17th February, almost what passes for a spring day up here, air temperature of 2.5ºC, occasional flake of snow in the air, water a bit chilly and a brisk easterly to prevent overheating. Adrian (MD Viking Boats ) decides to do a boatbuilders launch (low key, sans bagpipes and quaich) of his latest creation. She is a 15ft sailing sjekte destined for family boating on a Sea Loch a bit south of here. Not that far as the hoody flies but a fair old drive by road. Her build has been the subject of earlier rambles round the cowshed.
A few curious bystanders gathered to cast a critical eye over the results of his winter labours and I just happened to be around with the box brownie. The most significant omission seems to have been the wellies, I know the natives are a hardy race but paddling in Loch Broom in February takes a special kind of person. So hats off to Ron (of the Coigach Lass Skiffies ) who discarded boots to help retrieve the boat after the succesful floatation test, not a drop of water was seen inside after recovery.
All in all a very pretty boat which seemed very slippery under oars. She is riding a bit high on her marks as the water ballast system has still to be fitted – once the 200kg of ballast takes effect she should float to her lines. The sail and rig have yet to be completed but I think she will look and perform brilliantly.
As usual click on the thumbnail to get the bigger picture
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- Mast fitted and detailing in progress
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- Mast gate arrangement
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- Looking good
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- the view from floor level
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- Who forgot the wellies!!
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- She floats
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- Slightly bemused?
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- checking for level
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- checking for level at the stern thwart
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- first tentative pull on the oars
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- getting going – very slippery
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- the scenic shot
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- Dan takes the oars so Adrian can get a different perspective
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- Another arty shot
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- Charlotte takes a turn
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- Real purty
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- Hero Ron goes to the rescue, Adrian at the wheel, making sure he stays dry
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- All over now, looks like a brief paddle is an excellent circulation booster!
Hi,
I drop in here every so often to get inspired and this is another beautiful boat. I really like this design.
As for the debate about ply versus real wood that seems to be going around, the boats that i keep seeing on your site are the perfect argument for real wood!
I haven’t been to Scotland for MANY years so I get to live a little vicariously too in your photos.
Thanks.
Allison
By: Allison on April 9, 2010
at 10:59
Thanks for the nice words – not sure about the Real v Ply question, Adrian who is the builder of this boat is a real wood devotee but I am an unrepentant ply builder. Most of the images that were on this site before I found it necessary to remove them to prevent further theft were of Ply boats, perhaps the fact they were mistaken for real wood says something about the look of quality ply. I like it
.
By: strathkanchris on April 9, 2010
at 12:53
[...] Further ramblings in the cowshed can be found here and here [...]
By: Another day, another boat(cow)shed « Strathkanchris's Little World on March 7, 2010
at 08:45
Very nice! Who is the designer? Is this a smaller version of Jan?
I’m looking forward to seeing her under sail. I would also like to have a look at her rudder. I’m kind of casting about for the right shape and the sternpost has about the same angle as the boat I’m building.
Wish i could see her in person.
Brandon
By: Brandon Ford on February 18, 2010
at 04:14
Brandon. Kind words. I love the look of the Valgerda. I promised Chris I wouldn’t say this, but please have a shot at solid timber for the next one. I’ll say no more (is that OK Chris?)
As for the designer, you could say Karsten Morgan (Karsten Ausland and myself). I used Jan’s moulds, but filled out the midships for more buoyancy and stability, this being a boat for a family on a sea loch. That gives her the same beam at 15ft OA as Jan’s at 18ft 6in OA.
I let the planking pretty much do its own thing from there on, cracking the whip more and more as it progressed until all were on the moulds again for the last three strakes. I am reasonably happy with the lining out, especially the stern. Waterline has since been moved up an inch at the bow to lose that slight lump evident in the photo. All will be well for the sailing trials later this month when she will also be ballasted.
Jan is quite lively without the water ballast, although it’s amazing what 300kg of water in her bilge tanks makes to her performance and stability.
The sternpost is straight from keel to above waterline where it takes a curve. I like that shape as it means you can hang the rudder against a straight face using the clever rod and bearing method described by Iain Oughtred in his plans for the Woodfish (15ft solid timber faering). Works a treat on this too. Email me and I’ll dig out a photo of the rudder for you.
As for the artistry business, have a look at Chris’s collection. I stumbled on two of his boats last night sitting outside looking like museum exhibits.
By: adrian morgan on February 18, 2010
at 14:30
Michael – most kind. We would be delighted to see you both if you make it over – given that Ullapool probably has a higher proportion of boatbuilders in the population than most places you would need to spend quite a few days up here – and then there are all the textile crafters to see as well – maybe it’s more than a few days
As for Adrian being an artist, you should hear him working his worry beads over the line of the planking !
I think the snaps have convinced him it’s pretty good. Watch out for the ‘proper’ launch bit in about three weeks once the sail has arrived – I think she will be stunning then.
By: strathkanchris on February 17, 2010
at 23:55
Adrian is a real artist. I can’t quite get over the shed made of mud – poetic.
As is so often the case, I wish I could have been there for the launch.
Don’t be surprised to see Mary and I over your way someday. I have a fantasy to visit all my boat building friends around the world, in one big trip.
By: michael bogoger on February 17, 2010
at 19:44