Antony Harvey

It was a beautiful frosty morning with thin ice in the cockpit, but when the Princess 22 "Cirrus" is finished, it just has to be launched despite the season. It had warmed up a bit by the time I got to the lake and caught up with my mate so we rigged it and prepared for the plunge. Unfortunately Lake Eucumbene (which is really a very large dam that provides water for irrigation and hydro and part of the Snowy Scheme) was so low and the ramp so flat that I had the exhaust pipe under and bubbling with the hull still high and dry. We waded further out (it was freezing!) but it was just too flat and shallow. So we had to give up, unrig and drive home. (And now I can't even get hold of the little yellow crying face icon). The "ramp" is really the main street of the old town that was drowned as the dam filled and has now re appeared. The proper ramp is now miles from the water. So, I will have to drive to the coast (about 3 1/2 hours but it is well worth it). When I started building the lake was at the optimum level. It was huge! 25 km long and very much bigger than Sydney Harbour. This is all the result of the worst drought in our recorded history. Makes you see the reality of global warming. Cheers, Antony

Thanks for the comments - I feel better already. I can't comment on the speed as the boat has not been launched due to a delay with the trailer. Can't wait - very frustrating. Antony

I was persuaded to buy an 8 hp motor not the 6 hp I noticed on the B&B photos, mainly because it was the same weight and not much more expensive. The extra grunt would be welcome in a stiff head wind. It is a Tohatsu, and well regarded here. What I didn't check was the size. It is a lousy 15 mm too long so I had to rout out the clamping beam and reinforce it with glass and epoxy. All is OK now and with the motor in the up position it just fits under the tiller. Anything bigger would be hopelessly oversize. I hope this may fore warn the next P22 person, cheers, Antony Harvey

Hi Garry, I am using a nice streamlined looking track that is screwed on with silicone adhesive that is suitable for luff slugs for my P22, see attached. I am not sure about the attachment, but it is an aluminium extrusion by Spunspar and it comes in 2 sizes for 9 mm and 12 mm diam. slugs. There may be something similar in the US. [attachment=1] regards, Antony

Hi Norm - It is an adventure all right. I noticed your protective mask etc. and remembered how I was ticked off by a business associate who supplies epoxy products for the building industry, for being slack with handling epoxy. He said very few amateurs like us appreciate the health danger because it does not smell all that bad. In fact you can develop a severe reaction without warning. He knows of workers who have had to re-train and leave the industry for good. The boat looks terrific and it is such a good feeling to know that it will soon be the real thing. regards - Antony

Strength of the tabernacle: I know it is a case of "belt and braces" but I made the tabernacles out of Spotted Gum. It has a strength grade of F27 ++ (it goes off the dial) and as a comparison, Douglas Fir is rated F11. The performance of PILGRIM is very reassuring. Thank you all for your replies, it is nice to know there are so many of us out there. Regards Antony

At last some progress. I made some changes to the foredeck for an external anchor well. The diaphram action of the mast / tabernackle is taken by both the remaining foredeck and the floor of the well. I also took the option of the open #2 bulkhead to get internal access to the space under the bridge deck. While I was at it I made a sliding cupboard that gives access to the rest of the galley.

OK Graham, here they are:

Congrat's - It sounds like a great race. As I don't know anything about it could you tell me something about the opposition? Why I ask is because all the old sailors I talk to dismiss anything that is not sloop rigged saying "it won't point". So, how does a cat-ketch point? Best regards, Antony (half way through a P22 to be called Cirrus)

We live 20 km out of Adaminaby which is in the Snowy Mountains south of Canberra. It is quite isolated - we have a 600 acre wildlife refuge but work from a home office. The local water is Lake Eucumbene and it is cctually larger than Sydney Harbour. Otherwise it is a 2 - 3 hour drive to the coast.

The first rotation was done in the shed by 4 strong men and 2 strong women. The next time I will rig up chain blocks and the rope loops I saw somewhere in the B&B photos. The glass sheathing is now on - I will send a photo when more epoxy, sanding, fairing and even more epoxy is done.

Looks terrific - a candle rubbed on my new rudder did wonders.

I think only one went. Can't see them anywhere. Preview shows 3 so that will have to do. The hull gets a tarp for protection when not being worked on. The closed part of the shed has a 1 foot high ply barrier to keep snakes out. I anticipated grinding a lot of ply back at the bow so I put more glass and epoxy on the inside. The picture of the gutters for the cockpit lockers shows how much grass you get in a drought.

Can someone help this computer dummy get the picture files out of my folder and into this forum message?