New sails from Jeckells arrived last week, along with a Facnor reefing system for the jib. The sails have a beautiful tan color, which I think will match nicely with the off white or the light beige color I intend to paint the hulls. My first impression on their quality is positive, but I am certainly looking forward to zipping them up the masts and testing their performance at sea!
The reefing system looks robust and was accompanied by a detailed manual, as well as all the extra bits needed for the installation.
In the mean time the crossbeams were finished and are now waiting for the last fairing process, before being primed and painted. The reason that I haven't done this yet, is because I haven't desided if I will cover them with glass, for extra strength and maintenance, or I will just give them four coats of clear epoxy, before primming them like Wharram's plans recommend. I have read controvercial things about glassing the crossbeams, most of them concerning their loss of elasticity in contraction and expansion due to temperature changes, which eventualy leads to cracking. I think I have some more time to think about it...
Two extra oval section crossbeams are also being constructed this week. They will be lashed on the stem and stern posts, supporting a forward and a rear netting. These will contribute a lot to the usable space on decks.
Things are moving along again, but, despite my enthusiasm, I have to wait until the end of May, which marks the end of the constuction of the large traditional boat in the boatyard and the beginning of the last stage of the building of my catamaran. If I am lucky enough and the people from the yard work hard, I could foresee a launch by the end of the summer. If I am not....
The drum of the Facnor reefing system
Wings for my boat!
The crossbeams waiting for their last fairing process
