Betwixt

We have put our home for 30 years on the market.  It was a heartbreaking decision.  Our new tiny home is being built and its time to move on. While we wait for a buyer, there are a few more things to do that require our workshop.  The boat is currently sitting on a building frame which needs to be cut off and the metal hull can be touched up and painted.  It needs a total of 9 coats of paint; and it has 3 coats overall so far.  Then there is the finishing top coat (what colour?) and the antifouling paint below the water line. The cradle needs to be made from the cut off metal frame for transporting to the coast.  The choice is Richards Bay or Cape Town. We will need an anchor for the many situations we will encounter; mud, sand, rock, and weed.  We bought a 20kg Vulcan spade anchor, and John has decided to make another two.  One will be a 18kg spade type with a roll bar, and the other will be the old classic Fishermans which will weigh 35kg. ...

 According to Ropes for Africa where we bought the kevlar rope for the rigging, we may be the only keel sailing boat made in SA using it.  Wire rope is more conventional but kevlar is lighter.  Dyneema would have been the best option but that is not available in SA and expensive.  According to the specifications, kevlar is 5 times stronger than wire rope.  So we worked it splicing the ends to fit around deadeyes and finished with whipping cord.  The deadeyes were also handmade from a variety of woods.  The stainless steel straps also designed cut and polished to a mirror finish. The two booms were made with clear oregan pine.  The stainless steel gooseneck fittings again designed cut welded bent and polished.  We are now onto our third stainless steel supplier, NSS who are offering great service.