NEWSLETTER CLIPPINGS

September 2005, Volume 11, Number 4

Lois and Jack Bearden’s Micro is launched for the Wooden Boat Festival and a three week sail along the shore.
See the next issue for the full story (Jack doesn’t know yet he is writing it, shhhhhh) Photo: Ryerson Clark


Mahone Bay Wooden Boat Festival, 2005
By Ryerson Clark


This years festival was a good one for SWBANS members. The festival itself was certainly down in visitor numbers and events for boaters. Several members held talks on various boat related subjects for the public. At least three members had their larger boats on moorings and many small craft were trailered to the festival.

Of course, for most members the Festival ment "Small Craft Races" and this year saw a good turnout in Open class and Windsprint class. The Light Schooners unfortunately didn't sail this year. The course was much the same as past years, the wind was mostly light with a few gusty races.

There was a new event added this year, the ‘STAN CAN" Race. This one was a test of stratigy and skill in boat handling. The object of the race was to find five floating "beer cases" and one on the beach. You could do it in any order but you had to pick from each case the same beer brand that was handed to you by the race director as you set sail. You had to finish with all seven cans (six on the water and your starter can) and finish fastest to place.This was the first year for the Stan Can so as expected, things didn't go quite as smoothly as you would like. First problem was gusty conditions which caused some boats to "hit" the floating beer barrels and knock the cans loose on the bay. This only happened at two stations (I think) and all boaters (and the safety boat) pitched in to help sort the cans out or put them back.

First boat to finish was SPAM crewed by A.D. Tinkham and Rebecca . They unfortunately were disqualified when it was discovered that one of their cans was the wrong brand! Easy to do as many were similar in colour. Now don't feel too sorry for them because they did well overal as you will see. Second boat, that became first was Loon raced by Annie and myself. So the first Stan Can event was won by Loon, second was Fluke with Don and Aubrey Ives.

Loon wins the Stan Can Race.
photo: Peter Shortt

In the regular ‘round the bouys races we had a field of six Windsprints and two Open Class boats with the odd boat joining in for a race or two.SWBANS donated prizes and ribbons to all placing boats. The Mug and Anchor Pub gave the beer for the Stan Can Race as well as a gift certificate valued at $25.00 for each boat that raced. A.D Tinkham, racer and artist will paint a water colour of the first place boat in Open Class and the second place boat in the Windsprint class, the reason for the second place painting will become clear soon, read on.
Our first place awards were in the form of plaques showing a line drawing of the Windsprint and for the Open Class, a line drawing of Michael Mason's design, the "Swabbie" which is our "Flagship design" yet to be built. Thanks to Michael Mason and the Lunenburg County Marine Services Alliance. (http://www.marineservices.ns.ca )Our first place Windsprint was Spam (foreground) crewed by A.D. Tinkham and Rebeca Bennett.


Photo: Peter Shortt
The yellow windsurfer rigged lifeboat was our second place finisher in the Open Class built and crewed by Robert Fraser. The green windsprint beyond that is Dragonfly crewed by Ken Lamb and Katherine Sharpe. The bit of blue windsprint is Howard Ray in Blue Magic and the red sail reflected in the water must be Loon.

Our second place crew in the Windsprint class are Ken Lamb and Katherine Sharpe, shown here with their SWBANS silver ribbons and award. Ken and Katherine were the winning crew the past two years are are tough to beat. They sail the beautifully finished Dragonfly.

 

 

Photo: Ryerson Clark

Third place windsprint was Nomad owned by Kevin West, but due to an arm injury, sailed by Thierry Msika and Jan Dietze. Also crewing was his son Joshua.

 

 

Photo: Ryerson Clark

First place in the Open Class went to Alex Chisholm and Wendy Laforce aboard Raptor.

 

 

 

Photo: Ulli Hoeger

 


Photo: Alex Chisholm

Jack Bearden boards his new rowboat, a Bolger adaptation of an Auray Punt.

 


Photo: Peter Shortt
A.D. Tinkham and Rebeca Bennett


Photo: Ryerson Clark

Nomad’s owner and crew receive their awards.
Joshua, Kevin and Thierry


Two photographs of Michael Mason on one page, can you handle it? Shown here giving first place awards to (left photo) Rebecca Bennett and A.D. Tinkham and (right photo) Alex Chisholm.
Photos: Ryerson Clark
Jack and Lois bring their Bolger Micro Teah McGee up to the dock. Already tied there is Alex's tacking proa, Raptor. Meanwhile Loon gets a repair to the daggerboard case. Alex holds the mast while Ryerson works.

The SWBANS Party
Hosted by SWBANS and Howard and Donna Ray

Once again the Rays kindly exposed their lovely Stonehurst property to the piratical likes of SWBANS members and guests. A hugh "thank you" goes out to them. Here are a few pictures of the event, enjoy.

Launching of the Raptor
Raptor, a south seas tacking proa (for want of a better discription) was built early this summer by Alex
Chisholm. Pictured here (without the finished netting on the outriggers) is the launch at Mahone Bay with
Alex and friends watching as Annie does the honours. Alex will discribe the building and sailing elsewhere in this issue.

SMALL WOODEN BOAT ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING JULY 30 2005-MAHONE BAY


Some twenty nine Members were in attendance.

Election of Officers:
No elections were required this year.

Review of Agenda
No additional items were added to the Agenda

Minutes of the 2004 AGM
Minutes of the last AGM were circulated with financial statements. The minutes were approved

Membership Report
There were 38 active members during 2004. This is down from a high of 72 in previous years. The shift to electronic media for the newsletter allows us to continue with a smaller number of members,

Newsletter Report
The Newsletter has been successfully published electronically. Only a few individuals are unable to access broadband. Arrangements will be made to re-package the content in smaller bytes to allow faster transmission to those poor souls.
A CD of the previous year's newsletter will be mailed to all members in good standing.

A new corporate member has signed on with an offer of 10% discount to members. Welcome to Stem to Stern Boatworks, Rick Jollymore and Mike MacDougall.
Lunenburg County Marine continues its support (thanks Michael)

Financial Report
Association fees to Registry of Joint Stock are up to date. Balance Sheet presented to members and accepted. As of July 30, 2005 SWBANS had $606.23 in the bank. This included the costs of this year's AGM. Financial were proposed and voted by members. (Howard Ray moved and Mike Mason seconded)
A contribution of $150 towards the AGM Blue Rock Event was proposed and accepted by members. (Alex Chisholm moved , seconded Olga Massicotte)

Discussion was held as to what to do with the money which may accumulate in the account. Members were asked to think about it and come back with suggestion for a vote at the next AGM.

Treasurer is please to report the new starts with $1130.63 in the bank after all AGM expenses and new members signed on.

Meetings
List of events will be posted on the site and members advised of upcoming interesting activities. It would appear that many social activities will take place throughout the winter.
Possible Events:
• July AGM Blue Rock Event
• September Paddle Eastern Shore (Robert Fraser
• October Paddle Scott River (Larry Shaw)
• January1 Wacky Marathon Racing Association (Hfx Harbour)
• January Pot Luck (Ken and Catherine)
• February Museum of the Atlantic (Anne & Ryerson)
• February Ski North Mountain (Joée and Gerry)
The Mug & Anchor was thanked for allowing the AGM to happen on site.

 

The Boat Shed


Stem to Stern Boat Works is proud to announce plans to start construction of the SWABBIE (This boat has been designed by Michael Mason with input from SWBANS members)!
With Michael's aid and plans, construction should begin Novemeber of this year. The progress of the construction can be tracked on our websight: www.stemtostern.ca which should be updated monthly.
Currently we have completed one custom seakayak (design and modifcations by Rick Jollimore) This kayak measures 17'-2" and is easy to build. It can be set up to take a sail. rudder and other options any kayaker would want for their personal craft. A second kayak is underway and due to start Sept 17th.
Raptor, a south seas tacking proa (for want of a better discription) was built early this summer by Alex Chisholm. Pictured here (without the finished netting on the outriggers) is the launch at Mahone Bay with Alex and friends watching as Annie does the honours. Alex will discribe the building and sailing elsewhere in this issue.
Fall and Winter Construction Begins
It's that time of the year again for the boat builder in all of us to start their fall and winter projects!

 

STEM TO STERN BOATWORKS
(10% discount to all SWBANS members)
Now stocking plywoods, glues and other building supplies. Maine mahogany ply, MMAS epoxy,
hardeners and fillers. Webpage: www.stemtostern.ca Email: stemtostern@eastlink.ca
Phone: 902 440-7425
 

On Building and Sailing Raptor!
By Alex Chisholm


Well it is hard to say why to build a boat. Because? That is as good as any reason. I guess for me I first saw the design on a web page <http://www.lifebase.net/flaquita/Default.htm> and thought that this boat looked like it would fill my needs. Actually I am lying. I thought that is odd, cool, and would be fun to build.

Alex Chishom and Wendy Laforce racing Raptor during the Mahone Bay Wooden Boat Festival.

 

Photo: Ulli Hoeger
I started to build Raptor at my work, I thought that, well, lets start flat and keep it flat as long as possible.That seemed to work. I actually ran out of things to do before the weather cooperated with my project. I must at this point thank Ken Lamb for all his help and thoughts, we are very lucky to have such a great resource of knowledge available. I kept tinkering away until the weather cleared somewhat and I moved all the bits to Ryerson and Anne's backyard, I am not sure what level of insanity prompted them to offer their yard to a fool and his boat (well bits anyway) but what ever the reason I am grateful to both. Again Thank you.

Well, to carry on at this point the hull(s) progressed quite fast. I constructed the 'not quite strong enough back' and started to add the stringers (which promptly distorted the strongback shape) I pushed and pulled it back to shape (sort of) and added the decks and side panels, then I fiddled a lot with the mast pocket. Rye and I sat looking and thinking of how to figure the position of the akas (crossbeams) and how to level the whole arrangement on the not quite level backyard. After a lot of figuring and thought and prodding it was decided that just do it was the correct approach. As with most things it was not as hard as it seemed, also it is a boat that has tolerance for errors! Cutting hole for the mast was very fiddley and time consuming. I had to cut a round 2.5 in hole threw 5 layers of 2 inch stock and they all had to align in a straight line. Guess what? they do, errr mostly.

Photos: Alex Chisholm
I started to get impatient to get done and in the water. This was a first for me, usually I enjoy the building as much as the using, not in this case. I wanted to get the boat in the water! Eventually most things got done andshe was launched at Mahone Bay just before the festival (thank you to everybody who showed up) wet paint and all.

The launching sail with 10 year old Alex VanBuskirk and Rye was great even thought there was no wind. The second sail with Peter Short was um... interesting. It was quite windy and I ended up with the rudder out of the water, it is kinda hard to control that way. Anyway it was all fun. Raptor sails quite well, but as I have come to decide she does not suffer fools. Being a fool that has lead to some interesting times. The ama side (the small hull and the main hull is the vaka) she is like a tri. The opposite side with the cantilever she is like a sailing canoe. The upshot of all that is that I have been swimming um, lets see once with AD, Larry Shaw's butt went swimming once, um I went over at Wreck Cove at anchor once (see she really doesn't suffer fools well!) and It was so very close while trying to dock at Robert Fraser's (and finally a BIG thanks to Robert for a place to keep her). The up side of this is that she does right quite easily and fast, and sailing... that could be a good thing, as long as I am still holding on.

I am having loads of fun with her! Everything is instant she stops and starts well instantly, she goes over um...instantly. I have a few modifications to do over the winter but nothing major, just a few little things, a sliding rudder (thanks AD) and maybe I'll finish painting....


Letter from the Pres.


It has been a really tough year for getting together. Whether its bad weather or too much to do I'm missing the fun I always have when we get together. Also, we have CD's for everyone who paid fees for 05-06 and what better way to deliver them than have you come to the house for a party....oh...sorry.......meeting. Yeah, that's it, we need to have a meeting. November 5th looks good in my book. Let's get together at our place for some snacks and a drink or two. If you want to bring some munchies please do. Also you can bring something to drink and we'll have some soft drinks (beer and wine are soft aren't they?) and coffee, tea etc. You can pay your fees then if you haven't already and get your CD of last year's newsletters. For those sad souls who can't join us at the party....uh....meeting, we'll mail your CD as long as you paid your fees.
The AGM minutes are included in this issue and I want to thank the "Bagman" Andre for a great job of keeping our money safe and our minutes short. With such a great job being done by Andre (Treasurer), Ryerson (newsletter and membership) and Ulli (Web site) there hasn't been a lot for the President and Vice President to do. By the way, has anyone seen a Gladwin around? We definitely need a party if for no other reason than to let them know they're hosting a February party....oops.....meeting again this winter.
Our schedule is currently as follows: November 5th and Anne and Rye's to debrief after the season (that sounds more official than "meet"); January 1, 2006 - I hear rumors that there will be a New Year's paddle again. Stay tuned for confirmation; January (early) for the annual Open House at Katherine and Ken's. This is always a blast.; February is the annual ski day on South Mountain with our gracious hosts, the Gladwins; the spring paddle is not set and, of course, the Mahone Bay Wooden Boat Festival and AGM on August 5, 2006.


Annie

 

More Photos from Mahone Bay
by Ulli Hoeger

A close start


Six windsprints and Robert Fraser enjoy a very close last leg of the last race. In this photo the
stronger seaward wind is starting to push the further boats toward the slower (less wind) first
boats making it a very close race for all.





A photo finish! You can see three windsprints nearing the line in the last few seconds of the race.



Here are out race officials. They spent hours out in the hot sun, never taking a bribe! All the
racers thank you guys, without you none of our fun would have happened!