NAME
Not far into my Paradox build I had the idea to call her QUIXOTIC after the infamous Don Quixote. It seemed to fit, a boat of odd appearance punching well above her weight.
BUT, well I had a long break on the build sequence. Several years in fact. And I guess I want feeling as motivated by her old name, well I dont know. But a change came over me after I modified the bow from the original design. I squared it up, to vertical. This made her look modern and fierce, poised to fight the sea, that's when I took up a marker pen in a jovial moment and wrote "THE BANTAM" on her bow.
Will that name stick? Wait and see.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Paradox: Near to Turning the Hull
WINTER is here early. For days we've had drizzly, cold, windy weather. My outdoors boatbuilding shelter had been tested but it's holding course, keeping everything dry.
SHEER CLAMPS
Work was limited to fits and starts through the week and this weekend I pushed ahead a bit to finish the week of well at this stage, I have the Sheer Clamps pretty near done. As I couldn't buy 4.2m pieces, I had to scarph them, and decided the joins needed to be between bulkheads #1 and #2. So the front sections are about 1200 each and so far the starboard is fixed in place, glued, nailed* and clamped. The portside is dry fitted, waiting for the clamps to be freed up.
RIGID
The hull feels so rigid now. Even without Bottom Planking and the sub- floor framing, she feels great.
NEXT I get to turn the hull over and do bilge clamps, bottom planking, chines and hull flashing. Phew! I have a big birthday in January next. I may be speaking through my hat, but it'd be cool to be sailing for then.
* NAILS. For all work up tool this time, I've been using 2.5mm x 32mm ring nails and had two problems, one they were to long for the Sheer Clamps once the heads were countersuit. And two, their thickness meant that, even when predrilled they needed a lot of hammering to drive in. Very unsettling! So I ordered 2mm x 25mm which I installed today and they were a pleasure to drive in, without the fear that you may be jarring every joint in the hull. Designer Layden recommends that nails and epoxy are both needed, for hull security when grounding etc.
To be continued...
SHEER CLAMPS
Work was limited to fits and starts through the week and this weekend I pushed ahead a bit to finish the week of well at this stage, I have the Sheer Clamps pretty near done. As I couldn't buy 4.2m pieces, I had to scarph them, and decided the joins needed to be between bulkheads #1 and #2. So the front sections are about 1200 each and so far the starboard is fixed in place, glued, nailed* and clamped. The portside is dry fitted, waiting for the clamps to be freed up.
RIGID
The hull feels so rigid now. Even without Bottom Planking and the sub- floor framing, she feels great.
NEXT I get to turn the hull over and do bilge clamps, bottom planking, chines and hull flashing. Phew! I have a big birthday in January next. I may be speaking through my hat, but it'd be cool to be sailing for then.
* NAILS. For all work up tool this time, I've been using 2.5mm x 32mm ring nails and had two problems, one they were to long for the Sheer Clamps once the heads were countersuit. And two, their thickness meant that, even when predrilled they needed a lot of hammering to drive in. Very unsettling! So I ordered 2mm x 25mm which I installed today and they were a pleasure to drive in, without the fear that you may be jarring every joint in the hull. Designer Layden recommends that nails and epoxy are both needed, for hull security when grounding etc.
To be continued...
Thursday, May 21, 2020
The Folly off Wave Measurement
Some time back someone posted on Facebook, the claim that mankind can measure accurately, the ocean's waves.
This struck me as a quiet notion. I had surfed almost daily for over a decade in my youth, often at the same reef break, and never seen two waves exactly the same. Yes, I agree, they can look basically the same, particularly on the same day. But they are incrementally different. You feel this as you surf, each wave varies in height, angle (across the dimensions) speed. I recall a common expression among surfers add they picked off waves together for hours on end, when a mate caught a particularly good surfing wave, it would be said that he" got a good one". That every so often, a wave just that little more special than others would come through. because it was evident to us surfers, the tide, currents, wind, swell intensity and direction were in constant flux. This id's what explained or experience, that no two waves were the same.
So, I disagreed with the claim that waves could be accurately measured. Several Commenters asserted that wave measurement was "a thing". It'd heard this before from my sister who has a mathematics degree. I agreed in theory, but wholeheartedly disagreed with the belief that "man" could accurately quantify the shape of waves on am ever changing sea. Still some Commenters tried to shoot me down, one asserted in two words "you're wrong", another John Welsford I believe, leaned back heavily on his expertise in boat design, and opposed my claim. I threw out a list off dynamic variables totoaster to shake their firm beliefs, but got no supporters. I knew I was somewhere closer to the truth but lacked the capacity to express the essence of my belief. Tonight I discovered this quote by physicist and philosopher, Sir James Jeans:-
Physics tries to discover the pattern of events which controls the phenomena we observe. But we can never know what this pattern means or how it originates; and even if some superior intelligence were to tell us, we should find the explanation unintelligible.
— Sir James Jeans
This struck me as a quiet notion. I had surfed almost daily for over a decade in my youth, often at the same reef break, and never seen two waves exactly the same. Yes, I agree, they can look basically the same, particularly on the same day. But they are incrementally different. You feel this as you surf, each wave varies in height, angle (across the dimensions) speed. I recall a common expression among surfers add they picked off waves together for hours on end, when a mate caught a particularly good surfing wave, it would be said that he" got a good one". That every so often, a wave just that little more special than others would come through. because it was evident to us surfers, the tide, currents, wind, swell intensity and direction were in constant flux. This id's what explained or experience, that no two waves were the same.
So, I disagreed with the claim that waves could be accurately measured. Several Commenters asserted that wave measurement was "a thing". It'd heard this before from my sister who has a mathematics degree. I agreed in theory, but wholeheartedly disagreed with the belief that "man" could accurately quantify the shape of waves on am ever changing sea. Still some Commenters tried to shoot me down, one asserted in two words "you're wrong", another John Welsford I believe, leaned back heavily on his expertise in boat design, and opposed my claim. I threw out a list off dynamic variables totoaster to shake their firm beliefs, but got no supporters. I knew I was somewhere closer to the truth but lacked the capacity to express the essence of my belief. Tonight I discovered this quote by physicist and philosopher, Sir James Jeans:-
Physics tries to discover the pattern of events which controls the phenomena we observe. But we can never know what this pattern means or how it originates; and even if some superior intelligence were to tell us, we should find the explanation unintelligible.
— Sir James Jeans
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Gardening at Carrabolla
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Paradox - Sheer Clamps
Second Sheer Clamp fitting went more smoothly than the previous. The basic process is to dry fit, wet mating surfaces, thicken epoxy with plain flour (never self raising), fit timber, clamp the shit out of itd and nail it into place.
One Paradox builder suggested clamping pegs to outer edge of the bulkheads to "save your knuckles". I didn't understand what he meant, but did it anyway, and it's a good tip. t definitely makes it easier.
So far I have two 3m pieces on place. And, as usual, I am mightily impressed with the design. The fitting of gun'ls tightens the hull up even firther. Make sure you take the Designer's advice, use plenty of goo, clamp hard and nail every 100mm for a good hard build.
I'm waiting for a delivery of nails before finishing of the Sheer Clamps. Next I'll flip her and plate the hull bottom.
One Paradox builder suggested clamping pegs to outer edge of the bulkheads to "save your knuckles". I didn't understand what he meant, but did it anyway, and it's a good tip. t definitely makes it easier.
So far I have two 3m pieces on place. And, as usual, I am mightily impressed with the design. The fitting of gun'ls tightens the hull up even firther. Make sure you take the Designer's advice, use plenty of goo, clamp hard and nail every 100mm for a good hard build.
I'm waiting for a delivery of nails before finishing of the Sheer Clamps. Next I'll flip her and plate the hull bottom.
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Boat building as a meditation
Tonight, mothers day is nearly over I bought my mother an insulated coffee cup with a kid. Just this week she had received two scalds on her chest from pouring coffee and soup on herself. A great solution.
Meanwhile my own children are conflicted over their mother who had an affair which she lied to them about, she is now fighting to have the family home sold while she tries to deceive everyone about the value of her assets. I can look back and confidently say my mother always did her best for me, and put herself second. What a legacy my own children are left. I'm not bitter, I can only do my best for them, they know this and can see this everyday. I am proud, that as emerging adults, they seem to be showing themselves as moral individuals. My daughter, agreed 18 is running her own business, making money, building a firm client base and a great reputation as a trainer of calm and skilled horses. My son, less certain of his future career, works hard alongside me in my business as here tentatively explores his interests.
It is such a bonus in many ways to have the marital relationship detonate and for us to be mostly rid of a person who generated strong negative energies and objected those into all out lives. It's heartening and in fact enlightening to witness the remarkable developments that have unfolded in there and a half years.
I sat to write tonight about my displeasure with tv and the socials and got way layed by pride in my children's growth. For months I've run to Facebook for entertainment and sadly, as mood lift. And, while the Buddhist pages are endlessly supportive, the majority of information is about shallow material matters. Tv is likewise unrewarding, unless is documentary style programs or movies. So, it puzzles me, why am I so happy? My boat, it's the answer. A part built, 13 Something feet long plywood structure that squats by my backdoor, under a shelter I made, which offers an outlet for my creative juices, something practical to draw my energies, and a tinny human scaled sail boat which offers glimpses of a bright future, traveling the creeks, routers, bays, choices and coasts. of nights, tucked up reading listening to the radio or just sipping a coffee and gazing into nature.
Meanwhile my own children are conflicted over their mother who had an affair which she lied to them about, she is now fighting to have the family home sold while she tries to deceive everyone about the value of her assets. I can look back and confidently say my mother always did her best for me, and put herself second. What a legacy my own children are left. I'm not bitter, I can only do my best for them, they know this and can see this everyday. I am proud, that as emerging adults, they seem to be showing themselves as moral individuals. My daughter, agreed 18 is running her own business, making money, building a firm client base and a great reputation as a trainer of calm and skilled horses. My son, less certain of his future career, works hard alongside me in my business as here tentatively explores his interests.
It is such a bonus in many ways to have the marital relationship detonate and for us to be mostly rid of a person who generated strong negative energies and objected those into all out lives. It's heartening and in fact enlightening to witness the remarkable developments that have unfolded in there and a half years.
I sat to write tonight about my displeasure with tv and the socials and got way layed by pride in my children's growth. For months I've run to Facebook for entertainment and sadly, as mood lift. And, while the Buddhist pages are endlessly supportive, the majority of information is about shallow material matters. Tv is likewise unrewarding, unless is documentary style programs or movies. So, it puzzles me, why am I so happy? My boat, it's the answer. A part built, 13 Something feet long plywood structure that squats by my backdoor, under a shelter I made, which offers an outlet for my creative juices, something practical to draw my energies, and a tinny human scaled sail boat which offers glimpses of a bright future, traveling the creeks, routers, bays, choices and coasts. of nights, tucked up reading listening to the radio or just sipping a coffee and gazing into nature.
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Sven Yrvind, A Coat of Epoxy
Well, just a few minutes work today. I used a 1.5" brush to apply a first layer of epoxy resin to the interior of the starboard side.
I need some timber for the gunnels.
Just read the latest post at Yrvind.com where Sven describes his early sailing exploits, think age twenty something on a small boat made in his mother's basement, around Cape Horn! He really is an amazing guy, and I do wish he wrote books in English.
His boat Bris was shoal draft and after landing on Newfoundland or Canada, customs there impounded his vessel because they just thought it was too s fort, shoal draft etc. They made the mistake of saying they had rough seas for such a small ship, to which Sven cheekily answered that they were not as big as those he found on the vicinity of Cape Horn. Authoritarian types do not like this behaviour, but Sven knew that, he just didn't bother. So he was grounded and a watch put over his vessel. He loaded it into the back of a U Haul truck and hit the US border. Wouldn't you like to read a book about this stuff?
I need some timber for the gunnels.
Just read the latest post at Yrvind.com where Sven describes his early sailing exploits, think age twenty something on a small boat made in his mother's basement, around Cape Horn! He really is an amazing guy, and I do wish he wrote books in English.
His boat Bris was shoal draft and after landing on Newfoundland or Canada, customs there impounded his vessel because they just thought it was too s fort, shoal draft etc. They made the mistake of saying they had rough seas for such a small ship, to which Sven cheekily answered that they were not as big as those he found on the vicinity of Cape Horn. Authoritarian types do not like this behaviour, but Sven knew that, he just didn't bother. So he was grounded and a watch put over his vessel. He loaded it into the back of a U Haul truck and hit the US border. Wouldn't you like to read a book about this stuff?
Friday, May 1, 2020
Internal Structures Secured
All but bulkhead 2 are filleted in place and reinforced with barbed boat nails every 4 inches.
Next up is to mix up some resin to pre-coat #2, then add floor to make gloop. Position this, clamp and nail.(*Completed by close of the work day today. It was probably the best result pig all bulkheads so far. Used a rounded potty knife ad per Iain Oughtred's book on building clincher boats. )
PS In f act I went over the hull the following day and discovered other fillet runs that needed work, including the bow. There are now completed.
Next I will give the interior a cost of epoxy, or two.
I have the Vent Box pieces cut but not set, while the Baffle is set. I need to double check, but think she's near ready to flip.
I am not confident with the strength of the bulkheads though and will add tape at strategic points as a form of extra insurance.
Here is the coast off Newcastle at present. A howling offshore wind, 25 to 30 knots had been hooking in Ford over 36 hours. Smooth conditions for fast smooth sailing, hugging the shore going north. Easter is traditionally the time for sailors to go north to the sun, the Whitsunday Islands or further. The summer nor-easters are over, the East Australian Current that Nemo rode, it's slower and reliable westerlies blow.
Years ago I rode the gravy train, twice. It's speedy all right, and not likely to get seasick, but you're best to remain alert least the boat round up in a gust. Everything is strained by the strong quarterly winds. I wonder how a tiny Paradox would manage? Reefed down for sure, hatch closed, creaming along, coffee in hand,
Next up is to mix up some resin to pre-coat #2, then add floor to make gloop. Position this, clamp and nail.(*Completed by close of the work day today. It was probably the best result pig all bulkheads so far. Used a rounded potty knife ad per Iain Oughtred's book on building clincher boats. )
PS In f act I went over the hull the following day and discovered other fillet runs that needed work, including the bow. There are now completed.
Next I will give the interior a cost of epoxy, or two.
I have the Vent Box pieces cut but not set, while the Baffle is set. I need to double check, but think she's near ready to flip.
I am not confident with the strength of the bulkheads though and will add tape at strategic points as a form of extra insurance.
Years ago I rode the gravy train, twice. It's speedy all right, and not likely to get seasick, but you're best to remain alert least the boat round up in a gust. Everything is strained by the strong quarterly winds. I wonder how a tiny Paradox would manage? Reefed down for sure, hatch closed, creaming along, coffee in hand,
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