Monthly Archives: May 2012

Edenwood "Old Chestnut" Paddle

New paddle and paddle sailing

I’ve recently taken delivery of a new paddle, custom made by Eden Wood to
their Chestnut pattern. It’s in maple and the shaft is a very long 40″. I
hope by ‘paddle sailing’ in light winds I’ll be able to keep moving at about
3 knots, using the combined power of the sail and the paddle. This technique
works well for me when seated, sometimes on the side deck to balance the
boat against the pressure of wind in the sails. Hence the need for an
extra-long paddle. Paddle sailing is effective with the rudder down and with
the tiller locked off. The boat tracks well but occasional tiller
adjustments are needed. An alternative is to raise the rudder, using sail
and dagger board position, boat trim and paddle strokes to steer. Sometimes
large sweep strokes are needed to avoid the boat rounding up into the wind
during a gust. Paddle sailing without the rudder feels fluid and dynamic but
I haven’t practiced much – so I don’t know how it will work for long
periods. During periods of no wind I’ll use a double bladed paddle.

Edenwood "Old Chestnut" Paddle

Edenwood "Old Chestnut" Paddle

GPS Mount

Finding time for preparations

Still stacks to do before I go and it’s hard to find enough time for preparations whilst still working. However, I can make some progress at weekends.

Yesterday, I bought some more flares (pyrotechnic not 70s) and a sea anchor, Richard and I wrote out a list of small but important fitting out tasks to be completed next weekend, and I gave my new Omni Fuel lightweight stove a test run last night (impressive blue flame but it’s a noisy little beggar).

Fitness is improving. I’m still don’t have half the stamina I’ll need for parts of the voyage but I expect this to improve along the way. Ran 3 miles yesterday and went for a 40 minute fast paddle up the river this morning. Bright sunlight and blue sky reflected in calm water. Upriver, near Woodmill, I passed close to a young stag, with small antlers, eating leaves from a tree by the water’s edge. He stood watching me for a while before retreating into the trees. Swans also seem unperturbed by a person in a boat close by.

Spot Messenger Activated!

This afternoon I activated my Spot Messenger which is a combined satellite tracking device and SOS messenger (via satellites). This evening I took it for a run in the park. You should be able to see a small part of my track by going to

Share.FindMeSpot.Com

I’ll take it with me on the big voyage – so you should be able to see where I am, every 10 minutes whilst the Spot Messenger is on.

Boom Tent

Boom Tent by Canoe Sailor
Boom Tent, a photo by Canoe Sailor on Flickr.

This custom made boom tent from Solway Dory should give me more options for camping when the shore is inhospitable or privately owned.

Stacey’s side decks follow the crown of the foredeck and slope outwards. I’m hoping any rain which blows under the tent will drain overboard and I’ll keep dry if sleeping in the boat.

However, sleeping in a tent, or maybe occasionally under a roof will be preferable ….. if anyone might feel like offering me shelter đŸ™‚ .

Saying goodbye to Astrid…

Saying goodbye to Astrid tomorrow.  Ian, her new owner, and his son will be sailing her from Netley Sailing Club to Ashlett Creek, on the other side of Southampton Water, to meet up with other Dinghy Cruising Association members and camp overnight.

Here’s a photo of Astrid and I sailing across the Solent in February last year.

Astrid in the Solent

Astrid and I sailing across the Solent in February last year.

 

Gusting up to 28 knots, 8 degrees and it rained all day, but it was great sailing and gave me enough confidence in myself and Solway Dory’s sailing canoes to think of something more ambitious.

Astrid will be going to a good home.