A Perfect Hang-Over Cure

This weekend I was up north in Liverpool for my friend's stag weekend and like many obsessed kayakers I was on the lookout for a paddling opportunity.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to guess what was on the back of my t-shirt...they later wished they had put 'Uncle Albert' from Only Fools and Horses.

After two days on the booze it was going to take more than a fatty cooked breakfast to cure my hangover.  Mike had very kindly offered to let me take his Tootega out and join him and a few other from Liverpool Canoe Club for a paddle around the marina.

After 5 hours sleep and a sharp coffee I managed to get myself up and down the marina for 10am.  Mike built this boat from cedar strips and is absolutely stunning.  Making me get rather excited about my build. 

My first impressions was how the feel of the boat was no different to a composite boat if not better.  It felt very strong, ridged and safe (apparently it is more rigged than Mikes Rockpool) and a very smooth finish.      

 For me it handled really well, turning with little effort.  Although after looking at the photo's it seems my skinny little butt may have had an effect as the boat is too high in the water and the stern is out of the water.  It was fast and edged well too.

The rain didn't manage to stay off as we had a good soaking on the way back. 

 I met my friends back at Albert Docks for a quick bite to eat before our long trek home.  It was like tall ship heaven here I just wished I had made the effort to come down earlier in the holiday.  What a perfect way to end a great weekend.  Thanks Mike. 

Petrel Build #3 - Cutting the Forms

No paddling again this weekend so I put my time to good use and finished cutting the forms.  I have put a request in for the cedar strips which I will order for delivery in a couple of weeks.  I am getting the strips from Cedarstrip.co.uk who are very reasonable and have put aside some quality wood for me, best quality they've had in a long time apparently.

I drew the right half of the form on a sheet of graph paper then folded over the half and traced the left side.  I then glued each form on to a panel of 1/2' MDF and roughly cut around each one.  Tip for anyone using spray adhesive.  Just spray the MDF not the paper, otherwise the glue starts seeping through giving the paper a wet look like some of the top forms bellow.

Bow Forms

 I then cut around 1mm from the edge of the forms and then sanded each form fair.

Stern Forms
 Bow and Stern End Forms

Both the bow and stern end forms have an outer stem at the end that is cut from a separate piece of cedar or other soft wood and temporarily glued on the to ends of the end forms.  These stems are beveled to form a sharp edge upon which the strips are glued.  These stems will form part of the actual boat and wont be removed.  I have cut off the Stern stem here from the MDF just to practice until I get the cedar wood.

I can't help getting excited, hopefully I will have something similar in a few months!

My next job is to cut a hole in the center of each form through which the strongback it thread.  There are various ways to construct a strong back but I am going to keep things simple and get a 12ft length of 2x4 timber.  Once the strongback is constructed the boat will then be ready for stripping.

Coast Guard to the Rescue Once More

Today was supposed to be a relaxing trip out to Flat/Steep Holm from Sully but as usual things didn't go to plan.  I know what your all thinking by the title but this time it wasn't me. 

 Force 4-5 sea slight and plenty of sun.  There was supposed to be five of us in all but do to unforeseen circumstances it ended up being the usual suspects, Richie, Taran and myself.

 With only neap tides we make an easy ferry glide across to Steep Holm on the last two hours of flood.

 The three arches at rudder rock.  For once it was possible to pass through the one on the left of the photograph, even if it was a bit narrow.  Richie was starting to feel the strain so we stopped off on the beach.

 Some of Steep Holm's nesting Shelducks take to the air just as we land on the beach.  After a quick break and a telling off from a grumpy warden for being on the wrong side of the gate we head off for a long hard ferry back over to Sully.

 Not long in to the paddle Richie was complaining of pins and needles in his arms and legs and wasn't looking to good.  Moments later he was throwing up and unable to find any energy to paddle.  Frustratingly none of us had a tow rope.  Myself and Taran both previous 'solo' paddles didn't really see the use in having one previously.  We attempted a contact tow but even that was to much for Richie, he wasn't looking good.  Call went over the radio to come pick him up.

 Moments later the Cardiff Island Voyages rib came to our aid and took Richie on board.  We were left stranded with an empty kayak and no tow, although the lifeboat at Penarth had already been launched and was coming to pick it up.

 Stranded mid way between Steep Holm and Flat Holm and with an ever increasing tide we rigged together a short tow out of some chord from a VHF dry case and a couple of karabiners and made on our way.

Soon after the Penarth lifeboat rib came to our aid and took the boat off our hands.  We assured the crew we would be fine paddling back and made on our way again, although they didn't think we stood much of a chance now the ebb tide was now in full flow and looking rather choppy.

We managed to make it to Flat Holm paddling up what seemed to be a large eddying flow against the tide.  Any idea on these little birds?  hundreds of them and didn't seem to mind us approaching.

 The flow was now moving at quite a pace which made for a very steep ferry angle and slow progress.

A little adverse conditions were felt around Wolves Rock and nearing Lavernock but we managed to make good progress.  Not quite the paddle we were expecting but an adventure none the less.  On reaching the lifeboat station Richie was taken off to hospital but has since been discharged and feeling much better.  Off to buy a tow now.  12.39 nm in all.

Petrel Build #2 - Drawing The Forms

All this nice weather and I've barely been out in the boat, this is what I've been doing.  Since the last boat building post I've been busy drawing up the forms on to graph paper, a bit like marking co-ordinates on a map and then joining the dots.  The outcome is a cross section slice of the boat which is then transferred on to 1/2 inch thick MDF.  These cross sections are then threaded on to a 14ft length of 2x4 called a strongback.  This strongback is essentially the backbone of the boat upon which the cedar strips are laid.  It is important all these 'co-ordinates' are in the right place, a 1/4 inch out and I end up with a oddly shaped boat.  There are 16 cross sectional forms all together and two end forms (bow and stern).  There is also a cockpit recess and hatch forms to draw out but I'll do that when the time comes to installing them.

 On my rainy day when I can't work (fortunately only one) I made these two saw horses to support the strongback.  They also double as a kayak stand when I'm finished, the top cross beams are removed and replaced with a loose webbing where the boat can sit. 

I've also been busy sourcing my tools and materials.  I am literally starting this boat with nothing.  I bought this shiny new block plane, probably the most expensive and key tools for the job.  I've also found a good supplier for the cedar strips and been playing about with some test strips.

I have also found a place to build.  Thanks to one very kind farmer I have a the use of a corner of a large barn. 

I'm going to add absolutely everything I have bought for the build not just the materials used in the boat.

Materials and Supplies so far:   

Two books - £17.32

9 sheets of graph paper - £11.97

Large Ruler - £1.26

French Curve - £4.49

Jigsaw blades - £4.98

Screws - £7.48

MDF (for the forms) - £15.48

2x4 Timber (for the saw horses) - £18.72

Spray Glue - £9.79

Block Plane - £49

Total £140.49

Wow..and that's doesn't include any materials that will be include as part of the actual boat.  From what I've seen it should cost no more than around £800 for the entire build, but that obviously doesn't include all the extras such as tools and supplies of which I have few.  With a boiler on the blink don't expect progress to be quick!

Here is an on board video of the Petrel in action.  

Dying Sun

Nothing to really write home about just a short paddle after a long couple of weeks hard work.

 Surf at Llantwit Major

 Heading West toward St Donats Castle

Stopping off at the caves along the way

 Going, going, gone...

Work again in the morning, no bank holidays for the self employed!  Lucky if I get a weekend.