Previously
I had stated that I would not add future regular posts to my blog due in part
to the perceived lack of interest in continuing with the voyages of Bunty B,
however I have received some encouragement to do so and therefore provide this update to some of the most notable improvements that I have carried out
during the past year including a brief summary of some of the voyages that I
have undertaken.
Despite
the restrictions imposed on our movements throughout the year to stem the
spread of the Corona Virus, I have managed to log 666 nautical miles. The
resultant experience has proved invaluable and provided me with the insight and
knowledge to make some important alterations and improvements.
Apart
from the initial launch on Lake Windermere and another overnight excursion a few months later, all of the voyages aboard Bunty B have been at sea which, at
times were in challenging conditions and mostly undertaken single handed. This
has exposed some shortcomings which needed addressing.
Improvements
Tiller Pilot: The
single most important installation.
The Jib is easy to control single handed because of the Wykeham-Martin furling
system, operated by the furling line taken back to the cockpit and cleated off on the
coaming, however the Main sail proved to be a bit of a handful whilst both
hoisting and reefing. With a blow and a bit of a sea running it was impossible
to hold the bows into wind, the combined forces of wind and waves just pushed
the bows over to face the oncoming elements broadside, on more than one
occasion I was caught out with the main sail partially hoisted with the
alarming result of almost being blown flat. There was also the problem of continuously
having a hand on the tiller which, on a long passage became really tiring.
Something clearly had to be done.
I
had wrongly assumed that I would simply be able to install perhaps a Raymarine
tiller pilot with an integral fluxgate compass, unfortunately further
investigations revealed that the close proximity of the magnetic field
surrounding the outboard motor which is further amplified by the installed alternator,
would interfere with a device of this type. I proved the theory by passing my
handheld navigation compass close to the motor which revealed an immediate
sharp deviation. The only option available was to install a remote electronic
compass well forward in the boat away from all possible interference from
magnetic fields. I purchased and installed a Raymarine Evolution tiller pilot
system which includes an EV-1 Sensor Core (electronic compass), ACU100 Actuator
Control Unit, Autopilot Control Head and a Tiller Drive. This is an expensive
system and installation took around a week which required the design and
manufacture of some custom made components and further alterations, however the
installation has been a complete game changer and proved to be a valuable and
indispensable addition which, has completely revolutionised the handling of the
boat.
During
August I sailed single handed across the Irish Sea from Whitehaven, England, to
Douglas on the Isle of Man, the tiller pilot proved its self beyond measure for
the ten and a half hour passage out and nine hours back. The following short
video clearly shows the equipment in action.
Mainsail: From the very first time that I hoisted the mainsail, there was a crease/ruck right across the sail from the Throat to the Clew. The only way to eliminate this was to considerably slacken the Clew outhaul, unsurprisingly this allowed the boom to drop way too far below the Foot. Over the following months I spent some considerable time pondering the cause of this crease/ruck. I removed the sail and laid it out flat on the floor, it was then that I noticed that the Head of the sail was not straight, from around mid-way along its length, the Head of the sail curved down towards the throat, when the sail was laced to the Gaff which is designed with a slight curvature, the two opposing convex shapes distorted sail. To test my theory I progressively slackened the lacing towards the Throat which allowed the sail to hang approximately 60 mm below the Gaff at the point of the Throat attachment, unfortunately this also pulled the Luff away from the mast, however this did remove the offending crease/ruck across the sail. I concluded that the head of the sail needed to be straight, I therefore contacted the sailmaker who agreed to make the necessary alterations free of charge. When the sail was re-fitted and hoisted it set correctly.
Whilst sailing solo the mainsail handling proved to be problematic. I have already mentioned in my previous post ‘Voyages and Further Improvements’ 7th October 2020, that I designed a simple topping lift/lazy jack system to solve the problem of the boom dropping when the sail was lowered with the unfortunate result of the sail enveloping the cockpit, this simple but effective solution has proven itself however, further improvements were required to assist with mainsail handling.
To avoid the amount of time spent forwards at the mast, I have lead the Throat and Peak halyards through a system of blocks and bullseye fair leads back to the cockpit. I can now hoist and lower the main sail from the cockpit, maintain the tension by a cam cleat dedicated to each halyard before making fast on traditional horned cleats bolted to the coach roof. Over a period of time hauling on the halyards the paint began to wear away on the aft edge of the roof so I fitted a stainless steel rubbing strip as protection.
Going forwards to the mast to carry out reefing is unavoidable, however I have made some improvements here too. During the latter part of the season whilst moored at Ardfern Marina on the West Coast of Scotland, I met Stuart MacDonald who has written two books, ‘The Long Way Home’ the story of his single handed circumnavigation of the globe and ‘Sail This Way’ an excellent book of straightforward advice giving an insight in how he sails his boat. His suggested tips on reefing inspired me to look again at how I was securing the sails reefing cringles to the hooks on the boom gooseneck. My version of his recommendations was to pass a short piece of line through each eye with a stainless steel ring tied to each end, this retains the assembly on the sail and makes reefing easy by simply passing the rings over each hook either side. I also numbered each cringle from 1 to 3 and as Stuart does drew a smiley face at no 3, a small but reassuring psychological pat on the back to confirm that things are not too bad despite the need to put in a third reef! To accurately lower the sail and to enable the reefing cringles to line up with the hooks, at each reef where the throat halyard lies by the securing cleat, I have marked it with indelible ink one, two and three markers respectively.
At the Clew of the mainsail I have devised improvements for control of the outhaul. I experienced difficulties with the reefing comb which forms part of the architect’s design of the boom, there is quite a bit of friction generated where the line passes through the comb and this made it difficult to apply adjustment and sufficient tension.
I have solved the outhaul problem by rendering the aft pair of holes redundant, instead I fixed a pad eye to the top of the boom just aft of the mainsail Clew, the sail is then attached to this with a long shackle. The outhaul control line is anchored near the end of the boom then passed around a small swivel block attached by a shackle to the Clew, it then leads aft to a single upright block mounted at the very end of the boom, passes down through a hole drilled through the boom, then around another upright block fixed to the underside then forward through a bullseye fairlead before terminating at a cam cleat fitted with a wire fairlead. Control of the outhaul is now quick and easy whilst seated in the cockpit. The photograph better illustrates how I have configured this arrangement.
The Clew Outhaul arrangement.
The reefing lines also suffered from poor handling due to the friction from the reefing comb. I have solved this by inserting three small single through blocks allowing the lines to run freely without friction.
Since this photograph was taken I have installed Cam Cleats with Fairleads dedicated to each halyard, just forward of the horned cleats
Stove: Whilst this is not
a new installation or addition, to date I have omitted to mention this
essential item of equipment. Since the initial launch, Bunty B has been fitted
with this gimballed Jet Boil, it’s an absolute godsend producing boiled water
for hot drinks in any conditions. I also carry another disposable gas canister
stove and use both for cooking meals.
The stainless steel plate fitted behind the stove is to prevent damage to the surface of the bulkhead when the stove swings aft.
A brief look at some of the voyages.
Erraid: Each
year a group of us undertake a rock climbing expedition, this is usually in
Scotland although not exclusively, in more recent years we have travelled to the Hebrides off the
West Coast. This year’s extravaganza began at the beginning of June and our
mission was climbing the pink granite cliffs surrounding the bay of Traigh
Ghael on the island of Erraid, just off the far South Western tip of the Isle
of Mull. I sailed out solo from Dunstaffnage Bay just North of Oban and four of
the lads launched their kayaks from the beach at Fidden before paddling their
kayaks the few miles to the bay. The lads camped amongst the sand dunes at the
back of the bay and I dropped the hook and slept aboard in the famous anchorage
of Tinkers Hole. My voyage out there can only be described as challenging, with
a fair sea running I saw not another vessel until just of the anchorage and
they were both yachts of 40ft plus. Bunty B is tiny wee boat to be negotiating
the uninterrupted North Atlantic Ocean Swell. I was out for over a week but it
was a fantastic and challenging trip.
At anchor in Tinkers
Hole.
The lads coming
ashore at Traigh Gheal.
Traigh Gheal.
Climbing on the rough
pink granite surrounding the bay.
Loch Spelve.
The Firth of Clyde: My wife joined me for our ten days of
pleasant cruising exploring the Islands and bays of the Firth of Clyde. No
dramas on this trip, just a very enjoyable holiday which included walking trips
ashore.
On a swinging mooring in Lochranza Isle of Arran.
A pontoon berth in Rothesay inner harbour Isle of Bute.
Sailing by HMS Tenacious anchored off the Isle of Bute.
Anchored off Brodick Castle Isle of Arran.
The Distillery
cruise: On
8th September I set sail from Ardfern on the West coast of Scotland
Bound for the Isle of Jura, I have called this the distillery cruise due to the
fact that the islands I planned to visit were the homes of various
distilleries. In addition to Jura I visited Islay, Gigha and the west coast of
Kintyre.
A swinging mooring in
Ardminish Bay Gigha
Ardminish Bay at sunset.
Arisaig and the
Small Isles: This
was the last trip of the year and in mid-October quite late in the season. I
hired a swinging mooring at Arisaig for a week but experienced less than Ideal weather,
nevertheless I went out to sea every day except one when a storm blew through.
Most days were rough and wet with the exception of the final day of the trip
which was calm and beautiful.
Bunty B Moored
alongside the yacht wall of the pier at Galmisdale Point Isle
of Eigg.
The View from the yacht
wall. In the centre of the photograph is An Sgurr, a distinctive gigantic
block of volcanic rock visible for miles off, when you spot An Sgurr you
know you’re heading for Eigg. During June of 2018 we climbed two routes on the steep South Face, here illuminated by the sun. Real adventure climbing.
Hopefully
this gives a brief overview of the voyages of Bunty B during 2021, although
there were other trips and the sun doesn’t always shine, I only use my camera
when conditions are good, I experienced a good proportion of inclement weather
and rough seas and in such conditions I do not take photographs, because my
hands are already rather full.
And
so to 2022. There are already several trips entered into my diary and it’s very
likely that I will be undertaking quite a few more, watch this space.