Created by my wonderful daughter. Last summer’s cruise in Maine. She gets it.
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Author: eebe4
I like boats that sail, particularly those made of wood.
Steampunk Sailor
Yesterday, my daughter and I took a short, brisk sail with LUNA up the East River, stopping by “Ed’s Cove” on the return for lunch on the hook. The menu offered hot tomato soup, ham wraps, beer and sunshine in a protected cockpit. No one else was around. No one. Granted it was mid-week, but too many boat owners put their craft away after Labor Day here. So many wonderful days are missed. You can have July and August in my book. From September up until Christmas frequently is truly the best sailing time of the year. The water’s summer heating holds its inertia well into November. Yesterday was beautiful … ah, so is today.
Here’s one of my favorite sailors working out music for the picnic.
Wind In The Willows
Old Bay Club members Barbara and Harris couldn’t have been any better hosts this past weekend. They invited the “Club” to their house. True, and that after last year’s visit. In attendance were 8 boats and 12 sailors. Some arrived Friday afternoon for a sail down the James, oysters on the beach, a fire, cocktails (beware of Dark and Stormies) and a beautiful sunset.
Saturday was a dream sail in the marshes of Grays Creek near the Jamestown ferry landing at Scotland. Took lunch on a sandy spit with Dennis and Jim while watching Barry in his 1947 Lightning glide back and forth. The others took lunch at a small restaurant in the creek. H & B win the race home. For the record, Barbara was at the helm.
Sunday’s sail was brisk. Winds in the upper teens. I climbed in with Barry under full sail. We were quick to sit on the rail of his sprite Lightning and eventually doused the jib to carry on. The fleet was reduced to Harris and his Caledonia, Doug and Kevin with their Marsh Cats, Dennis in his Wisp and Tom and Francie in their Sea Pearl. Couldn’t have asked for a better weekend or folks to share it with. Here are some phone clips as proof.
A Friday Night
Sorry, nothing raucous to show here. No overhang thrills. Just a simple overnight sail. With winds at 12-15 and gusting to 20, LUNA beats up the East River under full sail. She puts her shoulder into it without protest. Not far past Put In Creek, we turn downwind, pass the magnificent Bruce King ketch “Chanty” (there’s some varnish), and set out into Mobjack. We reach toward Ware River, before tightening up to beat up the North River. Sails are lowered across from an old 1848 neo-classical home named Elmington. It owns the largest magnolia tree I’ve ever seen. Perhaps its age matches the house. I set the anchor in 5′ of water. The sunset highlights a beautiful golden tree line. Cocktails and a quick dinner compliment.
Sack time for this rowdy Friday is 20:30. The night is still. Stars are blazing at 02:00. At 07:15, dawn brings a flock of crows who are bent on waking the roosters to their job. They do eventually. The orchestra is complete with a few dogs giving their say. As coffee brews, I wipe down the dew from the cockpit. A feathery mist lifts off the water.
With mizzen and main raised, I haul the anchor. No mud. Must be sandy. I put away the brush. We ghost out of the river to meet a fresh breeze back into Mobjack and reach to East R. Opposite the marina, we flatten the mizzen, head to windward and go forward to drop the main. It lowers 18″ and then sticks repeatedly. No yanking of the halyard persuades otherwise. So, I toss the anchor, drop the jib and am just able to hoist my lead tail up the mast with the bosun’s chair to reach the snag above the spreaders. Wouldn’t this be a perfect time for one of those powerboats to roll by? Well some idiot did decide to swing by at full tilt to see what was up. If my hands were free, I’d have “waved” back. I’ve sent the main and mizzen back today to remove the shackle to slide connection for webbing. That should fix that problem.
The SNAFU did nothing to remove the glow of the perfect sail. In fact, it was a point of accomplishment in an odd way. The time on the water was grand. Here’s some video.
Cape Falcon’s F1 Kayak (part III)
DAY 9: (4 hrs)
- cut, milled, shaped and glued 1/2″ x 1/2″ stringer to gunnel. Dowelled every 18″ for added security.
- made form for cockpit coaming.
- cut coaming material from oak. The circumference is +/-7′ so a longer steam box is needed. This one I’ll make from blue foam sitting around.
DAY 10: (5 hrs)
- made a foam steam box for larger cockpit coaming pieces.
- put “boat soup” (equal parts pine tar, turpentine and tung oil) on boat.
- steamed oak strips for coaming. The sharp forward nose of the coaming kept breaking. Will add a block for this and tie coaming into it.
- used ringed bronze boat nails to hold rim together.
- ordered ballistic nylon and 2 part urethane coating.
DAY 11: (5 hrs)
- decided to add some floor slats. I wish I had added them in the few SOF fuselage kayaks we’ve built. I don’t want to stretch or distort the skin once applied. This may be particularly a problem where your heels contact the hull. These were thinner than the ribs, but spanning only 6″ between ribs. Lashed in, the floors should provide additional rigidity.
- also pulled the coaming, drilled skin threading holes every 2″, sanded and coated it.
- the fabric and goo have arrived. Must wait for the boat soup to dry. Should have added some japan drier. By the time we can get back to the project, all should be dry.
DAY 12: (4 hrs)
- decided to remove the outer most floor slats. They will telegraph and distort the bottom, not by much, but I don’t want to increase drag.
- installed the foot pegs. These are the best of the 3 I’ve now used: Harmony Sidelock Footbrace System. I’ve through bolted them after checking their location by sitting in the kayak. I like the ease at which they can be adjusted and the rounded edges of the pegs themselves. I have also used both Sea-lect and Attwood adjustable pegs, but I prefer the Harmony so far.
- drilled all the holes in the gunnels for leather tie downs and stem grab holds.
- added a plastic deck hook under the foredeck for bungee cords to hold a bilge pump, water bottle, thermos or whatever.
- put on the last coat of “soup”. This time using Japan Drier in the mix. That gets the drying moving.
- Next up: covering and coating.
Here is a walk-around video:
Total hours thus far: 66 hrs. One more kayak post and we’re done.
Cape Falcon’s F1 Kayak (part II)
DAY 6: (4 hrs)
- used poster board strip to get correct rib lengths.
- rough cut rib material from oak.
- dimensioned ribs through thickness planer and rounded with router.
- cut ribs to length, eased ends for mortise pockets and set in bath to soak a few days.
DAY 7: (6 hrs)
- manufactured a steam “box” from 4″ ABS pipe, plastic hose, towel, tee shirt and kettle on a propane grill burner.
- placed soaked ribs in sets of 3 in steam. Added a pair after using a limbered up pair. This kept work flow going.
- Rib 16 splintered. Rib 1 in the bow broke 3 times. I used 1/4″ oak, 3/16″ oak, then bamboo and finally created a “V” shaped rib from previous broken ribs. Pre-soaking the ribs seemed to help prepare the ribs vs. placing the ribs dry into the steam box.
- Once the ribs were in place, I removed several of the molds. Removal required cutting some in half.
- I’m glad I had the molds for reference. A 1/4″ difference in proper rib length can distort the hull shape.
DAY 8: (4.5 hrs)
- drilled and pinned 1/8″ dowels into ribs at mortices.
- discovered several ribs had cracked or frayed at the keel line. Lacking enough spare material, I milled more, cut it to lengths and steamed to put in place. That rib #2 took 2 tries.
- removing the molds and flipping the kayak, I lashed the keel first. Then each chine afterwards.
- I now have a beautiful “basket”.
- the frame weighs 16 lbs 10 oz.
- will now order the ballistic nylon and coating.
Total hours thus far: 48 hrs.
Sailing Janes Island
Took my pup Huck to the Eastern Shore. We met Kevin, Peter and Mike for 3 days of wonderful sailing. Day 1 Kevin and I circled Janes. Day 2 we sailed across to Deal Island and back. Day 3 was windier and we all spent it in the various creeks just north of Janes. Camping in the back of the pickup work well with an inflatable bed and galley kit. Video follows:
Cape Falcon’s F1 Kayak (part I)
I never set foot in a canoe or slipped myself into a kayak until maybe 12 years ago. The opportunity just didn’t present itself. Growing up elsewhere, there were always other boats available, and given a choice, you know where I stand with sailing. Paddling up or floating down fresh water had never gotten past the inner tube. However, with canoes and kayaks, access to the water, specifically the James River, has opened up. After living in the Richmond area for now decades, I wonder why I was so late to the party. I have some catching up to do.
My middle son and I built two fuselage framed “skin on frame” (SOF) kayaks and have done numerous day and overnight trips with them. My cedar stripped Outer-Island was the next progression toward bigger and more skilled boat building. She is an entirely different animal, slick, fast with none of the wasted energy absorbed in the previous SOF’s. One drawback to the O-I is she’s not tolerant to raking across occasional rocks. The SOF’s seem to escape damage. No surprise there.
At the Mid Atlantic Small Craft Festival last weekend, a friend allowed me to paddle a kayak I have been eyeing for several years now. It is the Cape Falcon F1. First captured by the beauty of this design in traditional SOF construction, paddling the boat locked actually building one. After reviewing all I could find on the F1, I took the plunge.
After reading the designer Brian Schulz cautions getting the lines just right, I decided, unlike his “eyeball” method to use molds assuring some accuracy. Documentation is largely photographs below. Days are not necessarily consecutive.
F1 Specifications:
- Length: 14′ 13/4″
- Beam: 23″
- Depth to shear: 81/2″
- Depth overall: 11 11/16″
- Projected Weight: 29 lbs.
DAY 1: (8 hrs)
- drafted design lines into AutoCAD.
- surfaced 3/4″ Western Red Cedar boards, (2) 1×8 x 16′.
- cut out gunnels, stringers and keel from same.
- lofted and cut molds.
- made deck frame lamination jigs and laminated 2 of 3 beams ( 0.1875″ cedar strips) after soaking.
DAY 2: (6 hrs)
- cut gunnels to length, marked beam locations and drilled mortices for ribs.
- set up strong back and mounted molds.
- began to set gunnels and shape their ends.
DAY 3: (5.5 hrs)
- planed aft gunnels to fit flush. Tied together.
- added aft stem board. May use for drain plug.
- spent 1 hr finding owner of wayward dog “Riah”.
- cut aft deck beams, laminated and mortised into gunnels.
- cut fore and aft stems. Struggled with aft one, but don’t like how it sits. Will review next session.
DAY 4: (7 hrs)
- trimmed and lashed stems onto gunnels and keel.
- planed edges of keel and chines. Sanded same.
- cut and fitted above. Lashed all onto stems.
- cut forward deck ridge. Fitted forward stem to receive ridge.
- took measurements along gunnel to chine to confirm designed dimensions. All is OK.
DAY 5: (7 hrs)
- sanded, trimmed and mortised fore deck beams. Pinned beams with cross dowels.
- mounted and lashed fore deck ridge beam.
- installed aft deck stringers in oak.
- stepped back to observe lines. Noticed aft stem was not right. Too much rocker. Measured to find keel was 2″ off. That explains tight bend in keel. Thought I had measure correctly. Think I misread my 1:1 scale print of stem.Cut off old stem, made new one and lashed in. Boat is right now.
- Sanded overall.
- now only the two 1/2″ x 1/2″ knuckles remain before installing ribs. Brian prefers using laminated bamboo with vertical grain, but I can’t locate the sheets economically. Will use oak.
We’re at 33.5 hrs so far. Surprised it has taken that long. Been fun. This is as close to an instant boat as you can get.
The weather has finally changed for the better. Going sailing.
Mid Atlantic Small Craft Festival 2016
For me, a 4 hour drive is a long haul to go sailing with Mobjack only 1 1/2 hours away. However, MASCF is an exception. Almost 100 small boat enthusiasts, many with crew, bring their respective craft to enjoy friends new and old, savor some seafood and get in a bit of boating. Last year’s event was washed out by hurricane threats. This year was just our second attendance in what was the 33rd running. Friday and Saturday were wet and windy. Sunday, still overcast, offered barely a whisper. Regardless, the time in Saint Michaels was fun. My youngest son and I took kayaks we built and left UNA behind. She was missed, but we got rides from our pal Dale to watch Saturday’s race in his Ben Garvey outboard. With an almost 7′ beam, he can set up a tent in the boat’s floor and still have room to keep his skin-on-frame kayaks aboard. Complimented with a 40hp four-stroke and a folding bimini top, Dale may have found another attractive access to the water.
Later in the day we paddled around the harbor to take in the sights. This town has been a regular stopping point over many years of cruising the Bay. The visit never grows old. Though the boutique shops seem to be taking over the main drag, pockets of childhood memories still survive. This is in no small part due to the Maritime Museum there. Now that I have been to Mystic, I can say it reminds me of that fine museum on a smaller scale. In this quaintness, St. Michaels is more approachable. At this festival, one can wander amongst the current builds and renovations. You are welcomed to nose around and we did.
A Short Paddle
After this past weekend’s trip to St. Michaels, I left the kayaks on the truck’s roof for washing and storage yesterday. That didn’t happen. I thought another paddle might be good. This morning’s breakfast was quick: coffee, boiled egg and toast followed by a long walk for the dog (he’s been acting up. Now he is sleeps at my feet). Our stroll was pleasant with cooler temperatures and early sunshine. That convinced me to drive down to the local park and check out the river. Despite the rains, the conditions were good. My Outer Island kayak at 37 pounds is easily hauled around, especially with the dolly I built. Loading the boat with necessary gear, I wheeled it from the parking lot down to the floating pier.
The water was muddied and current quick. The surface was smooth and the boat moved with little effort.
Maybe 3/4 of a mile up-stream I discovered a Blue Heron resting on a downed tree protruding from the south bank. I’m surprised I can glide in so close and quietly readied my camera. The bird remained frozen, watched this intruder, but in the 15′ range he took flight further up stream. We followed.
Another 150 yards on we found our bird again. This time he was more poised to fly and took off just as we drew in. Crossing the water, the pursued headed up the mouth of an overgrown creek entrance.
At this point I felt a tinge of guilt in the pursuit, but the beauty of the thing and maybe the “hunt” led me on. Of all the times I’ve passed this creek, I’ve never ventured up it.
A whole other world was in there. The shade was cool. Song birds greeted us (or gave warning of our presence).
A short distance along, the path got crowded. However, we did find our prey. This time we caught him as he bolted.
I had the shutter speed and aperture all wrong but, this is evidence of the third sighting. Shortly there after, with little room to maneuver, we turned for home.
Not focused on finding Big Bird, I’m struck by the beauty along the way. We will have to return in a few weeks when the colors are full-out.
Round trip time was maybe 2 hours total. I decided I need to stop taking this backyard treasure for granted.
Lingering Lunacy 