Few minor problems

I went to check on Teal this morning.
As I was there I had a look in the bilge and went to give the pump a run but it turned out the battery was completely flat. The float switch was up but only just and it has rained a lot since I was last there so she has obviously been pumping alright. This year I fitted a new Rule float switch to replace the Whale one I bought last year which worked for all of about two weeks, so this is the first time it has been working automatically. A few times last year when I have run the pump it hasn't actually pumped, as if it can't prime. I have one way valves fitted in the pipes to stop back filling when heeled and I'm guessing that they stick sometimes and prevent the pump from priming itself. So I'm guessing this happened and ran the pump until the battery died. Need to figure out a solution.

I brought home the Apple Pie dinghy for a little TLC as well. A piece of the gunnel needs gluing and I want to put something across the bow to help deflect spray when rowing into a chop. As it is the flat bow hits a wave then it blows back and soaks me or runs down along the seat and gives ya a wet arse.
One problem I find with the Apple pie that could be avoided for anyone else building one is the back seat. I'm only about 5'7" and when rowing it on my own I have to sit right back on the long seat to trim her so that the flat bow is clear of the water and I simply have nowhere to put my legs. A few inches would have made a big difference. A little weight on the back seat lets me sit forward a little and as it is quite tender I like to have my knees by the gunnels and feet against the back seat to stabilise it like a kayak.

Family overnight

Finally got a chance to do something similar to a trip on the boat. We took the skiff to Unionhall then motored Teal to Glandore for dinner, after some exploring with the skiff we headed out for some mackerel fishing, Thankfully didn't catch any because I don't really want fish all over Teal. Once I had dropped Jess and the kids ashore this morning I had a day to myself to do a little sailing.
It was very very calm today but I did manage to tack all the way out before the wind up and left all together. It filled back in after a while by which time I had the topsail and big jib put on and I actually had a great day out. Even if I only covered about six miles in as many hours.
I don't mind leisurely days out. As great as it is that I get to work out there all the time my passengers probably wouldn't appreciate moving at the speed of tide, with the skipper staring into the abyss and watching stuff float by.

Watching a 

Seahorse

Now this is June in my head, Out in the bay at 10pm prating about in a rowing boat

Out on a charter this morning and all the boats were passing by in their way to Crosshaven traditional sail. It pains me that I can't join them this year but a bad start weather wise to fishing this year means I can't justify taking more days off.
Its the 20th trad sail and the Cobh trad sail is the following week so it would have been great to make it. Never the less we went out for a very pleasant family sail this evening which will tide me over for now.

Guillemot setting sail

Cornish Lugger Peel Castle looking fantastic 

Out on the lake

I've been waiting for a chance to take the kids out in the skiff. They have been exited about it even before it was finished and I had intended taking them out for a spin before leaving Baltimore after the festival but as they were to put it mildly "uncooperative" on the day so it didn't happen. 

So as the wind died off this evening we headed down to the lake for a couple of hours. Its another one of the things I had wanted a family size rowing boat to do.

It works a charm, One thing I hadn't thought about that is really good is that one of us can sit at either end and have the kids in the middle where its easy to keep an eye on them. Its a little slower to turn when rowing from the front and who ever is in the middle has there back a little close to get a full stroke on the oars but still rows easily. I'd imagine it could carry considerably more weight if it was required as well.

 

Just a few pictures of Teal on a very nice morning. The Baltimore wooden boat festival facebook page has some lovely ones of her sailing this year. Itching to get out and go exploring with her now. Need to sort a mainsail cover pretty lively too.

Weather

June is my favourite month of the year, The weather generally settles down, the days are still getting longer and the whole Summer is a head of us. This one so far has a lot of making up to do and its the first day. And the forecast is at best, mixed !

Gusting 50kts and pouring rain. At least its sheltered in the harbour

I was afraid the next high tide would reach the dinghy so I went on a rescue mission, I have previously found my other dinghy floating upside down but thankfully tied to a mooring by someone in Glandore after bad weather.