Flicka hatch re-bed

While hurricanes float through the Caribbean, we get a lot of rain, not usual in our neck of the woods.  After the last depression past our island, which batters Key West today as a Hurricane cat 4, we noticed water damage due to rain ingress in the cabin of Flicka. 

Why I never investigated the bedding job done on the hatch before I do not know. But I should have; Gaps in bedding and holes around the hatch caused water to come in. 

So the hatch was pulled from its opening, the silicone junk was removed as much as possible; I hate silicone because it is impossible to remove 100%. 

The holes, caused by a different previously installed hatch, were cleaned and filled with epoxy. 

After allowing the epoxy to harden butyl tape was used to re-bed the hatch. 

Here some pics of the operation:

This seems to have been a problem for quite a while since rot set in in the lower half of plywood. It is not structural and holds the liner in place. I chose not to mess with that now yet. Since the structural upper part is strong and hard we are ok.

Final result:

A Miracle

Miracles still exist in this world...  The storm passed by quietly. Hard to believe because all the indicators, Windguru, NOAA, Windy eo were predicting 40+knot winds. We think the landmass of Venezuela did it together with the fast forward motion of the storm. Lots of rain fell graciously on our dry land so we are only grateful.  Reports from other islands were same, no winds, sea state "like a mirror". 

It was a very good dry/wet run for the future storms that will pass. We all think that this first one is just to warn us. 

Awaiting Bonnie

 Not yet an official storm, Bonnie is making her way through the ABC island.

Code red has the island in gear to prepare for the worst. But news from Curacao (10 miles East of Aruba) is that things are quiet...  

Hope is not a strategy so I tied up the Flicka in all ways possible:

 

Every cleat is occupied, anchor put out, spring lines set forward, also used mast as strongpoint:

 

Sailing the Flicka

No particular story, just pictures with sun, sea and a beautiful ocean going vessel... and a guy at the helm who cannot stop grinning of course.

 

New ship

 This is the miracle that happened a few weeks ago:

She is a Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 from 1980 in very well kept shape. New standing rigging and sails. I replaced all the running rigging and some other things to suit me. But as she is she is close to perfect. 

Every chance I get I am on her of course, either removing stuff or changing stuff, sailing or just chilling. It takes me a while to realize she is under my care and I am under hers. 

But a new ship, one I was dreaming of, even close to building in the past, has become reality. It is hard to express how grateful I am.

She sails very well. Tried the second reef in the mainsail and partially unfurled jib last sunday in 25 knot winds with 30 knot gusts, with 8 ft waves... Results are she didn't heel much but was asking for more sail next time. I got sick. But that is ok. Loving it.

First row glued

Glued first row planks. As much as possible filled the spaces between bottom plank and the planks. Remainder will be filled with filler and strengthened with fiber strips inside and outside.  

Next is shaping stringers with first plank on so that second row planks will fit nicely.

2nd plank row

Send weekend in a row working on the second row of planks for the dink. That is impressive. The lower planks still need gluing but its better to wait until the next row of planks is measured. 

Used a long straight edge plank with small pop sickle sticks glued at the right position to spile the planks. Works the easiest. Left 1cm of tolerance on the upper side of the planks which hopefully is enough to absorb measurement mistakes. These are usually cause by the the double bends in the banana shape of the plank.  

Huge gaps all over the place, but these will all be gone by the time we have filled epoxy in these gaps, covered with fiber mats. 

There is a world of difference between my hobby-plywood-building and guys like Leo working on Tally-Ho.  I thoroughly enjoy looking at their work. Their postings on Friday are the highlight of my week. 

There is something very cool about humans making things. Especially floating and sailing things...