Sunday 23 December, Frenchie and Sam rowed out to the boat with powertools galore to install the port and starboard coloured navigation lights. The wires from the lights were too exposed when mounted from the pullpit so we decided to mount them on the sides of the hull underneath the gunwales. Holes were drilled and the lights secured with a bolt and silicon.
The side safety wires were tightened after a mystery boat rammed the pullpit slackening them all off. The anchor was also moved down below as it is usually in the way and not used often enough to justify having it on deck. We topped up the petrol tank and removed all signs of the new and old name in preparation of renaming for the new year.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Single tack loop
As Carole was in the country for only a week, work on Thursday 29 November was dropped and Sam, Nick and Carole ventured out to the boat in the calmest waters all year. The forecast was for sun with patches of cloud, the sea was dead flat and a gentle breeze blew into the harbour. After hauling the outboard out and onto the stern, we sailed off the mooring, with just the main, towards Bean Rock. We unfurled and jenoa and let the wind take us away.
About an hour later, having made no adjustments to sails and really using no skills at all, we tacked towards Rangitoto and sailed in an arch as the sky began to darken. We were nearing North Head when the air became moist and the sun disappeared. As we entered Duders Bay we lost the wind and having completed only a single tack sailed straight into the mooring and dropped the sails.
Carole was very impressed by professional voyage, which will surely not occur again (see Disaster!).
In other news, the Ben and Sam both celebrated their 21st birthdays and instead of us receiving presents, the boat did. It now has a brand new VHF radio, two pairs of binoculars, a brass clock, a GPS and some money to go towards a fresh coat of paint.
About an hour later, having made no adjustments to sails and really using no skills at all, we tacked towards Rangitoto and sailed in an arch as the sky began to darken. We were nearing North Head when the air became moist and the sun disappeared. As we entered Duders Bay we lost the wind and having completed only a single tack sailed straight into the mooring and dropped the sails.
Carole was very impressed by professional voyage, which will surely not occur again (see Disaster!).
In other news, the Ben and Sam both celebrated their 21st birthdays and instead of us receiving presents, the boat did. It now has a brand new VHF radio, two pairs of binoculars, a brass clock, a GPS and some money to go towards a fresh coat of paint.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
End of degree victory lap
To celebrate us scientists finishing our degrees, Ben, Sam and Duncan dragged along our fellow undergraduate engineer on a day sail to nowhere in particular...
This auspicious occasion started with a rendezvous at Duder's Beach at approximately 1000hrs. The dinghey was swiftly loaded with food, beer and other personal effects. A small discussion occurred whilst we considered the age old question: "Two trips or one". Being males we opted for one trip, a decision which ultimately provided much entertainment. Duncan's introduction to Seafaring our way was fitting with his manning the bailer a great success. Once safely onboard we efficiently cranked the engine onto the stern and readied ourselves to get under way. Leaving the mooring under sail we sat for a while not going anywhere. A helpful passing yacht instructed us to "pull in the sails". Whilst this writer is sure they will never read this, one believes that they should stick it up their ***! Are we not allowed to luff around while getting comfortable?
We proceeded down harbour under main and genoa whilst enjoying beer (Tui and assorted foreigners including two Estrella), shapes (chicken crimpy) and soggy salty muffins (Duncan and the aforementioned Engineer). Opting to head north parallel to the main shipping lane we cruised at an easy pace enjoying beer, sun and identifying land marks on shore. At a point somewhere off Takapuna we changed course for Rangitoto and encountered some small dingheys (Europes?). Upon reaching Rangitoto we turned to head back towards the harbour, sailing with the wind fair astern and Sam still having one undamaged ear seemed like a good time to attempt to fly our spinnaker. Lo and behold with four men on board we were able to do this very successfully, alas due to non-optimum course decision (my apologies) and a lack of confidence in our gybing abilities we drop spinnaker and bore up to the wind a wee bit. We were later to raise the spinnaker a second time and complete a gybe!
Heading back down harbour we picked up EY015 with little trouble, a great day enjoyed by all. A significant amount of the ethanol based ballast was removed and this stock will have to be replaced next trip. Commendations to Able Seaman Duncan for his provision of Tui, although it should be noted that bottles is a more accepted form - nonetheless appreciated; Boson Frenchie for his brilliant Manwichs without which I am confident Sam would have ended up in A&E with damage to his starboard ear!
Heres looking forward to the next trip!
This auspicious occasion started with a rendezvous at Duder's Beach at approximately 1000hrs. The dinghey was swiftly loaded with food, beer and other personal effects. A small discussion occurred whilst we considered the age old question: "Two trips or one". Being males we opted for one trip, a decision which ultimately provided much entertainment. Duncan's introduction to Seafaring our way was fitting with his manning the bailer a great success. Once safely onboard we efficiently cranked the engine onto the stern and readied ourselves to get under way. Leaving the mooring under sail we sat for a while not going anywhere. A helpful passing yacht instructed us to "pull in the sails". Whilst this writer is sure they will never read this, one believes that they should stick it up their ***! Are we not allowed to luff around while getting comfortable?
We proceeded down harbour under main and genoa whilst enjoying beer (Tui and assorted foreigners including two Estrella), shapes (chicken crimpy) and soggy salty muffins (Duncan and the aforementioned Engineer). Opting to head north parallel to the main shipping lane we cruised at an easy pace enjoying beer, sun and identifying land marks on shore. At a point somewhere off Takapuna we changed course for Rangitoto and encountered some small dingheys (Europes?). Upon reaching Rangitoto we turned to head back towards the harbour, sailing with the wind fair astern and Sam still having one undamaged ear seemed like a good time to attempt to fly our spinnaker. Lo and behold with four men on board we were able to do this very successfully, alas due to non-optimum course decision (my apologies) and a lack of confidence in our gybing abilities we drop spinnaker and bore up to the wind a wee bit. We were later to raise the spinnaker a second time and complete a gybe!
Heading back down harbour we picked up EY015 with little trouble, a great day enjoyed by all. A significant amount of the ethanol based ballast was removed and this stock will have to be replaced next trip. Commendations to Able Seaman Duncan for his provision of Tui, although it should be noted that bottles is a more accepted form - nonetheless appreciated; Boson Frenchie for his brilliant Manwichs without which I am confident Sam would have ended up in A&E with damage to his starboard ear!
Heres looking forward to the next trip!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Disaster!
Saturday 6 October, Ben and Sam embarked on a two-man voyage to the harbour bridge and back. The boat was in excellent condition after a long and stormy winter break. Sam had repaired the tiller by gluing the split wood together and wrapping the entire tiller in fibreglass tape. We initially set sail in no particular direction and found the wind too strong for both the genoa and main. The genoa was quickly furled and the staysail hoisted in its place.
We headed towards the tank farm and tacked many times to avoid ferrys and dinghy races. We then came across a 100 footer called Squall, which was anchored near the southern end of the harbour bridge. It had lots of deck hands cleaning and polishing as they do on such a fine sailing day. With Ben at the helm, Sam busily organised a chocolate testing for Sunday on the phone.
We approached the bridge surprisingly slowly for the strength of the wind. The available sailing space was limited due to the marina and Squall on one side and the racing on the other forcing us to tack every minute or so.
As we approached the bridge near its tallest point, we tacked to avoid a larger boat coming right for us and we then got caught up in the turbulent wind beneath the bridge. The boat was slightly out of control and it took about 45 seconds to get into some good wind and get back on course. In future, we will tackle the bridge at full speed to avoid hitting the concrete pillars.
Shortly after passing under the bridge, we rounded a mark and started heading home. We jibed and set up a goosewing with the spinnaker pole (as we are currently without a whisker pole - donations appreciated). After passing beneath the bridge we foolishly agreed to hoist the spinnaker so Sam took down the staysail and sorted out the hoist. After threading the guy ropes and laying the entire kite out in the cabin we were satisfied it would hoist successfully. We went ahead and quickly realised the halyard and guy ropes were inside the forstay and the kite balooned out like Team NZ's in Race 5 of the America's Cup 2007. As we both pointed and laughed at our predicament, we failed to notice the boat being pulled about by the rouge sail and the main jibed at near warp speed but was luckily halted by Sam's ear.
The mainsheet rammed into Ben with force and Sam asked Ben if he was bleeding. Turns out he was and there was blood all over the side of his face and on the deck. Sam pulled off a shirt and put pressure on the wound while steering into the wind and Ben retrieved the spinnaker and started the outboard. Ben returned the boat to shipshape condition with Sam at the helm and we moored about 45 minutes later. Once we picked up the bouy, Sam called Angie for a lift to A&E (Sam protested this insisting that a trip to A&E was not necessary, Ben vetoed from the umpire boat and forced a trip). Sam had eight stitches put in the upper medial area of his left ear and wore a full head bandage for six days.
Exams will prevent further sailing until mid November. Till next time!
We headed towards the tank farm and tacked many times to avoid ferrys and dinghy races. We then came across a 100 footer called Squall, which was anchored near the southern end of the harbour bridge. It had lots of deck hands cleaning and polishing as they do on such a fine sailing day. With Ben at the helm, Sam busily organised a chocolate testing for Sunday on the phone.
We approached the bridge surprisingly slowly for the strength of the wind. The available sailing space was limited due to the marina and Squall on one side and the racing on the other forcing us to tack every minute or so.
As we approached the bridge near its tallest point, we tacked to avoid a larger boat coming right for us and we then got caught up in the turbulent wind beneath the bridge. The boat was slightly out of control and it took about 45 seconds to get into some good wind and get back on course. In future, we will tackle the bridge at full speed to avoid hitting the concrete pillars.
Shortly after passing under the bridge, we rounded a mark and started heading home. We jibed and set up a goosewing with the spinnaker pole (as we are currently without a whisker pole - donations appreciated). After passing beneath the bridge we foolishly agreed to hoist the spinnaker so Sam took down the staysail and sorted out the hoist. After threading the guy ropes and laying the entire kite out in the cabin we were satisfied it would hoist successfully. We went ahead and quickly realised the halyard and guy ropes were inside the forstay and the kite balooned out like Team NZ's in Race 5 of the America's Cup 2007. As we both pointed and laughed at our predicament, we failed to notice the boat being pulled about by the rouge sail and the main jibed at near warp speed but was luckily halted by Sam's ear.
The mainsheet rammed into Ben with force and Sam asked Ben if he was bleeding. Turns out he was and there was blood all over the side of his face and on the deck. Sam pulled off a shirt and put pressure on the wound while steering into the wind and Ben retrieved the spinnaker and started the outboard. Ben returned the boat to shipshape condition with Sam at the helm and we moored about 45 minutes later. Once we picked up the bouy, Sam called Angie for a lift to A&E (Sam protested this insisting that a trip to A&E was not necessary, Ben vetoed from the umpire boat and forced a trip). Sam had eight stitches put in the upper medial area of his left ear and wore a full head bandage for six days.
Exams will prevent further sailing until mid November. Till next time!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Mid-Winter Misson to Waiheke
At 9am, Monday 9th July, a hardcore crew of eight assembled on the beach to load the boat for a mission to Waiheke to rescue William Shatner's Pants (flash fibreglass dinghy). The crew consisted of Sam, Ben, Eve, Becci, AJ, Adam, Kelly and Frenchie. The tide was coming in from an 8am low so we anchored the boat close to shore for faster loading. At 10.15am, the boat was loaded and was beached to get the crew on board, leaving Floater (aluminium dinghy) behind.
The weather was against us. The forecast was for rain and strong wind but it didn't look too shabby on Monday so we set off in some reasonable swells and a grey sky. Eight people made for a crowded but manageable boat, so we motor sailed with the main, genoa and number 2 staysail for most of the way. With five in the cockpit the footwell started to fill with water and the rear compartment filled quickly too. We shifted the petrol, chilly bin and food towards the bow and with a couple crew up front we balanced her out nicely. After our recent repairs to the tiller bracket, the wooden tiller itself decided to begin splitting. Sam tied a rope around it and we eased the sailed to relieve the pressure on the rudder. We plan to wrap fibreglass tape around the tiller for super-strength.
At approximately 4.00pm, we arrived at Otakaphe Bay and beached the boat for quick unloading. While the rest of the crew took supplies up to the house, Ben and Frenchie stayed out on the boat until Adam, AJ and Sam found William Shatner's Pants and rowed it out to the then moored boat.
The sun set at 6ish and we cranked the BBQ for dinner.
The next day the weather went further downhill. At 2.30pm the power went off, at 6.00pm it was dark and we were playing cards by candle light. Nachos were prepared on the BBQ due to lack of power and pizza was called off. Because the water at the house is run by electric pumps, we had to manually collect water from the tank with a leaky bucket.We received news that the harbour bridge was closed due to wind and the ferry services were suspended for the night.
The power still wasn't on Wednesday morning, when were intending on departing. The wind was still at gale force and we had dishes for 8 people to clean with no running water. AJ, Becci and Adam caught a taxi to Matiatia to catch the ferry back to Auckland while the rest stayed behind with a plan to clean up when the power came back on. Sam, Ben and Frenchie battled the waves that afternoon to get out to the boat to retrieve 10L of tasty signature range water.
Thursday morning, after 45 hours without power we cranked the water onto the BBQ and washed three days of dishes with detol hand soap and greasy boiling water. We had BBQ piklets and mozzarella on bread for breakfast. The house was tidied and we loaded up the boat from shore around midday. Frenchie, Sam and Ben carried the trash, laden on oars, down to the bins while the girls played Russians.
We motor sailed in not-too-shabby conditions. We sailed with a relaxed genoa to ease the strain on the splitting tiller. Ben heroically helmed the boat the whole way. The picture above of Eve at the helm must have been from the trip out to the island. Sam started work on replacing ropes because we needed ballast in the centre of the boat. Frenchie stood his ground as the bowman for the full four and half hour journey. Eve and Kelly kept playing Russians and kept spirits high. About one hour in the journey, William Shatner's Pants filled with water from waves running through the centreboard slot. Sam bailed out the water and removed the aft bung and all was well. Our newly built flag pole did a fantastic job of representing our super-sailing country all the way home. On our arrival into the Waitemata Harbour we saw a 40 footer washed up on the rocks near Howick. In our bay in Devonport we watched a tugboat drag another beached boat off the shore and onto the dry dock. As it turns out, two boats from our bay were beached during the storm and another had its furling jib torn to shreds. Our adventure may very well have saved Simple Image.
We beached, unloaded and moored the boat making sure everything was beyond ship-shape. We tried a new method of tying up the tiller in a vertical position to easy the pressure from waves on the rudder. Stay strong boatie, we'll be back soon to fix your broken tiller.
Take a look at Adam's Photos
The weather was against us. The forecast was for rain and strong wind but it didn't look too shabby on Monday so we set off in some reasonable swells and a grey sky. Eight people made for a crowded but manageable boat, so we motor sailed with the main, genoa and number 2 staysail for most of the way. With five in the cockpit the footwell started to fill with water and the rear compartment filled quickly too. We shifted the petrol, chilly bin and food towards the bow and with a couple crew up front we balanced her out nicely. After our recent repairs to the tiller bracket, the wooden tiller itself decided to begin splitting. Sam tied a rope around it and we eased the sailed to relieve the pressure on the rudder. We plan to wrap fibreglass tape around the tiller for super-strength.
At approximately 4.00pm, we arrived at Otakaphe Bay and beached the boat for quick unloading. While the rest of the crew took supplies up to the house, Ben and Frenchie stayed out on the boat until Adam, AJ and Sam found William Shatner's Pants and rowed it out to the then moored boat.
The sun set at 6ish and we cranked the BBQ for dinner.
The next day the weather went further downhill. At 2.30pm the power went off, at 6.00pm it was dark and we were playing cards by candle light. Nachos were prepared on the BBQ due to lack of power and pizza was called off. Because the water at the house is run by electric pumps, we had to manually collect water from the tank with a leaky bucket.We received news that the harbour bridge was closed due to wind and the ferry services were suspended for the night.
The power still wasn't on Wednesday morning, when were intending on departing. The wind was still at gale force and we had dishes for 8 people to clean with no running water. AJ, Becci and Adam caught a taxi to Matiatia to catch the ferry back to Auckland while the rest stayed behind with a plan to clean up when the power came back on. Sam, Ben and Frenchie battled the waves that afternoon to get out to the boat to retrieve 10L of tasty signature range water.
Thursday morning, after 45 hours without power we cranked the water onto the BBQ and washed three days of dishes with detol hand soap and greasy boiling water. We had BBQ piklets and mozzarella on bread for breakfast. The house was tidied and we loaded up the boat from shore around midday. Frenchie, Sam and Ben carried the trash, laden on oars, down to the bins while the girls played Russians.
We motor sailed in not-too-shabby conditions. We sailed with a relaxed genoa to ease the strain on the splitting tiller. Ben heroically helmed the boat the whole way. The picture above of Eve at the helm must have been from the trip out to the island. Sam started work on replacing ropes because we needed ballast in the centre of the boat. Frenchie stood his ground as the bowman for the full four and half hour journey. Eve and Kelly kept playing Russians and kept spirits high. About one hour in the journey, William Shatner's Pants filled with water from waves running through the centreboard slot. Sam bailed out the water and removed the aft bung and all was well. Our newly built flag pole did a fantastic job of representing our super-sailing country all the way home. On our arrival into the Waitemata Harbour we saw a 40 footer washed up on the rocks near Howick. In our bay in Devonport we watched a tugboat drag another beached boat off the shore and onto the dry dock. As it turns out, two boats from our bay were beached during the storm and another had its furling jib torn to shreds. Our adventure may very well have saved Simple Image.
We beached, unloaded and moored the boat making sure everything was beyond ship-shape. We tried a new method of tying up the tiller in a vertical position to easy the pressure from waves on the rudder. Stay strong boatie, we'll be back soon to fix your broken tiller.
Take a look at Adam's Photos
Monday, July 9, 2007
New squabs
Sunday 8th July 2007 from 4-5.30pm, Sam, Frenchie and AJ brought Simple Image closer to shore to bring on the flash new squabs. A huge thanks goes out to Eve and Angie Kemp for recovering all 12 squabs in two days. Us guys could never have done it and now the interior looks fantastic.
We loaded the boat with some of the non-perishable food and supplies for the Mid-Winter Mission to Waiheke. Unfortunately our meat was stolen from the beach by some scum bag while we were out on the boat. Who steals a bag of unrefrigerated meat? Munters, that's who.
We loaded the boat with some of the non-perishable food and supplies for the Mid-Winter Mission to Waiheke. Unfortunately our meat was stolen from the beach by some scum bag while we were out on the boat. Who steals a bag of unrefrigerated meat? Munters, that's who.
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