Arctic Circle Sailing 2011 - Norway

Just back from a fantastic sailing trip up in the Arctic Circle in northern Norway. Here are a few of the photos from the trip sailing on 'Velvet Lady' (a 55' Oyster) from Bodø around the Lofoten Island area.

For video click above





At this time of year there is 24 hour sunshine, so providing the weather is right it's great for both sailing and photography.

These cod heads appeared to be hung up to dry in every little harbour we entered, sometimes on a truly commercial scale.

Peace and quiet!

Above - a slightly more traditional build in the spirit of this photo blog.

Colleen having a 'cold moment' in the arctic (which is allowed I think if you have come straight from Texas).

To me these big skies just lend themselves to b&w (above Bodø and below a Henningsvaer landscape).

'Texas John'

Joyce and myself fly the flag.

For a short video of the trip by all means have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxBqAMZI1zY to enjoy some more Arctic Circle sailing.

Launch Day

Launch day finally arrives and it seems a long time ago since we set up the moulds to start this home build project

The wind picks up and some small waves form to allow this kayak to start to perform in the conditions she was designed for.

Time for some distance and the start of hopefully, many happy hours of paddling. At this stage all the hard work becomes very worth while. Although perhaps a wooden Greenland style paddle will be the next project to compliment my new kayak.

Completed Kayak

Finished at last!

Aft hatch

Rudder system in place (and partially down)

The build team

Finally get to leave the workshop (next stop the water!)

Varnishing at last

Varnishing at last!

The final coat! Next 'fitting out' and then in couple of weeks will be the first opportunity for 'launch day' with a bit of luck.

This is also the time for making up some of the small components both in wood and metal. Above is a brass plate to protect the pointed bow from any future knocks. This was shaped from a straight bar and then heated and bent around a former of the correct shape. Below is a lifting toggle for the stern end.

The dull sanded surface of the epoxy takes a sheen again with the start of 5 coats of two pack varnish.

'Stacking' layers for varnishing the inside of the hull and underside of deck in one operation. No room to spread out horizontally, so vertically is the only way!

Rudder and Sanding

Rudder or no Rudder? Opinion on rudders & kayaks appears a little divided. For me, I decided the preference was if I was going to fit one, I wanted it to be at the build stage before the kayak was finally assembled. This appeared to be the way to get the neatest job. I also decided on buying a commercially designed fitting with some 'proper' engineering. Smart Track appeared to be the one for me so it was ordered and delivered from across the Pond. Even had the pleasure of paying duty before customs would release it (which was a cost addition which I had overlooked). The fitting looks well designed and strong and folds up out of the way when not required. I purchased from this link http://www.clcboats.com/shop/products/boat-gear/kayak-footbraces-rudders/smart-track-rudder-system.html Finally a day off work coincides with dry weather and the opportunity to take the kayak outside to sand down the epoxy. All sorts of health and safety warnings I regularly ignore, but I had no intention of mixing my lungs with fine epoxy dust in a confined space!

So 'the Kayak' has temporarily lost its sparkle and shine as the epoxy gloss is lost, to be later replaced with some tough 2-pack gloss varnish.

The deck is still separate from the hull until the inside of the hull and underneath of the deck get varnished. Roll on spring and some varnishing type temperatures. This build has now been going (I think) for nine months or so, (on and off), so time to get out on the water!

A Rainy Day gets the Cockpit Collar Completed

A rainy day finally sees the sixty piece Ash collar around the cockpit shaped and finished. There has been almost as much work in this as the whole of the rest of the deck (or this is how it feels). Worth it in the end though.

The mahogany 'keystones' nicely divide up the pieces of Ash in the top laminate. All in all, nine layers of 3mm build up the height off the deck.

Yes we really have finished this part of the build. Now back to fitting out the rest of the kayak and once some warmer weather arrives it will be on with the varnish and out on the water!

Not a bad weekend, kayak building today and yesterday the first paddle of the season for my wife and I, this time in two of the plastic members of the fleet. And very good to see the ice has gone from the water!