I received the very final delivery for the build project yesterday from Aardvark HQ. One shiny new high modulus skinny mast and boom along with a few bits to finish off the gantry.
It was a moment of mixed feelings as I realised that the build is finally reaching it’s natural conclusion as I prepare the boat for launch. Relieved that the build is over and also shitting a brick that the boat is going to fall apart and sink on it’s first outing! I worry that I have missed some vital piece of the puzzle that is moth building and will consequently suffer for it on the water! Oh well, plenty of rescue cover will be on hand and should the worst happen, I can always attach a marker to the sinking hull so I can salvage it at low tide!
I am sure that every home builder has had this exact same moment of overwhelming fear and I am also aware that there no real horror stories of complete disintegration so I expect there will be some failures but nothing that can’t be fixed.
This evening was spent with the right honourable Hutchcroft flexing his splicing skills and setting up the control systems for me. Cunningham and 24:1 kicker are now in place with just a little bit left to do. Tomorrow evening will see the main strops go on and forestay eyelet get spliced too.
Everything runs smoothly with the configuration and additional carbon block mounts. The cockpit is nicely simplistic and uncluttered. The only control line that will be entering the area will be the adjustable wand and that’s it.
Today was also the first time the North main had come out of the bag since I bought it. It rigs very nicely on the skinny spars. Tomorrow will also see us apply some proper rig tension which is when I start to get nervous! I’ll also be finishing off the gantry and fitting that.
Friday will be getting the rigging made up and aligning the foils with a view to being ready to go on saturday (weather permitting!)
Comments
Hi Phillippe,
congratulations for you finish the boatbuild. I know what you feel about your first sail with the new boat. I had the first sail two months ago. I was listening very nervous to all sounds coming from the boat while using it and was thinking of the wheightsaving when putting the carbonlayers together. But the fears are gone after the first sail.
Greetings, Harald
Thanks Harald,
I’ll let you know how it goes!
Cheers,
Phil
Looking very good.
I bet you’ll be retro fitting an outhaul wihtin 3 months.
Olivier
Dammit Olivier, I was hoping no one would notice! Yes I think you may be right but for now I’ll struggle enough controlling three lines let alone 4!
Cheers,
Phil
I still don’t use an outhaul! I did have to put an inhaul on the silly sail though but that’s another story…