Not yoking

 I seem to be even more clutzy than normal these days. Launching at Black Rock a few weeks back was a fiasco. I put that down to a flat tyre on the trolley and launching at an unknown spot, which meant I wasn't well prepared before raising sail. Next sail last week I went down to my usual beach launching spot in front of AltonaYachtClub, took my time, and so no excuses. Low tide, onshore wind, bit of left over chop from the previous day's wind, and I managed to break the yoke on Derry’s rudder within a minute of launching.

I was trying to sail off, hit the sand bar, pulled up centreboard, dropped the tiller, boat broached starboard side on, tiller under, weight of boat on tiller acting as a lever, snap. :(

I had arranged to rendezvous with Chris who was launching at Werribee, and Andrew was launching Mars at the ramp, so I jury rigged an arrangement using the push pull tiller lashed to the head of the rudder stock. Thankfully the Skerry is well balanced and light on the tiller so it was adequate. A brisk South easterly got me over to Point Cook on one tack.

We tried rafting up, but the wind and the chop made that not such a good idea. I am afraid I bumped into Ysolde and took a chip out of that lovely transom.  We anchored separately and had a pleasant lunch then headed off back to our respective destinations, me at least somewhat sadder and hopefully wiser.

I made a beefier replacement yoke, and hopefully I have learned the lesson, row out and get some searoom before trying to sail. 

Meanwhile, progess continues on the SCAMP. Now the roof is on I have trouble keeping Maggie our of the boat, she loves it.

I am almost up to what the manual optimistically  calls "Cockpit coatings and final bits". Today's job is fibreglassing the cabin roof. 

Top that

 

I finally got the cabin roof on, which really does feel like a milestone. Very nice to have some visible progress after a lot of necessary but difficult to notice tasks like epoxying and painting inside the compartment between #2 and #3.

Maggie and Ozzie have been a huge help on this long and not too exciting stretch of the project.

Meanwhile, a much need morale boost came in the form of the Dinghy Cruising Quarterly Journal #259 which included my article on the Tawe Nunnugah.  The thrill that'll gitcha when you get your picture in the DCA journal is nice. I was hoping for the cover but never mind.

Part of my slow progress is me sloping off to do other things. Peter suggested a sail from Black Rock last week. A long drive over and a solid slog against the wind and current to get to Sandringham. Here is Ozzie at Sandringham dog beach heading off towards a nice older couple in the hope they will rescue him from the trip back.

Chris made the better call and sailed over from Altona, tho Snapper season and nice weather don't make for peaceful boat ramps. He made a very nice video of his sail over, Oz and Derry and I make a brief cameo appearance in there.

Good news is I have picked up since a few weeks back. My genial spirits are reviving. I hope.

Passing the key test

 From long experience with boats and my SO (that's "Significant Other" and/or "Sailing Officer" depending on context) I know that early impressions with new craft can be decisive. For example, the impression made by the boom of the Hartley ts16 on SO's  head on our first sailing outing in that boat pretty much doomed the Hartley's future with us. So it was with some trepidation that I welcomed Anne aboard "Anjevi", SCAMP #645, to try the boat out for size. 

The good news is, the boat was a big hit. Anne really liked the multiple comfortable sitting arrangements and the spacious cockpit. So we have passed the critical test of winning the spouse's approval.

The grate/picnic table was a hit too. 

I have managed at last to get the decks on.  Busted one bit of the puzzle joints wracking it with a mallet without a solid backing behind, but that's what epoxy is for. Decks all went on and lined up pretty well. Maggie really likes the decks, she can scoot around the boat now without having to balance precariously.

Cabin sides are next to glue on. I have been struggling a bit with energy and not feeling super the last week or so, but I dare to hope we will get this one on the water. It looks more and more solid and substantial every week.