Sailing West wind

Hard season

Staying on hard

Winter was long and mostly cold. There was a periods, when temperature rise over zero and even to +10 degree in Celsius, but that was only few times. Unfortunately, these warm periods was bad for my boat.

During warm time, snow is melting, and then coming down from roof. This winter, we had more snow than in a long time, so this time, when snow start to melt, it came with a great force down and hit my boat cover.

This made a bad damage to the sailboat deck and bulwark.

Only thing, what during winter could be done, was keep the cover clean of snow.

Spring on hard

The season could not start as early as usually, because of global lock down, covid 19 restrictions and because of other related issues. So frustrating, have to say.

Finally, i made my way to the boat at May. With mind and heart full of stress, i went to boat to meet her after long time. I was surprised, how good shape and condition she was, even she got hit by great load of snow from the roof. She was also completely dry.

I did spend a hours to try to discover, what kind of issues i was going to have during spring and before to sea set her. Lot of extra time to work on the deck, for sure. Mast was also get worse, it had to be repair before it could be used for rigging and sailing.

Wooden mast

Wooden mast need to be taking care as all parts usually need in boat. If you let time to go too far away from small “fixing window”, you will ending in to big repairing season.

Sanding is a big work, and i made a few small tests to find out right tools to work with.

Before full sanding and surface repairing, most of rigging parts had to be take off and fill holes with wooden pins

Removing rigging parts is not difficult, but to put all back in same place and same way, can be more or less easy.

All parts that was making sanding difficult or impossible, had to be move away and then fill holes with wooden pins.

This project was going to take a lot of more time, that i was calculated. Damn. Not good.

Top of mast

Top of mast needed a little more heavy tool, than i expected, but after some few smooth moves, top of the mast was loose.

After moving the top of mast, the real issue could be found. Repair depth was considerable. In beginning of season, i was more positive with the time table and with the planned sea set. Plan for sea set was just about midsummer or a bit after that.

Now, this time schedule start to look like less possible, if not impossible.

The mast was wet, so it had to let to get dry. This was going to take a few weeks, if no rain 🙂

Top of the mast needed more than few weeks to get dry. During this time, mast also got its form back and was looking more good. Anyway, mast was not in very good condition.

Mast had to dry even more, because after removing varnish, surface was still wet and ofcourse, the weather did not show its best for this current work. After few extra weeks, i finally could fix top of wooden mast.

Hoping for no rain, no moister and not very hot days.

Sanding the mast

Before i could start to sanding the mast, i had to remove all parts from the surface, that i could remove. Some of items was very tight in place and some of them was easy to remove.

Finally i could start sanding. Mast was very wet under varnish, so drying did take a good time. This moister has been under the surface for a some time, but wood will dry with time. Usually no damage has been found.

Sanding mast was taking a quite long time. Some places was easy, just needed to peal, and varnish was a way. Some places needed to help with knife..

Sanding took a much more time, than was expected. Sea set was postponed at least with a 3 weeks. Not good, but necessary. Too much to do before boat is safe for sailing.

Season on Hard ?

Winter is coming

Because of the issues with leaking boat, i had decide to lift up boat earlier than usually.

Boat was transported nice and safely to winter place. Here she had to be prepared for cold season. First i took all unnecessary bed clothes and other sailing stuff out and place them to storage. Then i had to drive engine with sweet water and glycol. This will clean the system from salt water and also prevent engine from icing.

Because of water leaking in to cabin and to the bilge, we have to make some openings to the keel and for the hull under small part under waterline. We wanted to be sure, that boat have not taken big damages, and this is a good way to be sure of health of the boat.

Boat is made of plywood and fiberglass, so this is very easy to maintain and repair, if something need to be repaired.

We open hull front of engine, to see, has the water and diesel make marks in to wood. This is the only way to look in to different levels, if the material have moist or is it even wet.

We find out, that in over 40 past year, bilge has been touch with all kind of liquid things. Wood did smell to the Diesel and was a little moisten. We decide to open hull more to let bottom dry well and good before next summer.

Next job was to take sails out and let them dry. After this, they went to warm place to wait for next season.

Boat needed a cover for rain and snow, so we start to build a cover over the boat. Me and my son made this in few hours. This system is made of aluminum. Light and strong, i hope

During installation, we successfully messed up the cabin.

All tools was easy to find, and easy to get in to hand when needed..

Usually there is a quite good order inside the boat, but if i am making some repairing, whole environment is messed up with tools and things. Bad habit, but looks effective.

Before winter was here, i made a small openings to rudder. Fiberglass has loose from rostfree surface and had to be fixed. Nothing serious, but must be fixed.

I also need to change propeller. Old engine used left hand and Vire is using right hand propeller, so yes.. searching for one.. 13 x 9 25mm R propeller, or close to that.

Removing loosing fiberglass and cleaning folding propeller

Winter

Winter was approaching soon, so boat had to be ready in time for that. No doubt, she was.

Next season will be interesting. Very much to get done. Enjoy the winter!

Docking sailboat

Prologue in video

Season for me, was mostly filled with all kind of boat fixing. Some one may think that it is a pity or sad, some does think it was not. For me, this was a deliberate act, because season start late and all planned work had to be done.

First i was testing the engine, and i found it did start and run nice. There was no problem to start even it was standing almost a month after last starting. Engine battery was also full, thank you for sun panel.

All preparations in the afternoon took only few hours. My friend Tuomas was coming to help me with driving the boat to the dock, where we was going to lift the boat up. As we remember, i had no remote control to the engine, so i had to be inside and drive engine.

Vire 12 remote control with Tillotson carburetor

Vire 12 is a quite powerful engine. With 12Hp, Vire did move my 3500kg boat nice and with good acceleration. Engine is not lazy like diesel engine, i like the temper, the power.

Driving to the Shiplift was interesting for us. Tuomas held the helm and i was driving engine. Feeling was something like old school way to do motorsailing. Engine indeed has temper and with just a small moves the engine answer to your need of speed. Engine is great. Vire12.

We drive to the pier and start to clean the deck and preparing boat for lifting up and drive her to winter yard.

S/y West wind waiting for lift up at end of the season

We got more people to help with lifting and getting boat ready. We took mast off after loosing rigging and cables

Wooden mast is not very heavy, but it is a quite flexible. It is easy to lift, when you know what you are doing. 3 man is better than 2 man during operation.

Some more ropes and control during the lift and all was going nice and smooth

After we had move mast to place to wait for transporting, we had to start to work with the real issue. Lifting the boat from the sea and drive it to place where she was going to spend winter season.

Transporting to winter yard

Lifting boat from water to dry, is always interesting and risky job. If something goes wrong, it is best to have a company, who is registered and having insurance for this kind of work. The company, i used ; Oy Rasmus Nordström Ab, was doing great work. Thank you. Our boats are very dear for us, so this is very important to avoid unnecessary risks.

I had decided to lift my boat in good time before autumn, because she had to get dry from bilge before winter.

Before lifting and transporting, we had to get Stand for boat from other yard to new place and secure the place for the boat.

We had opportunity to get small caterpillar (bob cat) to clear the ground for my boat stand. This was taking more than a hour, and it was dark before we where done. Thank you, nice job !

After we lifted the boat from water, and tied it up with ropes, we went to road trip. Transport to winter yard took about hour and half. She hold that transporting without any scars or harms and was lifted to her place to wait for season repairs and cleanings.

The Vire 12 started easily and ran at idle in a reliable manner.

The morning in harbor was nice and calm. From all days, this was going to be maybe one of the warmest day in august. i like when it is hot, it is good for old bones and muscles.

I had to build a place for control panel closer to the helm. It can be situation, when you need to get engine fast to help you and make steering easier. In those harsh situations, you do not want to run in to cabin and start your engine.

Tillotson connections for remote control

During refitting, i realized again, that there was no room for old control cables and ofcourse, at this point, it was not easy to get new parts to here and now. I had to reschedule that part of installation. .

I decide to continue with current parts, because season was anyway become to end soon, i have to get this done, the way or other.

Because of this installation was on way to get delayed before it was going to be done, i decide to buy new engine fitting rails under engine. i had seen those in web site, and i want to buy them for better engine fitting.

Control cable does not fit for Vire12 engine

This cable issue did affect also new carburetor, so i had to add new cables too to the order list. I went to continue with control panel itself and cabling. In this weather, all moves was slowed down and most of the efficiency melted away. Only my bones and muscles loved this weather..

I Had made a few hour a work with marking cables and get cables to right place. By trying to keep everything as easy as possible, some things always look like a mess. 12V wires is one of those things.

Power

To keep batteries happy during non sailing or when visiting ports with heavy load of electricity, i have decide to use more powerful charger. It will take care of three battery and also for short time direct power out put. This i going to install at next season.

I got cables to right place and connected them also without any smoke or fire in boat. All things was running smoothly. The Vire 12 started easily and ran at idle in a reliable manner. I love this engine

Timing is important almost in everything, and so is with my boat. She have got some problems with wet bilge, and i want to lift her up to get really dry before next season. if you have read all way to here, you know, that water has been leaking of rain and from box behind engine. Interesting time, i would say.

Next to get sails off and get her ready for grounding.

Here, please find video from season 2020 on youtube

At the wharf

It was a beautiful morning and i wake up with sms, that told, that my carburetor has finally arrived to the Post. I have been waiting for this news a quite more long time, than i deserved. Good thing is, that i have had time to fix other important things with boat.

Weather was beautiful, so i walked to post office to get my delivery. I found this place after small wondering, because they have moved in to mall but guide show that they are still outside of shopping mall.

Sitting in Metro, and traveling to port Sarvasto took about 50 minute, because i was not reaching the optimal change with bus. Day is so nice and warm, that it is nice to sit out and enjoy the weather.

New carburetor

New carburetor had arrived, so i went to the boat and check, does i need some other extra work to do, before i can put it in to it´s place.

This new carburetor is very good and compact model. Compared to Bing, this is more solid and made for more unusual environment use than Bing is. I have used Tillotson in motorsport, and have been most of the time happy with them. Good product.

First i had to remove the old Bing carburetor, and it should be easy to do. I did find, that screws was quite good tighten, and annoying hard to get them off. Old petrol pump was not hard to remove, and then only had to block the pump hole

Vire 12 engine with new plug for carburetor

I took the old Bing away and packet it nice. i promised to send it back to Vireengines, because it can be used again after renewing. Sending back cost me 29 euro.. pffhh..

After i had find all peaces to own place, i could tight the carburetor to its place.

Finishing carburetor installation for Vire 12 engine

i got a very good installation advice from Nick of Vireengines. Thank you very much.

I had a issue with fuel connections.

Fuel connection was leaking after i got new carburetor connected to engine. I was just about to take first spark out from engine, when i realized, that i have a small issue with hose clamp. I had buy them before engine was in the boat, so i might have buy wrong size of clamps.

I tried to tighten clamps, but i only broken two of them. There was obviously something wrong with chosen product and perhaps with user also.

Meanwhile when i wait for delivery for new hose clamps, i decided to look how to get solar power connected to battery. I think, that temporary installation for testing is enough good for the moment.

Sunshine

Battery loading was starting immediately, when cables was connected.

Weather was not the most clear or sunniest day, but loading seems to work

Panel was fitting very nice to the deck. Panel is 50W and it did work better than i hope

I have also Led light now in the cabin. i am not a fan of temperature of color, but testing.

Outside panel was looking fine

Panel is locked tight to its place and it is holding well. Can let be until get better idea.

Sprayhood

West wind is nice oldschool IOR sailing boat. i like how she is build and how her lines are made. She is a little bit low from cabin, but i have sailed with her well. She is not really wet to sail, even sea is a little more rough, but against cold wind i like to have a sprayhood.

I find her original made sprayhood and it look like… well.. oldish?

From other angle

It is not the most easy job to set up Sprayhood. Lucky me, i had Lilli who helped me. Thank you, it was a big help.

After this active weekend, i tried to get engine finally to run and testing how it is working. Summer was showing the best part of it and weather was really hot. Soon i got my engine to run

Soon i had engine running under deck

Home port

Sarvasto at Helsinki

My boat was transported to the new harbor a quite well. We have to remember, that wind was a little against and without useful engine, it was more laborious.

Problem with engine start to be annoying, so that was on the next on “to do” list.

Basic issue was the carburetor. Vire 12 have a BING made carburetor witch is useful and workable when it is in good condition. When it start to get issues, it seems to be hard to get back in order. Vire 7 Engine have different, and it´s factory is know of racing carburetors.

To get this Bing version to work and to be useful, i tried to adjust settings and i realized that i had to fix the pump also. Astounding is, that in Finland, at 2020 in July, there is no place open to buy parts for this model. I Tried from many place and .. no parts.

This issue did start to irritating me and i went to look for second option.

I had searched a lot of information about Vire engines lately. I realized, that i can find new or renewed parts from England and with support, with “how to do” video. Very good service.

I did contact vireengines.com author and after while, we had agreement about new carburetor. i Did buy similar version that is in Vire 7 and this has been proven to work.

Price was less than 300 euro, and the delivery was with a complete setting for change to other model. Deal!

Delivery for order like this, will usually take about a week, and then it is ready to use in hours. Then engine just need to start and run, sail and enjoy the sea.. yes, in fairy tails.

Searching for problems

Because of my engine was waiting for delivery, i could concentrate in to other issues. As we did in last season only small fixing to boat to transit it to Espoo city from city Turku, those small fixings was waiting now to be repaired properly.

I start to search these problem places with bigger loop and this examining did take a while. Result was a quite surprise, that i have a so many leaking points in deck and roof. These problems was not shown up at last season.

West wind is leaking from there and here and a bit everywhere

There was a also leaking windows, and those should get sealed soon. Hatch was leaking in front and in pilot house..

There was a few more difficult place to fix and i needed a help to open and close screws

More hands and more tools needed on the deck and below. Summer was beautiful and hot. Lovely days to work and fix the boat. Sailing is overestimated.

There were a hot days and ofcourse, feeling of summer was present. It was very warm to work under the deck. Sometimes summer can be really nice.

My friend Tuomas, who towed my boat to pier, come and help with searching more leaking points from the deck. He took water hose and spray all around the deck with it. We got very good result.. or.. is it good result?

Both hatches was leaking very much. Frustrating…

This testing with Tuomas, was very useful, because it did show, how much actually water can come in and ofcourse, where these most leaking points was hiding.

Sail boat is always leaking, they say. i know, it does, but these leaks was a little bit too much of leaking, so i had to put a new gear on, and start to fix these leaks.

After the rain, i did clean the water out from bilge, and i realize, that when i walk and jump on the middlewood, i see, that water is a bit rippling with my moves. This start to worrying me a little.

I drain the bilge, and i find out that there is probably a delaminated point, that have to be checked after fixing the leaking windows.

During cleaning, i also realized a new small issue, that when i try to fit control cables in right places with new engine, i can not move gear with throttle cable at the same time. There is a too tight corners and some issue with device. This look like, that i have a new problem to solve out.

My carburetor was still on the way in somewhere in Europe. I call to provider, and i got information, that device was in Poland at the moment.. i just wonder how long way it is from UK to Finland nowadays…

Porthole

Cabin windows, portholes was leaking badly. They have been fixed a while ago, and work was done well, but now, for some reason, they let the rain to drop in. Had to stop that.

First i had to remove all frames around the windows. Then all glues and spikes. After this, i had to sanding all to clear to get the new contact to hold tight and NOT to leak again.

First it was easy job, but the more time it took, the more harder the work did become

First window we made with my son, and it was good, because there was some learning points during the removing and installing.

This glue is made for toilet bowl. It is very strong and flexible, so this will not leak in future very easy.

Window was fitted to own place, and only leftovers need to cut away after few hours of drying. This was very laborious part of installation.

Second window was much easier than the first. Work was teaching the doer. Even this was going well, there was a lot to do before windows are again ready and beautiful

After rain, all fixed windows did not leak at all. Some kind of success, i think. Any way, the hatch did let still water come in, and this was now number one on the repair list.

Leaking hatch

This hatch still leaking and now it is time to put this to end. I had to remove hatch cover for it and few long screw, that was tight placed.

After removing the hatch, i find the reason why water coming in so easy. There was a crack in tree that block the water to come in to cabin. I find out, that glue is useful method here too.

i decide to use enough glue and hew then the rest away

I used enough glue to get this to last.

After spreading glue in all possible place, it was time to hew the most leftovers away. it was very easy and nice part of this work. Rewarding.

Later, i will find out how to hide the crack

Still leaking after rain. This was not a big surprise, the hatch on the deck was leaking.

I opened the bow hatch and i understood why water is coming in. Sealing is not tight and gaskets is not fit fully to right place, so i had to remove all material and refit and put new sealing. This Bow hatch is not new, and when i removed the glass, all parts was unstable and it was hard to get to stay in shape. Guess what is going to help here?

Removing old glue and after cleaning, set glass back to its place

After new sealing and gluing, i hew the surface and i was a pretty much happy with result. This magic glue was a very good tool for solving these leaking problems.

Most leaking issues was solved in few weeks and this opened possibility to start with next waiting projects with my beautiful MP27 sailing boat.

Now, new interesting issues was waiting. Lets make them done.

Sailing from last summer

Sailing West wind in Turki — Sailing West wind at Turku

Last season, it was very nice sailing in Ruissalo. Boat was just got ready for delivery sailing, and ofcourse it has to be tested before real sailing to Espoo. This was very nice testdrive.

Around the isle

We where all day making boat ready for sailing. We put the mast on it´s place and rigged the mast. Raimo did climb up to mast and put the windex on it´s place. It did look very difficult and stressful operation, but he did it very well. You can see the video here

Idea was to sail around the small isle “Iso-pukki” and then come back to harbour and pier. We where a bit more slow with getting ready and out for testing. During our delayed start, wind had build itself more up, and this was only good for testing the boat.

We left the pier with sail, wind was light but steady. We got almost 2 knots with main sail only and soon we took line out to the route and the same time wind start to blow with more power. Great feeling.. sails was filled and the speed accelerating

We got our speed very easy up to 5 knots and the sound from the prow was growing.

A few moment later, we got a gust and boat tilted. This was lasting a while and then we was again in normal condition. This was cool feeling, exciting.

The wind was growing and then suddenly, we got a hard gust and with all sails up, i was not fast enough, so we broached. This was so quickly escalated, that i had no time to say “a cat”.

This took about half minute and then we was back in the line and route again. Pffhh..

After this small accident, we adjusted sails more better for the current weather and we start to enjoy the ride with the wind. We had a good speed and boat was sailing steady. we sail around the isle Iso-pukki and went back to Härkälahti, where our pier was.

Last gust before turning to port with West wind

We come from behind the isle, and turn boat to route to harbor. We also took the front sail in, because wind was enough for main sail only.

Sailing at first time with MP27 was a huge experiment and very exciting. Boat was easy to sail and very logical to the wind. This boat is easy to learn to sail. Love my boat.

Finally, we took the sail down and let the boat float to its place. Speed was just about enough to get between and to its own place. Marvelous. Very nice end to the day.

MP27 is a great boat.

Sailing to Helsinki

After launching day, my idea was to move the boat to a new home port. I had decided to start the trip early in the morning, because i want to sail in daylight and in as good weather conditions as possible.

West wind in port of Suomenoja in repair pier

It had also become clear, that the engine could not be used. In the morning , i did find out, that the wind direction was appropriate for us, so we went with friends as a crew to put the boat in to sailing condition.

We got the ropes and equipment in their place, and because we were the first time out in sea at this summer, we were a little more careful and used only Genoa.

We left the pier with a exemplary manners, because wind was light and blowing from right direction. Just when we think, that everything is fine and working, the Helm was jamming. It did work normally just a few moments ago, but now first, jamming and then locked and did not want to move at all.

it start to become a hurry, because the shallow was only tens of seconds away and the helm did not turn left or right. Then, just about in last moment, like a miracle, the rudder turn and start to work, as it have had no issue at all..

We where a bit lucky, when we avoided of going to to the shallow and reeds close the beach. in the moment, blood start to circulate again in my vains, and i could also start to think again. – What in earth made this happen? How this so good working thing got to this condition.. and just after leave the pier? pffhh.. all kind of S..things must happen.

A few leg

The wind was steady from aft and, only sudden gusts made uncomfortable changes to the course. We was sailing anyway very nice, and we open foresail a little more to gain speed for the next leg.

When we where in good position and had a good moment for change the course, the helm did not work at all. We could not make helm to move. Now, with four hands, we got it to turn a little and just that little enough to avoid to sail direct to the land and sand bank. Great!

This issue caused a second problem, that we could not climb enough high to the wind and bypass the big harbor pier, that protect boats on the other side. We must pass this, if we like to get us to the right course and sail to the Helsinki City.

We could not reach the end of the pier with this wind enough early, to keep us on the right course, so we had to let boat drop with the wind and turn back to the starting point. We actually also got idea of trying to go other leg, but this was doomed as well as this other course, so we start to understand, that our problem with engine and rudder was a too big problem to ignore, and we decided to abort our mission.

Our sea adventure ended on this pier. This experiment was what so ever important and educational, but not at the most of top ten sailing mornings. Still at this point, it was a little unclear, why rudder did act this way?

I had to sit down and let the coffee stimulate my nerves a bit. Probably reason for this problem, was air in the system. Unfortunately, i did not check this during fixing the boat, because helm was working just fine on the hard. Now, after this lesson, it was added to check list for sure.

Bleeding Helm

I had to take a short brake with fixing the boat. Midsummer was nice, and i took time to spend it quite traditional way. Good food, time with friends and family.

After these nice days, i was continuing with this interesting problem with rudder. I did buy a fluid for system, because i had no idea, how much i need to add it to system. i come to the boat and i covered the area where i will work, with towels. Procedure is not very difficult; add fluid and move helm until no bubbles. It could be a bigger workload, if i would change all fluid to system. Perhaps i will do it for next season.

This rudder bleeding i could do before i put the boat to the sea, but there was no kind of sign, that boat could have this kind of issue. So, for now on, this will be checked in every season beginning.

Delivery sailing

Last summer i brought West wind from Turku to Espoo in few days. it was very interesting and good way to get to know your boat. This can be found in Finnish language from MP-Veneet site; Here

Last few days i have watched forecaster more intensive and trying to figure out, when it is the most suitable wind for sailing to Helsinki. I need wind from north, but that is not offered for the moment. Common wind is from west. It will work. but in the end i need help with towing, because harbor can be reached by sailing in the end to the west.

I call to my friend Tuomas, that i am trying to sail to Helsinki and i have no engine present. He promised to help me with the last leg with his Sailboat. Melody is nice 20ft Havsfidra, and she is very seaworthy and strong boat.

In the morning, there was a small tensions in the air. i was wondering how the wind could carry us, and how to reach the port in time, before wind is weakening for the evening.

Wind in this morning was mostly from the south – south-east, and turning to the west before evening. There was a small difficulties to get out from the pier, but luckily, we got some help from fellow sailor that pushed us out from the wharf.

After we got West wind out from harbor area, sailing start to be easy and nice. I used only Genoa, because have to do all maneuvers alone and if some issue would come, i could handle it easier.

Sailing was easy, nice and with the wind we had, speed was between 4 and 6 knots. it is enough for boat like West wind is. She is a 27 foot long and waterline is 6.80 meters.

We was sailing line just before open sea, and it was a good choice. The wind was more steady and still waves was not so big. Sailing is more easy than more inner lane.

The wind was slowly calm down and speed too. At this moment, speed was
momentarily even below 2 knots, but mostly about 3 knots.

Finally, after long sailing from Helsinki city center region, boat was reaching Villinki isle. From this point is not long way to turn back against the wind. Wind was a quite light, so i call to my friend, and ask for towing.

After a phone call, i was sailing to the 2.4m route, and for some reason, i just continued that line and sail behind the Iso Villasaari. Tuomas was coming from the other side to meet us. There was a some moment, that we did not really know, where he or we where, so i turned around and took sails in. After short look-out we finally found our self.

Pier

Towing was easy. Tuomas did bring help with other boat, Arctis. She is also Havsfidra and installed with 20hp diesel engine. With that power, West wind followed as air behind her.

After half hour towing, we come to the harbor. Sarvasto is a safe from wind and wave and it is not very far from good sailing environments. We come with nice speed close to own place. Perhaps a little too much speed, because i had to leave the helm and jump to the pier and stop the boat with hands. Over 3000 moving kilos is not light.. Not even in the water.

Sailing was interesting and there was no real problem during the sailing. It took about 7 hour, because wind dropped down and weather was very light

The weather in port Sarvasto was calm and warm. Very nice evening indeed.

Thank you for Tuomas and S/y Arctis for help with sailing to Sarvasto.

Autopilot

Who is steering ?

When I consider the various options how to organize an second pilot to my boat, there is a few useful options. I heard that a motorized or electrical autopilot connected to the rudder, is the only real pilot. This pilot is reliable and with confident, tireless rescuer, and the best product to take care of direction in any weather. ..The real MacKay

However, in the following sentence teller recalls, that those pilots are sensitive to telephones, electromagnetic interference, and lack of electricity. If there is a lot of iron nearby or you drive even over the power cable or under the lines, the electric helmsman causes a variety of surprises and unnecessary headaches. Is that the kind of driver I need for the boat?

Wind vane

If you are thinking about the purpose for which use you are getting the help, then you can find the product that you think is suitable; in terms of strength, how easy to use and how often to use and and so on. The first choice for me of many good and stronger and bigger than this, was the Hebridean wind vane. The choice of material as well as the servo-pendelum structure and style, it is like it is made for my boat. The Hebridean wind vane structure is as strong as my boat and fits well with the spirit of MP boats.

In the past winter, however, i found my second choice, when i was browsing around internet. I decided to grab the offer and get the Sailomat that have circled the globe once..or twice. This Swedish wind vane has been touted to be the most durable and unique wind rudder in terms of construction, sensitivity and usability.

Sailomat is invented a quite long ago, and my model is from the early days. My wind vane is model 536 and it have servo-pendelum structure. It is still almost as good as new, but plates and some wing have taken some hits, but basic parts is working. i did write to company and asked for service parts, but there is nothing in stock that could fit my version. Obviously, this Sailomat wind vane is built to last. No service parts needed.

Cleaning

This Sailomat wind vane has stood in storage for some time, and was devoid of thorough cleaning.

Washed with acid, hot water and high pressure

First the parts had to be removed from the frame, and then removed parts had to be cleaned, and some of them protect by painting

I went to buy paint at a local supply store. I chose a very basic paint, polyurethane-based, which was also suggested by the manufacturer. Since my boat have a helm, i also need a additional accessory with a steering system.

basic paint, polyurethane-based for protect the device

Some parts required several coats of paint before coverage was sufficient. Later in the next summer, i will finish the surfaces

As other renovations of the boat are still in progress, the installation and adjustment for the wind vane will be left for the next season, or the second next.

It was time to hurry ahead as the boat had to be moved to a new port in its own place on the dock. it would be a one-day sailing to the new port. Everything should work, so i hope there will be no major problems.

To the sea

The launch began to become a reality

The launching day was not any more somewhere in future, it was booked just before midsummer, after few days. This would not be a problem, if everything would go as was planned. But, as we so many time have seen during this renewing, if something can go wrong, it definitely goes wrong.

i was about to connect remote control cables with Teleflex controller, when i realized, that i could not clamp the cable to its place. There was a broken screws in the place where i should attach cable and screws on the exhaust.

Rusted screws blocking the way for clamp

There was a place for 2 cables. One for the gear and one for acceleration. Now, i could use only one cable and that would fit with carburetor. This was not good idea, because these two cables moving was interfered together. Fixing this balance between the gear and gas leveling, i found it to be very laborious work, so i forgot that idea.

Vire 12 with Bing 12 carburetor and difficult connection

I tried to install and fit control cables a many different ways, but then i realized that i have not enough time to get any good solution to work. Control cable become too tight or acceleration cable was not moving at all. I had to give up and rethink this problem over again.

All kind of problems

Because of this remote control issue, i could not drive engine from cockpit and this was a problem. Sailboat can move with a wind, of course, but it is very helpful, when you have auxiliary power, and it is working. This is a problem, if it is not working.

I found also, that roof is leaking in heavy rain and this was not good at all. I Had to find out, from where water was coming in, because this was causing a problem to bilge. By investigating in cabin and on the deck, i found, that water was coming at least from three different place, and this i had get repaired as soon as possible.

Vire 12 electtrical control box and battery with control panel

I had to change electrical control switch box to front of engine, because hose and power cable connections needed to have more room and other route. After this, the control panel cable was too short. Then, the battery had to go to different place, because engine could not stay enough close to the stern. .. you may see the interference here.

Few weeks ago, the engine testdrive was great and there was no problems. Vire 12 was running stable and took very easy more revolution and did not show any problem at all. Now, lately, when i did start and try to run engine, i did noticed some instability with engine running. This was not a good sign just before launching.

The launching day

The launching day begun with rain and thunder. Ofcourse thunder and rain, because it was this day when i had decided to set my boat to the water. It was the launching day.

I went to harbor and start to make boat ready for lifting. There was a huge amount of dirt, sawdust, grease and tools around in cabin. This cleaning took a good time to do.

After cleaning and setting all tools and unnecessary things to own place, i start to wait for lifting company to get the boat to the Sea.

Truck come and took the boat nicely and easy to carry it to the launching place. Driver did good work and there was no kind of issues.

I did use the same company, who lifted my engine in and other engine out from the boat. It was most comfortable solution to do, because the company was very close to my storage location.

Moving smooth and easy, good driving. West wind on Scania 113

During watching this driving, i remember, that i was thinking, how boat does look with spoiler and it definitely did not fit to this boat model. Different era.

Launching place was not far away from storage place, so i decided to walk in Sunshine.

The boat was looked beautiful

Launching itself was easy and nice handled operation. I Needed both hands, so there was no time to take pictures. Boat weight is about 3300kg but it did move easy to the sea.

Driver was helpful, and with his co-operation, we got mast very easily to it´s place

Lifting wooden mast to west wind and rig it

Finally, we got all done and boat was waiting to get rigging and set up for sailing

Beautiful day and beautiful boat. Perfect day to get the boat in to the right element

Great day, the great launching day.