Keel-girl back by popular demand
4 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 5:33 PM.
I said "Hey Helen, can you take a break for a sec and come help me in the shop?" She said sure, and I told her to do stand beside over the freshly bondo'ed keel as I grabbed the camera. She claimed I was shamelessly using her to get BLOG traffic!
Anyhow, this 100 lb beast is almost done. To fill in the leading and trailing ends of the keel bulb, I mixed in my lead shot with Bondo and spread it into the steel sectioned nose and tail like I was baking Frankensteins birthday cake.
Then I tapered the keel tube aerofoil with Bondo, and smoothened over the lead-bondo areas and sanded it all smooth. Well, as smooth as it's going to get. I'm not making anything I expect to last a lifetime here, nor am I expecting any quality workmanship awards. I just need to get through about 20 hours of sea trial testing. This will do the trick.
I'll be heading back out to Tofino sometime within the next 3 weeks for more trials/training. One test I really need to do is to measure my power output, resulting speed and the exact wind speed so we can develop a power profile for WiTHiN to better predict her parameters in various wind conditions. It would be great to experience 30 to 40 knot winds.
I made some calls to see if I can hire a support boat to follow me out, and it might be tougher than I expected. When I was last in Tofino for the first sea trials, it was January and way-off season for the tourism industry. March is the start of Whale watching season, and I've been told that many of the boats are booked with tours.
Training
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I'll be heading back out to Tofino sometime within the next 3 weeks for more trials/training. One test I really need to do is to measure my power output, resulting speed and the exact wind speed so we can develop a power profile for WiTHiN to better predict her parameters in various wind conditions. It would be great to experience 30 to 40 knot winds.
I made some calls to see if I can hire a support boat to follow me out, and it might be tougher than I expected. When I was last in Tofino for the first sea trials, it was January and way-off season for the tourism industry. March is the start of Whale watching season, and I've been told that many of the boats are booked with tours.
Training
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Training is going great. I did a 6 hour ride INSIDE on Friday and it actually went by faster than I expected. In large part, this is due to my new iPod Touch. What a GREAT invention! I bought a water proof enclosure for it from OtterBox and a Ram mount. Brilliant! I can listen to an audio book, watch YouTube videos, listen to music, read and type emails, and browse the Internet - all right from my pilots seat.
I am planning on using the Ram mount in the new WiTHiN for the ocean crossing.
Later,
gk
Later,
gk
Labels: boatbuilding, training
Be warned Greg . . . She'll be monitoring throughput and asking for wages, initially as an "Extra" but as the blog throughput increases, she'll expect a filmstar "lifestyle" !
Pipe-keels are good and will work well. An RSJ welded on the bottom of a thin keel-plate or pipe filled with lead or scrap nuts & bolts is all I've ever used over the years.
Watching and waiting with great interest your next sea-trials video and pictures.
Bye for now
Steve (Aroundinten Webmaster)
http://www.microyacht.com
This is very slim and good design with all the weight in the right place.
The keels not bad as well.
WHAT?
Jeff in the UK
Steve - you are right - she is already asking for her own trailer.
Jeff - HA! good one.
gk
30 to 40 knots. Excellent! That's what we want to hear! Don't forget to take some cameras.
Nicely put Jeff. :-).