100 Hours on the Engine In Our 1st Year - Episode 315 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.ย. 2024
- Steve and Robin moved on from Gloucester and made their way to Portland, Maine. While Robin was away for a few days to lead her company’s retreat, Steve and Noah moved Arabella north for a 2-day trip to Cape Porpoise and southern Maine.
On the 2nd day of sailing, the wind was not in their favor, and they had to motor the whole way. However, it was really nice waking up to a quiet, beautiful day in Maine.
Steve and Akiva enjoyed a few days in the harbor before Robin returned, and they all decided to extend their stay in the area.
Until recently, it had been quite a task getting Victoria on deck. Now with a refined system, Steve no longer needs to worry about hurting his back. After running through the checklist-fire up the systems, check engine oil, fire up the diesel, and pull the anchor-it was time to get out of dodge.
Along the way, Steve got news that his mom had been taken to the ER, so their stop in Portland would just be an overnight trip. The plan was to head deeper into Casco Bay to a mooring in Freeport where Arabella could stay while Steve and Robin returned to western MA.
When leaving the harbor the following morning, they spotted a NOAA science vessel towing a dead humpback whale that unfortunately became tangled in fishing nets and drowned.
And to end this week’s video, Steve provided a tutorial on how to use a trucker’s hitch.
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Acorn to Arabella started as a wooden boat building project in Granby, Massachusetts. Steve began the journey as an amateur wooden boat builder crafting a 38' wooden sailboat in his backyard: designer William Atkin's Ingrid with a Stormy Petrel's gaff rig. These videos follow the journey from tree felling, to lumber milling, to lofting, to the lead keel pour and now sailing the boat-sharing details of the woodworking, carpentry, metal smithing, tool building, and tool maintenance that traditional wooden boats command. This ultimate DIY project continues beyond the boat shop, as Steve and crew travel and learn to cruise aboard the handmade wooden boat that they've built. Just kidding about all that, this channel is about a Siberian Laika named Akiva.
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Nearly 7 years ago I discovered this channel. Since that day my Friday mornings have been spent with Arabella and crew as she was created from raw materials, labor and Love. I am inspired and refreshed each time... A special shout out to Ben - your music has been of great comfort and peace for me in the midst of a chaotic time in my life... old age, illness and injuries - financial issues, and the recent death of a close family member (my 'little' brother, 64, passed last Sunday. RIP Gary you are not forgotten) ... Many heart felt thanks to all who make these videos possible. You make a welcome difference in many peoples lives.
We’re honored to be a small part in some peace making. ❤️
Same....
I found them around the time they were doing the rabbit lol. Bing caught up. but I waited until every Saturday morning to enjoy the video with my morning coffee, without work looming overhead.
I'm always continually impressed with how well Akiva has taken to sea life. What a great dog!
Make sure Steve's mom knows how much her love and support of her son on this project means to all of us.
Imagine where this project would be if she'd said "You can come home, cut down the trees, but find somewhere else to do the work"
The simple fact that she said "Yes to all" to her adult son quitting the rat race, moving home, and pursuing a (let be real, kind of crazy) years long project, her tolerating the noise, the mess, the falling trees, the meet and greets, the eyesore of a boathouse... IS a HUUUUGE part of why we all have had these videos to look forward to on Fridays over these years and she deserves all of our gratitude. She certainly has mine. The day comes for us all, but 177K people will know and care when it's her day, just because she was a good Mom who believed in her son.
I'm an atheist, my vision of heaven and hell is just a metaphor for how you are remembered. That's my heaven.
All that said, I hope she's still fighting and i wish her well.
I'm sorry to hear of your mom's continuing health struggles. I have prayed for her, and for all who love her.
Over the last seven years we have watched Steve become a lumberjack, a sawyer, a boat builder, and now a sailor. What an amazing journey and story.
The reality of coastal sailing must be that is a lot of motorsailing. Doing this myself. 😊 sorry for my bad englisk😢.Greatings from the viking coast of Norway😊
Good morning Steve- Some nautical nomenclature for you this AM. The device on your windlass that snags the chain and brings it up or lowers it is a a "gypsy" not a pawl, and the device that that locks the windlass down is a "brake", not a clutch.
…and the item that you flip down to allow the gypsy to rotate, letting the chain out, that otherwise rides on the “teeth” on the side of the gypsy IS a pawl, as are the similar but spring loaded items that make the clicky clacky sound when you’re working the windlass to raise the anchor.
😎👍🍻
I've been saying "the part that holds the chain" and "the part that stops the chain" for 26 years ;)
@@josephballerini3730 And you are 100% correct! Also, Steve called the entire device a "capstan", but it is a windlass. His windlass has a capstan on the port side which is not uncommon. When sailors start naming the lines and sheets on their blowboats, is when I get totally lost!
Humpback? Or is it a Northern Right Whale?
Just to clarify - a windlass has the driving axle horizontal and a capstan has the driving axle vertical. Both are equipped with Gypsies for hauling the anchor chain, and usually a drum or two for handling ropes
Love the grin on Akiva's face when he's being fondled. He's taken so well to boat life; except, of course, for the problem of needing those shore visits.
Considering you had no previous nautical experience what you have accomplished with Acorn To Arabella is astounding.
I haven't tuned in forever.
My 98 yo Mom asked me about the two guys building the boat in Massachusetts? How she just came out and asked me is miracle. Because some years ago we used to watch you. but we had some life changes happen and now we're stable again. So, i had to ask myself, i wondered how you came along with the project. I am very happy you have sailed and you're enjoying yourself.
Now My Mom has another channel to watch. Best wishes to you on your ventures and may Arabella carry you always safely. When you build something yourself you leave a part of you with it, mo-jo❤
Just a small techy bit.
The part the chain runs in is called a Gypsy (UK) or Wildcat (US) the Pawl is the lever at the back to stop the windlass backing out.
The 2 drums either side are called Warping Drums or Warping Heads.
Thinking of your mom.
There’s also a pawl on the levers.
“….Arabella, built by Steve.” Really. bold statement.
Hope your Mom knows that we are all pulling for her as well as for Steve and Robin.❤
Praying for your mom.
Hopping she fills better
I can't believe how hard the ocean is on a wooden boat. It looks like it's been on the water for years.
It is on any vessel that doesn't have a small army of attendants to clean it spotless every few hours (aka yachts for oligarchs).
@@aserta Ya, I understand that but just saying the expensive finishes that are supposed to be so great don't hold up.
Steve: You should rig a bridle for Victoria that allows her to hang from a single point . Then you would be able to get her on deck with just the running back stay.
Good idea, although it might be too heavy to do it that way. On the other hand he could rig up a 4:1 to need the same pulling force as the current setup.
Lots of trick to try. Bridle and single lift is easier. There maybe scope on the boom to lift with that also.
I just use the main halyard. My boat is marconi rigged though and I have a winch for that halyard.
The truckers hitch was originally developed by carter's for tyng down haystacks, as such it has been around a long time, not many sailors know about it. Similarly you are applying your experience with climbing tackle to the marine environment. Good for you, whatever works, why stick to tradition. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Wow. Akiva got his SAG card. It’s great to see him featured in the credits.
Looks to me like Akiva is having the time of his life out there, that makes my heart happy.
Also good to see you finally enjoying the boat and getting to use her for what you built her for.
40 years ago I had a NorSea 27 and did a lot of single handed sailing. To get my outboard (no electrics back then) and dingy aboard, I fitted a pad eye to the bottom of the boom and a 4 to 1 block and tackle with a snap hooks to both blocks. I'd swing the boom out over the dingy and lift it out of the water and swing it aboard. Very easy and controlled. Over time you will probably experiment and find what works best for you. I really enjoy the continuing voyage of Arabella.
Pure joy at 19:55, and then it’s heartbreak. I hope your mom fares well.
I agree, such a happy relaxed couple, especially Akiva, smiley dog for sure. What a nice video, made me feel so good.
cheers from the UK.
For the tender, a little hardware under the boom, makes for an easy lift point off the side of the boat and can swing the tender right into the storage spot. Also, use the halyard or an accessory line, to hoist the shower water above head.
I'm going to keep saying it: use restrictions on your booms when not under sail (just a line with a truckers hitch will do... save your hardware from extra wear) - slack off your topping lifts once under sail. A taught topping lift destroys the sail shape and the enhances chafe. I can't live without my (Davis) 'tiller tamer ! A $30.00 piece of gear that will free up the helmsman (and teach you tons about reducing 'tiller wiggling' and how to minor adjust your course with sail trim ;)
100 hours on the engine in your first year? That’s an incredible testament to your dedication and passion. From acorn to Arabella, your journey is a beautiful blend of craftsmanship and perseverance. Here's to many more adventures on the open sea!
And I Am Floating Village Life
💙 😁
Shakin' me 'ead - 😁
I was SO concerned with Steve & Robin bathing top side. 🤣
Like as if . . . "they're going to get the boat WET!" 🤣
Hoo Boy.
I’ve been part of your journey from the beginning and it continues to make my heart beat faster when you post. Hope your Mom is doing better Steve, and I enjoy watching your dog getting spoiled by the Lady of the boat. You are both a joy to watch.
Prayers for your Mother 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Steve, just a suggestion but I’ve always kept all instruments running when underway and made a an effort to validate charts, craft plotters, depth sounder and radar against each other. This helps you to interpret each of them accurately when needed. Waiting to use radar until you really need it can lead to a panic situation.
Climber + Sailor = success. Even seasoned sailors would look at the dingy lift as a great solution. Trouble is, climbing gear will now be available in shipwrights… just add a zero to the end of the price and move the decimal point.
4:25 Snub the boom to one side of its travel to stop the banging from side to side.
Was going to suggest the same thing - I call it "rigging a preventer" which is often done to reduce the chance of the boom swinging due to an unexpected jibe.
Praying and hoping your mom gets better
There was just enough mechanical and technical information and video to keep me well and truly interested and I just love that dog 🙂
what a good dog
Saying a prayer for your mother Steve.🙏
Prayers for your Mom Steve.
12:47 DANGER. Never , never wrap a line around your hand on a boat. Break your self of the habit. This is how people get mangled and lose fingers. When things go bad on boats they bad faster than you can react. Your hand can be crushed by the line and pulled into the block in a blink.If you can’t pull a line without the extra grip , rig something else.
The tach taking a few seconds when inputting electrcal pulses into the tach is normal. External regulators usually have a short delay before energizing the alternator after starting the motor which will make the tach delay more noticeable
Soooooo, the drum with the walls and notches for the chain is the GYPSY, the lever you flipped forward that acts as a ratchet is the PAWL...........
Quick tip - try setting mizzen or jib when motoring in that slop. It will help buffer the boats motion
Nice days on water! More importantly, I hope your trip back down to Massachusetts goes well, and your mom feels better.
About the trucker's hitch: if you put one more twist into the slip-knot (so it looks like figure of eight), it will still hold the same but will be much easier to undo when you're done.
The more the twists the easier it is to undo from a heavily loaded line ;)
on my boat the tach signal is fed from the alternator, when you first start you have to blip the throttle up to get the alternator rotating and generating power, so the tach doesnt register until the alternator has cut in, usually you just need a burst of throttle to get them working- quite common in boats as they dont always auto excite the alternator like cars do. seen this behaviour on a lot of boats, not a concern, just blip the throttle up.
That is some of the most beautiful scenery we have in America. I lived in Vt as a very young kid but have some small memories, mainly of the snow and cold but then, fishing from spring to fall. Left there for Va, but took a couple fishing trips with dad and granddad where we camped by the lakes in a makeshift box truck/camper, complete with mosquito screens. We visited the coast of Maine and it was breathtaking, even though I was only 10 or so at the time.
Really surprised at the lack of sailing winds but those were some big rolling open waters there in a couple scenes.
Super sad for the whale-We really suck at some things on this planet. That should never happen.
And best wishes for mom and hugs for Kiva
Looking forward to seeing you at the original Gloucester.
Gotta say. I envy Robin's definition round her upper arms and shoulders.
Thank you for all the hard work in making these excellent videos.
May seem odd, but I worry about that Dipstick that Steve used on the Diesel tank.
Doing it that way is banned on UK Inland Waterways, under the Boat Safety Scheme, because eventually you will wear a hole in the bottom of the tank. A wooden stick with a crossbar that holds the end of the stick clear of the bottom of the tank is what is specified. Ideally graduated.
That's quite a heavy metal 'stick', eventually it will wear it's way through if it keeps banging the bottom of the tank like that.
We will see, in one hundred years.
Congrats on 100 hours! Here's to many more.
watched from the start have every watched salt an tar built there own bout like you best of luck to you and all who sail in her james ENGLAD X
Maine welcomes you! Good morning, 'bella fam. Happy Friday! ☕ Happy Father's Day to all the dads!
Hope you mom’s ok Steve, safe travels.
6:20 The look of a very happy and relaxed pup 👍🏻
Happy Friday and A2A day everybody from Plymouth UK
Congrats on 1 year!! Well done.
Steve, that wheel with the "pawls" (the teeth that grab the chain) is called a Gypsy.
Bringing up the anchor with levers might get old one day (you're young now but just wait). If you ever install an electric winch on deck you can run a friction line around it to the capstan to help weigh the anchor. Arabella is lookin' good. Be safe.
What a relaxing video. Nice vibes.
Best wishes and our prayers for your mother.
The music has a kind of Grateful Dead groove to it. I'm liking it a lot.
It looks like you need to set the mainboom up as a derrick arm. Then you could lift Victoria straight to her spot.
Great vid once again ! I was bummed about the whale. We had one here in Swampscott MA. Wah up it was towed out 50nm and re-washed ashore shortly after 100 yrds from its 1'st beaching, so the town buried it. Last season (a cpl days after I saw you guys in Biddeford) on my way west/home... about 2/3'rds of the way from I.O.S - Thatcher isle I saw a huge boil off my windward, port bow. To big to be a seal. The boil was as I guessed by a calf whale. Momma humpback then surface, blew nasal spray over the boat and as she dove again I thought her tails flukes where going to hit the windward side of the my boat. They were that close. I hope that wasn't my brief encounter friend :(
There will come a time when the wind is right, your course aligns with it, and Arabella will put a bone in her teeth and show you what she can do.
If it helps, it's better to know you're losing a loved one, than to be surprised. I've lost both of my parents. The two worst days of a 57 year old man. The other problems, no dogs allowed and a drowned whale, isn't a problem the dogs or whales have. It's a problem PEOPLE have!! And yet they are the ones that pay the price. Sometimes with their lives. Sadly. My heart felt thoughts and prayers to anyone out there who's losing a loved one. Stay safe out there. Great video, Ben. Very well done!! 💯💯❤️
Good morning Akiva 🐺 and Crew 😸😺
Ben, beautiful music to the end sequence!
best to your mom
Two Maine cruising " questions- 1) what's your fuel burn hourly when under power only (I find I do a fair bit of motorsailing , which is of course a lot lower)- 1-2 L /hr? 2) What's your process for dealing with mosquitoes in the evening? I've been devoured at anchor up there often enough that I evolved an elaborate "MDS" (mosquito defense system). as it was sorely needed.
I want to see "Akiva - the token Salty Dog" in the credits someday! :)
And best wishes for Steve's mom.
My prayers are with your mom!!!
Sailing upwind really isn't that bad and on open waters you only have to tack once or twice. The boat becomes stable from the pressure on the sails so it's also a lot more comfotable than bouncing up and down the waves head on.
And Happy Friday from rainy Normandy, Fr.
Much love sent your way.
That light on your boat needs to be mounted on the transom, or at night when you need it will kill your night vision.
Whatever bridle, or any other system you rig up for hoisting the dinghy on deck, will be time well spent... if you ever need it for a MOB situation, you won't have to think twice about how to do it.
Life aboard a sailboat, you are my Friday morning sail fix hope things for your mom improve .
I like Steve little tutorials for sea life! And Ben: great j-cut at 18:00
Happy Friday everyone, please don't forget to like and subscribe it costs nothing, only takes a second, and it makes the world just that little bit better .....
On the big ships, they say that it’s the weight of the anchor chain and not the anchor that primarily holds the ship in place.
I'll be in portland next week. I hope I get a chance to see that beauty in harbor. ❤ watch out for those lobster traps.
Steak is the best meal !! Congrats on the year it went by so fast !!
Another interesting and informative episode including trucker's hitch! I noticed it seemed you were picking up Akiva around 6 minutes or so... did you drop him off and return or was that just the film maker in you? Also, curious if the whole zinc anode issue was thought to be resolved now? I know you spent a lot of time researching it. It was great to see Arabella in the water and check out Victoria up close in Freeport, thanks for letting us know her whereabouts. Hoping your Mom is doing a bit better now since you have continued to move north. Abby & I continue to pray for her strength, the skills of the medical team and comfort for you, her and family.
Thank you
Ok now, it's been a year on the water, how many times have you fallen in the water? Has Akiva misstepped and gone into the drink? Prayers continue for your mom and family.
Lots-o-tacking means lots-o-practice! Working out your kinks. Makes it second-nature.
Thank you for showing the Nemo Helio portable pressure shower. I must get one of these.
An absolutely amazing episode, you all! ❤❤❤
Wait until he figures out he can use his halyard and a winch, with a bridle as someone else mentioned.
Also, make your trucker's hitch with a figure 8 so it will come apart easier.
I think your climbing experience is invaluable when it comes to tying knots on a sailboat with materials you are familiar with. Have you thought about how you will retrieve the rowboat when its rough weather ? (lets say a storm is moving in faster than you anticipated).
This manual anchor hoist is soo nice and beautiful! Edit: piece of engineering!
13:55 I beg to differ learning its weaknesses when you can see will help you tune when you can't. I was amazed to not see a larger fiberglass boat with an inboard below waterline and see a small boat with an outboard, all a mater of tuning
Thoughts and prayers for your mom.
Alternator: You might want to take a warm day and dive down to see your zincs that were going fast last year. I bet you fixed it now.
You can see the anode pretty easily from the tender or a dock in Arabella’s case, and so far things are looking 👍
Good Morning from Sandwich, MA
Love it so much keep it up as always 💘
Just a clarification. The bit of metal on your windlass that you rotated onto the gear on the windlass before raising the anchor is a pawl. The pockets sized for the chain links on the gypsy (or wildcat) are not pawls.
Sorry to hear your mother isn't doing well.
Fixed my mood
11:22 it is bad practice to lock your “micro” thingy until everything is rigged and you start to pull. In this video it is very calm. If however any sea is running ,having that thing locked will slam hard as the water falls away, making the tender unstable. It would be better to let it run freely until the actual lift. Also as others have said rig a lifting bridle for a one point pick.
Don't be afraid of liking a great steak
Counting down till you get an automated anchor winch: 3, 2, 1...
❤️❤️❤️
🙏
A snatch block to snap into that truckers hitch...