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.

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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.