Cabin filling up

Most jobs completed now apart from exterior painting. These views show the general fit out around the rear of the cabin. Bunk mattresses and Indian cushions in place, so it looks more comfortable. The new storage shelf above the quarter berth projects a bit into the sitting space on that side, but I decided that as that would be the crew seat there was no problem... The two grey drinks can holders hooked on the shelf cost me 88p each from a car accessory shop. The equivalent from a yacht chandlers are £24.95!
The boxing behind the sink hides all of the ballast tank and fresh water plumbing as well as giving storage for all the essentials such as coffee and tea. Under the companion way you can just see the chemical loo tucked under the bridge deck. Again, all of the pipe work for the ballast tank is now largely hidden.

Ship's chronometre

I have wanted a decent clock for ages. One that is easy to read and can be seen from the cockpit. I was staggered by the price of quartz "Cabin Clocks" even little ones. I also could not decide where to fit it. Then I came up with this. Certainly easy to see from the cockpit. Very accurate time with a quartz movement, and only £2.99 from Argos, including battery. It does have a very loud tick though... 

The cushion covers are Indian. We have had them for several years, and I think this makes a good home for them.

Mizzen sheet cleats, boarding ladder and yuloh pivot

I have made the first alteration to the rig. Currently the mizzen sheets are cleated to little cam cleats on the side decks, outside the coaming. Quite neat, but they are out of sight and you have to reach blindly behind your back to adjust them. I noticed on the review of BayCruiser no 2 in WaterCraft that the mizzen cleats were fixed to knees in the aft corners of the cockpit and this looked a much better idea. The cleat is visible and the sheet drops into the  cockpit. It also means the sheet doesn't foul any stern mooring ropes. I have copied this detail, using a piece of mahogany from an old table to form the knees. All epoxied into place and seems very strong. I am just wondering if I should put some screws into it as well. Only testing at sea will prove its worth.

No2 also has a main sheet track acros the back of the cockpit. I shan't copy this, but I have fixed a rope horse across to see if that has any effect one way or the other. 

I have bolted the boarding ladder platform in place and it seems to work well. The extended ladder will go well beow the water surface, with at least two rungs below water. I think it will just about be able to deploy it from the water, but time will tell.

I am hoping to make and fit a Chinese yuloh, a single sculling oar. For this I need a pivot point on the stern. To create this I have laminated a block on the edge of the ladder platform and fitted a carriage bolt through it. The domed head is to be the pivot. This just fits into a brass water pipe end stop, which I want to use as the socket on the underside of the yuloh. Now I need to make the oar itself. That could be quite a challenge, I have no idea quite what I need to do.

The English RAID, July 28 - Aug 1, Solent

I have worked up a Google map of the basic route of the RAID. I will add to it as I get more information. This is not an official map, just one I am playing with.

View English RAID 2010July 28 - Aug 1 in a larger map

Transatlantic Fame

This photo of Daisy Grace, with Matt Newland her designer and builder, was published in the latest issue of Woodenboat magazine under the Recent Launchings section. I was just about to get in her for my first sail.