Sjogin – Page 11 – Hove to off Swan Point

She swims!

Sjogin was finally launched today. It’s been a longer than usual haul out as the lines project and getting Speedwell ready took time away from the regular 5 week fit out. Needless to say having her out since late July has dried out the planking and she filled up with Barnegat Bay’s offerings in minutes. She’ll hang in the straps for a few days and then with pumps. By this time next week Sjogin will have hopefully swelled sufficiently for her own bilge pump to manage the usual weeps.

While she swells I’ll tend to the spars and other varnishing. Maybe even varnish the hatch.

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In she goes
Finally. The Beaton’s crew lowers Sjogin back in to her element. She’ll stay in the pit till it’s time to rig.

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She sort of floats
Her “suspenders” are keeping her afloat. The water level inside is the same as outside. Everything but the stove has been removed.

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Fresh!
They never look better then on launching day.

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Progress
Just finished painting the topsides. Don’t look too close; the hull sorely needs to be taken down to bare wood. Planning on keeping her out the Winter of 2011 – 2012 when the rub rails get replaced. I’ll wood the hull then.

Sorry for the delay between posts. Between my new business, Sjogin and garden work the time just slipped away. See you next week.

Ps: I sent the offset table to Paul Gartside and Francois Vivier today. I’ll let you know when there’s progress on the new plans.

Work resumes on Sjogin

After a few weeks of Duckboat Worlds mania, I started woking again on Sjogin.

First up was fitting a dutchman into the rub rail where a bit of punkiness was removed. I think there are at least a half dozed similar repairs on the rails. She sorely needs new ones.

I’m planning to pull her in December 2011 and work with Beaton’s to replace the rails and fix whatever evil lurks behind. It would be a good opportunity to tackle one of those “one of these years” tasks and remove all of the paint from the topsides. I pray this will not involve heading up rivets.

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Rot!
The excavation involved chiseling back to sound? wood. It was tricky working around the fastenings.

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Fitting dutchman
The dutchman was cut out of very aged cedar. The wood shop crew are cleaning up years of offcuts and a nicely grained piece of Atlantic Cedar presented itself to the pattern.

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Fixed!
All glued up. This is more of a cosmetic repair as I fully expect to replace the rail next Winter. (He says with fingers crossed.)

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Progress in copying the offsets into a spreadsheet. After checking, and double checking the data I’ll send it off to Paul Gartside and Francois Vivier for their use. We’ll see how close Steve Martinsen and I got to taking off a fair set of lines.

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Semi storage
Speedwell’s available for a final coat and get ready for a bit of Fall sailing. All her sisters are done till next year.

I’m planning to replace the fixed gooseneck with a sliding one. A bit of 5/8″ bronze track and the boom will be able to be raised to a height suitable for the less flexible.

When looking at the photos from the recent Worlds, I was struck by the amount of hoist left on the luff and foot. It looks like the sail and boom could be raised at least six inches. Tom Beaton said the original spar design accommodated cotton sails and the need to accommodate the stretching over time. So I’ll take advantage of the extra room make the boat more useable.

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ex - Caroline
Caroline returns. I owned this Bullseye in 1985, just before Jon and I bought Sjogin. She’s now in the care of our good friends Valerie and Paul. I was pleased to learn that she’ll be based at Beatons after years on the Navesink.

Almost ready

The 2010 Duckboat Worlds are this Friday at Mantoloking. Details here. Speedwell lacks a coat of Maynard Bray White on her bottom, a bit of soaking and rigging to be ready. Found out most folks now lash the stays rather than using turnbuckles. I think it has something to do with causing less damage in collisions. Duckboat racing IS a contact sport.

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White!
White for now. I had planned to paint the bottom the same as the green trim on Sjogin but ran out. I have an order in with Kirby but it won’t be here on time. I’ll use the MB White for now.

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My so called Bench
The usual found plank workbench full of this seasons work.

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Sulking Sjogin
Sjogin waiting for her work to resume. I’m shooting for the week after Labor Day to put her back in commission.

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One more from Maine. This fine pic of Tendress was taken by Dick Wynne from Sea Harmony on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon a few weeks ago.

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Lamb's Ears
What time is it? Time to trim the Lamb’s Ears.

Sjogin’s hauled

and ready for her refit and and having her lines recorded. She’s back in the Big Shed, near the covered slip and the usual breeze. Yesterday had a SW wind, blowing right through the shed. Quite nice on an otherwise steamy day.

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Mast pulled and ready to be hauled. Not too many bad spots on the mast though it needs to be stripped “one of these years”.

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She's out
Here she comes. This is the 50 year old lift built by Beaton’s. It’s a hybrid travel lift, running on railroad tracks. There used to be a traditional railway here.

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Foul!
Not too bad for ten months in the water though most of those months featured cold water.

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She’s back in her usual spot. I’ll need to level her before the lines are recorded. There are two beams that run on tracks the length of the shed. Each beam has a pair of moveable chain hoists that will allow Sjogin to be lifted and set down level.

This week will see the measuring platform set up and the hull scrapped, sanded and primed so we have a clean surface on which to measure.

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Here’s a couple of pics for Peter S. Julia and I were guests of John and Debbie H at Seaside Park YC last night and ran into Peter, one of my regular readers. He asked for more Beaton pics.

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Suzzane
This is Suzanne, the Beaton family boat. She’s a Maine built boat, in these waters for a few year’s now.

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This is Cats Whiskers, a Bunker and Ellis picnic boat long maintained by Beatons.

This and that and Gartside news

Here are some pics from the last few weeks. A mix of sailing and garden and family stuff.

I asked Paul Gartside if he would mind If I shared his instructions for taking the lines off Sjogin and he graciously agreed. If any one is interested, drop me a note and I’ll send you the PDF. Sjogin’s scheduled to be pulled on Wednesday for her annual refit. The lining off will take pace on the 24th.

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How to measure the hull
This is one of the pages from the Gartside instructions. The boat as drawn looks just like Sjogin. Here’s a link to the PDF

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Hove to off Swan Point last week. Just remove the tiller and relax. Note the nice slick to starboard.

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Sjogin’s sculling oar. Last week the wind was out of the NNW and rather than do a down-wind landing, I sailed up to the south end of the T dock. After stowing the sails and such I set up the sculling rig and sculled around to her slip. No real need but needed the practice.

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Sold!
The last of this years Beaton’s rowboats is spoken for. Call Tom to get on this Winter’s list.

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The Big Shed awaits. Sjogin will be hauled this week and placed in this shed near the open door for her refit. She’ll be moved in the the Wood Shop for her measuring on the 24th.

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Jeff
Jeff down below. He and Sasha are here for an all too brief visit.

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Jeff and Sasha watching the tide change.

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Color waves
The upper garden in it’s pre-drought glory. Still doesn’t look too bad. We haven’t had any serious rain in weeks.

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My all too infrequently used Mill Creek 15 double paddle canoe. I figured if I cleaned her up I’d be more likely to use her. We’ll see.

Thanks

Just wanted to take a moment to thank my readers for their comments and e-mails. I’m so very pleased to be able to share Sjogin and such with you all. Hard to believe it’s been almost five years.

I heard from a reader in South America the other day and wanted to share this. He was interested in plans for Sjogin so he could build a detailed half model. He added:

“And thanks again for sharing, your site is one of those little gems which make our lives and this world better.”

Thanks, E.

Fair winds all,

Russ

And I wouldn’t leave you without a pic:

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Sjogin awaits....

Out again and Paul Gartside news

Took advantage of the light air Monday before last week’s Northeaster set in and after it left for a pair of quick sails. Monday had a strong current from the north with a light ENE breeze allowed little speed over the ground. Thursday had a 5kt ENE breeze fill in just after I rigged the sculling lock. Good reading conditions both days.

On the Sjogin plans front, Paul Gartside has been receiving deposits and I had a nice note from him yesterday. Next step is The Measurement of Sjogin. I spoke with Tom and I’ll be able to put Sjogin in the Paint Shop this Summer to take off her lines. It will make it easier with painted plywood on the floor for the grid. I’ve had a few offers of help so I’ll try to set up a weekend in July for a version of Tom Sawyer and the fence.

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Beating up to Manyploking
Beating up the Mantoloking shore last Monday. Lite, dry northeaster.

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Ready to go
With the breeze in the ENE I can raise sail in the slip. The temporary spring line holds her just so. Cast off the bow line, pull her forward with the spring and away you go. With the wind out of the NE to E I need to make downwind landings. More on that later.

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Drive by wire
No boat traffic makes for nice light air sailing.

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Hove to by the Mantoloking Bridge
The warm stove felt good below with a chilly Northeaster blowing over the barrier beach. Carried the Starboard tack up to the Mantoloking Bridge.
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Thursday’s sail provided a good reading breeze.

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A-Cat racing is getting nearer
This is Spyder, the Seaside Park YC A-Cat ready for a new season.

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Glowing
The latest Beaton’s rowboat glowing in the Duckboat room.

Sailed on an empty Bay yesterday

Went out for a bit in the morning; nice NE breeze about 6 to 10 kts, bright sun but chilly as the wind off the ocean is blowing across mid 50’s water. Went down to Sloop Point and hove to on the Port tack for a good draw on the stove. A cup of tea and another chapter in Seven Sisters took care of the tack back to Mantoloking.

Semi-retirement has arrived so I hope you’ll look forward to more sailing pics, checking up on the Osprey families, reports on what’s new at Beaton’s, yet more garden pics and such.

Progress on the Sjogin sister-ship program. Paul Gartside has agreed to produce a set of plans for a Sjogin replica; both for traditional construction and for the modern glued lap method. Perhaps there’ll be a plan for a gaff yawl. I’ve mentioned here and on the Forum that Sjogin would look good with such a rig. And here’s a vote for jack yard topsail!

I sent my deposit in yesterday. I’ll let you know how you can buy a set. Suitable for framing and dreaming.

New garden pics as well. Happy Almost Summer.

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Nice breeze
Nice classic dry Northeaster.

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Reach
Reaching back to Beaton’s. Had a successful downwind landing; it’s easier with Sjogin in her Summer position.

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All done
Put away for the day. Her battery went flat so a bit of exercise with the hand pump was needed.

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Myth getting rigged
Jim rigging Myth. Nice to see her back in the water.

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All full
The Oak Leaf Hydrangea is ready to pop; upper left. Roses too.

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Full up
Pretty full. Pay no attention to the shabby shingles.

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Rose walk
Beach roses ready to put on a show. Do stop and smell the roses.

Yet another sail

And another designer signs on board. Paul Gartside of Nova Scotia has expressed interest in doing a version of Sjogin. Rod Brink has been in touch with him and it seems he may be able to have a design done by the Fall. Here’s a bit from Rod’s post on the WoodenBoat Thread:

“I talked with Paul Gartside just this morning and he agreed to develop plans for a close version of Sjogin for $2000. His plans would also include a couple of extra sheets for building an original Sjogin traditionally. Sailplan â€¦ gaff sloop most likely. Obviously the quality of Mr Gartside’s plans are well known along with the superb detail he provides.”

Here’s an example of Mr. Gartside’s work; a day boat with lots of strings to pull:

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Paul Garside cutter
He will certainly do justice to Sjogin. I can see a copy of his sail plan framed on our wall next to the one from Francios Vivier. What joy. Let a thousand Sjogin’s bloom.

Here’s a link to a delightful announcement of Mr. Gartside’s 2009 wedding and how he met his wife at WoodenBoat.

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Ghosting home. Took off Friday to practice non-weekend sails. Nice, fairly empty Bay.

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SASAIC
Sailing as slow……. Could have used a bit more breeze.

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Coffee time
Just cool enough for a fire and a cup of coffee. Read another chapter of The Voyage of the Seven Sisters. A book about a 1950’s raft voyage from Peru to Samoa by William Willis. Grueling to say the least but a good read.

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I changed Sjogin to her Summer position today. Tempted to go out, but it’s porch season and we need to get the screens up. No bugs on us now.

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I'm back!
The Barn Swallows have returned. They love Beaton’s with many many nesting spots. This one seems to be saying “You looking at me”?

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Perfect blue
Speaking of birds, I found this perfect nest with three pending Robins while taking down some winter damaged limbs from our soon to be gone Dogwood.

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Money!
Money plants in all their glory.

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Varigated Solomon's seal
Variegated Solomon’s seal. Very happy in our shade garden. More garden pics to follow.

Odds and Ends

Here are some pics from the last few weeks. No sailing since Easter weekend but maybe tomorrow if the wind lays down. I also hope to take some initial measurements for Sjogin’s re-designers if it’s calm enough.

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On the Flounder grounds
Paul and your Happy Skipper on the Winter Flounder grounds Easter Saturday. It was as raw as it looks.

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Early april sunrise
Sunrise earlier this month on my daily visit to make sure the tide’s on schedule.

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Happy bulbs
The Narcissus and Scillia are filling in nicely. The latter are showing up all over.

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Spring!!!
March showers have worked their magic. The lavender bits are the biannual Lunaria (Money plant). They are very happy.

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Rowboat progress
Quiet Saturday morning at Beaton’s.

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Old friend
Son David’s former Claire, ready for a season of club racing.

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Foggy
Hove to off Swan Point in the fog on Easter Sunday. It’s fun to sail in the fog in your backyard.