Lifelong learning

 Seems like you never stop learning.  Hopefully all these lessons, one would hope to see signs of improvement.  For the WBA sailing day up the Maribrynong, events unfolded such that I was taking the Pirogue.  I dug out my old curtain rod mast and polytarp sail, and got down to the local beach to do some testing. I tried steering with the single paddle, which was a dud, and with the double paddle which sort of worked though I did tend to go round in circles. It was a fun experiment though, and a very pleasant hour or so's sailing. And I had a good conversation with Leonne, a lady who goes swimming there most nice afternoons.

On reflection I figured I probably needed a rudder, so next day I cobbled together a norwegian tiller arrangement onto a rudder that another of my beach acquaintances had found and passed onto me. 

Sunday morning we were all packed and waiting for Chris who was christening his new double decker trailer.  

I was a bit anxious about parking and whether the local Essendon Canoers would be hostile to invaders.  Goes to show, we probably worry about the wrong things, as parking was no problem and the locals were very friendly. 

Jack was there already with his Acorn with remarkably low boom clearance, and Hamish turned up with his lovely Skerrie.  It was very chilled, and the Sunday morning weather was lovely, light zephyrs to ghost us along down stream to meet the fleet coming up.

I think we made a significant contribution to the entertainment and good humour on the river bank - we got lots of waves, people took lots of photos of us, little children called out to us and got very excited as we sailed majestically by.

What could possibly go wrong?  A few miles down the river, near Footscray rowing club, we met the first of the fleet coming up river.  I got my gopro out, and was fiddling with it, and not watching what was happening on the water or holding onto the mainsheet that well, when a substantial blast of  wind came barrelling down the river. 

Note that the BOM was predicting that the winds would be decreasing.  Oh well, no excuses.  When the blast hit, the mainsheet - a crappy, thin bit of Bunnings cord which I had rigged without any mechanical advantage whatsoever - slipped through my fingers.  The sail swung forward.  Instant roll to leeward. Splash.

I managed to capture the whole event on the gopro and the WBA members in the boats coming up gleefully filmed it all too.  I got to the river bank, with a bit of gentle nudging from Chris in Stringybark - that tugboat captain experience is very useful sometimes -  bailed out, got sorted and headed off again.  As the wind chart above shows, the breeze was really kicking up by this time, and we had to slog back into wind gusting up to over 20 knots.  At some points I was paddling as hard as I could and still going backwards, which was a bit dispiriting.  At least it kept me warm.

We got back to the club pontoon, I retrieved dry clothes, used up my 10 minutes maximum use time in the local exceloo getting dry and changed.  We decided that we would forgo the slog up to the WBA meeting spot about a mile upriver, straight into the headwind which was still blasting away, and had a pleasant lunch in the sun instead, chatting to Jack and his crew member, and then  to Hamish who came back down river to join us.   

At least I had everything in drybags that were sealed and tied on - for once I didn't loose anything or drown anything.    My winter swimming had prepared me for the cold water, and some instinct told me not to take my better cameras. No harm done except to my ego.    It actually was a good little adventure.  And I learned a few more things - particularly, I need to invest in better mainsheet rigging for the sailing canoe ... and take and use the outriggers next time I take that boat out!

Speaking of boats, I have started another build, this time a John Welsford "Scraps"  a 6 foot long pram type dinghy. It actually does look a little bit SCAMP like - an Anjevi minime.  Of course a 12 foot boat needs a 6 foot tender. 

My hope is that it is stable enough for me to get Oz from Scamp to Scraps to shore for his at least twice daily shore leave requirements.  If not, I think the Welsford brand is sufficient that I will be able to at least get my money back.  I am using as many scraps as I can to build the boat, but I suspect this project will wind up with a net increase in the amount of bits of ply and off cut lying around.   Hey ho, I am enjoying the process of the build enormously, it is really good fun.  I think I will add a mast step, rudder gudgeons and a lee board, so it can sail as well.  

The Scraps is built upside down on a strong back.  I have never built a boat that way before, so it is a learning experience!  Lifelong learning in action!

 

Blythely spend the gowden day

 As we have been sliding into Winter, there have been more than our fair share of golden days.  I managed to keep swimming into the first week of June, but got a cold, then got distracted, and I fear I have lost my super power of cold water acclimatization.  

I finished the outriggers and got one sea trial in with them.  I need a few more blocks to get the mainsheet working properly, then I am good for some more serious testing.  I have been very slowly shaping and hand sewing a tent for the SCAMP too.  It looks a lot better than a tarp draped over the boat and hanging down at odd angles.   Next step, ad a zip.  I have not had the SCAMP out for a while, it will be good to get back on the water for some winter sailing soon.

Speaking of SCAMP's, I helped my neighbour Frank, who is 80, collect his SCAMP kit.  It was not so long ago that my SCAMP looked like this:

It really is magical that this turns into a SCAMP!  I have largely forgotten how it all happens, so I better brush up on the manual so I can give sensible answers when asked for advice.

Meantime, we had a nice trip down to Warrnambool to celebrate our anniversary - I haven't been anywhere since Tassie in February, and the longer the interval between getting away, the harder it seems to get.  But it was a good trip, and for just about the first time, it did not rain non stop while I was in Warrnambool. 

I said to the family that this blurry photo demonstrates why they call them whale flukes - it is a fluke if you press the shutter button at the right time to capture them.  Anne points out that in fact it is the pectoral fin of a female whale, which they use to slap the water and send out a signal.  The fluke is the tail.  

Back home, Chris and I got Derry the Skerry launched on the Maribrynong, as reconnaissance for the upcoming WBA river trip.  We established pretty conclusively that launching a heavy-ish row boat, such as was being suggested by a couple of members - would be pretty difficult.    We also managed to discover and visit the mysterious Steele's Creek.  The entrance is very difficult to spot, but the creek itself is quite deep and goes quite a way.  It was a very pleasant, golden day on the water.  These low wind winter days are perfect for rowing, you don't overheat, and you know if you were trying to sail you would be going nowhere fast.

The big event of early winter for us is our lovely grand daughter Harriet's first birthday.  We bought her a nice walker as a present which has been a big hit and has all sorts of possible entertaining uses.

Jess and Chris are wonderful parents, it is so nice to watch Harriet growing into herself in such a  loving, secure, happy environment. It was chilly today, but Hattie's birthday made it indeed a golden day. 

Where's my haliberd?

 The weather has given us a lovely run of balmy days. No rain, not good for the farmers, and more evidence of global warming, but it is hard not to enjoy it. The Bay temperature is more than a degree warmer than this time last year. I have been getting down for a swim most mornings, I might make it to June with luck, though the weather looks a bit grim for the weekend and a string of days with other commitments might finish off my acclimatization.

Geoff brought his SCAMP down from Learmonth last week. 5 boats got out, a nice little fleet. The more boats the more people going in all directions, and the ramp gets crowded. I think 5 is a good number.  Neil Murphy on Andrew's Red Jacket took this photo of the two SCAMPs ghosting along in light airs. Whenever I see a photo of people in SCAMPS from front on, I am reminded of E.H.Shepard's wonderful drawing from "Wind in the Willows":

All we need are some revolvers, haliberds and truncheons to brandish to complete the picture.

I am very conscious that this fantastic weather won't last, and I should be getting as much on water time as I can, but lack of car and sheer laziness have gotten the upper hand. Plus some other jobs ticked off the to do list.

Meanwhile I have been pushing on with the outriggers. Not a brilliant job but good enough I hope. I will be interested to see how they go on Peero the Bolger Pirogue. 

Video of Friday's sail btw:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/191DEtiP8Y/

Weed, deweed

 

Albert Park Lake seems to be getting weedier and shallower each time I launch there. Sailing round Gunn Island, as I did twice, first with Sam, then with Ashley, two potential SCAMP builders, we left a muddy trail behind us and it was clear that the centreboard was ploughing a groove through the mud and weed. Which didn't improve speed or handling. But there was a moderate southerly, gusting over 12 knots I reckon, enough to move the little bull dozer of the SCAMP along. 

Quite a good turn out, 7 boats turned up, and a few people came along thanks to the Facebook posts. The session on the Tawe Nunnugah was interesting, some perspectives there that I hadn't thought of.   The ferry crossing really does add a level of risk and stress if things don't go according to plan. I doubt I will do another, somehow it was more tiring and less rewarding than the previous time. Still glad I did it though, but twice is enough.

After lunch, I had a good solo sail, tacking up the lake while other boats retrieved. I was sailing past the concrete space where the boats wait before moving onto the ramp, a couple of boat lengths off, and Gavan gestured to the space behind Tosh, enough to fit the SCAMP. Split second, I'll considered decision, I headed in, tried to drop sail, but with the wind over port side, the yard pressed against mast, lots of friction, sail stuck, gust catches sail, and next thing we are heading straight for the concrete. Luckily the weed slowed us, and Gavan caught the bow before crunch time, but a few more lessons in there to learn.

The boat and trailer were liberally plastered with horrible Lake weed. I hosed off as much as I could, but the weed still stuck under the skegs was a good excuse to launch the next day. Wind prediction south easterlies increasing over the day. We ran some errands, then I got down to the ramp about 11.30. I was rigging the boat, when a car drove into the carpark and pulled up beside me. An older chap emerged. "You must be Gary" he said. Ah, fame 🙂

It was Shane, aka "Boomerang", a RL28 sailor who I have  communed with over Facebook. He did a round the bay sail recently. Not exactly a dinghy, the RL28, but still a good achievement.  Shane has a fascination with exploring the backwaters of the bay that I can relate to.

Anne came down a bit after 12 and we were heading out about 12.30. Just about close hauled we were heading for P3, which was glowing a cheerful bright yellow against the general grey of the day. I like to have a destination, however arbitrary, so we set our sights on that. It took a few tacks to reach. There were two terns sitting cosily on the buoy, each with their own quadrant, sort of like a bird apartment. They looked very pleased with the arrangement.

A broad reach home, and true to the prediction the wind built as we went. We were pushing along nicely at 4-4.5 knots. The ramp was pleasantly deserted except for seagulls.  The weed cleaning was a very pleasant exercise.

. 

And then there were three

 

Glorious Autumn weather last week or so, and perfect day for the launch of Geoff's SCAMP " Papa's" #738, on Lake Wendouree. Not much wind, which is perfect for launching a new boat. Chris brought along his little kayak, and did the honours as camera boat so we could get some excellent footage of the historic occasion, three SCAMPs on Victorian waters. I launched mine February last year, so the numbers have gone from zero to three in just over a year. I wish my Superannuation was showing a similar rate of increase. At this rate, we won't be able to move for SCAMPS in a decade or two. Here is a video stitching together some of Chris' fine footage:

There are a couple more in progress, and more people making contact who are seriously interested. A chap who has bought the plans came down from Bendigo for a sail on Wednesday. Another beautiful Autumn day, but an almost windless morning which was not so great for him nor for the skippers of the other 7 boats that surprisingly turned up in response to my announcement I was going out on the WBA WhatsApp group.  Hey ho, I don't control the weather, but couldn't help feeling a bit guilty as we all bobbed round on the glassy surface of the water a few hundred metres off the ramp, going nowhere fast.

It would have been a brilliant paddling day. I have just finished reading Verlen Kruger's "Incredible Journey", his account of paddling and portaging right across Canada in a canoe. He and his buddy each carried a load of 170 lbs on the portages, sometimes for 8 miles or more, often uphill. Golly. They were lucky to survive from the sound of it. But he went on to paddle over 100000 miles, still paddling into his eighties. 

Mike, the potential SCAMP builder who came out with me Wednesday, used to sail Mosquito catamaran, quite seriously from the sound of it.  I by contrast am not a serious sailor.  He asked me what tweaks I have found most useful with the balanced lug.  After thinking for a while, I had to confess that I don't tweak. 

It occurred to me that this is all a bit like Freud's "Civilization and its Discontents".  Having another boat around, or another person on board, especially if they are a serious sailor, is a sure pathway to feeling like you have to go faster, try harder, tweak that sail shape.  Its nice to have the company and the competition, but it comes at a price.

Hey ho, I need to get through the WBA Sailing Day this Sunday, then I plan to try some non-serious, solipsistic sailing.

Adapting

My old car finally reached the end of the road this week.  This has been coming for a good while, and I was sad to see it move on, but all things wear out alas.  

 

It was a great car, and many happy miles and memories go with it. With it gone, I need to change my sailing ways a bit.  I can still negotiate to use the white car, but also I can make use of the little beach and ramp round the corner.  

I have launched the Skerry there a couple of times in the last few weeks.   With all the sailing paraphernalia loaded up it is a fair old workout, especially getting back up the ramp.  Great to be able to do it though. We had a grand sail with Andrew in his Laser.

I think I need a better trolley if I am going to launch to sail.  Last launch and retrieval I had to come home and have a nap afterwards, I was seriously tired.  The fat tyres and rusting axle of my folding trolley impart a fair bit of friction.  I am giving some serious thought to a trolley using bicycle wheels, with ball bearing axles and thinner tyres, a bit like the one I use for my kayak and the pirogue.

 Rowing is much simpler and lighter and quicker all round and I think I will stick to that with the Skerry from now on until a better trolley presents itself.  But it is lovely to sail the Skerry again.  Even Oz thought it was not too bad.

For simple quick light sailing, the 12 foot Bolger Peero that I built when the kids were little makes a nice option.   I gave it some much needed maintenance, and have been fiddling with the rigging. I can have it on the water in 15 minutes without a lot of effort, and it is great fun to sail.

Fun, but also quite tippy.  It doesn't have a lot of hull form stability, and sailing requires concentration.  I am building some Storer Mini Outriggers as insurance against an unplanned swim.

It is nice to have a boat building project again, albeit a small one. I find it immensely satisfying.

Past the autumn equinox

 Now we have moved past the autumn equinox the boating weather is perfect for the sort of pottering round l enjoy most. Lack of second car requires some logistical juggling, but I have managed to get out for some excellent on water activities in the last week or so. 4 days on the water out of 7 ... Now that's a good average.

Sunday was the WBA sailing day at Werribee South, I got down there by train and bus, and Stephen kindly took me on as crew in his SCAMP.  Not much wind, mostly a rowing motoring day. I managed to break the rowlock pin on Stephen's oar but it was a good day, with an excellent turnout of boats.

The weather forecast for the rest of the week looked good. Monday I launched Anjevi from the warmies with Anne and Ozzie as crew. We sailed over to Port Melbourne, admired Princes Pier pylons and the stonking great cruise boats tied up at Station Pier being rebadged, then headed back to Williamstown and tied up at Ferguson St pier. Andrew Campbell was standing at the stern of the Castlemaine to welcome us in. Anne got fish and chips, the tram Ferry and Fearless pulled up and scowled at us a bit, as it is listed as a commercial traffic pick up drop off pier only. Oh well. If another commercial boat has turned up I was ready to move. 

It was a very pleasant spot for lunch.

We did a bit of exploring checking out the piers of Williamstown then headed back to the deserted ramp for an easy retrieval. A good day.

Chris contacted me suggesting an impromptu overnighter to Williamstown. He launched at Werribee South, I launched at Altona with a bit of cafr shuffling.  I radioed Chris to suggest meeting for lunch at the little sheltered indentation just round this side of point cook. I thought I was about a mile away, but my estimation of distance was, as usual, wildly optimistic. But I got there eventually and we enjoyed a peaceful lunch anchored in the shelter of the point.

It's 6 miles across to the breakwater pier at Williamstown, luckily a nice southerly filled in, and we had a fine quartering run, the SCAMP was ticking along round 4.5 knots, up over 5 down some of the waves. Off point Gellibrand we reefed, and pottered round to let the freighter traffic clear before heading in.

It was a bit bumpy till midnight when the wind settled down, and a bit noisy from the dock over the opposite side of the shipping channel which operates 24/7, but a lovely morning. Turner would have loved it. Back at ramp by 10, car shuffle, back home by 11. A great micro adventure !