Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday
Well I have been here now over a week, I am really enjoying France. True, the weather has not been the greatest but it is still a nice place to be. It only rained part of the day today so my feet are almost dried out and the laptop on my lap is helping to warm me up. Probably the biggest challenge has been internet access so apologies to anyone who was hoping for more frequent updates. As things seem to be working well today, I am trying to get a little bit caught up. My french is still poor but I am doing a little better each day.
Have been busy with the boat every day, typically lots of small jobs that make me think of another small job and so on and so on.....
Last Friday I went with Sylvain from Demi-Cle in his inflatable to AOS Lorient. The facility is right next to the U-boat pens from WWII. A very awe inspiring place. Lorient is a definite center of sailing. The most notable boat that was there was the new Banque Populaire the maxi Trimaran. The boat is somewhat put away with a lot of the parts off and the covers all on. The rig was fully canted over to port so the port float would stay in the water and not ride up on the dock. The dyneema strop for the shrouds that leads from the composite cable over a sheave in the float to a built in hydraulic cylinder is at least 1.5" in diameter, possibly more.
I am going to try a modified jib lead system on my boat from what is on hull #1. I am doing a system where one line controls the fore and aft and another controls the lead angle. I feel this will be easier to duplicate setups and to make changes and keep things correct more of the time. This is especially crucial when I'm tired.
Tomorrow we take the boat to AOS to hoist it out to allign the rudders and apply the bow numbers. After that, weather permitting, we'll take the boat for a short sail.
Banque Populaire showing the amount of rig cant
U-boat pens in Lorient
The dyneema link between the shrouds and hydraulics
Banque Populaire
One of the Classe 40s in Lorient
Banque Populaire next to a ~50' cruising boat
Craig Horsfield's Zero in the AOS yard after its trip from Spain
The AOS Storage area, Minis and Figaro 2s
Another of Banque Populaire
A boat getting careened against the bulkhead in Locmiquelic over the weekend.
The electrical panel in my boat with my iPod charger plugged in.
The view out the hatch, watching it rain.
Nacira #1 in front of my boat in the marina, note the nice tall wand on my boat.
The two Naciras with a Pogo2.
Have been busy with the boat every day, typically lots of small jobs that make me think of another small job and so on and so on.....
Last Friday I went with Sylvain from Demi-Cle in his inflatable to AOS Lorient. The facility is right next to the U-boat pens from WWII. A very awe inspiring place. Lorient is a definite center of sailing. The most notable boat that was there was the new Banque Populaire the maxi Trimaran. The boat is somewhat put away with a lot of the parts off and the covers all on. The rig was fully canted over to port so the port float would stay in the water and not ride up on the dock. The dyneema strop for the shrouds that leads from the composite cable over a sheave in the float to a built in hydraulic cylinder is at least 1.5" in diameter, possibly more.
I am going to try a modified jib lead system on my boat from what is on hull #1. I am doing a system where one line controls the fore and aft and another controls the lead angle. I feel this will be easier to duplicate setups and to make changes and keep things correct more of the time. This is especially crucial when I'm tired.
Tomorrow we take the boat to AOS to hoist it out to allign the rudders and apply the bow numbers. After that, weather permitting, we'll take the boat for a short sail.
Banque Populaire showing the amount of rig cant
U-boat pens in Lorient
The dyneema link between the shrouds and hydraulics
Banque Populaire
One of the Classe 40s in Lorient
Banque Populaire next to a ~50' cruising boat
Craig Horsfield's Zero in the AOS yard after its trip from Spain
The AOS Storage area, Minis and Figaro 2s
Another of Banque Populaire
A boat getting careened against the bulkhead in Locmiquelic over the weekend.
The electrical panel in my boat with my iPod charger plugged in.
The view out the hatch, watching it rain.
Nacira #1 in front of my boat in the marina, note the nice tall wand on my boat.
The two Naciras with a Pogo2. Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Greetings from Locmiquelic
Arrived here on Sunday after a nice long flight from Seattle to Paris. From Paris I took the TGV to Lorient with a change of trains in Le Mans and then a short cab ride to the boat. Note to self, carrying two bags at the max weight for the airlines is not fun on the train.
Since I got here it has been very busy with getting the details sorted out on the boat. I have been making a few small rigging changes/upgrades and there are some in store on the boat too. The biggest one in the works is the fuel cell got installed in the incorrect spot and will have to be moved. It will be getting moved forward to reside next to the batteries to help centralize the weight.
The biggest surprise of the boat is how roomy it is down below. Well roomy for a 21' boat. Earlier today we had 3 people in the boat and while cozy did not seem too cramped
The weather has not exactly been cooperating for assembling the boat since it has been raining sideways and barely 50 degrees.
Where I am keeping the boat is a great little marina, St. Catherine in Locmiquelic. I am tied up right next to Nacira #1 so have been able to see what is on that boat.
Tomorrow I plan to snap some more pics.
Since I got here it has been very busy with getting the details sorted out on the boat. I have been making a few small rigging changes/upgrades and there are some in store on the boat too. The biggest one in the works is the fuel cell got installed in the incorrect spot and will have to be moved. It will be getting moved forward to reside next to the batteries to help centralize the weight.
The biggest surprise of the boat is how roomy it is down below. Well roomy for a 21' boat. Earlier today we had 3 people in the boat and while cozy did not seem too cramped
The weather has not exactly been cooperating for assembling the boat since it has been raining sideways and barely 50 degrees.
Where I am keeping the boat is a great little marina, St. Catherine in Locmiquelic. I am tied up right next to Nacira #1 so have been able to see what is on that boat.
Tomorrow I plan to snap some more pics.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Gear on USA 724
I have had a lot of people asking about the gear I am putting on the boat so I thought I'd run through the list:
Sails: X-Voiles (http://www.xvoiles.com/)
Spars: AG+ with curved lower spreaders to allow a larger Solent
Running Rigging: A mix of Liros (http://www.liros.com/) and Samson (http://www.samsonrope.com/)
Hardware: Mostly Harken (http://www.harken.com/)
Sailing Instruments and Auotpilot: NKE (http://www.nke.fr/)
Spare Autopilot: Autohelm 4000 (http://www.raymarine.com/default.aspx?site=1&SECTion=2&Page=87&Parent=5)
VHF: Icom IC-M411 (http://www.icomamerica.com/en/marine/)
GPS: Furuno GP32 (http://www.furunousa.com/Furuno/Rooms/DisplayPages/LayoutInitial?ProductCategory=com.webridge.entity.Entity%5BOID%5B47BAB8251F963E4B80B185EBEC79EAD4%5D%5D&Product=com.webridge.entity.Entity%5BOID%5B56581F42548CA640994778258E62064D%5D%5D&Container=com.webridge.entity.Entity%5BOID%5B21770BDA09318942A541B7ED3499FFCD%5D%5D)
Fuel Cell : Max-Power (http://www.marine-fuel-cell.com/)
Solar Panels: Two floating panels to be positioned as needed as needed
Cooking: Jet Boil (http://www.jetboil.com/)
Active Radar reflector: Maretc Active Echo
Safety Harness/flotation: Spinlock Deckvest (http://www.spinlock.co.uk/products.asp?l=deckware)
EPIRB: McMurdo (http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/products/products.html?product_type=1&product_sector=1)
Survival Suit: Guy Cotten TPS (http://www.guycotten.com/)
Life Raft: Viking 4 Person (http://www.viking-life.com/viking.nsf)
SSB Receiver: Sangean ATS 909 (http://www.sangean.com/)
Electronic Barometer: Vion A4000 (http://www.vion-marine.com/english/index.html)
I am sure I have forgotten some important items and will add them when they occur to me.
Sails: X-Voiles (http://www.xvoiles.com/)
Spars: AG+ with curved lower spreaders to allow a larger Solent
Running Rigging: A mix of Liros (http://www.liros.com/) and Samson (http://www.samsonrope.com/)
Hardware: Mostly Harken (http://www.harken.com/)
Sailing Instruments and Auotpilot: NKE (http://www.nke.fr/)
Spare Autopilot: Autohelm 4000 (http://www.raymarine.com/default.aspx?site=1&SECTion=2&Page=87&Parent=5)
VHF: Icom IC-M411 (http://www.icomamerica.com/en/marine/)
GPS: Furuno GP32 (http://www.furunousa.com/Furuno/Rooms/DisplayPages/LayoutInitial?ProductCategory=com.webridge.entity.Entity%5BOID%5B47BAB8251F963E4B80B185EBEC79EAD4%5D%5D&Product=com.webridge.entity.Entity%5BOID%5B56581F42548CA640994778258E62064D%5D%5D&Container=com.webridge.entity.Entity%5BOID%5B21770BDA09318942A541B7ED3499FFCD%5D%5D)
Fuel Cell : Max-Power (http://www.marine-fuel-cell.com/)
Solar Panels: Two floating panels to be positioned as needed as needed
Cooking: Jet Boil (http://www.jetboil.com/)
Active Radar reflector: Maretc Active Echo
Safety Harness/flotation: Spinlock Deckvest (http://www.spinlock.co.uk/products.asp?l=deckware)
EPIRB: McMurdo (http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/products/products.html?product_type=1&product_sector=1)
Survival Suit: Guy Cotten TPS (http://www.guycotten.com/)
Life Raft: Viking 4 Person (http://www.viking-life.com/viking.nsf)
SSB Receiver: Sangean ATS 909 (http://www.sangean.com/)
Electronic Barometer: Vion A4000 (http://www.vion-marine.com/english/index.html)
I am sure I have forgotten some important items and will add them when they occur to me.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thanks Sailing Anarchy!!
A big thanks to Scot and Mr. Clean at Sailing Anarchy (www.sailinganarchy.com). They put a nice bit about me and my project on the front page of their site with a link to this blog. While I am in France I am going to be sending regular updates back with pics.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Pics; March 24, 2009
Here are the latest pics, received them earlier today. Things are looking really great. I cannot say enough about the great job that everyone involved in this boat have done with a huge thanks to Sylvain Pontu of Demi Cle (http://www.demi-cle.com/) in Locmiquélic
The methanol fuel cell viewed through the stern hatch with the raft tie down straps in the foreground.
Starboard side middle compartment with one battery, part of the NKE system and the keel viewing window.
Waterline taped off
Another of the hull
More of the hull
Looking aft under the cockpit at the fuel cell (left) and the autopilot pump (right)
The middle of the boat with the NKE processor boxes and the batteries
Looking in through the companionway at the "interior" and the GPS. Note the folding doors covering the batteries and the instrument processor boxes. 
Looking in through the stern hatch at the autopilot ram, the rudder angle indicator, the raft straps and the fuel cell.
Another of the autopilot ram with pilot tiller arm 
Boat hanging, getting sprayed
Getting sprayed
The methanol fuel cell viewed through the stern hatch with the raft tie down straps in the foreground.
Starboard side middle compartment with one battery, part of the NKE system and the keel viewing window.
Waterline taped off
Another of the hull
More of the hull
Inside the boat looking at the pivoting GPS mount
Looking aft under the cockpit at the fuel cell (left) and the autopilot pump (right)
The electrical panel, VHF, fuel cell control panel and NKE wireless controller on the starboard side of the cabin
The middle of the boat with the NKE processor boxes and the batteries
Looking in through the companionway at the "interior" and the GPS. Note the folding doors covering the batteries and the instrument processor boxes.
The autopilot pump and one of the bilge pumps, viewed through the stern hatch.
Looking in through the stern hatch at the autopilot ram, the rudder angle indicator, the raft straps and the fuel cell.
Another of the autopilot ram with pilot tiller arm
Boat hanging, getting sprayed
Getting sprayed
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Other details
Had a great meeting with the folks as Remote Medical (http://www.remotemedical.com/) yesterday, talking through the requirements for my medical kit and getting me all the appropriate training. One of those things that is REALLY good to have but I truly hope I will never need.
Also met yesterday with a local writer who is working on a story about myelf and Craig Horsfield for one of the national sailing magazines. Craig is doing a Mini Campaign as well and lives here in the Seattle area. Details are still being fleshed out as to when this article will appear in the magazine.
Today was the second race of the CYC Center Sound Series, (http://www.cycseattle.org/) The forecast was 14-18 knots from the south with a big ebb so a likely quick trip north to the turning mark and then a cold, wet beat back to the finish. Unfortunately for us, at the start, while raising the spinnaker, the sail went into the water. With the boat already going about 12 knots, the water made quick work of ripping the sail to shreds along with exploding the tackline block on the end of the bowsprit. We had a second spinnaker which we could have used but we did not have a spare tackline block. We tried to sail part of the run with just the main and jib but could not keep the boat planing enough to stay ahead of the 40' boats in our class. Without being able to build up a cushion on these boats for them to eat up on the beat back, we were pretty much relegated to being last. We also had two damaged stanchions on the starboard side. So the decision was made to turn around and head in. I really dislike dropping out of races but in this case it likely meant we saved inflicting further damage on ourselves.
As it was the damage list was:
Code 1 spinnaker- badly ripped, no idea if it can be fixed
Sprit end block- completely destroyed
Two stanchions- damaged but repairable.
We got all the lines back and I did not see any damage on them but should give them a more thorough looking at to be sure.
When we lost sight of Banshee (the other Melges 32) it looked like they were lead boat ahead of the boats that had started five minutes ahead.
Guessing the coming week will be a busy week of repairs.
Also met yesterday with a local writer who is working on a story about myelf and Craig Horsfield for one of the national sailing magazines. Craig is doing a Mini Campaign as well and lives here in the Seattle area. Details are still being fleshed out as to when this article will appear in the magazine.
Today was the second race of the CYC Center Sound Series, (http://www.cycseattle.org/) The forecast was 14-18 knots from the south with a big ebb so a likely quick trip north to the turning mark and then a cold, wet beat back to the finish. Unfortunately for us, at the start, while raising the spinnaker, the sail went into the water. With the boat already going about 12 knots, the water made quick work of ripping the sail to shreds along with exploding the tackline block on the end of the bowsprit. We had a second spinnaker which we could have used but we did not have a spare tackline block. We tried to sail part of the run with just the main and jib but could not keep the boat planing enough to stay ahead of the 40' boats in our class. Without being able to build up a cushion on these boats for them to eat up on the beat back, we were pretty much relegated to being last. We also had two damaged stanchions on the starboard side. So the decision was made to turn around and head in. I really dislike dropping out of races but in this case it likely meant we saved inflicting further damage on ourselves.
As it was the damage list was:
Code 1 spinnaker- badly ripped, no idea if it can be fixed
Sprit end block- completely destroyed
Two stanchions- damaged but repairable.
We got all the lines back and I did not see any damage on them but should give them a more thorough looking at to be sure.
When we lost sight of Banshee (the other Melges 32) it looked like they were lead boat ahead of the boats that had started five minutes ahead.
Guessing the coming week will be a busy week of repairs.
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