was for a lot of strings to play with it. I'm thinking of adding one more. I've found that the inability to drop my jib has caused issues. So I'm going to rig a downhaul with appropriate line and tackle. This will make docking and a much happier experience. No longer will I clamber forward and flail at the jib hoping I don't go into the drink. Hopefully I'll have pictures of that project.
 Also my boat needs a flag. I've looked at plenty of pictures and if I have my way Old Glory will be hanging from the gaff the next time I set to see.
 Don't think I'll be heading out on the brimy deep until after Independence day. I could be wrong though.  Actually, I kind of hope I am.

To Every Season a Beginning

Let me see if I can remember the proper sequence of events. First there was disaster. Then a catatrophe. I fell in a pond. Then smooth sailing. And I've only had my first sailing day of the season! Yes the flagship of the Western Montana Home Built Boat Association and the Unofficial Tall Ship of the Circle J Trailer Court the S/V Blue Flower has had her first sailing day of the season!
I woke up this morning needing to go sailing. The weather was perfect, the kind of cloudless hot day that promises rising wind in the afternoon. Only two problems: My boat was ten miles from my house and it wasn't on a legal trailer.
The trailer itself comes from the indomitable Andy Linn who brought it up from Oregon. That coastal and smart state it seems does not require documentation for a trailer as small as this one. Not to mention it had been improved in the care of Mr. Linn. So no title, registration, or plates. After procrastination I learned fixing problem was simplicity itself. I needed to get a VIN assigned to the trailer, have a badged officer inspect and sign off on it, then pay a one time registration fee. Simple.
Except it wasn't. I called in The Typesetter for a bit of help prepping the boat. It took us fifteen minutes cold to get the spars and mast on, rig the main and jib and start trailer sailing. With that done I went to work with an eight dollar Harbor Freight stamp set to put my VIN on the tongue of the trailer. The final step was getting an officer of the law to inspect my work. I called the non emergency number and was informed an officer would show up as soon as possible. Half of Tom Clancy's Debt of Honor later I called again, simply wondering how things were going. I was told it was a very busy day for Missoula's Finest and there was no ETA at this time. Time to take matters into my own hands. I rigged the boat and trailer for motion and set out to the county courthouse with a completly illegal trailer in tow behind my Beetle intending to simply sort it out.
I forgot to mention I purchased a trailer jack as well as the stamp set at Harbor Freight. A wise investment it turns out. Makes single handling the trailer much more user friendly and far less awkward. If you have a trailer I suggest one if you don't have one. Beats the log I was using to prop it up when not in use.
I arrived at the Treasurers office, took a number, waited, and was informed they could not inspect my trailer. No problem the cop shack is across the street. I flagged down an officer and the deed was done. Eighty odd dollars and a printer mishap later I walked out with my plate. Hung it on the trailer with a few paper clips and prepared to hit the water. Did I mention the side chewing my boat took due to a poorly placed ratchet strap? No matter, I was going sailing!
Arrived at the local scum pond just as The Typesetter was getting out. He had been rowing his Teal, the S/V Pica and was knackered. I suggested he dump the sweeps and we form a Teal armada. The wind had risen quite a bit and he did not seem interested in raising sail for it, never mind the armada. I pushed on and splashed S/V Blue Flower. The locals seemed impressed. Seze seemed happy to be in the water once more but it was a front. She was scheming for revenge. With much fanfare I pushed off from the dock. The rudder pin came loose from it's gudgeons and I screamed across the pond with a bone in my teeth right into a  submerged tree on the opposite shore. I'm guessing it must have looked quite impressive right to the point I failed to turn and ran into a tree.
I first tried to remove my Teal from the tree by using profanity but that ploy failed. So it was into the drink and much fussing and maneuvering to get the boat turned round and the sail depowered. Robinson Crusoe would have been proud.Underway once more and I could not make against the wind. So it was off to another shore where The Typesetter was kind enough to lend a hand. With a better shape in my sail I managed to beat towards the dock until my boat refused to answer her helm and sails and I crashed into the far shore once more.
It is my guess my boat did not like being locked in a garage all winter and decided she could do what she pleased now that she was on the water. As I fussed and fretted we had a long conversation on who was in fact the boat and who was the captain and what that meant. I think she listened.
Throughout the preceding I had taken my main sheet from triple purchase to hand held. It was a life saver. Although fine on the boats Blue Flower impersonates it is simply to much with varied winds and a very light sail and boom. When hit by a gust the response is just slow enough to be dangerous and the sheet itself was not long enough to truly spill the wind and depower the sail. Single purchases will be the next major upgrade and it will be well worth the small expense and labor.
Out of nowhere a perfect sail shape emerged, the sun came out and the wind died down. I found the boat responsive on all points of sail. I shook out the jib as I had been running main only, sheeted home and Blue Flower hiked up her skirts and took off like a scalded cat. The next two hours was wonderful sailing. We tacked and gybed, ran and beat. Came close to hull speed a few times and impressed the natives with a very slick looking docking maneuver. This was the sailing I had been dreaming about. I closed down the park and am resolved to return next week. Worth it all and can't wait for the next time!
P.S. You may have noticed a lack of pictures. The reason is lack of camera.

Gettting Closer

Flemish Coils on the deck of S/V Blue Flower

 It was a fairly busy day at the IP&NCo. boat yard! I've recently started work again and with loads of Belegarth stuff it's been tough to get time with Seze. But with our 2nd Annual Frenchtown Messabout coming up I had no choice but to get ready! My buddy and Journeyman Electrician Trevor Stene came over and kindly wired up my 1970 VW beetle for trailer lights. We're missing a few of them right now but it should get me to the pond and back in a somewhat more legal manner then what I was originally planning. As he was working his magic I spent time rigging and cleaning my Super Teal. The rigging was made good, and the whole boat swept and wiped down. She seems to be a very happy and eager boat at this point in time. I can see where and how she needs work but she'll sail for at least another season without major work. Of course major work is on the horizon but she's a well built craft and I can't wait to get her back in her true element.

 There is another project awaiting me. The PD Goose S/V Flying Fox. She's right now not much to look at but there is a lot of potential. And work LOTS of work. Right now the goal is to simply stabilize her for the upcoming winter and tackle her on a time needed basis. Here is a shot of her on the ways.

S/V Flying Fox eXpedition Goose by Andrew Linn

 We're in a full on Indian summer here in Western Montana and I don't think the sailing season is done yet. Well not if I have anything to say about it! I'll keep you posted and if your in my area check out the WMHBBA links on this blog. Hope to see you about!

Sailing with Andy Linn

You can read Andy's trip write up here: http://www.andrewlinn.com/2011/110716_missoula/index.htm
Andy did a pretty good job of covering his time here with us but I thought I should throw up some more photo's. Right now I'm busy getting my vehicle and it's new trailer ready to be legal on Montana's roads and am looking forward to some late season sailing. Also have the Goose to finish before the snow comes.

Andy at the helm. What a beautiful boat!

South side of the pond

Running North before the wind

Lots of fishing, very little catching

Two Teals under sail. Not a bad sight at all!

Racing! Pica had me in a straight line but I had superior tactics on the tack! Much fun. And I want a rematch!

Unofficial Tall Ship of the Circle J Trailer Court

Big News!

I have learned that in addition to the Goose I have incoming that I'll be able to purchase the S/V Annas Discors as well. This is big. It was looking at that boat that has really had impact on the boats I build and what I think a small boat should be. Details are still ongoing but it'll be a great day when I can look to it as mine. Sure I'll need a hitch. And a trailer. But those are minor details, right? In the meantime I'm busy getting S/V Trudy C. ready for the messabout. There is a small cove next to where we'll be camping I think should be safe for an 8' boat. I'll leave you a picture of the AD under full canvas as she was born for. My own mini windjammer!

Stolen shamelessly from www.andrewlinn.com

The Importance of Tools

Today marks a milestone in my boat building career I have purchased my first power tool, a saber saw. It's an orange $5 Kmart special most likely older then me but as near as I can tell it works.

 And that is the important thing. As I read various blogs I find that tools and the acquisition of tools play a huge part in boat building. For the instant boats I build a jigsaw is key. Cutting sides or ripping rub rails it makes the job simple and easy although I suppose a circular saw could do it faster. But there is something satisfying about watching that blade chew up a line that you drew with precision. In an afternoon sides and a transom appear. And soon the cutting is all done.
In prep for the up coming build I grabbed a table from a friend of mine, propped it up on some sawhorses and now I have a workspace, something lacking in my last build. A decent place to work is just as important as having decent tools. I'm looking forward to laying my tools out in the morning and having a place for everything as I work. That will save time as I'll not be searching the lawn looking for the nail I dropped or wondering where I put my wrench.
Over the weekend my buddy Andrew Linn posted build pics of the Lazy Weekend Canoe a boat that has many similarities to my upcoming Mayfly. Andrew builds boats like I hope to and it shows in this build.