tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38446210138254655992024-03-06T06:05:54.903+13:00Assisted DriftingJoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06201408551240817784noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-20627603372064914012022-02-22T11:37:00.001+13:002022-02-22T11:37:46.912+13:00Lake Ruataniwha, New Zealand.<p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4EK_KkziCdF40FC3YIClsEQm48KnRrffNVQ9DpCQfqbIXYbdc5Z57jWCi9tDr1cMngCBnt4wJQVg09tu-VDT7Nq-ED7yp0Z2ZHF3QLy_0fC6qU3OvMybXhd4ywo4hYohFATFGuWyTSnpRS4zJ3-rUCv1L4foIdr97MU5GuGekRNOO91ym1kRhiF2qHw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4EK_KkziCdF40FC3YIClsEQm48KnRrffNVQ9DpCQfqbIXYbdc5Z57jWCi9tDr1cMngCBnt4wJQVg09tu-VDT7Nq-ED7yp0Z2ZHF3QLy_0fC6qU3OvMybXhd4ywo4hYohFATFGuWyTSnpRS4zJ3-rUCv1L4foIdr97MU5GuGekRNOO91ym1kRhiF2qHw=w487-h273" width="487" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTPs_-jqUAjP9WxdmNVqHBHrx3W-Ynd0XHGYLn8lAyBQ3MoaA-NKNPiaHKMhh0pQqAmpKomIctyVr8_1BxjduORbFCM-SOenZU3p3D9cR32riegyAyN1ghcIzbR7U-V7cRRSreJtmNH32j_o1EgxnIiIwmdJ6LpHQbhOkDOxRP4Ocjm-nT_xjsZS7QGg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTPs_-jqUAjP9WxdmNVqHBHrx3W-Ynd0XHGYLn8lAyBQ3MoaA-NKNPiaHKMhh0pQqAmpKomIctyVr8_1BxjduORbFCM-SOenZU3p3D9cR32riegyAyN1ghcIzbR7U-V7cRRSreJtmNH32j_o1EgxnIiIwmdJ6LpHQbhOkDOxRP4Ocjm-nT_xjsZS7QGg=w485-h274" width="485" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEpT09ir6d1XfjimL2IYvNZAdnFIY8iOW6XTRVqYZnGDDFfZ1ASm6W8wMlFehFq5z0CcZ-kLb-ruhnjZB7Iboy28a-gw2-lUIdK5_e7aS3NoIwYgQ1w552hlRH9057USF0eZYOZuOcXXYreOMyHECtXKgub8EBKxFKQm40P3GX2Y_1hE3tpeIRJz-NdQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEpT09ir6d1XfjimL2IYvNZAdnFIY8iOW6XTRVqYZnGDDFfZ1ASm6W8wMlFehFq5z0CcZ-kLb-ruhnjZB7Iboy28a-gw2-lUIdK5_e7aS3NoIwYgQ1w552hlRH9057USF0eZYOZuOcXXYreOMyHECtXKgub8EBKxFKQm40P3GX2Y_1hE3tpeIRJz-NdQ=w475-h265" width="475" /></b></a></div><br /> <p></p>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-22074237237884191882021-12-24T21:55:00.000+13:002021-12-24T21:55:52.379+13:00Launch: 19 December 2021<p>With the help of some of the club women rowers, we moved the boat down to the club and put it on the water. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbB6RNY90zoNobt8pRid3zWe_YkJqqLupTgOiag3J2k_PClVDmzIaP69Nd_8U3yfnxJ4oYr-r2VRDgfuGBf4HpvzSwpZikHjFFCsz3CpGmZMpWHGTu0C28h8gxaPsOmHOE1YlQwSeZ-7lmRyaDD7rKazt62OrtWOYrNQj4eADBnsR1biW5D5O_HHuQxg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbB6RNY90zoNobt8pRid3zWe_YkJqqLupTgOiag3J2k_PClVDmzIaP69Nd_8U3yfnxJ4oYr-r2VRDgfuGBf4HpvzSwpZikHjFFCsz3CpGmZMpWHGTu0C28h8gxaPsOmHOE1YlQwSeZ-7lmRyaDD7rKazt62OrtWOYrNQj4eADBnsR1biW5D5O_HHuQxg=w477-h224" width="477" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Joe, supervising</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTl702QB-b8AaW5Mx-Y7QDYKE5jHOid94rVnkAzfu7p0kmEdmD7aoWwLp03fm9SGEJrgmUyByZZHuCU8UopetjO7Sfm0Nfqe8iS1gkUI0FdtRF3nHY-l58BWhpN4gbwLNuFzawyEt96CMbkYKIpJ26phlsTUi0WjkNlg4HRVxgMAtKTLFOg4oCrhz4Fw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTl702QB-b8AaW5Mx-Y7QDYKE5jHOid94rVnkAzfu7p0kmEdmD7aoWwLp03fm9SGEJrgmUyByZZHuCU8UopetjO7Sfm0Nfqe8iS1gkUI0FdtRF3nHY-l58BWhpN4gbwLNuFzawyEt96CMbkYKIpJ26phlsTUi0WjkNlg4HRVxgMAtKTLFOg4oCrhz4Fw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>A few people turned up in anticipation, including Jenny, the only other person to have done anything to build the boat (she sanded one of the oars...a bit). A few others happened to be there anyway. Everyone wanted to be involved, so we had plenty of help to get the Badger on the water.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLhhYBzeWjvflEX74WKb7vDvvCWb9IM0dsQiM4RCI5tcrThWEwsz2KyNB30zn74D2QrCQZa7BZhZ-taPiqKZrSGFZhn3w-ez2mjX2Tj-ojxbK9BwtAqoV1jW23lbQwpgtjRRF45NHiu2wgwRGvoxaUBcgYETC-tL8Kyvaam_9xbw9WjjO601Nl5iuuJg=s3367" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1784" data-original-width="3367" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLhhYBzeWjvflEX74WKb7vDvvCWb9IM0dsQiM4RCI5tcrThWEwsz2KyNB30zn74D2QrCQZa7BZhZ-taPiqKZrSGFZhn3w-ez2mjX2Tj-ojxbK9BwtAqoV1jW23lbQwpgtjRRF45NHiu2wgwRGvoxaUBcgYETC-tL8Kyvaam_9xbw9WjjO601Nl5iuuJg=w400-h213" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Many hands</i></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>The first excursion saw Kim coxing, Joe at stroke, me at Bow. I had never had any concern for its ability to float: my main worry was about how the oars would perform. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIKbKk9RA21sEkl254rwccxAZ6OEa0jB6nUPoKUVHThuJTZSsNkWEsLXb2dZ53P85L1Be-LsjLzHeA4PhxAVWtGbchvp-ujVSJauZSqwMkPCubV0fTpqR-Hs8YwbvaxJICRBznClayTwXtGwxj8_uJqkyEWMUOpGavXX1ZiSRCmlkVuY22XRJC9a6dfA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIKbKk9RA21sEkl254rwccxAZ6OEa0jB6nUPoKUVHThuJTZSsNkWEsLXb2dZ53P85L1Be-LsjLzHeA4PhxAVWtGbchvp-ujVSJauZSqwMkPCubV0fTpqR-Hs8YwbvaxJICRBznClayTwXtGwxj8_uJqkyEWMUOpGavXX1ZiSRCmlkVuY22XRJC9a6dfA=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cracking knees</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The first thing that happened was a loud crack as Joe settled his bulk on his thwart. In fairness, the stroke thwart is wider than that at bow, so it would have more scope for flexing. The problem was that the knee on one side had separated from the hull. It was a disturbing moment, but quite fixable.</p><p>Immediately, we both had difficulties with the oars: the buttons need reshaping to give a smoother turn, but the bigger issue was that, at full length at the catch or the finish, the oars would jam in the thole. The solutions will be to slim the looms and to modify the tholes, rounding them a little. (I have started on the oars: when we get back from training camp, they'll be tested again.)</p><p>This little clip records our first few strokes: clearly we are struggling to row properly (some would say that's normal for us...) and I quickly gave up trying to feather the oars.</p><p>https://youtu.be/Op0iZCFT4yE</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="366" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/elfQlFogtDE" width="441" youtube-src-id="elfQlFogtDE"></iframe></div><p>After our initial paddle, Charlotte and a crew mate of hers had a go, then two of our club women. They had similar difficulties, though to a slightly lesser extent: rowing a little shorter, they didn't get so stuck.</p><p>At the end of the session, I went out on my own. It was delightful: the boat sat level and was very responsive. I had a sense of skating above the water and I heard the stream of bubbles that a nicely running boat should give. Whether as a single, or a double, or a coxed double, the hull performs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu6izfwpstG40lWUzljDRL0cw1Alvb15j6pGOwfl8i-J79_uTlqOUxGwUodzTtcTkszjoENI3DnGsAYl1Vo1oUIUkhYInyRxdTy8nhW_YBFB5nNwxVOpa_gfZAArAiMpkaW73vRoL3_snHDwkgURbqK6Nlq5-znq8QxB84eYGRPh_lFUhDDr3ClWrmng=s3520" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="1980" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu6izfwpstG40lWUzljDRL0cw1Alvb15j6pGOwfl8i-J79_uTlqOUxGwUodzTtcTkszjoENI3DnGsAYl1Vo1oUIUkhYInyRxdTy8nhW_YBFB5nNwxVOpa_gfZAArAiMpkaW73vRoL3_snHDwkgURbqK6Nlq5-znq8QxB84eYGRPh_lFUhDDr3ClWrmng=w296-h525" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLSqEIr_zT66jV9iRn-kVAg3F-zWYvBGUXtlZyLej_iCpvF9nRFCJ8Hh1zdrawaUDlksI-SNPAyBFIS4WYnRWjWNW7h9nDy9AxQNpexSUudHY2cZq2HAJrzQ7XLfOD3GdpHdqMaJZdJxryryd5r2NKlPvmU1-sHeail3hf376H8Ktvi5sg1bscTILLrQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLSqEIr_zT66jV9iRn-kVAg3F-zWYvBGUXtlZyLej_iCpvF9nRFCJ8Hh1zdrawaUDlksI-SNPAyBFIS4WYnRWjWNW7h9nDy9AxQNpexSUudHY2cZq2HAJrzQ7XLfOD3GdpHdqMaJZdJxryryd5r2NKlPvmU1-sHeail3hf376H8Ktvi5sg1bscTILLrQ=w403-h302" width="403" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA1UTWdmtmyVfYhTTouscTgaZdEw8VTGDJ9m0Tf1qTg63WCVyCEIYba63JpD6o4Ozrfh3MA-F9xylJ-j5XcnOMKIKBOYtz6McWvZrBZ534GejFVSJSOnM0dnLDWU2XnIJ4MNI_57tEpURkj6zyJ1Mz-Uia6GkEBXJbEoHzfqeMBZKYGcnJJXbx5WtxRw=s3520" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA1UTWdmtmyVfYhTTouscTgaZdEw8VTGDJ9m0Tf1qTg63WCVyCEIYba63JpD6o4Ozrfh3MA-F9xylJ-j5XcnOMKIKBOYtz6McWvZrBZ534GejFVSJSOnM0dnLDWU2XnIJ4MNI_57tEpURkj6zyJ1Mz-Uia6GkEBXJbEoHzfqeMBZKYGcnJJXbx5WtxRw=w407-h229" width="407" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvRaqOvv-QP0-dVQTTirpqmsXXdFJcBDvSClrE2RHOy8G65JSchb5RGznX3LEDco-tWMBysOp6uxN72ZnOvXWAPR0jsOdFqIpKdD2KcLCllHHaD5tbr4q5g6BkvzNCP0Q96ClxKU0kSHuOyI5gLRgBnRF-lNSP3XebaqRolIpNCo9bnl4mvjTuagChDw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvRaqOvv-QP0-dVQTTirpqmsXXdFJcBDvSClrE2RHOy8G65JSchb5RGznX3LEDco-tWMBysOp6uxN72ZnOvXWAPR0jsOdFqIpKdD2KcLCllHHaD5tbr4q5g6BkvzNCP0Q96ClxKU0kSHuOyI5gLRgBnRF-lNSP3XebaqRolIpNCo9bnl4mvjTuagChDw=w412-h309" width="412" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Charlotte guiding me, as always</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>A few teething problems to be resolved, but, overall, a successful launch. Next stop: The Mighty Waikato.</p>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-80508678128265857552021-12-18T16:01:00.000+13:002021-12-18T16:01:15.777+13:00What do we do now?<p>It seems a long time ago that we started this project. That's surprising, because, in fact, it was a very long time ago. Our first blog was penned on 19th September 2010: the day after my birthday.</p><p>Now, a mere 11 years later, I am pleased to announce that the thing is complete, finished, knocked off, nailed (or epoxied), tick in box, crossed off, history, over and done with. Well, OK, not quite, because the project was to row it down the Waikato river, so I guess we are at the end of the beginning...</p><p>I have to confess to being quite emotional at finally reaching this stage: just look at this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H1jmlC4pfe8" width="320" youtube-src-id="H1jmlC4pfe8"></iframe></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixdVP-wtBudygDDqFj8MfDC1tU-yzqXWmqPJrxg_TUFDkY_MBUuUCSu8LaMZ6d7avbJ5gdC_5uTUxCk_AaHIWgn-yg4lHKWejMFovU03cQGkCdHtdf3jGJHRWstJTC5nlvSBVw8OWF2ZuyZ_z4JJdGqR_OUneMpQKo8Dqrxk0oGpX95MBFRaB9FsZWkw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixdVP-wtBudygDDqFj8MfDC1tU-yzqXWmqPJrxg_TUFDkY_MBUuUCSu8LaMZ6d7avbJ5gdC_5uTUxCk_AaHIWgn-yg4lHKWejMFovU03cQGkCdHtdf3jGJHRWstJTC5nlvSBVw8OWF2ZuyZ_z4JJdGqR_OUneMpQKo8Dqrxk0oGpX95MBFRaB9FsZWkw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Just need a high tide now.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQyhvVv0RpBsqd6HP1r1vy-vISdj_ZO2aZz0RgaTGir8txpbz9dmSLN_IauVZ7tBDycz9VTR1lV_eVmqvX-NSIcrrtNhuY686-Eqy11jaUg58JGTFZDZ6MI17eBPuUKg5qlky3MUWFN7x1RYZo82h2QN3S7h0XLLr38Hqx5cGUI1Em0s_sbTMF6v2WHA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQyhvVv0RpBsqd6HP1r1vy-vISdj_ZO2aZz0RgaTGir8txpbz9dmSLN_IauVZ7tBDycz9VTR1lV_eVmqvX-NSIcrrtNhuY686-Eqy11jaUg58JGTFZDZ6MI17eBPuUKg5qlky3MUWFN7x1RYZo82h2QN3S7h0XLLr38Hqx5cGUI1Em0s_sbTMF6v2WHA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiymThIpfAk2MYWpruSBINnlLNu63uPpFAow_azfKIe244LNXFmtaHMVBWtdSPPrsQyyljmVBPlBF67qPv4iFAAOvZDhNXhgP5yes92G75ECzjESWssh7HEK-o1fVDoDyy7NSQG3q2Ln77pLOyH7KAur8rGr5qCrglxikEvcTpz06Kb4J-e3e2JHeMKRA=s4065" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="4065" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiymThIpfAk2MYWpruSBINnlLNu63uPpFAow_azfKIe244LNXFmtaHMVBWtdSPPrsQyyljmVBPlBF67qPv4iFAAOvZDhNXhgP5yes92G75ECzjESWssh7HEK-o1fVDoDyy7NSQG3q2Ln77pLOyH7KAur8rGr5qCrglxikEvcTpz06Kb4J-e3e2JHeMKRA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtFKrFP6oV1DjBD8G2tGHVTS6srwask4qf52DlLt30pJCYcHYB0BdP0_r4bAokH3WPiyIyn36M-pWWCCN3P-1uJYGZ3pe9QnWjLwc9BISdrhHIEodScPegEW46ASs95Ynym1eScOmRyJHBL0ZjtWueknK_LIhMqMgmO1l11tAqMtaqY0W5kEbsGT9wrg=s4071" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="4071" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtFKrFP6oV1DjBD8G2tGHVTS6srwask4qf52DlLt30pJCYcHYB0BdP0_r4bAokH3WPiyIyn36M-pWWCCN3P-1uJYGZ3pe9QnWjLwc9BISdrhHIEodScPegEW46ASs95Ynym1eScOmRyJHBL0ZjtWueknK_LIhMqMgmO1l11tAqMtaqY0W5kEbsGT9wrg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOKz7-E6GPmClpqzerPoNLZjz_ZrcU8kFcvQzqQ5pg45yiwOpzDx9hLg-p_bQn0lTzFyPNoGCT6C1tqQXZ2-0EE7XBO8fCfTIXmckrV7CaSohMXbMN2ljvpwin558KwUK6vd4LpPxRPaTDezHtJIWBgIcSoycZlovQ2PGUTeYobwhdbiyhoHvj5V6CVQ=s3215" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1695" data-original-width="3215" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOKz7-E6GPmClpqzerPoNLZjz_ZrcU8kFcvQzqQ5pg45yiwOpzDx9hLg-p_bQn0lTzFyPNoGCT6C1tqQXZ2-0EE7XBO8fCfTIXmckrV7CaSohMXbMN2ljvpwin558KwUK6vd4LpPxRPaTDezHtJIWBgIcSoycZlovQ2PGUTeYobwhdbiyhoHvj5V6CVQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The build was finished yesterday: today I added an 'eye' to the stem post, to take a painter and also fitted the rudder strings. I also put the buttons and grips on the oars. There will always be something else to be done...</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKvk3TqtZok3JnMaCqKRNYXpWCY2kngEyV50icu3_KG6Nu4eWsFymgr34Qwq_D80x92Y5b_Mhbr2rrruod2UMjVJg34iqOUR_T0lm5QyKHHcOvBE7bN-gP0YM2shBOOGgrD6yZX6LjOAS/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="900" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKvk3TqtZok3JnMaCqKRNYXpWCY2kngEyV50icu3_KG6Nu4eWsFymgr34Qwq_D80x92Y5b_Mhbr2rrruod2UMjVJg34iqOUR_T0lm5QyKHHcOvBE7bN-gP0YM2shBOOGgrD6yZX6LjOAS/w252-h154/image.png" width="252" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A painter</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-3o88ezM1IyD6Q84CZQQml7rm3vECy7b2b8X-G_dERl2q4-ELm7esi103dXO3tNzeuQUUgAAe8Jc0MFfkEeYb6IX6jLULKrxdWMLJuL1i1nK880yanQeCpz2h4K-Nc0mfFLD7CAa2sBW-dUjLkpz23FhopYS3SDPD5Gtpwgla8ge1E7InpW-071xlrQ=s3869" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1699" data-original-width="3869" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-3o88ezM1IyD6Q84CZQQml7rm3vECy7b2b8X-G_dERl2q4-ELm7esi103dXO3tNzeuQUUgAAe8Jc0MFfkEeYb6IX6jLULKrxdWMLJuL1i1nK880yanQeCpz2h4K-Nc0mfFLD7CAa2sBW-dUjLkpz23FhopYS3SDPD5Gtpwgla8ge1E7InpW-071xlrQ=w400-h176" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oars complete</i></td></tr></tbody></table>In fixing the buttons, albeit temporarily, I have flown in the face of good advice from Malcolm and Boysie, who said to wait until they can give me the right gear: this is because we are committed to testing the boat on the water tomorrow. Sorry, chaps.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I think that we probably did spend something like the 200 hours that were estimated to be the build time: we just got a bit distracted by other stuff along the way.</div><p>Keep watching: we need to get it on the water: the proof of the pudding is in the eating (though, round here, they say, oddly, "the proof is in the pudding"). Joe and I have had lots of pudding, so it will be a true test of our workmanship.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-59007945554968118292021-12-17T12:02:00.000+13:002021-12-17T12:02:28.005+13:00Finishing off<p>There were a few tasks to be done before the build was complete. Despite almost incessant rain over the last few weeks, I managed to tackle each of these. </p><p><b>The Deck</b></p><p>A new layer of Danish oil to refresh:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJoOFsm2cq90RxxjIvXlgwZ3KAT7LbAcUPaDSu8YWDL4CyKMhEHqwCO7JSKF9uLa3DzzSA7VGXPGy4Vi6Am4wAV2X20eGDjZAXP2-l-7nxdeA29cydFofR8Yay4n7A0a0Cpf8VLVilNRe_wteCwhgB-3cMN9JWPf5bjpFqDR-159MwBGP9VwkrQSjxEg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJoOFsm2cq90RxxjIvXlgwZ3KAT7LbAcUPaDSu8YWDL4CyKMhEHqwCO7JSKF9uLa3DzzSA7VGXPGy4Vi6Am4wAV2X20eGDjZAXP2-l-7nxdeA29cydFofR8Yay4n7A0a0Cpf8VLVilNRe_wteCwhgB-3cMN9JWPf5bjpFqDR-159MwBGP9VwkrQSjxEg=w400-h189" width="400" /></a></div><b>The Knees</b><div><br /></div><div>Following on from an earlier blog: here are the knees, shaped and fixed in place. They seem elegant to me and will give a bit more strength to the whole structure. We hope.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQk8tLWwIE7MuInUuPx_4FhwGNnaEoKerQXvxANJmiBN_zsj0OVVlOwWpNeJSYr7Jfq_f306laKd9BxLMNo2WSpPV-InIV3-alc4VJC-BgtScsWehrl7OfLiRg870uwTNW_h8USQQ3nmS1smB_jOoyeSEWhVfKOhdGQws_YWonu9z0MXSFdsleGpRdag=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQk8tLWwIE7MuInUuPx_4FhwGNnaEoKerQXvxANJmiBN_zsj0OVVlOwWpNeJSYr7Jfq_f306laKd9BxLMNo2WSpPV-InIV3-alc4VJC-BgtScsWehrl7OfLiRg870uwTNW_h8USQQ3nmS1smB_jOoyeSEWhVfKOhdGQws_YWonu9z0MXSFdsleGpRdag=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Knee done</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjw1zv5gmgdvBBtPfqciCNu7PzMbaFlglm0r1tvE-RMmAbJG58e-B2Pjztkv0Lm-fbBHPRhxbFmAOJ-6tFf36CiF_J7lCyBsDBZwJAbwqSSdAaT12sVRjy6cEcuCC9y99bwiHhDkSO4VQamzWmL2j5tqN1nN-R9wGiL1q0oq0iuJMmkyD3cy-AjLLPy3A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjw1zv5gmgdvBBtPfqciCNu7PzMbaFlglm0r1tvE-RMmAbJG58e-B2Pjztkv0Lm-fbBHPRhxbFmAOJ-6tFf36CiF_J7lCyBsDBZwJAbwqSSdAaT12sVRjy6cEcuCC9y99bwiHhDkSO4VQamzWmL2j5tqN1nN-R9wGiL1q0oq0iuJMmkyD3cy-AjLLPy3A=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Knees done</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe7_iywoItpiUzIhidOpbV8j5mfs8aLKbQhyAE1TT2fq3QPbYIr1JSzp5hgQJy88KkcWV9YUrlHXWomrvzcfbJheWkVpVSNnyX-R66VXkyOBCdEXtdnstrGdmfsq4qcODw3hRkxR2tfWb/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe7_iywoItpiUzIhidOpbV8j5mfs8aLKbQhyAE1TT2fq3QPbYIr1JSzp5hgQJy88KkcWV9YUrlHXWomrvzcfbJheWkVpVSNnyX-R66VXkyOBCdEXtdnstrGdmfsq4qcODw3hRkxR2tfWb/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Neasden</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>The Rudder</b><p>I was quite anxious about fitting the rudder, to make sure it would hang vertical, be removable and also to be slightly higher than the keel, to help it pass over any snags. I think it's right...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhneOudhBg7zCe8g_4hIuVlC8gfvVKbbTSGaMmgNL8Qo7P2qdwFvkdurCE4Tw77B2oCdfDsqcHikop-TbaXkxKgJ6-BFMbMe6wvAzMOHlnieFR6axSBNewyNGoNA8Ty6AM08TRRHx6KUtT36fBgyhVpccAsswHiYtezRIgN9TtY6B07F0f2bHKkJAoxg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhneOudhBg7zCe8g_4hIuVlC8gfvVKbbTSGaMmgNL8Qo7P2qdwFvkdurCE4Tw77B2oCdfDsqcHikop-TbaXkxKgJ6-BFMbMe6wvAzMOHlnieFR6axSBNewyNGoNA8Ty6AM08TRRHx6KUtT36fBgyhVpccAsswHiYtezRIgN9TtY6B07F0f2bHKkJAoxg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-6952626636236281542021-12-16T14:34:00.000+13:002021-12-16T14:34:06.652+13:00Buttons<p> <span style="text-align: center;">The boat has 'tholes': squared U-shapes which hold the oars and form the pivots, or anchor points, against which the force of the stroke is applied. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0ybNbMZuewhQqj-83vxze98fl5BjyYwpVs2qaEw8tTcuvF6AJXQ9zQXHNCvFqf7fK-xFl1WHSOLC5DrAbVRk_qCLusHnmwZtyKhmfg3Aj6Xgo2ROZsyI2U8GFYxtcy55eogpzDR-2BxUtE9ucIi5Z-_wniQMEwZXndb1_5cu0Ej_E7RP1dK636o0hjA=s3730" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="3730" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0ybNbMZuewhQqj-83vxze98fl5BjyYwpVs2qaEw8tTcuvF6AJXQ9zQXHNCvFqf7fK-xFl1WHSOLC5DrAbVRk_qCLusHnmwZtyKhmfg3Aj6Xgo2ROZsyI2U8GFYxtcy55eogpzDR-2BxUtE9ucIi5Z-_wniQMEwZXndb1_5cu0Ej_E7RP1dK636o0hjA=w400-h155" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our thole</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since it doesn't swivel the way a 'modern' rowlock does, the anchor point on the oar must be constructed so that it maintains (only) a single point of contact. This means that these oars need specially shaped 'buttons', which maintain that contact through the stroke and also continue to locate the oar between strokes. It's made more complex, because the oar needs to be feathered (turned so the spoon or blade is flat, parallel to the water) between strokes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">The button wraps around the back and the underside of the oar.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKXRiZUB0avHhcrz3Lx6ovkIH4aXCo5b1Ec0jsYWlonb0NW_nykNnyA1caA4cEsfN9FcUnqUyCLrgABFkerphtXCr56vZUr_G7QPUGQDEeGd-s5vnpFov70lTkDHXQl9witd2n_SoTxjr8zXJDQWcLwb1DcvrMz3XSqTEO5E4Y0N48YsG_In7qJZaQ-Q=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKXRiZUB0avHhcrz3Lx6ovkIH4aXCo5b1Ec0jsYWlonb0NW_nykNnyA1caA4cEsfN9FcUnqUyCLrgABFkerphtXCr56vZUr_G7QPUGQDEeGd-s5vnpFov70lTkDHXQl9witd2n_SoTxjr8zXJDQWcLwb1DcvrMz3XSqTEO5E4Y0N48YsG_In7qJZaQ-Q=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some well-used buttons</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Step 1: Cut rectangles of leather to be combined (laminated). Making these a little oversized will help when it comes to shaping the button.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg61pUlR73ox5c5LrPTtCzrzcxoCjVDxFbd9_EmxdnvtPPijpsC8-C2NmWg6nR1JpfkcJ9NQzB2ETn9u6RwOtRiNlOybVF4P7HA0vlFL3vZu9FvnbKo3uKDsS3UM76OfpKD7Zqhq1jSH8hP9C-7A-C66h0S_WLMu9_T7XrdzpKZQTGKnc_K5nemn8xNfw=s2578" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg61pUlR73ox5c5LrPTtCzrzcxoCjVDxFbd9_EmxdnvtPPijpsC8-C2NmWg6nR1JpfkcJ9NQzB2ETn9u6RwOtRiNlOybVF4P7HA0vlFL3vZu9FvnbKo3uKDsS3UM76OfpKD7Zqhq1jSH8hP9C-7A-C66h0S_WLMu9_T7XrdzpKZQTGKnc_K5nemn8xNfw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Step 2: Clamping them together so they would conform to the right shape made it easier to assemble when it came to gluing.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-oaaPhdYCr9AdFPunvduIbRvvv09EDNaAB_XMJ-RT4ClHou8mssgLCeaINfA1lg5Svu5NZ6N0Kif0Nl9uq2q2DSWfDU-Rufyl3DGhcMix4nSrO8UyeefjWe8Ti9KWA-o35TjU4ayzZyjvR3xuUSRg6jG3Rpu68lD4IZtwbYgYAJM6_kwoQmjPCjjfZw=s2578" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-oaaPhdYCr9AdFPunvduIbRvvv09EDNaAB_XMJ-RT4ClHou8mssgLCeaINfA1lg5Svu5NZ6N0Kif0Nl9uq2q2DSWfDU-Rufyl3DGhcMix4nSrO8UyeefjWe8Ti9KWA-o35TjU4ayzZyjvR3xuUSRg6jG3Rpu68lD4IZtwbYgYAJM6_kwoQmjPCjjfZw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pre-shaping</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Step 3: Using clingfilm to prevent glue getting onto the sleeve, the pieces of leather are glued to each other, building up the thickness of the button. Since the oar tapers along its length, I was careful to build the buttons in the right place to give me the correct inboard measurement, so they'd conform perfectly to the shape of the loom when they are attached permanently.</p><p>The leather I have is quite thick: 6 layers has given me the 1-inch depth I was aiming for.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyxF-dqw7e8oIBxPyqTrDPEf2bHW2NRU3GY8Usb4dofvrJ6UUjVZCNFcis3nKQyeWJ51hLUlzOrnr6WzIuzlrtwGHkjQ6HnXs8k6x0DarjFSjmLgHOTSiR8ZAKuCINWntyA36M1wBh0D1pWMQTBLvgNLlJrwIy5oMiAG0De4qdHazVDWgkoUsN_lSj5w=s2578" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyxF-dqw7e8oIBxPyqTrDPEf2bHW2NRU3GY8Usb4dofvrJ6UUjVZCNFcis3nKQyeWJ51hLUlzOrnr6WzIuzlrtwGHkjQ6HnXs8k6x0DarjFSjmLgHOTSiR8ZAKuCINWntyA36M1wBh0D1pWMQTBLvgNLlJrwIy5oMiAG0De4qdHazVDWgkoUsN_lSj5w=w400-h189" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The pieces of leather, glued in position.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Each construction is then firmly taped and clamped in position while the glue sets. Again, clingfilm was used to separate the binding tape from the leather itself. <p></p><p>I used our usual West Systems epoxy, mixed with some sawdust to match the colour of the leather. This means that the buttons are now quite stiff. A more flexible glue might have worked: several people recommend PVA, but I am keeping in mind that we'll be rowing on salt water most of the time.</p><p>Once the glue had set, I shaped each button using various very noisy tools and some fine sandpaper. I am guessing at the profile of the button where it touches the thole, but I suspect that, with use, they will wear to the right shape. </p><p>The skiff clubs on the Thames put a brass plate under the sleeve into which a couple or three bolts are driven, to help maintain the position of the button under pressure. Not having the ability to make such refinements, I have made the buttons a little wider than usual. That, the strength of the epoxy and our commitment to rowing with minimal effort should mean they stay in place and hold their shape.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOw1uXHsOnc2iHjeg_sjw2gsNAljDwnRVGLyNLI2SaPupfcu5ksROBFA1oO3S44wsmSo6393Q193ipnJpmqm9yfkXlv2t00WY4JIDbo0nBMeYYJx83vtfCIkakujQXmIpMhTgWhpgjIWhr8MjUvpPuI18_Xn2qEY1sj89Z8Ms0rOqzz8UX7kpNBxqiPw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOw1uXHsOnc2iHjeg_sjw2gsNAljDwnRVGLyNLI2SaPupfcu5ksROBFA1oO3S44wsmSo6393Q193ipnJpmqm9yfkXlv2t00WY4JIDbo0nBMeYYJx83vtfCIkakujQXmIpMhTgWhpgjIWhr8MjUvpPuI18_Xn2qEY1sj89Z8Ms0rOqzz8UX7kpNBxqiPw=w400-h189" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The first pair of buttons.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Once I am happy with the shape, these will be screwed to the oar, through the sleeve, probably with a bit of PVA glue to help stabilise them. </p><p>The construction and attachments of these buttons is one of the most critical parts of the whole build, as it will affect the whole experience of rowing the boat. I admit to being a little nervous...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-77291866275185854662021-12-10T18:24:00.001+13:002021-12-10T18:24:13.561+13:00Brassed off<p> The only metallic parts on the boat are the pintles and straps that support the rudder.</p><p>The pintles are vertical pins or posts onto which the straps hook. The straps sandwich the rudder and the pintles go through the round cylinders.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPS9PlpbgMe_mNbb6j6oRpy8ECvFsGvzk67sNSnThN94iZaxKGFpDrD5vsKG00wdS3iguCLPw3Yiibwb3Zwj9jgB5ym-TcZFgiKBJEnqfQsj1FmzoxuaSsjBqHdoKFKHWHxTGRutKQouyCBop4gCwresjZ5cgvCXWxXUONE5Nz0shQcsxMSIspN_RWFQ=s1761" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="1761" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPS9PlpbgMe_mNbb6j6oRpy8ECvFsGvzk67sNSnThN94iZaxKGFpDrD5vsKG00wdS3iguCLPw3Yiibwb3Zwj9jgB5ym-TcZFgiKBJEnqfQsj1FmzoxuaSsjBqHdoKFKHWHxTGRutKQouyCBop4gCwresjZ5cgvCXWxXUONE5Nz0shQcsxMSIspN_RWFQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Straps (top) and pintles</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was disappointed to find that these components aren't available in brass but, instead, are bright steel and are a bit obtrusive against the soft shades of brown and gold of the rudder. I was keen to see if there was a way to change this. <div>Electroplating with brass seemed an expensive and slow process and I couldn't find a satisfactory option simply to spray the parts (paint would most likely wear off very quickly).<div><br /></div><div>After much trawling of the webinet, I discovered that it might be possible to coat the steel, using high heat (delivered by the burner we use for making cr<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ê</span>me brul<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span>e) and a brass wire brush: gradually stroking the brush across the red hot steel is supposed to deposit a film of brass onto the metal.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_UMFjDNmUrqkXH_IX8NohyHfFxREyE8nDmJlFfhc8d-qhPokmK6k5hf0dRREUQBDlXpmRdgvw3f0ayCuRkWexQ6rb2ij90elcuPUrGIsMatgHB-D97pgycg7p0WkB_b52Aj_6_u7x094uuhzelBMaZGLZiCOdWPpilE8p-Z2DnvgX_r1K_e4nmOs8wQ=s2578" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_UMFjDNmUrqkXH_IX8NohyHfFxREyE8nDmJlFfhc8d-qhPokmK6k5hf0dRREUQBDlXpmRdgvw3f0ayCuRkWexQ6rb2ij90elcuPUrGIsMatgHB-D97pgycg7p0WkB_b52Aj_6_u7x094uuhzelBMaZGLZiCOdWPpilE8p-Z2DnvgX_r1K_e4nmOs8wQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took the precaution of buying two of these brushes. Sure enough, in a short time I found myself holding a flaming toothbrush, which then melted and dropped hot plastic everywhere. I was pretty much ready to give up, thinking I'd need a more robust brush, but when the first strap had cooled, I realised that I had made an appreciable difference:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZlLaID4-DcDgcM5pqqBWxjCBrV7GvQNzM9SetJJxYURc05qgiGtQeekrpjBLjd29qMvqjgjJiPUSTlcChfT5Vq_G9PTyj9mqOsVlDQ3tZQ6w967CesazFfFqC5EydATgt-MY10S2JrNQOhar88NOIYN3RN308VonnyLinIbZcvR1nP-FVD55GV23rGQ=s2578" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZlLaID4-DcDgcM5pqqBWxjCBrV7GvQNzM9SetJJxYURc05qgiGtQeekrpjBLjd29qMvqjgjJiPUSTlcChfT5Vq_G9PTyj9mqOsVlDQ3tZQ6w967CesazFfFqC5EydATgt-MY10S2JrNQOhar88NOIYN3RN308VonnyLinIbZcvR1nP-FVD55GV23rGQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Signs of progress</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I had a cup of tea, then had another crack, taking care to keep the brush moving. By the end of the session, the second brush had fallen apart, too, but the results were very exciting: I think I shall try again to add a bit more brass, but even as they are, the components are much improved.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLX3Ur6Tmc4abgkKDuJHvqs5dYphbBaYzyRO3H-Qwb3NAkCesh9sHozv1mGvy_j1pk1F4QWzjiIwcHOKjtz1dX52OADadMPBrpsS-vBk3fsR-9UVd2fIx-igxzdand-Myioa9TjgL7Vrh_Uj0V903oP1qJ0rKh6MxaAA2qyn9Pj7h_rSwBI_DcSf5JlQ=s2578" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1153" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK9vS_vs-dZkI_wUWDCuPgiO5ZfkAIjDXyB7P8ZKCkyA9uG9Sj_0I8TBwIB3PmuI_3lnLqCdsd4aIgUSF0bhwY4DeDGJnEqHcDf2ahg5JUmz9r2wMWvjgTmf9JMqTZAU-7GN_XiuvUTA9G3wV7VrXZsg_XgYdk0CZ6EoKnSaKWu3q4Q0bRcc433JhVAw=w400-h368" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking very nice</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLX3Ur6Tmc4abgkKDuJHvqs5dYphbBaYzyRO3H-Qwb3NAkCesh9sHozv1mGvy_j1pk1F4QWzjiIwcHOKjtz1dX52OADadMPBrpsS-vBk3fsR-9UVd2fIx-igxzdand-Myioa9TjgL7Vrh_Uj0V903oP1qJ0rKh6MxaAA2qyn9Pj7h_rSwBI_DcSf5JlQ=s2578" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLX3Ur6Tmc4abgkKDuJHvqs5dYphbBaYzyRO3H-Qwb3NAkCesh9sHozv1mGvy_j1pk1F4QWzjiIwcHOKjtz1dX52OADadMPBrpsS-vBk3fsR-9UVd2fIx-igxzdand-Myioa9TjgL7Vrh_Uj0V903oP1qJ0rKh6MxaAA2qyn9Pj7h_rSwBI_DcSf5JlQ=w400-h189" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>All with some coating</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwFdk3iBXsUnV4_NmjaH_fkZ4c4ocTTW5uFbNUe10tSbgdNIlMa45hYoea9hTViB2iiZpRpqPleJuyKX8uUm6Jpq6ZKJSImruYpWeZUVkSM9-3OJmmdzgiP6Bl7wEF8aoCwAKwABSHP5OUHB_H5V26E-F4-SLDXRu-xho0jmlmWr-Kdg3ALS-BOFzo6w=s2578" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwFdk3iBXsUnV4_NmjaH_fkZ4c4ocTTW5uFbNUe10tSbgdNIlMa45hYoea9hTViB2iiZpRpqPleJuyKX8uUm6Jpq6ZKJSImruYpWeZUVkSM9-3OJmmdzgiP6Bl7wEF8aoCwAKwABSHP5OUHB_H5V26E-F4-SLDXRu-xho0jmlmWr-Kdg3ALS-BOFzo6w=w400-h189" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>More work needed on this one, I think</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I have already marked where the pintles will be fixed onto the transom of the boat: if the rain holds off, the rudder will be fitted in the next day or so.<br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-57428169355457365502021-12-08T20:23:00.002+13:002021-12-08T20:25:06.809+13:00"There are many diseases, That strike men's kneeses, Scorflufus! is one by name..."<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">You've got
to have knees<br />
You've got to have knees<br />
They're the things that take stock when you sneeze.<br />
<br />
You've got to have knees<br />
You've got to have knees<br />
They only come in twos but never threes.<br />
<br />
You've got to have knees<br />
You've got to have knees<br />
In winter fill them up with anti-freeze.<br />
<br />
You've got to have knees<br />
You've got to have Knees<br />
Famous for having them are Bees.<br />
<br />
You've got to have knees<br />
You've got to have knees<br />
If you want to see mine, say please.<br />
<br />
You've got to have knees<br />
You've got to have knees<br />
They help you run away from falling trees<br />
Knees. Wonderful knees <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>One of the last jobs needed to complete the boat is the fitting of the "knees". Not our knees, which are generally shot after a lifetime of servitude to Her Majesty, but the wooden braces that strengthen the structure, connecting the hull to the thwarts (seats, lubbers).</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRL9C1p1cAcB0463_RfvHYYvEYUawcRsKLT4R80-iyjOF9RgkojSZFoZGMc1krWCqQ4RAt-MGFykGN6waVjMdV92okm9OgJGU-VVbdW8x2IDN67ZZUiFs89OfYqO6cOq4LLLnOCV_3tDj/s2717/20211206_121428+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="2717" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRL9C1p1cAcB0463_RfvHYYvEYUawcRsKLT4R80-iyjOF9RgkojSZFoZGMc1krWCqQ4RAt-MGFykGN6waVjMdV92okm9OgJGU-VVbdW8x2IDN67ZZUiFs89OfYqO6cOq4LLLnOCV_3tDj/w301-h127/20211206_121428+%25281%2529.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These....</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTEb3IWc_SCOKd8U1XdjqZDnGzRm7raq9v132KrvsZk6upZ7ISYu5WjzfbM7HdekBI1OvASjoZZDuf7AwQ6uuqL7ZdJtUU-wVe-Dt1RI8v-KLqtTIaGH7T_N7mL8E8mBUqF6gTNPOxPXN/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="720" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTEb3IWc_SCOKd8U1XdjqZDnGzRm7raq9v132KrvsZk6upZ7ISYu5WjzfbM7HdekBI1OvASjoZZDuf7AwQ6uuqL7ZdJtUU-wVe-Dt1RI8v-KLqtTIaGH7T_N7mL8E8mBUqF6gTNPOxPXN/w135-h132/image.png" width="135" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not those!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p> <br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The tricky bit about the knees is shaping them so that they fit perfectly to the hull, which slopes laterally, but also curves along the length of the boat. In addition, the overlap of the planking creates a small step or notch. </p><p>Thanks to the measured pace of this project (measured the way geological formations are measured), I have had years to ponder this problem. </p><p>I started with the chalk and sand method, which I had read about when looking at the construction of guitars: having cut the shape approximately, a layer of chalk is applied to the hull. The surface of the knee that needs to match is then pressed against the chalk, which leaves some small marks, showing the high spots where contact has been made. The marks are carefully sanded off (those being the spots where the wood is proud). This is repeated many times until, Lo! there is chalk all over the surface to be matched, as there are no longer any high spots. It's a brilliant solution, but takes ages and I rather lost enthusiasm...</p><p>My next solution was to try to shame Joe into taking responsibility for this detail. One of Joe's strengths is that he is impervious to shame, so that didn't work.</p><p>With a slight sense of panic at the thought of yet another year passing without completion, I resolved to tackle the knees again this weekend. The first step was a bit of displacement activity, which involved some fine sanding to ensure the knees were uniform, even though this was in the realm of the details on cathedrals that only God would notice. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjg01es9gLTRpqaua6ad-V0OElYNIifUCQC38MFoHJxt1PVsNErn2snVFFlj92ENmrnxUD09rgq6AJdkHJd9lLYh2WVqnxvSdJcMbcw3m2MJIAD14BjoEHNChfdanUw23VsthXvE-7x9O/s506/Sagrada.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="506" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjg01es9gLTRpqaua6ad-V0OElYNIifUCQC38MFoHJxt1PVsNErn2snVFFlj92ENmrnxUD09rgq6AJdkHJd9lLYh2WVqnxvSdJcMbcw3m2MJIAD14BjoEHNChfdanUw23VsthXvE-7x9O/s320/Sagrada.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I think you missed a bit...</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The technique I eventually hit upon was very simple: I just laid a bit of sandpaper along the hull where the knee had to fit and gently rubbed the knee back and forth, keeping it perpendicular to the stem-to-stern line. It was slow and quite hard work getting all four knees done, but after about an hour, they all fitted very nicely.</p><p>Before fixing them in place, I painted them with epoxy. As with every part of this boat, the finished articles are things of beauty. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8WZpzrnN3Itj2nsYERJTWX-s-f8WBjh5IaeUmV2T6erJsxd2gTQjot3_Vo0t6Z8Z-ls5pGgdXbB7yyI0-J4uqiRXcXc3GDdUNTn36OZUELYtZiu6uwstQMyHvxkHO9WqOmJ1jkyzQPKQ/s2048/20211208_195401.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="2048" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8WZpzrnN3Itj2nsYERJTWX-s-f8WBjh5IaeUmV2T6erJsxd2gTQjot3_Vo0t6Z8Z-ls5pGgdXbB7yyI0-J4uqiRXcXc3GDdUNTn36OZUELYtZiu6uwstQMyHvxkHO9WqOmJ1jkyzQPKQ/s320/20211208_195401.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An elephant also has four knees.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />For good measure, I sanded and revarnished the rudder, which is also very nice and carries on the mahogany theme that started with the breasthook and is also in the oars and the cox's seat back. (It's worth clicking on some of these pictures, by the way, as then you'll really see the grain and the finish.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9n7yZcLVGfZP6z2A7pjjy-hDt_K2TZ-M-hwsl8CX06nInbRwNpCISK19HHAIx6c324AuYfffKQEnmY7dD-w7QBb1D40nHByxV_dapjK__pLoIqf30jIFh_44mbn7lSCNyDTUurtI4Ff8/s2048/20211208_195439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="2048" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9n7yZcLVGfZP6z2A7pjjy-hDt_K2TZ-M-hwsl8CX06nInbRwNpCISK19HHAIx6c324AuYfffKQEnmY7dD-w7QBb1D40nHByxV_dapjK__pLoIqf30jIFh_44mbn7lSCNyDTUurtI4Ff8/w400-h203/20211208_195439.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-10101499912786187232021-12-06T11:14:00.004+13:002021-12-06T11:14:47.512+13:00<p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Wellington Harbour</span></b></p><p><i>(Taken on a mobile phone with no filters or photoshopping)</i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0gjhR8v1yek0gjmpD0Sk2LTfAelSZAoa1fxcf83yOHJMUnsYYT06-bCaTLbFL6xcATKsQc1fcuQKISIe7VL-0pbp6zlJSgUFlamQ4MQXXfn2M3Tf3cDiO7utqi-mHGkF05NGMnfSsYgn/s2578/20210805_072152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0gjhR8v1yek0gjmpD0Sk2LTfAelSZAoa1fxcf83yOHJMUnsYYT06-bCaTLbFL6xcATKsQc1fcuQKISIe7VL-0pbp6zlJSgUFlamQ4MQXXfn2M3Tf3cDiO7utqi-mHGkF05NGMnfSsYgn/w472-h223/20210805_072152.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr4dTmKSl9Gz1FH_rDAXsGslAe_CZvQGe4P82oTlvpN-Td3AwJ2qQAW1MlwzF_4D3_h6Tnt5TDBSh41MN14pzxvV9iqNeI4W0aWDUrRWiXaHj1i9m99ZLXSbeZ_S7KtNBW-9sn55ijY4_/s2600/20210914_104057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8J3kcGn8aCXZpOsCgXssQfaCBSffSiNULM4WJ7cwXMZ7FU9fkIiWFXjm2EAGOVdpzQUWluB30gp_Kee4NPzLMd43DbHjDjYMIHnfhi7ctIB6iNR3tynJhI7ktodxIgjX28Ro9QQsQAaz/s2048/20200627_074134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8J3kcGn8aCXZpOsCgXssQfaCBSffSiNULM4WJ7cwXMZ7FU9fkIiWFXjm2EAGOVdpzQUWluB30gp_Kee4NPzLMd43DbHjDjYMIHnfhi7ctIB6iNR3tynJhI7ktodxIgjX28Ro9QQsQAaz/w456-h341/20200627_074134.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-88905670855812877052021-12-04T12:04:00.002+13:002021-12-06T20:46:26.315+13:00 Uphill All the Way<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>It's December, which means another 11 months have slipped by. There is progress to report, but...</p><p><br /></p><p>The large gazebo that I put up (in January) to cover the boat kept the sun off, but got demolished by the storms of winter. The boat sat for several months without cover and collected soggy leaves, bird droppings and families of spiders and insects.</p><p>This week, we had the tree fellers in (but, of course, there were only two of them). Since the boat was positioned in the drop zone for the large branches they were going to trim, we had to move it and the hardback up onto the lawn (that's what we call the collection of moss, dandelions and other weeds that we carefully nurture).</p><p>On turning the boat over, I was dismayed to see that every surface of the interior was covered by a nasty black mould. I envisaged having, at best, to sand back the 8 or 9 layers of varnish and redoing it all.</p><p>I was relieved to find that hot water and dilute sugar soap brought it all back to pristine condition. The outer hull was actually better to start with, since it had been regularly washed by the rain, but that, too, came up luverly. I'll still have to lightly sand before adding a couple of fresh layers of varnish.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0DzuKhsGONk2irGzsg-xSEHY6Th9qYTQWD-gk1rvAK4MVF8cKPO7IMGBe6uJ94VfiiJKX2oVgaQaFFR23gI-vS2TtrdYM5BMgJhg0IUPKhSi2kJ2K63RjOCQjjZu9QPvtX0s0kr4H-Bn/s2048/20211201_171503.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1256" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0DzuKhsGONk2irGzsg-xSEHY6Th9qYTQWD-gk1rvAK4MVF8cKPO7IMGBe6uJ94VfiiJKX2oVgaQaFFR23gI-vS2TtrdYM5BMgJhg0IUPKhSi2kJ2K63RjOCQjjZu9QPvtX0s0kr4H-Bn/w169-h274/20211201_171503.jpg" title="Before...." width="169" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Before</i></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrEbAoSqmrhw4KI_5oTWgrHsYt17gxsPy_1ekp3l_0iynPMwzcCpfhGEhKk4-gsZzmB8Yli1W8dEdHnSaONqIhGKVPohBPKRDFUFPScHr45C3R-tCa2v1tQXQaCASQDQ4t-ey__RMgKCI/s2048/20211202_170546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="2048" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrEbAoSqmrhw4KI_5oTWgrHsYt17gxsPy_1ekp3l_0iynPMwzcCpfhGEhKk4-gsZzmB8Yli1W8dEdHnSaONqIhGKVPohBPKRDFUFPScHr45C3R-tCa2v1tQXQaCASQDQ4t-ey__RMgKCI/w340-h197/20211202_170546.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>After</i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>In the meantime, I bit the bullet and tackled the oars. My lack of knowledge and confidence around the fitting of the sleeves and constructing the buttons has been the real roadblock to progress. Spurred on by great advice and insight from my chum Boysie, who has just moved in next door to the Dittons Skiff Club, I took advantage of a few dry, sunny days to sand the oars and to apply a couple of fresh coats of varnish. They look great:</p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgM9LVyeW2svG40ungn3XPUpm323VWJCYqLckquQsglDuK7lneo61Y2NI5TCew3Nfqx3OXZHOOezxw57X6xcCHfbUp8b0_28WjN4CbCI6PT-naAg4nEXaC5PlS7TIHDn9YQUDxAl2xR1x/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="2048" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgM9LVyeW2svG40ungn3XPUpm323VWJCYqLckquQsglDuK7lneo61Y2NI5TCew3Nfqx3OXZHOOezxw57X6xcCHfbUp8b0_28WjN4CbCI6PT-naAg4nEXaC5PlS7TIHDn9YQUDxAl2xR1x/w541-h335/20211119_093440.jpg" width="541" /></a></div><br />Next came fitting the sleeves: I forgot to take photos of each step, but the process involved wrapping a rectangle of leather, which had been thoroughly soaked in warm water to soften it, around the shaft of the oar. I nailed one edge, using copper tacks*, then carefully sliced through the overlapping leather to ensure a perfect fit. It sounds easy, but there was a lot of clamping, grunting and pulling to get them tight and matched. As the leather dries out, it should shrink to give it the final snug fit.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhaZLdR_Z83WysAG-Qnf38vNd-S0pgvnQEhlNM_liCmS_zHmnS4-2CFEIKjVOH2b4pdRx9u27lLSzQbQT6v5_7u0kwlkAcxsJPVJ9TytZX3Sdc0cX2fXqubWs1c_HSchSwNwxNSZuxeaD/s2578/20211202_144720.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="1220" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhaZLdR_Z83WysAG-Qnf38vNd-S0pgvnQEhlNM_liCmS_zHmnS4-2CFEIKjVOH2b4pdRx9u27lLSzQbQT6v5_7u0kwlkAcxsJPVJ9TytZX3Sdc0cX2fXqubWs1c_HSchSwNwxNSZuxeaD/w239-h502/20211202_144720.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29ppZmArMz5uITVMUJ4s3hMqD34aZnAQKYIhilYy-AeiPFKIeWrUqwRQi9pp51Arc_JkFQRtPfNzZrPT1EfHkicWxQWhFVCNLfph0ay3MRXN1-VGZ3dtpQiusk9gR0P_YiDjKvaCXZxu3/s2578/20211202_144652.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="1220" height="503" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29ppZmArMz5uITVMUJ4s3hMqD34aZnAQKYIhilYy-AeiPFKIeWrUqwRQi9pp51Arc_JkFQRtPfNzZrPT1EfHkicWxQWhFVCNLfph0ay3MRXN1-VGZ3dtpQiusk9gR0P_YiDjKvaCXZxu3/w237-h503/20211202_144652.jpg" width="237" /></a><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>*I really wanted to use brass tacks, but the right sort don't seem to be readily available.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> In the next few days, I shall make the buttons, which are supposed to look something like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-LCBaMFhOmYEJuZCzWdfsbJrmUqoQlxLvx78N4Gh8lxEHEzxsnIFF3CVm2GV2gUhtgFxPcHokquIwlPj5jgyuG1PTlZXsF265C3_5i76OQqHlKOA5ri4SxyPrv1f6tABZ8HnaggtKpTv/s2048/IMG-20211125-WA0000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-LCBaMFhOmYEJuZCzWdfsbJrmUqoQlxLvx78N4Gh8lxEHEzxsnIFF3CVm2GV2gUhtgFxPcHokquIwlPj5jgyuG1PTlZXsF265C3_5i76OQqHlKOA5ri4SxyPrv1f6tABZ8HnaggtKpTv/s320/IMG-20211125-WA0000.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the meantime, the boat sits in its new home:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmklCHZ1trKdwk9Xb5jHcA6mm0NmEkzk6VodN1X2hWUpIEmRCA-9Bimu3qEPCeay_g2TEGr9ymYDaia9K8JNsh6vlUPwh5PlYkZol3ip2AO3GiH94FWS6AX64opaMFoure5kEG2v1iIGtc/s2578/20211202_170612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmklCHZ1trKdwk9Xb5jHcA6mm0NmEkzk6VodN1X2hWUpIEmRCA-9Bimu3qEPCeay_g2TEGr9ymYDaia9K8JNsh6vlUPwh5PlYkZol3ip2AO3GiH94FWS6AX64opaMFoure5kEG2v1iIGtc/w640-h302/20211202_170612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-88109084021075833032021-01-18T16:33:00.002+13:002021-01-19T16:16:55.906+13:00Noah's Ark<p> It's 2021 and I daren't calculate how long it is since we last did anything to the boat, let alone how long it has been since we started (yes, I know I could just look on the blog history to the right).</p><p><br /></p><p>We hit a new phase in the project last weekend: Joe has sold his house, which created something of a challenge in the boat storage department, not to mention the need to house some old friends such as Edward the Compressor, the famous spokeshave, the band saw and numerous chisels, clamps (you can never have too many) and planes.</p><p><br /></p><p>The short term solution was to shift everything to my house. I'd like to think that that might then lead to me doing the last few bits of the build: we now have a deadline, which is Joe's possible departure to England. We must row the Waikato, soon. Thank goodness for Covid, which means he isn't going for a while...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hylK8PJEKny72B8sJrlgAGTiMMtme33zPnxF-6-9niIKD8aImQDs3rEyW0nJVNXHVhHG64QQq_BHXPVMFJMFbHgquYjhmpaBwTbb62i-kMNFHP2P6_F-A_k8fuu_HuY4ur92hIIJcKTh/s2578/20210116_124958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hylK8PJEKny72B8sJrlgAGTiMMtme33zPnxF-6-9niIKD8aImQDs3rEyW0nJVNXHVhHG64QQq_BHXPVMFJMFbHgquYjhmpaBwTbb62i-kMNFHP2P6_F-A_k8fuu_HuY4ur92hIIJcKTh/w486-h229/20210116_124958.jpg" title="The boat getting settled in to its new home" width="486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><b>The boat in its new home</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Once I got it to my place, I bought a mammoth gazebo to keep the sun off: a good thing, because we had a huge storm that night.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-90487531216943169572018-09-04T10:21:00.000+12:002018-09-04T10:21:00.219+12:00Wellington Harbour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukcUldBdgtCPq2TTd_L-EMBqQQ_lCilX8OIfPafnbhp3KAtRuiRMy8O68-OUtGzp2gOpB5ERJMpf5Izysc7of-MXAn28-zWmHYnU9pJJVzvk4qTobn9AgN9ihbL7IGUEa5jUAxSEUns3B/s1600/Wellington+Harbour+July+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukcUldBdgtCPq2TTd_L-EMBqQQ_lCilX8OIfPafnbhp3KAtRuiRMy8O68-OUtGzp2gOpB5ERJMpf5Izysc7of-MXAn28-zWmHYnU9pJJVzvk4qTobn9AgN9ihbL7IGUEa5jUAxSEUns3B/s400/Wellington+Harbour+July+2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-53726958972864501262018-08-30T13:35:00.000+12:002018-08-30T13:35:36.457+12:00Good Lord, is that the time?<br />
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I fear that both our readers have found something else to entertain them. It's coming to the end of August and the only thing to touch the boat this year is dust.<br />
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Rather than making up excuses, here's some of what we've been doing in the meantime:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3aBTQDbKr84g_6qI__q1GcWUVTcoaVEFgC82PvY0qeDxpRmlHLzgc2GeG5pGw4s71zPui0AAe-whBV_8mr6q-LEptpp2dLV5t8i7HPbXeJGGKCNxgNPOmwRWSzjQtsN0vlRr2Dd08Iwu/s1600/4+at+camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3aBTQDbKr84g_6qI__q1GcWUVTcoaVEFgC82PvY0qeDxpRmlHLzgc2GeG5pGw4s71zPui0AAe-whBV_8mr6q-LEptpp2dLV5t8i7HPbXeJGGKCNxgNPOmwRWSzjQtsN0vlRr2Dd08Iwu/s400/4+at+camp.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Training at Karapiro</b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cP4UObFGCMSMtQwpTzR-_giEwoflXqMf0HJPH_khgeE4vaicic0aw0F2xdtG7bJrd6ToHyBPsJBb8ejR1tEvxpaxJJREFssaeN_qXiXEnrJb3pEOfmS_MPpWqoQ4jOMYzmRr1LID9Bhp/s1600/WNov+4%252B+Final+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cP4UObFGCMSMtQwpTzR-_giEwoflXqMf0HJPH_khgeE4vaicic0aw0F2xdtG7bJrd6ToHyBPsJBb8ejR1tEvxpaxJJREFssaeN_qXiXEnrJb3pEOfmS_MPpWqoQ4jOMYzmRr1LID9Bhp/s400/WNov+4%252B+Final+2018.jpg" width="400" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Winning at Karapiro</b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPiV3vfo_AYy0RWY3c5RGgtDNjl51c5_AdHgpzI6VfSBPcO89vLsdUABk7jhCUUKeTigmj5px6MW4cXK88ICZHfteCQZ7In6FlkSC_GoWUbJ9UlU9ohL6d03pgm90dyhW_aXWdE3Hg9nt/s1600/Full+podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPiV3vfo_AYy0RWY3c5RGgtDNjl51c5_AdHgpzI6VfSBPcO89vLsdUABk7jhCUUKeTigmj5px6MW4cXK88ICZHfteCQZ7In6FlkSC_GoWUbJ9UlU9ohL6d03pgm90dyhW_aXWdE3Hg9nt/s400/Full+podium.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Collecting medals at Karapiro</b></i></td></tr>
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Joe and I both went to England: a brief visit for me, a couple of months for Joe. We met up at Henley, where we were able to show off the new Wellington RC blazers, which look very nice:<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5uGgPRehUw-pO1NYsyGqn2TkRc78ejh6P9CJcNV63mquuwG-S12nVoxS1QFB0N0XjkETse9LP_oYB6OwkSzqkbTwzjSsvHQV1thn4CgJ2TjzyHWptc9-B2ynN3f5_ZLH7I-yES4vvlkz/s1600/Jones+boys+July+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5uGgPRehUw-pO1NYsyGqn2TkRc78ejh6P9CJcNV63mquuwG-S12nVoxS1QFB0N0XjkETse9LP_oYB6OwkSzqkbTwzjSsvHQV1thn4CgJ2TjzyHWptc9-B2ynN3f5_ZLH7I-yES4vvlkz/s320/Jones+boys+July+2018.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Jones Boys</i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Wellington Rowing Club: Blazers and Beers" height="196" src="http://wellingtonrowing.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/36721158_1861904927208794_989713202625380352_n-332x205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Joe, Chris and Blaino, avidly following the races.</b></i></td></tr>
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Different day, different gear:</div>
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The catalyst for my own trip was the reunion of the London Rowing Club crew and coaching team (of which I was part), which won the Thames Cup 20 years ago:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1_HZBQPajMC-LGDPPEkd5MaStHPHXHThdbEvxD2H8asF633-FtYsZazj-uDZMOVf5Wn8MzHG24KFazBxH4vTWrCwScCPwlVNq3o4LZTnSFOHMacZENcBnZfI_bj_Uokx8xycrxXEY_rf/s1600/Thames+Cup+98+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1_HZBQPajMC-LGDPPEkd5MaStHPHXHThdbEvxD2H8asF633-FtYsZazj-uDZMOVf5Wn8MzHG24KFazBxH4vTWrCwScCPwlVNq3o4LZTnSFOHMacZENcBnZfI_bj_Uokx8xycrxXEY_rf/s400/Thames+Cup+98+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>LRC 1998</i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfe0Elr3TgDy9xod078i4FyvM9qGndU1wRa-svyJpEBtI8sDwKfEMGlqXyR932yb9V6azIj7D4PYzarRbODMKQUydZSzfpzrqnolslJJ7KHfCy2ZDU9iUh76Wd0uTP9dKPhfOUfScm9La/s1600/LRC+98+crew+Henley+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfe0Elr3TgDy9xod078i4FyvM9qGndU1wRa-svyJpEBtI8sDwKfEMGlqXyR932yb9V6azIj7D4PYzarRbODMKQUydZSzfpzrqnolslJJ7KHfCy2ZDU9iUh76Wd0uTP9dKPhfOUfScm9La/s400/LRC+98+crew+Henley+2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>LRC 2018</i></b></td></tr>
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<br />I caught up with the usual suspects from the skiffing world: Hobs, Colin, Boysie and others. One of the highlights of the trip was rowing 'Dingleberry' from Henley to Windsor with Boysie: about 8 hours of paddling. It was hot, but the Thames was as beautiful as ever</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2JaOePPaPZD3x8fRTTILBK7iyiK-TBufTXQKDvUQByZhDtH356y6fVqnE_NcENXmOrH4kCaQQsDWckprWRKUVvmoJI6SpGinQj4TWisenlFPeTN0mrNeQ_gi4PEp0pcH1c0ULtRNBUe4/s1600/Dingleberry+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2JaOePPaPZD3x8fRTTILBK7iyiK-TBufTXQKDvUQByZhDtH356y6fVqnE_NcENXmOrH4kCaQQsDWckprWRKUVvmoJI6SpGinQj4TWisenlFPeTN0mrNeQ_gi4PEp0pcH1c0ULtRNBUe4/s320/Dingleberry+2.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Dingleberry</b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZbazHJppyDY2fGEbjRH1PW88Cvno1rnD8UKwYuehOduz0qMvGFPy3oGr1EOGwYKQsvSzttMTA_0SFwj2WR-CFmOveWnfT6XCiAi-QLz_s0iEeUSHrcIN4gC11YfE-WYawHurM-j-kGsn/s1600/Marlow+9+July+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZbazHJppyDY2fGEbjRH1PW88Cvno1rnD8UKwYuehOduz0qMvGFPy3oGr1EOGwYKQsvSzttMTA_0SFwj2WR-CFmOveWnfT6XCiAi-QLz_s0iEeUSHrcIN4gC11YfE-WYawHurM-j-kGsn/s400/Marlow+9+July+2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Marlow.</i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Waiting for the lock.</i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Old Boys in the Boat.<br /></i></b></td></tr>
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And now, we are back in Wellington, building on the great work our squads did over the winter and developing crews for the coming season. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7OHTyK-IxtCG1LY_vzlQO4h2pMW2jKv_D-AVIVEEg82D7Y9yDATNyc28494HBcQDR5tJOwa_la7uFkVF5LKd9kO7e0ofAd-jqzzElVZuUVuRx5fAw-kZK-RrSG3cyB2vM5ErHlXlbjdr/s1600/April+2018+W+8+2904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7OHTyK-IxtCG1LY_vzlQO4h2pMW2jKv_D-AVIVEEg82D7Y9yDATNyc28494HBcQDR5tJOwa_la7uFkVF5LKd9kO7e0ofAd-jqzzElVZuUVuRx5fAw-kZK-RrSG3cyB2vM5ErHlXlbjdr/s400/April+2018+W+8+2904.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvrfNvKC5mL8pSjEou3yiU7UMae1oWo-9K3Jxj0wmPRrnKWWmGWpco5Zt2HRLu0-ZtCoQhAhsJhwBPYqoKj2OIkgkKHZBHnmtOYSSWLVUjiz-9hL_ipY4Vw1itC5Du-2jZQE6Gnwsch7b/s1600/M4X+Aug+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvrfNvKC5mL8pSjEou3yiU7UMae1oWo-9K3Jxj0wmPRrnKWWmGWpco5Zt2HRLu0-ZtCoQhAhsJhwBPYqoKj2OIkgkKHZBHnmtOYSSWLVUjiz-9hL_ipY4Vw1itC5Du-2jZQE6Gnwsch7b/s640/M4X+Aug+2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo73OHBw0VrhjuLPkg8r2dAky8YvS6E-knITKnBCmco2girr7Xd9U8VcCGGPDxHPB8hkEs1iIGyJYU5Klae9IP34gTYdGEtq3yZfGZWBC6F1i59xeKaXQjTHu7IpRgDJ_lxjhnPxAx5cCN/s1600/May+2018+morning+quad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="1600" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo73OHBw0VrhjuLPkg8r2dAky8YvS6E-knITKnBCmco2girr7Xd9U8VcCGGPDxHPB8hkEs1iIGyJYU5Klae9IP34gTYdGEtq3yZfGZWBC6F1i59xeKaXQjTHu7IpRgDJ_lxjhnPxAx5cCN/s320/May+2018+morning+quad.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The boat?......the boat.....</div>
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Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-11807268377626554452017-12-08T09:22:00.000+13:002017-12-08T09:22:04.748+13:00Home stretch<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesabHbji5HyWFJouqWFWwW9nhAq2jakK9k9pngPpED9tnKQ98OV8hYKd66ZsUBXpR4Y0Dg-OcFbvTHKQtMqXDxqfjb3eSl5SmcXFgW3aCD9LncCOItlO1lk-mg-d87EbWAvM17rKskjBg/s1600/20171205_150635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesabHbji5HyWFJouqWFWwW9nhAq2jakK9k9pngPpED9tnKQ98OV8hYKd66ZsUBXpR4Y0Dg-OcFbvTHKQtMqXDxqfjb3eSl5SmcXFgW3aCD9LncCOItlO1lk-mg-d87EbWAvM17rKskjBg/s320/20171205_150635.jpg" width="320" /></a> The final stages for the boat: everything is varnished and I have finally fixed the seats in place.<br />
I admit to a bit of nervousness because of the finality of this step and, although I know it should work, the idea of a boat held together by epoxy still doesn't feel right. On Harry's advice, I drilled extra pegs under each seat to ensure a good bond.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJtNX0EPthG4UWQJ4mq6vpC4LJ2NYy8mcT0l2Sb2fTbe_GU2biUX2lgEtWe-3XDuIx4H0CTs30rS96lCaLwyz13PECqjAf8rVEM7jA5UOPXtBcrzOYhueqg9_N7wlr8s5_4ZscoMznklp/s1600/20171205_150619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCrYArpJAmDYhWMaK3PueAedgodUPZ-aS3-I0BwP5eDvVzB-i8a_FLsVoH2XSQ3CcC_RRh7aRBG-aTBpRJWUArTPim3th4Rb1wee36ob1wg_RHGfy48WsZ5Am7yWbNmjb7QbpyU1NYrq8/s1600/Seats+in.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1600" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCrYArpJAmDYhWMaK3PueAedgodUPZ-aS3-I0BwP5eDvVzB-i8a_FLsVoH2XSQ3CcC_RRh7aRBG-aTBpRJWUArTPim3th4Rb1wee36ob1wg_RHGfy48WsZ5Am7yWbNmjb7QbpyU1NYrq8/s320/Seats+in.png" width="320" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJtNX0EPthG4UWQJ4mq6vpC4LJ2NYy8mcT0l2Sb2fTbe_GU2biUX2lgEtWe-3XDuIx4H0CTs30rS96lCaLwyz13PECqjAf8rVEM7jA5UOPXtBcrzOYhueqg9_N7wlr8s5_4ZscoMznklp/s320/20171205_150619.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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I keep thinking how little progress has been made since some very early pictures were taken, showing seats and knees in place, but the big difference is the deep shine from the many layers of varnish.<br />
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One of the remaining steps for the interior is to fix the mahogany strips that will support the foot stretchers. I have epoxied these in readiness. Ensuring they fit well was important, as they need to provide a snug slot for the foot stretcher boards, which sit across the boat, but also slope back towards the stern. At the same time, the hull also flares outwards. All this added up to mean that every one of the strips had to be shaped individually.</div>
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Luckily, Joe took the precaution of numbering them once they were right, so they should fit without any further work...I just don't know whether he numbered them from the stern or the bows. </div>
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I'll guess. </div>
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<br />Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-90309533161957939182017-12-03T10:59:00.000+13:002017-12-03T10:59:14.670+13:00Wellington Harbour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHoaEoP5pAQAt1G5AhHgmChKqnDlUWm8M7eg-gfzqKPN_fVsITvGsgP6TofuyNFsr1MeG34NKQ2XYdxSOLd0Gvv_HLzWeD5zxWiqsXzjMPkeZtgqz9JfajQyEehjNQW8U9XFb6hy5yi1z/s1600/20171128_055029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHoaEoP5pAQAt1G5AhHgmChKqnDlUWm8M7eg-gfzqKPN_fVsITvGsgP6TofuyNFsr1MeG34NKQ2XYdxSOLd0Gvv_HLzWeD5zxWiqsXzjMPkeZtgqz9JfajQyEehjNQW8U9XFb6hy5yi1z/s400/20171128_055029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-50222902445415109282017-11-13T13:01:00.000+13:002017-11-13T13:02:45.375+13:00Asymptotic progress<br />
Restricted to short bursts of activity, I have been edging the project along, sanding the multiple layers of varnish on the outer hull in preparation for the final coat and working on a good finish on the seats and the rudder.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLN-xi8wAZIbgVcWfK6HzATmkCIJ89hhhq81rhfqvix38I5CFik-lEL1U7GXxujyEMYSQXYUh2SHK0wBKlOdmv2C5Ynu4-c_5F2JnnD-F2TOxfqoN_msG_qovLSkhzKKd08-cdTgmZwrb/s1600/20171025_204708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLN-xi8wAZIbgVcWfK6HzATmkCIJ89hhhq81rhfqvix38I5CFik-lEL1U7GXxujyEMYSQXYUh2SHK0wBKlOdmv2C5Ynu4-c_5F2JnnD-F2TOxfqoN_msG_qovLSkhzKKd08-cdTgmZwrb/s320/20171025_204708.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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After several sessions shaping the oars, I took the plunge and applied the layer of reinforcing fibreglass cloth to the spoons. Immediately, the rich colours of the wood came out, as well as, just as I did the last one, Joe's advice about how I had done it wrong and how to do it properly.<br />
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It doesn't look bad, but, yes, I should have wrapped it around... Never mind, I have a cunning plan involving a spider, a bird, a cat, a dog... we may have been here before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAVl-T10t2b3YDfo6fphD9RBC4XX1gXrFOogxQ0RCI5KDpiF-VJjUTjgBq_bBOAIf4jHf3GbmfSXWPdMeyPYGlNF1C04G10nvRTP6fi0I_1Amnq39h66grq78JuAb2xhyphenhyphen_zUs_4EotgWh/s1600/20171110_134905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAVl-T10t2b3YDfo6fphD9RBC4XX1gXrFOogxQ0RCI5KDpiF-VJjUTjgBq_bBOAIf4jHf3GbmfSXWPdMeyPYGlNF1C04G10nvRTP6fi0I_1Amnq39h66grq78JuAb2xhyphenhyphen_zUs_4EotgWh/s320/20171110_134905.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Fibreglass cloth applied with epoxy</i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzsqVH6Z2vH5JjEPAIoBnAWPjwOqGVtJRkYrCY1tYN-PT76AVkUzteizKqO0ZSwBQP0woJIs9qaFkRCwXDwV0aJBASjFaytIWN61R8peLvCWb7r8kL2MzkcpTSZ1oyu-LxbaXYOVNle2i/s1600/20171110_134929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzsqVH6Z2vH5JjEPAIoBnAWPjwOqGVtJRkYrCY1tYN-PT76AVkUzteizKqO0ZSwBQP0woJIs9qaFkRCwXDwV0aJBASjFaytIWN61R8peLvCWb7r8kL2MzkcpTSZ1oyu-LxbaXYOVNle2i/s320/20171110_134929.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Not surprisingly, the last one looked best.</i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmIf98KFYtJA8xIahz3vu2tLUYULUNI_mPKy9vQadvT1l5acIm_XML3z9CVzzDH3bMo1rHU8cQzfH4HCC4kagauSZfc384SJ70rhzF9yGuTfax8oaU9BODIIzhbVfxsNEwZ9g5mZAOLl4/s1600/20171110_134852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmIf98KFYtJA8xIahz3vu2tLUYULUNI_mPKy9vQadvT1l5acIm_XML3z9CVzzDH3bMo1rHU8cQzfH4HCC4kagauSZfc384SJ70rhzF9yGuTfax8oaU9BODIIzhbVfxsNEwZ9g5mZAOLl4/s320/20171110_134852.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Trimmed and sanded: see the contrast in colour, too.</i></b></td></tr>
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Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-612760589483782492017-11-02T13:23:00.000+13:002017-11-02T13:23:34.346+13:00Henley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6ZLKDdKPSEi6JpWc3UY3bbcL5BWTyyoRD1SqYL-3sJsoEiUngWumAweY9ulVyuW5Va90IxMe8Peus65EHpI3CD0Zi5JmkLCs7-vKrwgHDwvrJFh8X3Y4bHacn83plco2isLR4PDEkaEz/s1600/Henley-Royal-Regatta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6ZLKDdKPSEi6JpWc3UY3bbcL5BWTyyoRD1SqYL-3sJsoEiUngWumAweY9ulVyuW5Va90IxMe8Peus65EHpI3CD0Zi5JmkLCs7-vKrwgHDwvrJFh8X3Y4bHacn83plco2isLR4PDEkaEz/s400/Henley-Royal-Regatta.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-31795847643633841172017-10-25T08:58:00.000+13:002017-10-25T08:58:40.631+13:00Fun timesSpring, and the rowing season kicks into a new gear. The serious athletes have been training long hours through the winter, but rarely getting into boats because of the conditions.<br />
The long weekend just past gave us a chance to make some real progress on building crews from our respective squads. Joe is looking after the Senior and Intermediate women and, at long last, real continuity from one year to the next means he's able to develop, rather than build from scratch. I have the novices, who are lots of fun and making great improvements.<br />
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Which is yet another way of saying that the boat hasn't had a lot of attention for the last few weeks. Not entirely true, though: I have been varnishing, sanding, varnishing...and the results are pretty satisfying.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6UGdxTe8kzR_P6BMM3F9PGvCNN0NZ8AzmllgtmqP9SRMFcS-otEWoFpnUWxFWd-mp3DEEo9zpTYHeSsu0a25GkrFmMtPiJlsFK-rxBmbXJSPN_i9pHZGK6LOw8XVv13NOXNOQV6oadze/s1600/20171024_165636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6UGdxTe8kzR_P6BMM3F9PGvCNN0NZ8AzmllgtmqP9SRMFcS-otEWoFpnUWxFWd-mp3DEEo9zpTYHeSsu0a25GkrFmMtPiJlsFK-rxBmbXJSPN_i9pHZGK6LOw8XVv13NOXNOQV6oadze/s400/20171024_165636.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Rudder, seat back and thwarts</i></b></td></tr>
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The rudder and the seat back for the coxswain have a thin seal of epoxy: even that makes them look warm and colourful. They'll get a few layers of varnish and take on the slightly deeper hue that you can see on the seats.<br />
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The interior is beginning to look very shiny as the layers build up. Probably a light sand, a last coat, and that will be our lot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkXf_V2zWQ0OMxI2bdKqI9yM3bz1Kj9tX7NPiwJ4mWPGusqBo7IWdAbrWLrjsFQUbdnnyKpLGYIzAxQ-Tfjhliz8ehf36Yjvf5TGX27Ors6gxojd944r8QazzcrdNgj_cipr1fnOhKqcO/s1600/20171024_165647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkXf_V2zWQ0OMxI2bdKqI9yM3bz1Kj9tX7NPiwJ4mWPGusqBo7IWdAbrWLrjsFQUbdnnyKpLGYIzAxQ-Tfjhliz8ehf36Yjvf5TGX27Ors6gxojd944r8QazzcrdNgj_cipr1fnOhKqcO/s400/20171024_165647.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The breasthook has always been our special feature and this finish is just gorgeous:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkDNG8FvjyuC14vbHmpqhjKMiGN2wv7_Tyks8LYtrM_TGQpgfRua0BZZBzfiGtK5OU9QNokyw4qQXA8NVtl7HcHVNBqfu2gVYycTfrhQ-31IssqsYTb-hjDZuH6HjEdsWF35b-dx9Nyn7/s1600/20171024_165657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkDNG8FvjyuC14vbHmpqhjKMiGN2wv7_Tyks8LYtrM_TGQpgfRua0BZZBzfiGtK5OU9QNokyw4qQXA8NVtl7HcHVNBqfu2gVYycTfrhQ-31IssqsYTb-hjDZuH6HjEdsWF35b-dx9Nyn7/s640/20171024_165657.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Done with a brush only.</i></b></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This week, we can drop in the seats and foot stretcher fittings, spin her over and add the last layers of varnish to the hull, then we're done.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyAEEJ34ctqeT7ULREdFHqXp35NbHIhqWsyahKuMb-qfN0PYCTbRFG8ofKElFPxFI4PwUHkBiuwElaTO8wcOEtIkY43hopqXRQcSEeOOHHMuX1C6yefiZEI3p7_HIQkWte0Bvc3oVwYdc/s1600/20171024_165924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyAEEJ34ctqeT7ULREdFHqXp35NbHIhqWsyahKuMb-qfN0PYCTbRFG8ofKElFPxFI4PwUHkBiuwElaTO8wcOEtIkY43hopqXRQcSEeOOHHMuX1C6yefiZEI3p7_HIQkWte0Bvc3oVwYdc/s640/20171024_165924.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Not entirely bad...</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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(Apart from the oars, that is...)<br />
<br />Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-19290588594318206072017-10-05T10:45:00.001+13:002017-10-05T10:45:59.491+13:00‘Hang spring-cleaning!’It seems that a dog ate Joe's blog, so you are stuck with me once again.<br />
<br />
A nasty cold kept me away for a couple two weeks, but I got back to it a recently. Each time I leave the oars, I think they look great: when I come back to them, I can see that more work is required.<br />
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I spent a little more time on the rudder, which came up beautifully after a progressive sanding. I wiped it down with a damp cloth, which gave some idea of what it will look like with a varnish coat:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pVx1rA1Tiy-Y2SUVQD2o6MYOzdu6VBjejVvaQDI3b6is7LB5fJ7MigZuyAw14f8ezA_Yq03TkhTj7QsjOZNRH8u_89ZMLiWpBqKED-YztAaUcRItExTLWVQPqavwgBaGo4QNqCmD5Ymc/s1600/20170929_130134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pVx1rA1Tiy-Y2SUVQD2o6MYOzdu6VBjejVvaQDI3b6is7LB5fJ7MigZuyAw14f8ezA_Yq03TkhTj7QsjOZNRH8u_89ZMLiWpBqKED-YztAaUcRItExTLWVQPqavwgBaGo4QNqCmD5Ymc/s320/20170929_130134.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Stunning colour</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0hpH15gRaxlOXCwMf5hkzW5t1MUNkKMyykjG2qrASL9C3GGkaSohzuzVBAjNjQJaMO-lOOim2sR_5IDhP74lgws5JGIkLXgFq5wpbCBXZFwx0jmfi2GaEay8ZrQITlptDmjcSpcFzVV9/s1600/20170929_124453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0hpH15gRaxlOXCwMf5hkzW5t1MUNkKMyykjG2qrASL9C3GGkaSohzuzVBAjNjQJaMO-lOOim2sR_5IDhP74lgws5JGIkLXgFq5wpbCBXZFwx0jmfi2GaEay8ZrQITlptDmjcSpcFzVV9/s320/20170929_124453.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The weather is changing, which is important because it means conditions will be better for applying the last coats of varnish. We have already sprayed several coats on the hull, inside and out, but the finish is uneven and quite disappointing. I have therefore done quite a bit of sanding of the inside of the boat and, when that gets too tedious, I turn to other bits and pieces.<br />
<br />
We are planning to put glass fibre on the spoons and part of the looms to add strength, so I experimented with some offcut wood, to see how it all works. The glass fibre cloth moulded very easily to shape and a layer of epoxy fixed it beautifully. Once that layer dried, the weave of the cloth was very obvious, but a light sanding, followed by a layer of varnish, gave a smooth finish and the cloth became almost invisible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcBQGnrF3TFdSvGyminxFfJw2E6ECaQW7J90fxGv_jqEcBp4yZIkhKcHXF3sruq5ejjPTyCY3vgq5iyZidz8FUHGtToGJHwhk6yFI9kOwQUcOOOCFBnA_KAdJNvInd_0SyQsH9PPxs7-2/s1600/20170929_121254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcBQGnrF3TFdSvGyminxFfJw2E6ECaQW7J90fxGv_jqEcBp4yZIkhKcHXF3sruq5ejjPTyCY3vgq5iyZidz8FUHGtToGJHwhk6yFI9kOwQUcOOOCFBnA_KAdJNvInd_0SyQsH9PPxs7-2/s320/20170929_121254.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>A test piece with glass fibre</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I found a series of videos on You Tube, posted by Nick Schade of Guillemot Kayaks: if you want to learn some good stuff about woodworking, he's very, very skilled. He also has all the right tools and they are all sharp! (www.guillemot-kayaks.com).<br />
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I watched Nick applying varnish to his kayaks. With a simple technique, he gets a perfect finish, using a brush. Basically, he goes once with the grain, once across, and then once with again. He keeps to a relatively small area ( a couple or three feet), changes to the other side, repeats and then back to the starting side.<br />
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I decided to have a go on our seats, which had previously been sealed with a layer of epoxy. I was thrilled by the result and am wondering whether to abandon the spraying altogether:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgahKf4kJXmuSV0nEMBEt32uypQ34zJWbRDpPKYX7oGN1I4_rYYqpYh-zIVCDn4dszbaZkh3PWKElu1NH2lKDNzK4zoTH3uQl5JCxfJL4J41pKRAZ3__LF9Sdt24_0bNt8YZnb5e-ZFrIy/s1600/20170928_135245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgahKf4kJXmuSV0nEMBEt32uypQ34zJWbRDpPKYX7oGN1I4_rYYqpYh-zIVCDn4dszbaZkh3PWKElu1NH2lKDNzK4zoTH3uQl5JCxfJL4J41pKRAZ3__LF9Sdt24_0bNt8YZnb5e-ZFrIy/s400/20170928_135245.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>No brush strokes here.</i></b></td></tr>
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Once the first new coat had dried, I sanded very lightly with 240 grit, rubbed over with a kitchen scourer, wiped with a tack cloth (a soft, slightly sticky cloth to pick up the last of the dust) and applied a second coat. Very pleasing.Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-19835633321746984892017-10-02T16:51:00.000+13:002017-10-02T16:51:13.458+13:00The seven-year itch<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOB09i0TFFxlx99HEQQe-gz1W_m5Q596kS5i2OfEsvca6zibWghd1uBgva7ND6ts6aLqYjzFVuTpY_DSErbZq_HSFfwd50zcQ0BaDcL4Hle2Qs0afEoCj9UhYeU3XbkSsM4oIL4eSqFIL-/s1600/t-marilyn-monroe-seven-year-itch-subway-grate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOB09i0TFFxlx99HEQQe-gz1W_m5Q596kS5i2OfEsvca6zibWghd1uBgva7ND6ts6aLqYjzFVuTpY_DSErbZq_HSFfwd50zcQ0BaDcL4Hle2Qs0afEoCj9UhYeU3XbkSsM4oIL4eSqFIL-/s400/t-marilyn-monroe-seven-year-itch-subway-grate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Nothing to do with boat building</i></b></td></tr>
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Well, we've quietly slipped into our eighth year of this project. I recall laughing at someone else's blog when they had taken over 2 years to complete!<br />
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It really doesn't seem that long and, as I have said before, the actual time spent building is probably more or less within the 200 hours that the supplier of the plans and kit predicted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb05MWv79WGVmqMCNnngwx-k3QqqkupAB5_iUq-fTOJj_APd5nePyEilsvmD_4LQgiEvRo_6crrvvS5dy7HYYYcf0ndmUzAR0Ir2GHDRnDN9cMgQNX28JE9f7ofJOn4BX3WECtfGcTLZEm/s1600/Saw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb05MWv79WGVmqMCNnngwx-k3QqqkupAB5_iUq-fTOJj_APd5nePyEilsvmD_4LQgiEvRo_6crrvvS5dy7HYYYcf0ndmUzAR0Ir2GHDRnDN9cMgQNX28JE9f7ofJOn4BX3WECtfGcTLZEm/s200/Saw.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for pile of wood image" height="111" src="https://c.pxhere.com/photos/f4/db/firewood_wood_wood_pile_wood_heap_stacked_lumber_timber_pile-1336668.jpg!d" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
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<b style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><i>The Kit (saw not provided)</i></b></div>
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Plenty has happened in the years since we started: Joe's kids have grown up and left home (well, not Harry, obviously). In 2010, my eldest boy, Owen, was in his early days at primary school: he started at High School this year.<br />
I am sorry to say we have both lost our mothers in that time.<br />
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Between us, we have won lots of medals as coaches and made a decent contribution of effort and guidance to Wellington Rowing Club. Generally speaking, those who won congratulated themselves, while those who lost blamed the coaches, which is, of course, entirely fair, though Joe and I have observed a spooky correlation between training properly and those medals (probably a coincidence).<br />
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I think I can speak for both of us when I say that, despite a vague sense that we ought to finish this project, we are pretty much happy with what we have done and how we have done it. The boat is beautiful and will be finished, but that's not the point: the fun has been in working together, solving problems and learning new skills.<br />
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I am looking forward to the next seven years...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme5rAFPOp8aLN4ww9U4MrPQ3BzkAhth8gSD2qW6dYipmM909yFHaaUkcSbwKdEcEUfIqnmwo_vQqTTZdMl7GmUJ-S0nK2X9NsOW2A3tka-anhDfQXwCX4H0zRJXigKn9Ltg7LUw3Ce5Y5/s1600/It%2527s1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="689" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme5rAFPOp8aLN4ww9U4MrPQ3BzkAhth8gSD2qW6dYipmM909yFHaaUkcSbwKdEcEUfIqnmwo_vQqTTZdMl7GmUJ-S0nK2X9NsOW2A3tka-anhDfQXwCX4H0zRJXigKn9Ltg7LUw3Ce5Y5/s400/It%2527s1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-87382270420653971272017-09-14T09:44:00.001+12:002017-09-14T09:44:24.758+12:00The River<i> "He thought his happiness was complete when, as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fed river. Never in his life had he seen a river before—this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again. All was a-shake and a-shiver—glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and swirl, chatter and bubble. The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. By the side of the river he trotted as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spell-bound by exciting stories; and when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea."</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilmeuSVL0GoFQLuAJnEkle4y8dqWJVAXem6WrhbPuQaB8mkEyiAXlSNJLqiWYSy8lwxpcEtRBWzRZeIx4XTBEjZ-ZlzqNuDUuyme5i6s27v2gNtJ6cM2ToCGqPb9Q-DlsAF_zy25sodBJ/s1600/is+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="341" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilmeuSVL0GoFQLuAJnEkle4y8dqWJVAXem6WrhbPuQaB8mkEyiAXlSNJLqiWYSy8lwxpcEtRBWzRZeIx4XTBEjZ-ZlzqNuDUuyme5i6s27v2gNtJ6cM2ToCGqPb9Q-DlsAF_zy25sodBJ/s400/is+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-57651767167151463542017-09-10T10:37:00.000+12:002017-09-10T10:37:04.678+12:00Not the Yorkshire Ripper<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Nowadays, "bodging" means doing a shoddy job or perhaps fixing something using the wrong materials. Bodge and botch have merged in meaning. Strange, since, originally, a bodger was a highly skilled craftsman: a woodworker in the furniture industry. Their particular expertise was in shaping wood to make, for example, chairs. I am guessing that the term related to forcing something (wood) to fulfil a different purpose, hence the idea of a bodge being a fix or shortcut. Bear with me, I'll research further.. or perhaps not.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Back to the oars...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">They're shaping up beautifully as a result of a huge amount of sanding and careful planing. (Yes, planing, not planning.) Having transformed them and wiped off the blood and sweat, I proudly showed them to Joe, recently returned from his fact finding mission beyond the Wall, who commented that they needed a lot of work and went off to get a pie.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">OK, he is right. The tricky challenge is shaping the surface of the spoons, so that there are concave scoops, on either side of the spoon, up to the spine or ridge that is the continuation of the loom. These also taper away towards the tip of the spoon, so there's a complex set of curves to be achieved. In addition, they have to be consistent on all four blades. This old skiff blade might give an idea of the desired result:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyc0vXaLuV_k1OOaDsZnLzaLCl4yVoCT_nBTSzGsa1-Aq5sGMCVyuso4e_WqPlvC-9H-P6LHDsJWAXZvY59lbtRfsA3FiEyyj1Gvkn12vZBd0crQgeT2gPW_mPuELtdqz10tR2DrCFZqt/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyc0vXaLuV_k1OOaDsZnLzaLCl4yVoCT_nBTSzGsa1-Aq5sGMCVyuso4e_WqPlvC-9H-P6LHDsJWAXZvY59lbtRfsA3FiEyyj1Gvkn12vZBd0crQgeT2gPW_mPuELtdqz10tR2DrCFZqt/s400/IMG_0938.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i style="background-color: white;">Someone prepared this earlier, then couldn't wait and took a bite from it.</i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">The mahogany strips in our blades, being relatively hard, make our spoons doubly difficult to work.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">So, I have been searching for a way of creating a concave shape. One solution is to wrap sandpaper around a suitably curved block (the curve is both along and across): something like a short banana. However, that is still slow going.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-nSb67KGbW4U0Hn1WZy8yzxgYAtMX67vLuRSJkGDhBLt1M69wKnoYyb3clBTIBG-dnnA3aaB3P-j4TTU-jYLCu1gNMQCAtg3IVbltEyAcv81HvYRQOrV3BCxqGHnG3lLbTBdQJFtrKcB/s1600/Travisher+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-nSb67KGbW4U0Hn1WZy8yzxgYAtMX67vLuRSJkGDhBLt1M69wKnoYyb3clBTIBG-dnnA3aaB3P-j4TTU-jYLCu1gNMQCAtg3IVbltEyAcv81HvYRQOrV3BCxqGHnG3lLbTBdQJFtrKcB/s200/Travisher+2.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white;">Yesterday, I came across the solution used by - who would have thought it - furniture makers. It's a thing called a Travisher, I kid you not. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJhWm_sSjtNOQnvMnRlm5kYTgKSyGJRUz71IynTDp7wRnXpKeMmtPgT-PmPACZu0sCx6N7BJMbumXY9zgwzEwT0PfieYzotSZ84GuUnRMSuA_FrxfqEsDpmZiKfr15oy8VccI4fzdu77W/s1600/Travisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="480" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJhWm_sSjtNOQnvMnRlm5kYTgKSyGJRUz71IynTDp7wRnXpKeMmtPgT-PmPACZu0sCx6N7BJMbumXY9zgwzEwT0PfieYzotSZ84GuUnRMSuA_FrxfqEsDpmZiKfr15oy8VccI4fzdu77W/s320/Travisher.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i style="background-color: white;">Yes, we have bananas</i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">It's basically a curved spokeshave. The next time you sit on a comfy old wooden chair, the chances are that it was shaped using a travisher.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsp4v49VKw60C4UxJPlRzL6bslwRkcDqHBm9h3Ss_ZPjvwIVxUdIy22cUiU-O43UhvDTFMavYKAqOBqIoSYnqxu8tx1YQ-AYQRXPYBjHicABs1m-XZOFRz4ZwTq7GldFTq-uFx7FAbMvCF/s1600/20170907_203215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsp4v49VKw60C4UxJPlRzL6bslwRkcDqHBm9h3Ss_ZPjvwIVxUdIy22cUiU-O43UhvDTFMavYKAqOBqIoSYnqxu8tx1YQ-AYQRXPYBjHicABs1m-XZOFRz4ZwTq7GldFTq-uFx7FAbMvCF/s320/20170907_203215.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Properly bodged</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">The next thing I discovered is that travishers are very expensive, and not, to my knowledge, available in New Zealand. If you have one lying around, send it, post-haste.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Obviously, rather than wasting my time on laborious sanding, I set about making one. Immediately abandoning the idea of superheating a strip of steel to bend to shape, I used a length of old saw blade that I found in my shed, grinding it to give a razor sharp edge:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0B-f-v1fV0M3jNQLDsFHUdoMSzuiO4BR-0-pkr76511Wd33HjPTePe6X6vt7Bb_hEvfTjsV1s8LEmafk7i4TiuDVQfcstpn5DyXMzwVqqjBj4Wh2rvyCVuQHdA6oGXjGs_DGLAq4BMw2/s1600/20170906_130011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0B-f-v1fV0M3jNQLDsFHUdoMSzuiO4BR-0-pkr76511Wd33HjPTePe6X6vt7Bb_hEvfTjsV1s8LEmafk7i4TiuDVQfcstpn5DyXMzwVqqjBj4Wh2rvyCVuQHdA6oGXjGs_DGLAq4BMw2/s320/20170906_130011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I then constructed a device for holding this. It's not pretty, but a work in progress:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcLTnHKruaZUQGgXTk48IGidkS1krWszSz-huawVcH0RZ0tvgkjNnwDwV_unl1kFqmH_mqUe2y9piVPVJcjIDSDU-lTMWzBzcYh3vz8rtk2izb7gnX9S56v1hqHJqewQ5ZAPRB9-fGIRH/s1600/20170906_130018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcLTnHKruaZUQGgXTk48IGidkS1krWszSz-huawVcH0RZ0tvgkjNnwDwV_unl1kFqmH_mqUe2y9piVPVJcjIDSDU-lTMWzBzcYh3vz8rtk2izb7gnX9S56v1hqHJqewQ5ZAPRB9-fGIRH/s320/20170906_130018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">After much clamping and swearing, I got the blade to fit, held by the circular central block. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8vwJbftIUcq8vYqzKB6bUmfz2qWR06IyfofW3xt_iPg2zo6tdZ6iowBcL6yjtnbqhXS4lh_IG2ah71wkyqAC9_WrNWcHcWdXNlMvTvdQN42R4SJHezJgkwypAksmNpCQ1wymq6290y5g/s1600/20170907_125859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8vwJbftIUcq8vYqzKB6bUmfz2qWR06IyfofW3xt_iPg2zo6tdZ6iowBcL6yjtnbqhXS4lh_IG2ah71wkyqAC9_WrNWcHcWdXNlMvTvdQN42R4SJHezJgkwypAksmNpCQ1wymq6290y5g/s320/20170907_125859.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> And gave it a go.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi987tFnw9CXBMP92xpjDYKK0_MGoPZEh2oTJQS09C0zU6YUdh9bLRsLvK2LSwnonOsK3ul9KnnX3zope9k9Dd2tebY5O0E9NVZGKtv9BcfIqSCb67PrUnIOU8vlIpxvZx7-P16-ijgXSOe/s1600/20170907_130527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi987tFnw9CXBMP92xpjDYKK0_MGoPZEh2oTJQS09C0zU6YUdh9bLRsLvK2LSwnonOsK3ul9KnnX3zope9k9Dd2tebY5O0E9NVZGKtv9BcfIqSCb67PrUnIOU8vlIpxvZx7-P16-ijgXSOe/s320/20170907_130527.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">The good news is that it actually worked. However, it was evident that a sturdier blade is required. And it was bloody hard work and pretty useless. I think it's fair to say that I bodged it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">So I went back to sanding, with careful use of scary power tools. You are probably less thrilled than I by pictures of not-quite-finished oars, but here's some real progress:</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAL0nvTVV3h97lqOa_m11GAFe7ZsPd0E51clenDLrr3w1mMG4ugDx3D57Os4Xo1jnQqmNZVzPPH1JH88SBgVtgEBR6QbNJc2l9FZ-xSwmaftySkrh7a9q00FpF-rCwh1mw7_EqKaVMrNy/s1600/20170907_141400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAL0nvTVV3h97lqOa_m11GAFe7ZsPd0E51clenDLrr3w1mMG4ugDx3D57Os4Xo1jnQqmNZVzPPH1JH88SBgVtgEBR6QbNJc2l9FZ-xSwmaftySkrh7a9q00FpF-rCwh1mw7_EqKaVMrNy/s320/20170907_141400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i style="background-color: white;">Yes! The ridge emerges!</i></b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm_5MsOZU_b0fWctEUjLknKnVRm-q_IYxmB7Itv_l3rWSUY23s4Nlle1Gg0TRxqqD3P0T16mCzzCrdWpJ0ZiTyhxsDdrdkmcHM7HGfShWqdmjOoxO6siOawDKy8VVcA8oe4BSN7oSvUjb/s1600/20170907_170755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm_5MsOZU_b0fWctEUjLknKnVRm-q_IYxmB7Itv_l3rWSUY23s4Nlle1Gg0TRxqqD3P0T16mCzzCrdWpJ0ZiTyhxsDdrdkmcHM7HGfShWqdmjOoxO6siOawDKy8VVcA8oe4BSN7oSvUjb/s320/20170907_170755.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-9R8-jfSAFmB8cTBJxcEGj1oN0HiD3oHkcKVfI-zlW0Od83HKqKHGa2cohUQXezXathu0xUuXEisPOGKBqqnefpaPuTBDelfkTAxwTRfeKy-ySQy_rTJV-rjdCcdcsywvpZXc_L7V2xy/s1600/20170907_170857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-9R8-jfSAFmB8cTBJxcEGj1oN0HiD3oHkcKVfI-zlW0Od83HKqKHGa2cohUQXezXathu0xUuXEisPOGKBqqnefpaPuTBDelfkTAxwTRfeKy-ySQy_rTJV-rjdCcdcsywvpZXc_L7V2xy/s320/20170907_170857.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jEqxp5YYUi_h4joMIR6pC7d663bhsNfyfFX8dFNDvjpMJbVPknzUi3OSEBcbUvoOEIs6XACJOljfCYmTdmnrLAgisFW7emRJiwxLrPEZjNSBecF4BBOUs8FnU-k5WVDBnVUXdixNonuo/s1600/20170907_153156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jEqxp5YYUi_h4joMIR6pC7d663bhsNfyfFX8dFNDvjpMJbVPknzUi3OSEBcbUvoOEIs6XACJOljfCYmTdmnrLAgisFW7emRJiwxLrPEZjNSBecF4BBOUs8FnU-k5WVDBnVUXdixNonuo/s320/20170907_153156.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><i>(The light colour of the wood makes it hard to see the shape in these photos, but if you were to click on them, you would see it better)</i></span>
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Yes, I know there are only three here. That's all I had time for. Can't wait to have another crack at it tomorrow.<br />
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<br />Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-47696010559500550732017-09-07T20:58:00.000+12:002017-09-07T20:58:17.434+12:00The Manawatu River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfBl20GWm3oawGd7fb2IdpkjGHgoDVNRYG6orq_GJuf9V9ABWPsFzm7W2etqhZ9Uw9JJDAVY416oSN9LSKaoNZFjhGAVrvYpjWextlTRwtRQMpC50LFMAvskLUBwMrg0a1ClKbMHZwWs0/s1600/20160604_074851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfBl20GWm3oawGd7fb2IdpkjGHgoDVNRYG6orq_GJuf9V9ABWPsFzm7W2etqhZ9Uw9JJDAVY416oSN9LSKaoNZFjhGAVrvYpjWextlTRwtRQMpC50LFMAvskLUBwMrg0a1ClKbMHZwWs0/s400/20160604_074851.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-52373626896789239082017-09-07T09:17:00.000+12:002017-09-07T09:17:22.326+12:00The Poseidon AdventureKeen readers of the blog will have picked up the fact that Joe and I both coach rowing. It's our main excuse for the relatively slow progress on completing this project.<br />
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I have been working with the novices at the club. It's very rewarding, not least because it gives the chance to work with a blank canvas and to avoid many bad habits. We have a great squad this year: they are very keen and are training hard, but, perhaps most important, they share a good attitude.<br />
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Lack of water time is the constant challenge for any rowers in Wellington, so any chance to get out there is seized. Sometimes that can lead to an element of risk, so we are usually very careful, even over-cautious.<br />
On Tuesday morning, nine eager athletes turned up at a shockingly early hour, lured by Dave's promises of good water. Unfortunately, the weather was what might be called marginal (think Hurricane Harvey), but they made the decision to give it a try. They set forth in the ominously named <i>Poseidon...</i><br />
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What happened next was a timely reminder that our sport is, in fact, quite dangerous. After a brief excursion out into the harbour, it was obvious that conditions were worse than feared and the sensible call to head for home was made.<br />
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It was claimed that "two massive, freak waves came out of nowhere" ....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nOjUIPaNptuqPTzPoB6IVDy6qUPPwU0sZDp2pfpFhoR1-Gw8rt4fyi1G7C-wfD5BLDI55JWcq5VFtTYp46pTeGsKfCy7gNDdSEazETEOJCjvYpjBLPpVHbsPJ4DvAGRPUJzzlimoK8o_/s1600/Novice+sinking+5+Sep+2017+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="579" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nOjUIPaNptuqPTzPoB6IVDy6qUPPwU0sZDp2pfpFhoR1-Gw8rt4fyi1G7C-wfD5BLDI55JWcq5VFtTYp46pTeGsKfCy7gNDdSEazETEOJCjvYpjBLPpVHbsPJ4DvAGRPUJzzlimoK8o_/s400/Novice+sinking+5+Sep+2017+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>"For goodness' sake, 6, get in time!"</i></b></td></tr>
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To their credit, no-one panicked, and they managed to get the boat back to shore, despite most of it being submerged. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITh_ZvWFAs_HmfFuVdZomdU0qsE7fyN23CMxKQpHKTBuDW6YETZi9ZhdoLRA8MzVTaMTu45DLgxpafOCHYj3oClFwCHfVrwXq7P6hSrQS_2u2ztSIJlPNuti4zYLBn21MiaynAmdsQ0Od/s1600/21317892_10154967926760488_2939555461874043_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITh_ZvWFAs_HmfFuVdZomdU0qsE7fyN23CMxKQpHKTBuDW6YETZi9ZhdoLRA8MzVTaMTu45DLgxpafOCHYj3oClFwCHfVrwXq7P6hSrQS_2u2ztSIJlPNuti4zYLBn21MiaynAmdsQ0Od/s400/21317892_10154967926760488_2939555461874043_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>"I think the crabs have caught us..."</i></b></td></tr>
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Poor old Sam, who had nobly volunteered to cox, must be wondering: the same damn thing happened to him last year on the Manawatu.</div>
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Relieved that no harm was done, but shared experience is what builds trust and thus teams.</div>
<br />Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-2708917294437992972017-08-30T09:19:00.000+12:002017-08-30T09:19:22.604+12:00Winter coaching on the Wanganui River<br />
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<br />Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3844621013825465599.post-86342678445597393772017-08-29T20:05:00.000+12:002017-08-30T09:10:36.432+12:00They're bridesmaids...One of the trickier challenges in this boat building exercise has been the construction of the oars. The basics were simple and we ran up four roughly shaped examples in a few days, even allowing for my building one back to front and the subsequent correction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP55OxaIkOpOWdIX-KcWXiJlfm-KMyoANwxgDG7PZyHGtlGCPTi5el-D7FTm0HgMj-8pcfqXMLpv9pxjaX1uY5QS6mzX2DtzBf3rBvo7z-D5-H4vT7AZ1wNAgdKrdWvV1dvOWck6exEKc/s1600/20151029_115350+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP55OxaIkOpOWdIX-KcWXiJlfm-KMyoANwxgDG7PZyHGtlGCPTi5el-D7FTm0HgMj-8pcfqXMLpv9pxjaX1uY5QS6mzX2DtzBf3rBvo7z-D5-H4vT7AZ1wNAgdKrdWvV1dvOWck6exEKc/s320/20151029_115350+%25282%2529.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Rough shaping the spoons</i></b></td></tr>
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However, shaping them so they would 1) match and 2) look 'proper' was something we baulked at. Despite suggesting to Joe that he could whittle away of an evening, while watching Game of Thrones or some similarly undemanding nonsense, the oars remained untouched for over a year. I spent hours trying to work out a method for guaranteeing a uniform and seaworthy shape.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Zg7yJuCnpfzObFKloM-KPcKUfwb4iPNPfj8Ku8Rh5J7Fuw9nItjgNGLDQ5beCP2TcaSFr2WrBuRWpUZkgIuE6tTHxZHf2K_gR7FU3PjKdjawud40_bixHVfgABj3UDbyAdGjQFGvpvNM/s1600/20160502_145521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 12.8px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="180" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Zg7yJuCnpfzObFKloM-KPcKUfwb4iPNPfj8Ku8Rh5J7Fuw9nItjgNGLDQ5beCP2TcaSFr2WrBuRWpUZkgIuE6tTHxZHf2K_gR7FU3PjKdjawud40_bixHVfgABj3UDbyAdGjQFGvpvNM/s320/20160502_145521.jpg" width="179" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The basic shape</i></b><br />
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Well, today, I decided just to get on with it. I started with this. You can see the thickness of the spoon:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1IsowLlmb3hln_Oq6R3opI-Yc2vLBLde19ue1vOTLY8i4fN2x1VZldQR3_xNbTuHgqZgwOqx_LSni3dutaCQmm-SYKkftDqRZPUjYvpxA3I4kzc3dV5oeGNccq_shX-rdap8CuPVlNhc/s1600/Blade1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1IsowLlmb3hln_Oq6R3opI-Yc2vLBLde19ue1vOTLY8i4fN2x1VZldQR3_xNbTuHgqZgwOqx_LSni3dutaCQmm-SYKkftDqRZPUjYvpxA3I4kzc3dV5oeGNccq_shX-rdap8CuPVlNhc/s320/Blade1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got out our small plane and set to. To my amazement and delight, within a short time, I had brought one to a state of 'almost perfection' (see earlier blogs for definition of this term):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsRoGT-bS17TpL6JZpQzwT5Q1QxlkkyLWn1sSjYnkimlKAtlYiL-8WGhRaEom6rPPbHClIpbNVo7SfVPXDvplGDOI848bsQfW6ATWMoyKt2NIaQ18lAUcTsRUmhcOEPNCu7H4Q8LIgFQ-/s1600/20170829_164942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsRoGT-bS17TpL6JZpQzwT5Q1QxlkkyLWn1sSjYnkimlKAtlYiL-8WGhRaEom6rPPbHClIpbNVo7SfVPXDvplGDOI848bsQfW6ATWMoyKt2NIaQ18lAUcTsRUmhcOEPNCu7H4Q8LIgFQ-/s320/20170829_164942.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMvsyWF9w4rBq9lNIPfRC0rGytZcfca3gVxW18PNkuLTrEya9VPsIG1h9NPRaf9d6sBcb1f1CFIKMvkdgzSNPncJRGzJ_bc0OGZBIaZmWnjyhbSoTtJ8OpLWxnpd2jonIsxMa3BRvzjo7/s1600/20170829_164908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMvsyWF9w4rBq9lNIPfRC0rGytZcfca3gVxW18PNkuLTrEya9VPsIG1h9NPRaf9d6sBcb1f1CFIKMvkdgzSNPncJRGzJ_bc0OGZBIaZmWnjyhbSoTtJ8OpLWxnpd2jonIsxMa3BRvzjo7/s320/20170829_164908.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>One done, see the difference!</i></b></td></tr>
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Only the need to feed my boys prevented me from continuing into the night: I shan't sleep with the sheer excitement of knowing that, tomorrow, I shall get all four up to scratch. Unless, of course, I make a cock-up.<br />
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No, that's very unlikely. Isn't it?Chris Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206448375562411084noreply@blogger.com2