The dinghy's dinghy

 

Three boats set off from Werribbee River on a falling tide, and a fine but light airs day yesterday, to make another attempt to get into Little River. Of course the falling tide meant sand bars and shallow water, and Jim with his heavy Drascombe was not keen on getting stuck in the mud, so we anchored a few hundred metres off for lunch. I was keen to see if I could get in, so I inflated the cheapie one person vynl toy dinghy and tried my luck.

It was neither dry nor easy to propel in any give direction but it was fun. I rowed in, and squelched through the dubious looking mud for a while, but it looked like the mouth was blocked by a sandbar and was well above the current water level. Thanks Gerard for taking the photos and motoring in to offer me a tow back.

It was a splendid adventure though, it feels very remote and wild down there. We saw dolphins, plus hosts of bird life. A great outing.

And here is some video from the day:

Dumb luck

 

Racing at AYC yesterday, and 5 Sabres got out in the mix. It was good racing, with positions changing multiple times over the two races. I was well back on the left side of the couse when a sudden strong wind change to SW had me on a perfect line to the top mark, and I was suddenly in second place in the Sabre pack. 

The Bom recorded 24 knots at 3.30, and it was a wild, exciting ride to the finish. I nearly caught Sandra but she saw me coming and got home ahead. It was a great day on the water. Thanks to Andrew on the crash boat for the photo.

Bling and half gunnelled

 

Four lovely bronze rowlock sockets arrived today. Boat bling. I think the Skerry will look extra snappy when these are fitted.

The pvc clamps seem to have done an ok job. The port gunnel stayed put when I took the clamps off this afternoon. The starboard rail now attached. One more on each side to go. Am I half gunnelled?  I certainly am tired. I went out for a sail for about three hours this morning , a funny sort of outing with the wind all over the place. It was a challenge to tack back to the club ramp as the wind kept shifting and dying. Fitting the rail is a major operation with lots of stages, and lots of cursing. So I will sleep well tonight I rekon.

Clamp

 

I epoxied on the first rail today. I think I could use about a dozen more c clamps at least. Coincidentally there was a post on the clc builders fb group with people discussing the merits or deficiencies of pvc pipe diy clamps, and the potential for boats to get out of plum when attaching one rail at a time. I guess I will find out tomorrow how effectice the clamps have been, and as far as I can tell boat is no less symetrical than it was. 

Putting the gunnels on really stiffens up a boat, i am looking forward to getting the other side done.

Rails

 

I had a fun few days ripping some of the oregon down to the right size for the gunnel laminations, the scarfing and glueing the pieces together. It is a bit of a 3d jigsaw puzzle trying to use the wood so as to minimize waste. I have also got the two halves of the mast. Really only the yards to go.

Today I trial fitted the inner layers of the rails. I was waiting for the wood to crack or split or snap, but the two sides went on fairly cooperatively.  There is a tiny gap at the stem that I can't close with pressure from screws and i can't think how to clamp, so that might be another task for that wonderful gap filling epoxy.

While the scarf joints were drying on the floor of the shed, the boat had to stay outside. Of course it poured that night, and despite a few half arsed tarps, the boat had about 50 litres of water slishing round in the morning. If it keeps water out as well as it keeps water in, I will be happy.

The other good news is that both sail and rowlock sockets have been despatched and should be here within a week or so. 

Wood

 

I finally managed to arrange a day to meet George out in his Laverton yard, and get a good load of his fantastic oregon. There is plenty to finish the boat, gunnels, mast and spars. 

I put the boat on the trolley that I got from Andrew from the WBA, so I can now move it relatively easily in and out of the shed. Very handy to be able to use the space and it will be good for the interior fibreglassing to be able to do that outdoors to avoid being gassed.

I ripped one set of rails today.  Not the nicest job but it is  doable. It was a nice counterbalance for the irritations of the day. It sounds like the sail won't be arriving anytime soon. Hopefully it might appear in time for the launching. But I am looking forward to having the Skerry as a good rowing boat. Better order some rowlock sockets.

Shiney

 

I sanded and put the last coat of epoxy on the hull today, rolling and tipping with a brush. The end result was pleasingly shiney. I can see why people go down the varnish track. But I  know how bad I  am at maintenance, so it will be painted.  

I should have filled the nail holes but an aggravating phone call from the yacht club distracted me. I rekon if I am painting I can fill before painting. 

Hopefully tomorrow i can get some oregon, otherwise the project will be grinding to a halt.

I have also decided to sell the Sabre and not renew the ayc club membership, which should help my liquidity situation and help me focus on the sort of sailing that interests me more, cruising and messing about in small boats.