The UNA Roll

In construction she got 2 coats of each: epoxy, primer and paint. After now over 9 years since launch and many miles under her keel, UNA is ready for a refresh. Despite all her bumps and scrapes, she is still beautiful! Iain Oughtred has an eye for the sweet line.

I doubled over two 4″ wide x 30′ nylon straps, shackled the massive “D” rings overhead and fastened the opposite end with jury rigged block and tackle to hoist the old girl, remove the trailer and substitute long saw horses. Then with safety lines to control the rotation, a come-along strung across the garage allowed for a manageable flip.

The worst of the wear is at the keel and bow stem where the naval brass half oval is just shy of covering the timber. We’ll need to rethink whether to replace the brass with wider bits. That will be a heavier look.

Now the fun begins-

On January 4, 2024 By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA build & projects7 Comments

Back in The Box

While we’re noting changes, my galley box is updated. I was prompted by, I won’t say whom, a fellow sailer who nearly turned his double ender into a Viking funeral pyre! Yep. He scorched his floor boards while cooking another five course meal. Apparently a three foot diameter iron skillet can generate and reflect enough heat to warrant a fire extinguisher.

As they say, the best experience is someone else’s. So, I screwed copper to the back of my box and added stainless to the bottom making a safer windscreen. Plastic laminate was glued to the removable shelf. A small wooden box holds utensils. Raised rubber disc tile added to the exterior top and bottom protects surfaces from getting scratched and sliding about. Lastly, a new butane stove replaces the old leaking one. Hopefully we’ve avoided more uncontrolled pyrotechnics. Just doing our part.

On December 4, 2023 By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA build & projects4 Comments

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 December 3, 2023December 4, 2023 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 November 9, 2023 By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA sailing1 Comment

Over Easy

Had a gentle beat over to the Severn River off Mobjack Bay weekend before last. Full moon. Water still warm enough to swim. Early run home at sunrise.

On November 6, 2023 By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances sailing1 Comment

Trucking

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

On November 2, 2023 By eebe4In Uncategorized2 Comments

What The Huck?

The Old Bay Club chapter of the TSCA (Traditional Small Craft Association) gathered this past weekend. Eight boats participated despite iffy weather conditions. We had a great time. Good food, drink and sailing!

On October 5, 2023 By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA sailingLeave a comment

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.

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.

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.

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

On September 22, 2023September 22, 2023 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 August 3, 2023 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.

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.