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Yea, probably time for a recap of Kalos. We have continued to add minor updates/upgrades to the rigging with the intent to make rigging easier. We can now rig from arriving at the boat ramp to motoring away in 1 hour 15 minutes. Not much longer than our Core Sound 20.3. Board up probably draws less than 30 inches, about 60 inches board down. The antifouling is Coppercoat, the boat normally lives in a marina. The boat sails beautifully, we have had her in 35 kts winds several times with no concerns at all. Initially we had range anxiety with the electric pod drive, but that has all but evaporated. The electric drive is just a small part of the sailing experience on Kalos, we actually don’t think much about it, it maneuvers much more positively than any boat I have ever sailed. Full torque at low speed and instant reverse stops the boat pronto. If we were to build it again, electric pod drive, no question. We have 200 amp/hr Battle Borne for the house batteries, 240 watts solar for the house, the Torqeedo 24-3500 battery and it totally adequate. 350 watts panel to charge the Torqeedo battery, with a interconnect buss if we decide to put all 3 panels to charge the motor battery (never had the need other than testing). We have shore power but have never bothered to plug in. We have about 60 gallons of fresh water, we have a solar water heater, refrigerator and freezer. Longest I have stayed aboard is about 2 weeks and been as comfortable as any other boat we lived aboard. Long winded answer, but it is a cool boat! We have invited and given talks at several local sailing clubs about both the electric system and the cat ketch rig. Coupla days ago we tacked down a river with a local hot J24 sailor and he really enjoyed short tacking in the channel.

Video of the event:

Well gentlemen, after a long wait, I have actually launched and taken it for a ride. Pardon the dirt, I was running out of time and some things had to slip. Beautiful day to work through the first 2 hours of break in and commission the autopilot. Only a couple of OH Shyte moments (none while underway). Right on the anniversary of my first post on this project.

Believe it or not, I'm ready to launch the boat. Well almost... I took it out in public for the first time tonight to get gas. In the morning I plan to prime the fuel system and light them off. If that goes well, on go the props and off to the ramp. I think I might be fairly close to the anniversary of getting the plans. Oops, no. It will be exactly the same date as the first time I posted about this project.

Yesterday Graham anchored out in the Neuse River at Goldsboro and this morning he set off down the river headed to New Bern. If you didn't get the newsletter about it be sure to subscribe on the B&B website (scroll all the way to the bottom). But you can read it here. https://bandbyachtdesigns.substack.com/p/he-said-hes-always-wanted-to-float Here is a link to his adventure website. https://www.sailingforparkinsons.org/ and a link to his Parkinson's Fundraiser for this adventure that directly benefits the Rock Steady Boxing Parkinsons Program. Go Fund Me Link. Below is a shot of Carlita setup for river rowing with sun awning installed above the masts which are raised up for easier access to the cabin and to provide use of the dodger. I spoke to Graham earlier today and he was just passing Seymour Johnson AFB and had multiple jets overhead as he passed the end of the runway. He noted that he was getting about a knot of current and rowing to keep centered in the river. He was also hitting bottom with the centerboard every now and then and dodging shallow spots here and there. He took along with him his micro folding dinghy which he is towing behind him so that he can scope out any difficult spots or row ashore to explore. He's got great weather. Here is a screenshot of his track from his spot tracker. https://maps.findmespot.com/s/MB2J#history/assets zoomed out

He is such an amazing person, with the one of a kind spirit that keeps him going and living life to the fullest, even with what would be restrictions that others would have given up at his age. Kudos Graham to continuing to live out new dreams. I bet some of your group in New Bern looks up to you and quite possibly your adventures gives them incentive to look on the bright side of life when they awake in the morning.

For interest here's a graph of depth of discharge vs cycles for a premium brand of AGM batteries (Lifeline). As you can see the decay in cycles doesn't really have a sharp cutoff (though a logarithmic scale) and essentially the less the discharge the better. The 50% figure of about 1000 cycles fits with regular workboat use and shelf life of the battery. Interestingly you can get 100s of cycles even with a very deep discharge so if you use it only infrequently you can get years (the lifespan) from the battery. I have seen similar graphs for cheap batteries with some showing only a few cycles after deep discharges so a lot depends on the quality of the battery. Cheers Peter HK

Hirilonde is telling you that your terminology is incorrect. Your batteries each have a capacity of providing 92 hours of electricity at a load of one amp. If you had a 92 amp load, something would melt, catch fire, or explode. I just did some research for my own benefit, which I want to share. AGM and flooded batteries should never be discharged to 50% of capacity. Going below 50% reduces the life of the battery. What is 50%? That was my question! The answer is simple— 12 volts. If your voltage dips below 12, you’re shortening their life. The numbers are completely different for an LePO4, but lithium batteries are lighter in weight. For your application, you want the weight. So, when you check those batteries this winter, and the voltage nears 12.0v, bring ‘em home to charge.

I actually have three 92 amp batteries. I'll report back next week on how they did. The batteries provide 1/2 the ballast in place of part of the water ballast.

Sorry for the delay. I had to check my facts. It is a Wabi 17, designed by Gilles Montaubin. In our cruising club, the WCTSS, we call it the Red Rocket. She is fast. The plans were hand drawn, and in French. Montaubin didn’t want to sell my friend a set of plans at first, until he learned that he was fluent in French. The writing on the plans also used some antiquated terminology (in French). In spots, Montaubin’s hand lettering was illegible enough that my friend had to call him several times (in French) for clarification. The entry at the bow specified contains a compound curve. When he quizzed Montaubin about how to do this in plywood (it is impossible). Montaubin’s answer was “you know how”. My friend finally figured it out— he needed to switch to the strip-built technique for that section. He did a fine job of blending the two. He has two rigs for her, one large and one small. This photo is the small rig. Would I ever consider building a Wabi 17? HELL NO! But she sure is pretty and fast.

A Beauty!

Apparently. If the throwable cushion isn’t sufficient, I’ll make a removable seat. I hope not to row too much, anyway. I’ve got a Suzuki 2.5, and I don’t plan on doing the EC.

Thanks for info. Yes, that kind of negates your waterproof seal a bit..

In my experience rowing boats that were not built primarily for rowing (Core Sounds e.g.) it's best to have weight forward for performance. A seat on the centerboard trunk would be good. You want to get a square transom out of the water as much as possible. A squatting transom is bad for any boat performance, but it is especially so when using muscle power.

I put a second pair of oarlocks into my CS15 such that I can sit on the forward thwart to row. I haven’t done that much, just enough to let me know it was a reasonable thing to do.

She is outstanding! Way to go!

This link to the new archive was posted on the Facebook Texas 200 today: https://archive.org/details/messingaboutinboats Well done everyone involved.

Wow! Congratulations. Crossing the finish line is a big deal. Loved the video! Take Care, Steve

Steve- I imagine you are one proud guy. Having followed your build since the beginning and seeing this work of art moving through the water makes me smile. Enjoy all the fruits of your labor! She is a show stopper. Ken

Steve-Congrats! Looking forward to hearing about the maiden voyage. Ken

Under $13.

You can track graham on his spot page here. Where is Graham? He did about 11 miles and sent in this picture of Carlita. He stopped at the cliffs and said that they really were 90 feet. From his pictures the river definitely looks a bit low and Graham mentioned that he had been scraping bottom a lot today. He’s got the centerboard up too so it’s seriously shallow in spots. He’s in a very windy section which will continue on Day 3 as he heads toward Kinston. He saw one other boat in the water near Seven Springs and asked them if they had any local knowledge on depth but the river is just plain low right now. He’s been actively dodging limbs and logs as well. His looks to be about 25% of the way there while his fundraiser is now at 58% Thanks again to you guys. Another view of the river from Graham: note the mud banks and obstacles in the water ahead. He noted that his battery was fully charged thanks to his 50W solar panel which he recently cleaned and his forecast looks great for the rest of the trip with highs in the mid 60s and lows in the mid 40s, sunny with the exception perhaps of early Monday. The satellite view shows some really interesting historical paths of the river where trees have yet to refill old paths the river once took. Huckleberry, Bucklesberry… I noticed that he would be passing a place called “Bucklesberry” tomorrow so had to look that one up. Neusenews.com Tomorrow Graham will likely make it to Kinston!

So I've progressed to placing bulkheads and small parts in the hull. There have been a few bumps. I exploded the bow of the boat with overly stiff shear supports. Supple is better. I tack welded the keel of the boat which went very well, then removed the wires. I proceeded to fillet and glass the keel. This should look like a nice straight line down the center of the hull, mine looks like river which over flows it banks along its route. It meets the requisite thickness in the center but looks like it was done by a 4 year old. I doubt the water will notice, but I will know.

Welly, well, well, well, who would have guessed I didn't make my October launch window. Turns out my wife wanted to actually do something for our 25th wedding anniversary: so demanding. Then I had to help the parents with their annual southern migration. I think I was home for just a bit more than a week during the entire month. Retargeting... Engines are all rigged. Electrical system is complete. They turn over and go up and down. Just need to fit the bow eye and fill/bleed the steering and I can take it for a ride. Here's a look at the console.

Well cats and kittens, it's been a while. Not sure anyone remembers or even cares about this build, but here it is, Nine years later... Nine years! Seems like yesterday I laid the keel. Progress ground to a halt during covid. Engines were difficult to get so I didn't see much reason to push hard. Then I picked up a project 1966 mustang that I did an 18 Month complete restoration on, a couple new rental house remodels and poof, five years have passed. After all of the nonsense it was time to focus back on the boat. Don't feel too bad for me, I have other boats to play with. Plenty of water skiing and cruising during that down time. Anyhoo, it came out of the barn this last week where it saw the sun for the first time, then the engines were fitted. There's a few more details to complete, but I'm thinking it will be in the water in October.