Author: eebe4

I like boats that sail, particularly those made of wood.

Shelved It

The list of UNA projects never seems to deplete. That’s not a complaint, but the simple recognition of the “laws” of boat ownership. Each sail offers feedback toward improvements. One item is a road cover. For now, drop cloths serve while garaged. A weighted centerboard is high on the to-dos. Though not adjustable, a knotted loop of shock cord now suffices. That too will wait. Instead, I chose to build a small shelf under the starboard cockpit seat. That seat has been a nightstand, but things can roll off into the bilge. (Ah, another on the list! Removable for boards. The shallow space there can neither be cleaned nor accessed without much finagling. See what I mean?) Focus! Shelf: How involved could it be? Cardboard, pencil, utility knife and hot glue defined the template. Both the side of the hull and the seat edge are curved. After numerous test fits scrap okoume was cut and fine-tuned. A teak fiddle removed from Chickadee was cut for reuse. Two coats of primer, paint and three of Epifanes Rapidclear (goes on thick) and we have a “simple” shelf. If I put my phone or knife there, now I will find them at night. Another added bonus is both oars now stack to port so there’s no need to remove the starboard to port each night. Those long 9’-8” sticks take some maneuvering to relocate. Now they’ll stay lashed for actual use. Oh, and now I’ve two more ties.

Much ado about nothing I suppose. UNA is a finer ship though. Later-

On By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA build & projects7 Comments

Chasing Sunsets

The Old Bay Club, our TSCA or Traditional Small Craft Association chapter gathered for several days on the water. We had an arrival picnic Thursday evening on the beach followed by 2 nights in the boats. We started on The James River near Jamestown, sail/motored to the Upper Chippokes for the second night, ran back down the James and up the Chickahominy River to Yarmouth Creek the third night. The mornings were cold, but we were rewarded immensely with gorgeous sunsets and Fall color. What’s not to like? Good pals, pretty boats, good food and drink.

Tip: sometimes two sleeping bags are better than one! Scenery found below-

On By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA sailing1 Comment

Trucking

wild dog

After reconfiguring my truck’s bed, I took a hike to Spy Rock in Nelson County, VA. My daughter, son-in-law and trusty Huckleberry joined me. We camped out of the truck off a fire road. Wonderful 360 degree views at the top under blue skies and Fall colors.

The truck now has a isolated second battery with breaker panel for lights, fan and 12v outlets. A solar controller panel is awaiting a roof panel. The berth is 36″ wide allowing easier egress and lay down area for Pups.

Boat galley box, port berth and starboard cubbies
Spy Rock NW view
couple seen along the way
dinner over open fire
rest at the top
lone shade tree
3 amigos
under berth storage, cubbies and fold down table
breaker panel

On By eebe4In Uncategorized2 Comments

31 Pounds in 14 Feet

Several years ago I began this Geodesic Airolite canoe, the Snowshoe 14. I was so disappointed with the messy epoxied rib to stringer results I nearly tossed the whole thing on the burn pile. Instead, it hung in the garage for a couple years. Recently, a week or so ago I lowered the carcass, got out the heat gun and scraped much of the oozed epoxy off in order to lash the joints. Inwales, breasthooks, floorboards and Dacron skin were added. Sealing coats of varnish and rub rails finished the boat.

Stern in foreground

Specs cite a 20# finished weigh, but mine ended at 31. My breasthooks and rub rails were heavy cumaru. Douglas fir stringers add pounds over cedar. Chestnut oak ribs exceed poplar or pine. I used what was in the pile of offcuts and I wanted a stout frame.

Copper tacked stem

Lastly, I found the Heatbond tape convenient, but questionable for holding the Kevlar strands and skin long term. I ended up using tacks for the Kevlar and staple for the skin. Two more floorboards were added outboard. Oh, and I designed a rowing “boomerang “ outrigger too.

Rowing “boomerang “.

Tropical storm Ophelia has spoiled the weather for a couple days, so a splash will have to wait. Until then …

On By eebe4In kayaks/ canoes, Snowshoe 14 canoe15 Comments

Full Moon

Temps lately have been close to historic lows here for July/August. Sailing? You had to ask? Took Little Bird for a short lazy downwind afternoon trip across Mobjack to Browns Bay for the evening. Swimming, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres met the sunset. later reading under the forward hatch below was short lived. I did catch the full moon. Amazing, but not photographable via phone. The big bright dish got reduced to a small white dot set in the midnight sky. Still, believe it or not, I saw it. Luminous and beautiful throughout the night, a gentle breeze and 65 degrees made for an easy slumber.

The following morning provided some of the finest sailing home. Once clear of shoals, I lashed the tiller and watched the boat beat back home. Wonderful. Another log entry. Short but sweet. Lookie here:

On By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances sailing2 Comments

Dinghy Dolly

New dolly with “Tuna”, an Oughtred Feather Pram


The portage of a 50 or 75 pound dinghy can be moved about on land single-handedly. For years I’ve been flipping our two prams upside down and “backpacking” them to the waters edge. In hauling one resembles a two legged beetle or turtle, the process can be both awkward, and, tiring. Working smarter doesn’t always come easily. However, we’ve succeeded in cobbling together a couple of 2×4’s for a frame, drilled an aluminum rod for an axel, commandeered a pair of plastic wheels, slung some stiff webbing for support, using stainless screws and voila! we have a light flexible small boat dolly.

Keel support toggles

The forward keel support toggles to adjust for hull variations in our different boats. An oak pull handle offers a good grip andcleat for bow painters.

Notched post for a wider sling

The dolly is light and easily hung on a wall. Now maybe our little fleet will get wet more often. And, no more 2 legged cockroaches!

And, painted dolly with bent aluminum leg and Eastport Pram.
Fini!
On By eebe4In Uncategorized, Wood Things5 Comments

Lazy Hazy Daze

For good portions of the summer, it’s what it is. Light and variable winds, hot and sunny. Had 4 good sails to windward both up and down the river over several days. Here is a short iMovie video via phone from yesterday afternoon’s sail. D

Just daydreaming really.

On By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances sailing3 Comments

No Spring Chickens

The Old Bay club had a tight gathering of seven boats last weekend. An invitation was extended to the group from the Boat Shop Director John England at the Deltaville Maritime Museum. Their exhibits and hands on activities focus primarily on the rich history of the Lower Chesapeake. John currently has two 20′ deadrise skiffs nearing completion. They are beauties. Go see for yourself.

John’s camp/sail event at Freeport Landing on the Piankatank has been going on for about 40 years. Attendance was relatively light. Weathermen can be believed at times and thus scare away sailors. The sailing was two days boisterous the first days and the last one sedate.

Most of us arrived Thursday afternoon to sail down river for the night off Berkleys Island. Friday proved to be much of the same. Fewer still headed downstream to Cobbs Creek, returning again to Berkleys for lunch and a swim. That night’s anchorage tucked peacefully in Harper Creek south of Freeport. Saturday was light, variable and sunny. More crew joined for several short sails, picnics and a laden picnic table potluck dinner. Too much!

It was wonderful to be reacquainted with UNA. She seemed to relish the higher winds and was getting it to weather. A good time was had by all as they say. More shows in this video following.

Miss it already!

On By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA sailing8 Comments