Humble Traveller: March 2010

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Topping Lift

This very neat solution for the Topping Lift, I got from the net (here).

The Bug was previously used as a trailer-sailer so the Topping Lift was probably never used. It came as a basic line from the top of the mast to a cleat near the bottom of the mast. I wanted this to be a permanent fixture to support the boom to keep the weight off the Lazy-Jacks and the boom out of the cockpit when moored / motoring.

Parts List

16mm block
Mini Clam-Cleat
1/4" Saddle plus screws

How it was done

Drill out two holes near the rear of the boom for the saddle. This holds the block in place. That's the easy bit.

This works by feeding the line through the cam-cleat, round the block and tying it off back on the cam-cleat. The first thing to figure out is which way to pass the line through the cam-cleat. This is the running part and needs to lock when pulled down. Once the cleat is orientated, you know which end is the bottom. This is where the bitter end of the topping lift line is tied so the screw-hole at this end needs to be big enough to take the diameter of the line. Mine wasn't so I filed it out so that it was.

Where the line goes.
Pass the line through the jamming part of the cam-cleat, through the block and then tie it off back on the cam-cleat. I lashed up the spare line for the time being. I want the boom to drop to its maximum natural level when sailing and be able to haul it right up out of the way when entertaining. Finding its lowest point is something that needs to be done with the sail thus leaving the line oversize for the time being. Once I get the length right, I'll tie it off with a bowline and seize the end.

The finished job with the block on the boom and the cam-cleat holding the weight.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Stove

Kim wanted to be able to cook inside in grotty weather. We had a look at the options and those small camping stoves seem quite good. Clearly, it had to be fixed somewhere and the existing 'kitchen' top looked convenient. We were not going for the whole cooking under way option so gimbles are off the list. Three criteria for this; had to secure so that it didn't fly around, had to protect the kitchen top from heat, and had to be as far away from the hull as possible so that the carpeting didn't catch fire. It is also useful to have the whole thing removable for cleaning.

Parts List

2 x Offcuts of metal shower rail a bit shorter than the width of the stove.
4 x Metal tool clips with a nominal internal diameter a bit smaller than the shower rail.
1 x Stainless steel tray - the sort the staff might serve drinks on at a posh party (ahem).
Screws, nuts, bolts, etc.

How It Was Done

Underside showing the clips attached to both the tray and the stove, with securing poles in place.
Mount Clips on the Stove

Best to plan this stage. There needs to be a clip at each end of the two poles and the screws into the stove need to miss all the internals. Drill the stove and mount 4 clips with self tappers.

Mount Clips on the Tray

Marking out is the fiddly bit here. Clip the poles onto the stove mounted clips and then fit the tray-sided ones on to the same poles. Place the assembly on to the tray and then use a sharp point to mark around the base of the tray-side clips. This should allow you to drill out the tray - don't fix the clips to it yet.

Mount the tray

Drill 4 holes in the tray, use these as a guide to drilling the kitchen top mounting holes. Using the holes for the tray-side clips as a guide, drill another 4 holes in the kitchen top to recess the clip mounting screws. Screw on the tray-side clips with self-tappers, drop the protruding screw-ends into the recess holes and bolt the tray down with nuts and bolts.

Assembly

Clip the poles into the tray-side clips, align the stove-side clips on top of the poles and push the stove down until all the clips are home.

The finished article.

What should have been done differently

A sharp - i.e. good quality - drill would have been nice for drilling the stainless steel tray.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Finally fitted out - March 2010

It was a long time coming, but the Bug is finally fitted out for harbour sailing and overnight trips. Here she is on the mooring ready for the off.

A couple of minor jobs to do - but there will be those forever.

The Bug showing off her fat back-end.

I think it's a boat - Kim thinks it's a little house.

Inside the pointy-end. The V-berth at the front and Brandy's made her self at home.

The dunny - the style of which tells you that there is no holding tank.

The table.

The kitchen for what it's worth.

The steps up to the cockpit and the rear berth.

The Bug at night getting refueled.

Bimini

The first mod - requiring the first hole.

They say that to drill the first hole in your boat is the hardest. Well, it's done now.
How was it done?

This came as a flat-pack kit - I just bought the screws. Fitting was pretty easy, it just had to not get in the way of the boom when under sail.

Was it worth it?

Yes. It provides limited shade under way and when stopped.

Could it have been done better?

Not really. On very sunny days with visitors, I have a shade-cloth that ties to the bimini and fully covers the cockpit. This is good for lunch / fishing but it's difficult to see how a different setup could provide fuller coverage under way.

First Day Trip

We haven't had the boat long so it's not yet rigged for sailing but that doesn't stop us motoring around to one of the bays for lunch. The girls came with us...