Rob Blackburn

the name.... this is a contentious issue.. I was lobbying for "Wildcat"... Cat as in cat ketch, Wild after Frank Wild.. Ernest Shackletons stalwart expedition comrade in the Southern Ocean. But... my daughters Alex and Catherine want..."Allecat" or some such derivation.. and they are using this name already so am a bit boxed in on this one. We called our dog Hagrid so odd names run in the family I guess.

http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/PhotoAlbum45.html Some more shots... The undercoat is underway and the final bit of wood work the coaming has been steamed and fitted. I think we are up to 300 hours about now... Went and bought all the blocks etc the other day and are fitting them on the weekend. Getting exciting. Picked up the sails and they look really good. I just got plain white and a couple of big long bags so as to leave them on the masts when not sailing. The sailmakers scratched their heads a bit but in the end were quite happy with the whole idea. They are normally at the other end of the market, fully battened Mylar for cats. Hopefully launching next Sunday but I have this feeling that it won't happen until the week after. Never mind. Cheers Rob

Hello Guys, the deck is on and looking good. Still feel uncomfortable walking around on it but Eric has put the 95kg test load all over it. Looks great. Very happy with the size of everything. In comparsion with my Norwalk Island Sharpie 26 this has a much better feel about it. It just feels right size and width wize. Put my masts together for the first time the other day and got a shock as to the length. Should fly. http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/PhotoAlbum44.html The kids have named it "Alecat" (alleycat) as there is Alex and Catherine and it is a cat rig.... I was hoping for Wildcat but .... I normally stay away from names like that as it is not one thing or the other in some ways but if they are happy then I am... Have a quirky video if you want to download the 1meg file.... Might amuse some of you. http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/filechute/hatch.zip Cheers Rob

I found this old English boat magazine in the study the other night and thought you guys might find the article interesting. It shows the Gary Hoyt cat ketch at full stretch and it really is a pretty picture. http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/filechute/CAT-KETCH.zip This is scanned in in pdf format so should open on any machine. I have uploaded it to our .Mac website so it should download and save to your desktop. Rob Blackburn.

Things are bubbling along still. Eric has had a few distractions of late, car crash (all ok) moving house etc... But it is looking good. Have included a couple of mpeg files off my video camera just for the heck of it. http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/filechute/CS20-VIDEOS.zip Clicking on this should download them for you. Getting down to the important stuff... what colours. Looking at a combination of white hull, grey and light grey interior deck to contrast the clear timber finishes. http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/PhotoAlbum43.html The fibre glass drains for the seat hatch covers seem to have taken longer than we thought. It has worked out well being slightly flexible on the edges. We thought that would be good in that they could flex a bit if bumped rather than keep on laminating them until they became rigid and then may just snap off. Talk to you all later... Rob Blackburn.

Well all the wood is now cut in theory... It has to be epoxied and glued. Sounds easy but the large part is done. http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/PhotoAlbum42.html I have put up a photo of the plastic fittings I had made. I am really happy with them, they are excellent but the cost has me awake at night. I wish I hadn't done them now for that reason. I went to see the sail maker yesterday and am going to follow the plan to the letter. He suggested using a Tectyl Aluminium treatment instead of anodising the mast. I think I will do it as there is a $250 saving here. He recommended sanding back the aluminium tubes to tidy the surface and then a couple of coats of this stuff. The finish on a piece at the shed was really good. So shall try a little bit on an old bit and see first. Cheers.... Rob[/img]

What has everyone done to stop the mizzen mast from popping up out of it's cup-like mast holder? I guess the options are... 1. lots of downhall 2.a hole drilled through mast under thwart with a pin in it? I have had my laser lose it's mast twice now. I am a slow learner... It has happened running downwind with no downhaul tension and the death rolls set in. Not that I am planning on capsizing the boat but... you never know. Rob (on behalf of Eric)

After a few weeks of no news... http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/PhotoAlbum40.html Have faired the hull after putting on the dynel. This has come up really well. There was a couple of slight flat spots, one at the bulkhead, but really very small and another one on one of the scarfs. But all look fine now. Have been umming and arring over the coaming. Think we will have about 10mm along the sides and then increase to about 30mm at the front of the cockpit. Have added a lot more under deck timber than the plans suggest as I can see you sitting up there and cruising along... Also fitted up the hardwood caps etc on the centreboard case. This is going to look terrific. I must admit to one disappointment though. My mate who sells the aluminium mast tubes suggested I get the cuffs and collars machined from nylon instead of making them from epoxy as per the plan. Not getting a quote up front except for the remark, " that should be easy" it cost me about as much as the masts.... My thinking was that it would be a nicer fit and that I would not damage the anodising by scratching it when I was sanding back the epoxy. What would have saved all this was wrapping the mast with tape near the epoxy bandage... and then the sanding couldn't damage it. Like I said. Boat building is not my day job. Expensive mistake and I guess once again the plans tell the story. Planning a small rope locker in the bow to drain into the same hole as the mast tube. Can't see an anchor fitting in there so shall just have to clip it on and off I think. So other than that all is going well. Sitting in the boat with my daughter it is hard not to get excited. It looks the perfect size for what we want. Until next time. Cheers guys Rob Blackburn

Boat has gone over and seams taped and faired. Having trouble getting the epoxy to go off as it is cool and wet here at present. It is going off, just slow. The hull is beautifully fair though. One slight depression near the front bulkhead. Eric jumped up on it and wandered around showing how stiff it was yesterday. Was a bit unnerving but it looked fine. Trailer arrived yesterday and looks fine except there is no tilt and I thought I was getting tilt.. but it looks ok as it is so long it should be fine. The spare is mounted too low and scrapes on speed bumps and driveway. Don't they check this stuff? Shall move it to winch post. Going to dynel and epoxy the hull on Tuesday we think. So until then, signing off. Rob http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/PhotoAlbum39.html

I am really in 2 minds. I guess it really will be resolved once I get the boat in the water. I guess I have never used an outboard that small either. My last one was 25hp and that is way too big. Shall try and borrow something after launching. Turned the boat over on Friday. Keel and centreboard nearly all finished this afternoon. Rob

I had a look at a Honda 2hp and it looked a lot bulkier than the 3.5 2 stroke mercury. It is a hard one. I am inclined to think the 5hp but you would not take it every where you went. Day down the river with a bit of breeze, not needed but if you head off somewhere eg out the bar into the ocean then you probably should. I just have this vision of 20 knots, masts up with sails rolled up causing windage and me trying to get up the river against the tide. Sounds more like the 5hp all the time I reckon. I hope to borrow one of each after launch to try first if possible. Rob

Not much done since last week for a variety of reasons but in a way I am happy about that as when it is finished...I will not have something to go and see. (follow that logic if you can) But, centreboard pilot hole drilled and board trimmed. That caused a bit of thought but seems to be fine now. Have been looking at outboards and the Mercury/Mariner 5hp looks pretty good to me as a compromise. What has everyone else done? The 3.5hp looks too small but it would be my first choice due to light weight etc. I just feel the day you need a motor is the day you need one but the 6hp look too big and heavy. I am keen to hear others experiences. Rob http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/PhotoAlbum38.html

Eric is back in business after the hospital let him out. So have put some more shots up today. http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/PhotoAlbum37.html He is a bit perplexed as the centreboard is 25mm too wide ie across, to fit the case which is per the plans. Has measured everything so the best we can think of is that we will have a higher aspect ratio and less induced drag from the board. I am sure it will make no difference. Back locker looks good. I think it has been worthwhile. Going to put a rope locker in the bow on the starboard side with a drain to the mast base drain too. Think will leave the anchor on a bow fitting and just keep line/chain in the locker. Bought a stock standard trailer in the end and shall lengthen the draw bar to make the whole thing go together. The back of the trailer will be under the rear bulkhead exactly so quite chuffed by that. More news as it comes to hand. Rob ps that Ketchup sets the bar high for quality of finishes doesn't it? I thought the sails looked well cut too.

I had one of those Norwalk Island Sharpies .. a 26 footer and spent a lot of mental energy etc in mast raising. I would be happy to describe the process in detail if someone wants. It would work well on a core sound as you used a mizzen down through the cabin hatch with a set of "parrell" or wooden beads on a lasoo. This then acted as a gantry to steady the main mast as you and two of your biggest mates helped lift the mast up and into the mast tube. Bloody hard work. It revolved around making sure the mizzen could not move... In my case had to remove the toilet, instal a custom piece of wood, lash the base etc.. Very drawn out and if it was windy more so. The trouble with the core sound is that the mizzen is similar to the main, but there is nothing stopping you having a 3rd 'mast' to use as this lifting crane. You would leave it on the bank. Rob

Send more photos.... Ketchup looks SENSATIONAL.. Rob

I hate to give other guys advice as it is pretty much forbidden in my circle of friends. You take advice but never give it.... But for what it is worth I had a 26 foot Norwalk Island Sharpie by Bruce Kirby when my kids were 2 and 5. Lot of fun but the thing was just too big... Wife up at the car putting the kids in order, me battling with 26 foot of boat in the wind all alone. Coming into the dock, kids crying mum trying to be deckie and child welfare nurse. Stressful crash and arrival... Also 26 footers are BIG things to tow. I would recommend you try that angle alone before you did too much. We are having a CS20 built and it looks like the size of boat I will use where as the 26 was so much bigger, even getting in over the sides was a challenge for mum hoisting up little kids etc. But we all go to hell in our own way but the advice earlier that the smaller the boat the more it is used is soooooo true. (Make sure you get something though you will go mad if you don't) Rob

Have put a few more piccies up for you guys.. Poor old Eric the builder has had his gall bladder out this week so progress has slowed somewhat as you would imagine. He assures me that he will soon be back drinking beer and building. Still, it looks good. The photos could be better though, my digital camera is part of my video and has no flash so it is tricked by the light/shadow effect. Rob Blackburn http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/Menu34.html

Oops. I did not make myself too clear on rereading this post. sigh. I am definitely going to use the sprits. It seems too simple. I have reread all this and think as I sort of suggested I will just do the simplest thing and follow the plans and if I need to make things more complicated I will. I guess the thing that diagram suggested to me was that I could have the luff pocket, the tapered mast, the sprits and a simple form of reefing by either not having the luff pocket up to the reef or having a zipper/velcro luff at that point.... You would not want the full battens obviously as you could not roll the sail up around the mast but that is why I wondered about the leach batterns. If you have them much like my laser then you can't really wrap it around without taking them out. We just came back from ghosting around our river/sailing club this afternoon and when I thought about it most if not 95% of our days are lighter rather than heavier so reefing is likely to be rare really. I am sorry if I implied I was ignoring Grahams advice, just wasting time at work and downloading stuff more the problem. I had a Norwalk Island Sharpie 26 with a cat ketch with booms, one manageable and one enormous. The sprits have to be an improvement. Cheers and thanks Rob

I am now pondering sails..... I have read all the posts on the subject and spoken to Graham.... but then I found this picture on the web. I admit it has a boom but that is not a big problem I don't reckon. It shows a luff pocket sail with a horizontal reef. I was thinking I might do the mizzen in this configuration and leave the main as per the plans. This would then give you another out for when the southerly buster hits you out of a clear blue sky. I just can't imagine myself being able to manhandle the mast out on the water if it gets nasty. You would have to have a halyard arrangement though which gets away from the simplicity inherent in the design. Otherwise just go with the Gordy rotating rig reefer... and use that for those blowy days. But overriding this are Grahams comments are that he just feathers.... So maybe I am over intellectualising this as they say. I have noticed though that on some of the photos of the CS 20 there are a couple of leech (leach?) battens. Should I go with them or not? Rob Blackburn [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

Hello all, bit more done this week, lot of filleting/coving and taping. Extra timber pieces put in place under seat tops. Deck beams being laminated which look good. Centreboard starting tomorrow. Am wondering whether to put a little bit of lead in the board to let it drop and stay down, not as ballast but just to give the board negative bouancy.??? Have ordered the mast tubing. Going for alumin 80mm, 60mm and 50mm. Could not get the same as the plan but having 2mm walls instead to reduce any risks. Rang a anodiser firm and they recommend 25micron coating on boat gear so shall ponder that. It is another $200 Aus but feel that if I don't do it and go with the luff tube style of sail like my laser then shall get alumin oxide stains on sail over time as it corrodes/oxidises..??? Otherwise it is external powder coating but would probably cost $100 so why sweat I guess. Must go to bed... Rob Blackburn.. http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/Menu34.html

Tim, I think it will be good. The thing about the boat that I like so far is it is a big boat really, but still accessible ie the kids can get over the side when on the beach and I reckon that the rear locker will be good for lounging, fishing etc. The deck/coaming ... we are going to run it parrallel to the hull all along after it starts at the front. We are also putting extra timber in under it as I am fearful of bending things with a bit of weight on them. Greg asked what Jarrah is... it is a West Australian hardwood that is quite red/brown in colour and fabled for strength. http://www.jarrahclocks.com/about_jarrah.htm Gives a good yarn on the subject. Rob

Hello all, this week has been a good one for progress. The seats are cut to size, lots of work done on stern area. Soon to roll over. The trailer guy came on Friday and has started thinking how much to charge me too. We decided to split the difference in the stern and have gone halfway up with the rear seat. It is looking good as Eric has cut ply to chamfer/angle the edges. I reckon it will be great. Gives a good spot to roost and look forward and allows more storage under the seat. Comments/criticisms welcome.... Rob http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/PhotoAlbum32.html ps. I buggered up the website the other day with the original photos. I was trying to free up space on my idisc and sort of deleted the lot. Never mind. Shall put a summary up soon.

mmmmmm...... well it is hard to admit to a big stern but. Yes, I think it will be an advantage to have it wider. I am not sure of the rear half lazarette effect. I can see myself hunched squinting into the blinding sun in summer with the wind from the stern... (a bit poetic!) but seriously... Or even like Shackleton taking his turn on the helm in the Southern Ocean.. (I reckon I have lost touch here) I always find myself perched on the gunwhale and I think that you might as well accept that and build accordingly. It is all fun and whimsy at the end of the day. Cheers Rob

Easter has got in the way this week. Have put a few shots on page to show next steps. Curving the line of the seats in the cockpit to follow the chine at the back to give back a bit of seat room at the expense of foot room. Also toying with the idea of having the rear seat half way ie 100mm higher than the line of the cockpit seats to give more storage. We felt we probably would not sit back there unless it was very light conditions so should work fine. Planning to chamfer the transition from the seat to the higher level to make it look less odd. Boat a lot more rigid now and after the seat verticals going in we are going to tip it over to sand, tape and put on the keel. Got the mast sorted out. We can't get quite that grade of aluminium but it apparently hardens itself from the T5 we get to the T6 in the specs over time. God knows how or why but that is what was told. Rob http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/BOAT_PHOTOS/Menu27.html

Thanks for the bit on the different aluminiums. I am inclined to go along with the theory that a little more wall thickness down low should help. I had one of those phone calls.... you all know the one. I am a pharmacist and the guy at "Aluminium Specialities" is an authority on aluminium.. Well around and around we went with me not having the right question and him only wanting to answer in monosylable grunts. But in the end I went down to a mate's shed who is a welder and he showed me different diam/wall tube and in big lengths to give a feel for what the tube will do. I came away thinking that if I got a stiffer mast, then what is wrong with that? Carbon fibre did cross my mind as a friends brother has made a racing cat with his own designed/built carbon mast/beams but have not made any serious enquiry on this. It was Scotty the welders suggestion to do the teflon rings/cuffs. It made me wonder whether you could put an aluminium mast tube in the bow instead of glass and use the teflon cuffs on the bottom of the main mast. But then not sure how you could fix the alum to the wood and keep it fixed. I read alumin does not bond with epoxy. Could build in and use sikaflex around the top but then would prob look messy. Shall have to keep thinking on that one. With the flotation we are going with the 1litre equals 1kg of flotation theory and waiting until we get the seats in roughly to see how much to allow for air space. Shall put some in aft corners and some abeam the centreboard. Think we will go with air only with bigger 10" inspection ports. Went to the Byron Blues and Roots festival last night till midnight and saw a heap of US acts, Marva Wrigtht, Eric Sardinas etc... Fantastic. Cheers for now. Rob