Back over miles past #1

Hey everyone. 

Today has been a real bear, but I wanted to shoot out a quick post about the race. The boat worked. We were pretty good. We didn't win. The boat broke, but then I fixed it on the bank, and we finished the race. We both got sunburned. 

I will try to edit some clips together, but for now I will say that everything went really well. I am pleased with my first successful design and build of a hull (I built the Curve, but I didn't design it). Meers and I could have been faster, but we were out of practice and the broken hull slowed us down while we made repairs. Also, we had to portage any rough spots after the repair so as not to get wrecked. Our time ended up at 4 hours, 24 min. 

Not a bad test. 

I am still taking in all that I learned and processing what it will mean, but I think it is a clear indicator that I can use a modified version of this hull (without a hole in it of course) to make Fenrir Mark II. That is good news. 

I will get something together soon, so stay tuned.... and if I can say anything: use sunblock.

Boat Test #1

Teddy and I got the boat in the water today. It was a bit of an adventure (we had to take it down four floors by stairs and walk through River North with a canoe) but it went alright. Chicago is oddly not that friendly for paddlers. A sympathetic security guard let us use a boat ramp, and that was enough to get the test done.

As for the test, I can say this:

The boat works. Floats fine, and will take the weight without trouble.

It's a bit "unstable" while sitting still. I don't know if this is just primary stability or if it will carry into the secondary (in motion) as well. I am not sure how to know unless I test it. It did not tip over. It just seemed to rock until it hit the chines and then go the other way. Part of this is that we were unsure of the craft. I am sure it will be fine once I am used to it.

It worked as a solo craft. I may make only a few alterations between this and Fenrir.

It is fast and responsive. When I got in it alone, it was fine, and it responded quickly to the slightest paddle stroke. If I were to center myself a bit, I am sure it would almost skip across the water.

So, everything was a success. My film crew, Jacob, didn't make it in time and so I have no pictures at the moment. I do have some video, but that is raw and I will have to process it. If I can't get anything from today, I will get something from Saturday.

Rest easy, my friends, the target remains and today is a good day.

As I prepare

A quick note before the test tomorrow.

I realized I had forgotten a few things and should get them done before the test. A place to tie a rope for example. Also, a bit of trim over the center bulkhead. It's funny how the details can slip.

So, while I was at it, the question of weight came up.

Couldn't be more than thirty-six pounds.... right?

Got it up on a postal scale which maxes out at fifty pounds.

As you can see, the hull weighs in at about twenty-five pounds.

The bow strap is added with a sex bolt through the hull at a narrow point and held
in place with epoxy. 

This is the paddle I will be using for the test. A gift intended for the mantle, it's the shortest paddle I have.

So, tomorrow we will drop it in the water in Lincoln Park. The city parks are oddly not paddle friendly, but the lagoon here is attached to a harbor with a boat launch. I have a person willing to get in, a driver (the same guy actually: Teddy from the fiberglass part of the story), and someone to capture and document it all.

I will let you know how it goes.

After the sun #2

In Norse mythology, Sköll (Old Norse "Treachery")^[1] is a wolf that chases the horses Árvakr and Alsviðr, that drag the chariot which contains the sun (Sól) through the sky every day, trying to eat her. Sköll has a brother, Hati, who chases Máni, the moon. At Ragnarök, both Sköll and Hati will succeed in their quests.

Sköll, in certain circumstances, is used as a heiti to refer indirectly to the father (Fenrir) and not the son. 

Skol is done. 

Won't find out how she fairs in the water until Wednesday. Still, it's fitting that I finish the father of Fenrir after dark. Here are the pics.

Not pretty, but if she displaces sixty gallons, my theories are correct and I can go ahead with Fenrir. I'm a month behind but moving fast.

Test soon. Stay tuned.

A little trim

Just back from a weekend at the Armadillo Werks. These are images of getting the final trim on Skol lat Friday night. I ended up waiting for glue to dry and decided the heed some good advice and just forget it until Monday. Should wrap it up tonight and I will be testing some time during the week. 

Behold...again!

The hull has been glassed. This is the best fiberglass job I have ever done. I have to give the nod to my friend and coworker Teddy for the extra set of hands. It was fun to have someone to work with and I think he was as excited as I was.

Behold!

Look everyone!

Bulkheads!

As you were.

After the Sun

Good morning everyone.

So, it has been a while since I have put up anything good, so I would guess everyone thinks I am either really busy or not working on the boat. Well it turns out I have been really busy (both my job and my boat) and I have gotten things done. More to come as this all ramps up and comes to completion in the prototype phase, but for now, enjoy the images of Skol coming together.

There it is. I full size hull. Trim and finish to come. 

Stay tuned.