Test Rig

Prevarication is probably my number one skill.
But there eventually comes a time when even I have to just 'get on with it'.
So, new sail, spar modifications completed (as far as I can), no more excuses...
Started lacing up the new sail as per the previously mentioned instructions - start at the top (head), then the tack, then the clew.
Then fill in with all the fiddly little 'in-betweeney' ties.

So, no control lines or preventers fitted (not enough string), but it's getting there...
The pronounced diagonal crease is supposed to disappear when the sail is pulled in with the main sheet (rope attached to the boom).
Only had to remove three of the ties to allow the mast to slide out. The sail was then rolled around the boom for crease-free storage.

A hook-in sprit halyard pulley has been ordered , but will need the removal of the existing lacing eye (two holes to be filled with rivets), then another hole drilled in the mast for the hook-in pulley. This will allow the mast to be pulled out with ALL of the ties in place, so much quicker to rig next time.
Not sure how to make that hole waterproof so the mast floats in the unlikely event of a capsize..?

Spar Modifications

The sailing club has very generously donated a set of spars and a 'pocket sail' to me.
The sail is a bit on the small side (probably designed to teach young children to sail, so very un-demanding, and not really powerful enough to power the punt with my lumpen weight in it).
I've purchased a new club sail, but that means I've got to modify the spars so the new sail fits. I managed to locate a PDF file of an original Optimist instruction set which clearly shows how to to rig it. Amazing how I got so much so wrong on my original lash-up rig!

This cleat is for the 'Vang', and was fitted-upside down according to my instruction set. There was also an open hole below it (not good in a capsize as you need the mast to float until you right the punt). So rivets drilled out, spare hole 'filled' with a rivet, and cleat re-riveted on the right way up.

Next, a new cleat was fitted for the sprit halyard

A micro-pulley was fitted to the sprit halyard lacing eye with a small (4mm) plate shackle. (I'm amazed how small everything is in 'Optimist Land'). All the blogs I've viewed of duck punts have hunking great bits of rope used for the rigging. This will probably be replaced, as it stops the sail from being removed easily from the mast. A hook-in pulley has already been ordered...

Two holes were drilled in the top of the mast. The spacing was simply measured from the top two eyes on the new sail.
Not needed at all with pocket sails, but if you're lacing your sails on, this starts to get REALLY IMPORTANT. Lacing eyes fitted to the mast work OK, but force you to untie all of the ties on the mast at the end of your sailing day. Not good if you have something approaching a life.

The holes work in conjunction with the wind indicator (called a burgee in my day) to hold and tension the top sail ties in place. Remove the burgee, and there are no obstructions to stop the mast sliding through the ties. MASSIVE time saver! But, fiddly as hell to re-install. So I've ordered some top pins - hoping these will reduce the hassle that this elegant but extremely awkward 'solution' produces.

A new boom end was fitted. Notice the two holes needed to fit the 'Boom Preventer'. The original fitting did not have these, and there wasn't enough 'meat' on the molding to drill them. Slight differences in spar diameters (probably imperial/metric discrepancies over the years) meant that this had to be riveted in place to stop it from turning/falling out.

The other end of the boom got a new molding too - the old one had a built-in cleat which was knackered. Strangely, this fitted tightly enough not to need riveting, so maybe component tolerancing is the issue. No cleat though, so that came next...

A cheap-and-nasty nylon cleat fitted for the 'boom outhaul'. May have to replace it with something better, but will wait and see.

The sprit end fittings were a little odd, and past their best, so these were replaced too. There are three diameters of sprit tube specified on the Optiparts website, none of which coincided with what I had. The ones I ordered were a very loose fit, so I used my fave mouldable glue (Sugru), to try and pack them out. Sugru appears not to like either aluminium or nylon, so I ended up riveting these on too. I've wrapped some hockey-stick tape around the lower end of the sprit as a sacrificial wear pad.

Sailing With A Donated Rig

Went down to the sailing club yesterday with my friend Richard.

Arrived to find a set of spars next to the punt in the boat park. When I took the tarp off, there was a black bin liner with a sail in it too. Result!!

There were a few bits missing from the rig (not all the lines were there), but I still managed to lash it all together well enough to have a sail.

Despite the very light and sporadic wind, we managed to get a good couple of sails in, though mostly bobbing about becalmed.

Here's a couple of 'boom cam' clips showing the punt when the wind was actually blowing...

Sailing!

I've had several outings on the punt under paddle power now, but really needed to get it sailing.
So, today, Saturday 2nd June 2018, I went down to the sailing club to do a trial fit of an Optimist rig, borrowed from the club
 I'd guessed that I'd have to fit some attachment points for various ropes/lines, and Adrian Goulding ( a club member and sailing guru, in my eyes at least) was there to help.

Punt, sitting on its kayak trolley with an optimist rig 'plugged in'

Don't have any wooden pins to lever the paddle against for steering, also no means of holding the mast down in the event of a capsize, but several club members advised me to 'just go for it'.
My kind of risk assessment.
So I rolled her into the water and had a go! Very gentle breeze, so not as foolhardy as it sounds.
The Shefford Duck Punt has finally moved under sail power. Only just, but I got across the lagoon (and more importantly, got back again).

Rig fitted, Floating...

Can't say I was bowled over by the speed under sail, but I didn't capsize and started to learn about the importance of fore/aft balance. Where you sit/lie down in this boat makes a huge difference to how well you can control it.

It Floats!

Monday 21st May 2018 saw the Shefford Duck Punt finally on the water (though not in Shefford).

Packed up and ready to load...

Assisted by my good friend Richard, she was transported to the North Herts and East Beds Sailing Club at Arlesey.

Loaded on the roof rack, without dropping it this time!

You may remember that the punt was built in the garage of my good friend and neighbour, Frank Bond. I really cannot thank Frank enough for his enormous patience and support in allowing me to turn my dream into a reality. So, naming the punt was easy - it's called 'Thanks Frank'.

The least I could do...

This boat is amazing - almost floats out of the water; around 1/2 inch (1cm) displacement unloaded. Better than I'd dared to hope, and perfect for the really shallow rivers in Shefford.

Incredibly easy to launch too, as it floats the moment it kisses the water. No wading in, and the kayak trolley floats (hollow plastic wheels), so when I undo the securing strap I just need to pull it up from under the punt, fold it up and it fits perfectly into the space ahaead of the mast thwart/seat. Nicely out of the way.

Floating, with no leaks!

The maiden voyage was done under paddle power on the beautiful 25 acre 'Blue Lagoon' as I haven't got the Optimist sailing rig yet.

Paddling out to start my first adventure on the Blue Lagoon

The weather was idyllic with warm sunshine and barely any wind, hence the glassy smooth water. I had a good paddle, trying to remember all the stuff I'd seen on You Tube about the J-Stroke. I was totally rubbish, but you have to start somewhere!

Twice as much energy spent keeping it in the right direction than making headway. Practice makes perfect.

Time to celebrate with a bottle of Abbott Ale and Paprika Pringles! Duck Punters know how to live life to the full...

Moored up whilst Abbott and Pringles consumed to celebrate

Richard's turn next.

Richard's turn...

He turned out to be a bit of an eco-warrior - retrieving a lost plastic swimming ring to ensure that it didn't end up in the Pacific, choking Dolphins.

Looking a lot more relaxed and in control than I did. That's what friends are for...

All in all a wonderful experience. Lots more to come!

Massive Oops!

I was recently invited to take the Punt down to a friend's workshop where he was holding an exhibition of local crafts. The idea was to help me raise awareness of my Shefford-to-King's Lynn project, and maybe get a bit of sponsorship going.

The Punt is not quite finished, but it's complete enough to 'show'. Anyway, it would be a good opportunity to learn how to get it on and off the car.

So, I duly hauled it out of Frank's garage, trundled it across the road on it's fold-down nose wheel, and started to grunt a lot as I heaved the stern end up onto the rear roof bar (already modified to include rollers for easier loading). Went to the bow (still on the floor) and lifted it up to face level, using the frame of the nose wheel as a handle and started to push.

CRACK. BANG. The boat fell clean off the roof of the car (1.5m drop?) onto the paved driveway, and I was left holding half of the nose wheel frame in my hands.

Turns out that the loud crack was the hardwood beam that supports the nose wheel shearing off.

The two main legs had also sheared off with the impact of the boat hitting the support rail above the wheel.

The immediate good news was that it missed the car completely as it fell.

So, after carrying the boat back to Frank's garage (so much for this being the 'lightweight' variant of the West Mersea Duck Punt!) I checked the hull over to see what damage had occurred. Apart from the sheared-off mounting beam, the damage to the hull was restricted to just a few scuffs on the paintwork, plus a small gouge and some scrapes on the starboard gunwale - all since fixed.

This is one strong boat!

I have some serious thinking to do about how I am going to get it mobile again though. The planned trip involves multiple 'portages', so I've got to find a workable solution and fast.

April 2018 Update

A Long time since I last posted, but a lot of progress has been made, despite many health problems during 2017.

Bouncing back now though (many thanks to the NHS!), so thought I'd simply share some photos of what I've been up to during my healthy times since the last post, bringing you all up to date, and giving me a bit of a springboard to launch into the BIG PROJECT (1st vessel to navigate from Shefford to King's Lynn since 1876, remember?)

Deep Breath! Cutting the bow to take the beam that will support the drop-down nose wheel

Beam in place, with foredeck-supporting fillets glued in

First 5mm layer of foredeck pinned and glued in place (2nd  ditto)

Gunwhale strips glued and clamped in place

Gunwhales and foredeck in place, drop-down nose wheel fitted, out on my drive for planing and sanding...

Back in Frank's garage, dry fitting of fibreglass outer covering (1st of 2 layers)

Inside painted

Fully painted, internal decking slats in place, and drop-down nose wheel in place