želva

[Timmo]

Well, she's been a long time on paper, another period as models and an equally long time as a set of moulds.

Finally she has enough planks on her for me to feel she might actually get finished and I can admit to her existence. Made an early decision that the hull will be painted in and out. Very liberating! Hoping there will be some brightwork topsides.



želva: tortoise or turtle in Czech. Pronounced more like 'shelva' I believe. Why? just like the sound of it and the turtle reference should makes some sense if the boat evolves as I intend.

Plan is to have her ready for the Thames raid. Got a lot of things that will slow down the build between now and then so not sure all the ideas I have for her will be completed, but she should make it in some form.

Tim.

[Anders]

What is it. Another sail canoe? The photo is so small that you cant really tell

[Timmo]

A fair question Anders!

Just over 5 metres long and just under 4 feet wide (I'm English, mixing imperial and metric measures is part of our national identity!) so big for a canoe.

Pointed both ends with some tumblehome midships, so like a canoe. The sheer sweeps up at bow and stern rather like a Rangeley Guide boat.

She'll be propelled by the Mirage Drive and should be stable enough to stand and paddle or pole. She's also wide enough to be rowed should that ever appear desirable. In due course there will be a mast and sail but that's not on the agenda for this year.

Areas I have yet to work out the detail of:

Making the seat movable so I can get 2 metres clear to lie down and sleep.

Fitting a kitchen area so I can safely cook aboard without setting fire to anything.

Building decks bow and stern to create shelter for storage and sleeping plus making a tent for the cockpit area.

Making those decks in such a way that they can be removed should I wish to have a big open canoe for some family occasion and/or to facilitate car topping the boat (though she'll be trailered normally.)

No idea what picture all that conjures in your mind. I have sketches but I'll keep them to myself just in case the end result is too far removed from them.

Still a lot of sitting and staring at it wondering how things will work to be done yet!

Apparently želva is also slang for "old woman with sexual undertone" which I take to mean something like 'old bag' or 'old tart'. Could be so appropriate.

Tim.

[BrianP]

She sounds a little like the Canadian Handliner Brightsides. Very nice indeed.



http://westlakeboats.ca/

Brian

[Paul H (admin)]

Tim,

At 5m by 4 feet she is going to be impressive, roomy and excellent for river expeditions. The International Racing Canoe IC10 is 5.1m by 40in and carries a 10sq m sail  but it does have an outrigger. So želva will fly along with a suitable sail.

-Paul

[Timmo]

Long time since I sailed an International 10 Square Metre sailing canoe. Actually a sliding seat rather than an outrigger. I remember as being a bit exciting and athletic to sail.

Think this will be a more sedate boat. Inland rivers and canals was the idea. Something to do some nice quiet cruises in.

I'm hoping the length of the hull will mean I still get some speed despite the width and relatively flat bottom. But we'll see.

Tim.

On 24 Feb 2012, at 13:42, adminHBBR [via UK HBBR Forum] wrote:

The International Racing Canoe IC10 is 5.1m by 40in and carries a 10sq m sail  but it does have an outrigger. 

[Timmo]

želva is off her moulds and sitting upright getting her first proper look at the world.

She should look more shapely when the gunwales go on. Ended up with less tumblehome than I'd planned, the sheer didn't entirely behave.



At this stage there seems to be more resemblance to a viking longship than to any guide boat I've seen!

Still, breast hooks, gunwales, inhales (they're scarphed on the side bench waiting for epoxy to set) and mirage drive box to do then I can think about decks and seating. See what it looks like then.

Tim

[Timmo]

Update on želva...

I keep hearing stories of paint drying and final preparations for the Thames raid.

Well I've still a way to go, and a lot of things interrupting!

Before inwhales went in...





This is how she looked just before I had to go on holiday (honest, not my idea!) with the inhales just fitted.



Still needs breast hooks, hatches finishing, rudder, paint on the outside and oil on the inside to finish the hull just so she can do the raid. Then the plan is to do decks, arms on the seat, a tent for the mid section and numerous other bits and pieces. No idea how many of those bits will be there by June the 3rd.

Tim.

[Paul H (admin)]

Timmo,

She's looking good, best of luck with progress.


I see you have plans for a tent. Some live-aboard trips on the rivers will be fun - just drop anchor where ever feels right which is appropriately disorganised for HBBR!

-Paul

[Port-Na-Storm]

She's looking very good Tim, a credit to you.
Innovative and well executed. It looks like Sunday at Lechlade should be an interesting day.

There's week to go yet, you'll get there.

[Chris Waite]

That's really a bit beautiful TimmO

And interestingly just a smidge bigger than I had pictured in my head.

Yup, it's going to be quite a collection at Lechlade if things go even fractionally according to plan....

It can be hell trying to use a jigsaw with your fingers crossed

Cee Dubbaya