It's been a while....

It has indeed!!

I've released several videos since I last posted one here. I've updated the video and audio pages to include these now, but I shall only post the latest of them here now. Meanwhile, I've just returned from a short break on the North Sea coast of Denmark - beautiful country with sea views and rolling dunes.

On the boat front, there's a lot going on, much of which can't really be shown in the videos, but which still takes a considerable amount of time and effort. I probably have the opportunity to pick up a ton or so of lead at a very reasonable price - although it will involve a long drive. So the keel research has been ongoing. Simply deciding on the material for the keel is only one aspect. Once the decision has been made to go for lead (and it probably has), there are still methods of forming the keel to be investigated - cast lead in a mold - from plywood, or steel - cast lead in a steel box that will then stay as part of the keel structure - use preformed ingots in a steel box with epoxy resin to keep them in place - or the same but with concrete replacing the epoxy - the list goes on, and all have their merits.

Then, there's the question of the keel bolts - bronze, stainless, mild steel, galvanised? If bronze, what alloys are available and suitable? Through-bolts or j-bolts cast into the keel? Drill the lead casting or use plugs of some sort in the casting?... It goes on...

I'm also in contact with the sailmaker I intend to use. I hope to be taking a drive up to visit the sail loft in the next few weeks, and will be placing a firm order very soon. And, on top of all that, I had the chance to pick up a pair of galvanised steel masts, and thought long and hard about doing so. In the end, their weight and thermal coupling properties put me off and so I've also been researching methods of building wood masts (again!). There are 2 methods that interest me - one would produce a largely solid mast, while the other is a relatively simple way of making hollow masts. Clearly the hollow masts would weigh less, but I'm inclined to think I might trust the more solid mast more.... Hmmmm...

I shall finish this rather long post by embedding my latest YouTube video. It's a montage of significant scenes from the 3 or so years that this build has taken thus far. I hope you enjoy :-)

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