Arey's Images

Cape bound. Thinking of Arey's Pond and the sailing from the summer past. It was very fun motoring out to Little Pleasant Bay from the dinghy dock rather than paddling out from the public landing.

More of Maid's Helmsmen

More Conservation Work

Interior painting begun.
Setting cracks in sheer planks. The hogging keeps showing up. The sheer plank is not cedar. Perhaps cypress.



Details on the Comet plans.







Scarfing in a dutchman after removing the cracked part of the plank.

Sanding Mast

Wickford Helmsmen

One of the nicest things about SILENT MAIDs summer racing circuit was the amount of sharing on the helm. This post has the photos from Wickford, the first Match between SILENT MAID and KATHLEEN. Helmsmen included Peter Kellogg, MJ and Ed King, W & Peter Byar and John Brady.











Award photos include Tim Fallon, and there is a picture of W. Byar being corrupted by WHITE WHALE.

Skipper

I was thinking today about putting up all the helmsman photos I have for the SILENT MAID summer. There are quite a number and when I get half a moment, or maybe even a whole one, I will put them up here. so check back.
But that thought made me think about not just steering, rather skippering the boat. There is a lot of responsibility there. To the ship herself, to her owner, to the crew. Our skipper was a delight to sail with. I knew he was in tune with the boat and her needs, her abilities. He pushed her to her limits but didn't abuse her. Same with his crew. Pushed us, guided us, made us more capable than when we began the journey, teased a bit, but never derided us. He kept a weather eye out, listening to the sounds of water and wind using them to tune the boat and get her best speed. He does seem to play a game with the speed of a passage, partly to protect the boat and crew. The ship from unfavorable weather or a new anchorage in the dark, and the crew he kept from fatigue, by planning easy passages and amending them when necessary. He did not rag on us nor criticize nor remember too many of our mistakes. (Although some of mine do reappear from time to time with grin from both of us.) Being skipper is lonely work, but it does have its perks. First coffee in the morning. Delegation of duties for another one, even though it comes with responsibilities of oversight. As crew and provisioner, I wanted the ship to shine, be hospitable, to show herself in the best way where ever we were. So I don't think we were a tough crew to deal with: merry, good humored and willing to work for the good of the group. Very un-Iyn Rand-y.

Conservation Photos

Reprise

Becky's photo of the Padanaram race

Rent Due

Mowed my way to pay the rent on the boatshop, then spent the afternoon tidying and sweeping it. Not much work been done all summer because sailing took precedence, but gearing up for the fall drive. Planning to finish the Core Sound and then start a little boat for Joey.

Pulled the Boat

Took URCHIN up to the yard today. She was the last boat off the waterfront. Thought perhaps I'd get a last row, but it was blowing to hard and the chop was up. Have to wait for spring. Got a fire in the stove, staying warm.

Work Nite

Set up the spar lathe for the first time this fall. Bolted it to the floor & bench after making sure the spindle centers were true. Centered the steady rest and reassembled it to run true. Got one mast sanded to 60 grit. Paul S, Paul G and Ned did a great job and stayed later just to get sanding.

Camber Board

Made an ash frame for the Comet. Traced the old one, flipped it and found significant deviation due to rot. Used the camber board to retrace the arc to its original symmetry.

Back in the Saddle Again

Round em up
WOW had a very full crew today and Brady was in full Davies mode. That would be Davies from Riddle of the Sands when he chucks stuff overboard. Well there is no overboard in the shop, but the dumpster was fulled to the top and then some. All the nooks and crannys came clean. Jeff had the fork lift and the Newt-Killer came out to play too. MISLEADING LADY was lifted down from the rafters and her support rack was broken down.

OLYMPIA

OLYMPIA

Doc

Doc arrives at the shop by bicycle most afternoons. He has a way with metal edge tools and gives them a nice sharp polish. I love to pick up a plane or chisel he has worked on. It will sure be evenly ground and superbly homed.

BEAR CUB

BEAR CUB has a beautiful bronze prop protector, very sculptural.



The little electric boat was loaded on her trailer today to make room for MISLEADING LADY. She will be coming down off her overhead rack for interior work soon as the fork lift arrives. Spent a long time talking with two guys rom Texas who really liked boats. Doc & I spent time dreaming about log canoes and E-scows while waiting for BEAR CUBs trailer. The tide was so far out afterlunch the mud was showing over by the Penn's Landing slips. OLYMPIA was way pround, showing off her under skirt.