The chance to meet Don McIntyre, the organiser of the GGR 2108 was a good enough excuse to escape the predicted 47C ( 116F ) temperatures at the shed and recover in Hobart’s invigorating 15C ( 59F) weather, that’s a 30C difference for about 10 degrees of latitude. Don and Jane kindly fitted me into their busy schedule and it was great to discuss a few things, but all too short.
In any case the Wooden Boat Festival was on and I desperately need access to boats similar to Eric for design ideas. By sheer coincidence an Eric design ketch called Erik was at the festival and the owner known by our friends who live at Dennes Point on North Bruny Island, just a few kilometres south of Hobart. We were fortunate to be invited aboard to have a look from one end to the other. Erik’s Interior Arrangement deviates from the Eric plans although it is similar to the William Atkins Dragon (a cutter version of the Eric design ) and also to Suhaili .
The other boat of major interest was Brolga a 32’2” Double ended cutter designed by Francois Graeser and very nicely set up. Apart from the deck and interior arrangements I also scrutinised these old girls in great detail from end to end. Cranse Iron, Bow sprit, Gammon Iron, Bob Stay and fitting, hatches, Mast and deck fitting, deadlights, ventilators, solar panels, travellers, winches and pedestals, Bulwarks, Cockpits, Tiller, Rudder, boarding ladders, Pulpit, companionways, dodgers, etc . I took heaps of photographs and notes of what liked, or did not. Some solutions seem so cluttered and clumsy. I really want a simple boat.
Photo Credit – Brooklyn Boatyard
Eric Blake, a Project Manager at Brooklin Boatyard gave a very interesting talk on composite timber construction at the ANMM ( Australian National Maritime Museum ) International Wooden Boat Symposium, and specifically on some of their carbon timber composite boats. I cornered Eric as he was leaving to get his ideas on keel bolts and bonding, he reassured me that my ideas seemed okay and put me onto Gflex. So on to the ATL stand to speak to Nick Cossich about using Gflex for bonding the lead keel to the composite hull. In addition keel bolts will be bonded to the 50mm thick oregon keelson which is supported by composite floors integral to the closely spaced bulkheads. Nick also gave some advice regarding epoxy coating the integral water tanks which I’m planning.
Amongst the numerous stall holders I found the Power Equipment Stand who are agents for both the Yanmar 3YM30AE and the Gori 3 Bladed Propellor. These are both on my short list of preferred equipment. Having access to the engine at the festival I could confirm my engine compartment will have the necessary access to the donk.
The Gori is a real piece of functional art, in my opinion. Its needed just for its look. But low drag and overdrive seem good enough technical reasons.
Storm Bay, isn’t that a beautiful scene?
Image – Google Maps
Whilst in Hobart we took the opportunity to have a quick look at Storm Bay It’s a lovely place which reminds me so much of Cape Town’s False Bay with mountains fringed by open sea to the South and exposed to the Southern Ocean. Storm Bay is one of the Gates for the GGR 2018.
Erik
and back to work…
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THE PINGO PROJECT 