Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Coffee klatch
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Pier review
Ian got out his 14 trailer sailer "Westy", Paul came with me in the Core Sound, and in light airs we sailed over and moored at the pier. It was surprisingly choppy there despite the relative lack of breeze. We got coffees and sat in the sun on the steps congratulating ourselves on our good fortune.
An older gentleman with grand daughter in tow distracted our departure communications and Paul cast off too soon, and got left behind on the dock, but I gybed round and picked him up reasonably smoothly. The two boats in those conditions are relatively closely matched, but we managed to slowly overhaul Westy on the beat back to the reef mark. Coming back to the ramp, once again we got a bit confused, Paul jumped out before I got stern line on, Oz got excited and made a leap for the jetty, missed, and went for a swim. That is the third time. I definitely need to get better on crew communication.
I went to the Dinghy Shop and cleared out my bank account buting fibreglass and some assorted screws. Then spent a couple of hours syringing epoxy into the laps between the planks of the Skerry.
All in all, a really good day.
Monday, February 22, 2021
Daylight
In the afternoon I tweaked and tightened wires. The instruction book says there should be "no gaps or light showing".
Oh well. I tack welded the garboard to the bottom panel. If there is any distortion in the hull, it is there for good.
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Trial fit
Today it was past time to tackle the garden. Grass was ankle high, bushes growing from either side meeting in the middle. So a few hours mowing, clipping and sawing, and at least we can get around.
After lunch I got down to Williamstown chandlers to buy some 413 west system epoxy filler. It says it has excellent gap filling qualities. After contemplating my trial fit of decks, and oberving the daylight between various bits, I think I might need them.
Head start
I was hoping to go to the WBA Rye sailing day, but I was stuffed after yesterday and Oz seemed unwell last night and kept waking me up. So I stayed home and finished wiring the hull of the Skerry. It is much stiffer now. Turn over tomorrow, shouldbe interesting.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
New baby
I wired together the remaining pieces of the hull of the Skerry today, and suddenly, there is a boat in the shed. No one would give me any prizes for my woodwork, but I rekon it will come together ok with some judicious application of epoxy and paint.
I feel like a proud parent.
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Rabbeting on
I tackled cutting the rabbets on the egdes of the planks today. Lots of potential for stuff ups but I think I got them right. Finished the gains, drilled lots of little holes, and at last the assembly has begun. I only got in about a dozen of the copper wire ties. Probably a few hundred to go, but all journeys begin with a single step.
I really dont mind the lockdown, it gives me a chance to focus without being distracted. But I do miss sailing. Sandra sent through some fantastic photos from last week's outing.
She got one of me talking to Roman, the other altona Bay cat ketch owner. So I now have photographic proof that boat exists. I have made contact with Roman subsequently via the WBA, and look forward to some cat ketch outings.