The weather last week was seriously grim, with rain, black skies, and gale force winds. There was a king tide to boot, so lots of sobering high water levels. That sort of weather, where you can't sleep because of the tempest outside, and you can't do much during the day because you will get soaked and possibly squashed by a flying object, always feels a bit end of days. But, as always, it passes, and the world afterwards feels scrubbed and benign. This morning was blue skies and sunshine and light winds, too good not to engage with somehow. I walked Barca down to the little launch spot at the end of Williamstown beach, put Oz in his life jacket and sculled off in front of a small crowd who had suddenly gathered. It was all going rather well till I encountered a large flat rock just below the water about 50 metres off the beach. We hit hard enough for Barca to get well stuck. Pride cometh before a fall and all that.
Once free and round the corner I could relax a bit and work on my sculling. I was using a broad faced nylon paddle with a tubular aluminium shaft that came with the Sevylor Tahiti inflatable canoe long long ago. It sort of works. I sculled into and out of the little harbour of Williamstown angling club without hitting anything, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. Switching over to rowing was a relief, and we had a nice row along the coast admiring the marine growth over the rocks below the surface. It certainly looks very healthy, lots of bright green growth of all shapes and sizes.
I think Barca makes a distinct contribution to the general good humour of the world. Back on the beach, I had a nice chat to a few people who were taken with Barca's charm, and Oz had a good old bark and splash about with a red setter who was being taken for a swim by her owners.
Once I got home, I made some modifications to the trailer, which hopefully will stop the boat jumping off every second bump. While I was on a roll, I pushed on with the tasks outstanding to convert Barca into a sailing boat. I was looking at some pictures of the Australian Sailfish - there is one going for free in the WBA newsletter - and I figure if people can sail them, surely I can sail Barca. I finished off the various bits as it was getting dark. I think I will add the Rola Portata bags like I used to use on the Skerry, and definitely wear my dry suit, as that water is getting mighty cold.
First off I will try with the old poly tarp sail. If it sort of works I might spring for an aluminum mast and a nice Really Simple Sails sail. Or I could make a better poly tarp sail. It would be great to have a sail boat I can fit in the back of the car!
