Cleat and plank-table

During last sail with Paul the mizzen-sheet slipped at the wrong moments. The plastic clam-cleat was not working 100% anymore, maybe because the sheet has been worn some. This called for a small project:

Made of ipe hardwood a pattern from "The Marlinspike Sailor" was was cut and sanded. It fits the sheet and it clamps satisfactorily on the hard. How it works on the water remains to be seen. The cleat is bathing in linseed oil for a few days after it was heated first and left to cool with the cleat in it. 

The centerboard can be nuisance in the middle of the boat for passengers. Especially the tackle for the centerboard. Also the water from the forward hole in the cb case splashes water onto the deck. The solution is to make a nice plank on top of the case, covering the tackle so that the passenger can have put your arm or leg on it without interfering with any lines. I want it strong enough for somebody to sit on while checking out the surroundings. This called for another project:

The forward section will be completely enclosed so that any splash water stays in the case. The aft part will have two struts. One is temporarily dry-fitted on pictures. 

The compass has moved on top of the planktable so that better bearings can be made. The original spot will be used for the mainsheet clam block. Also the clamcleat used for the centerboard uphaul has moved on top of the cb case, so the working end remains in line with the tackle blocks under the planktable.

Sail with Paul and trash tacks...

After too many months of interruptions Vanessa was finally on the water. 

She has undergone some minor mods. One of these included clam cleats setup change for the jib sheets. 

Another one was the addition of a new 3.3 hp Mercury outboard:

 

See previous posts for more info. 

Sail was enjoyable. Winds fluky between 20 and 28 knots. Small craft warning for west coast, just some extra wave action noticed. 

 

We hoisted jib and mizzen only. I am taking it easy and zero risks. I need to get comfortable with her again.  Easy does it. With this wind and with engine we will just go and have some fun on the water.

About safety: The life jacket I had on board for Paul did not fit him (another lesson), so I made him keep the flotation cushion with him all the time. We stayed close to shore and the fact that he can swim and sail made me comfortable to go ahead with him on board. Not having a boom as risk also made the risk much less. 

Here is the vid taken of the trip with the gopro (see first pic in this post). 

 

She is out of my life.

Loved that song of Michael Jackson. I heard it in my head, after I was informed of the USD50K asking price for the Cobra. I would pay USD5K for it, not more. Not going to bother with any counter offer since it would only insult the seller. 

Oh well. Good thing is I can let her go out of my mind now.

Blue stripe

Playing with colors, replace yellow with blue. The gelcoat on the red looks pretty good. A good clean polish will do wonders. The bottom does require a full scrape and epoxy body filler, prime and antifoul.

Windows 3D paint was used for editing.

Level and dry

Dazzler, Cobra 1050 hull #14, has been levelled. She was listed to port and pitched forward an agle or two. Bilgewater was removed and all holes on deck were taped up to minimize rainwater entrance. 

 

The bow was raised about 50cm after the list was corrected first. Her 7 tons were carefully jacked around bit by bit.

 

 

She is not my responsibility (yet) but I just could not leave her like this. With permission the bare minimum was done.

New project? Hopefully.

 A Cobra Marine 1050, on the hard for more than a year. Hull seems good, no cracks, good structural state. Rigging is new. Just has not been sailed for many years. Difficult to come by a boat like this in this neck of the woods. This may be a project for me. My hands are itching to start. But lets see what owner wants to do with her.

Upwind, ridges, garden, views and bloated goats

Felt like going outside and take a bike trip from town to the North East section of the island, uphill, upwind. 

Some impressions taken with my Canon.

Typical Aruban houses are my favorite structures. Small, efficient, always built modular and expanded as the family and finances grow. The ridge is usually East-West with the fogon (wood stove) on the West side. Since the trades always blow from East to West the cooking and drafts are optimally positioned this manner.

 

The north coast is very hilly and rough and the ocean can be seen from this spot between Piedra Plat and Ayo.

From mom's ranch house the garden view is beautiful.

Mom's garden, always neat.

Frog watching the sun swing by again...

All the rain in the last month causes bloated goats.

On the road back to town, Westward, with the wind, against the glaring sun. Nice ride.