Following the Pied Piper.

[Candyfloss]

Hi Witchy. Welcome along.

Got the proof for the graphics from the signwriter today. The wonders of the electronic age;



All & any comments gratefully received.

[witchywomoon]

Morning Graeme,
love the graphics...how did you come to choose it?Just as a matter of interest..
and your quote...I always thought KISS=keep it simple stupid..lol. Like yours better!
another wet day in Thames...quite nice to be safe and snug in my little home though..but I do miss being out and about on my wheelchair.
where have you got the boat..I can't remember what Jonnie told me.??

My fathers/our old boat is the "Vagrant" a mullet boat..I will see if I can load some photos of her restore..on my blog here...still finding my way around.

One day at a time.

[Candyfloss]

The boat's in a barn out at Turua.

Yeah, I discovered the hard way that people don't like been called "stupid", even though the epithet was not directed at them personally.

Des designed the Piedy to replace the then-aging Mullety fleet, using much the same parameters, i.e. length in the mid twenties, adequate beam, plenty of ballast, lots of sail area, & bare inside.

A Ceilidh (pronounced "Kaylee") is a traditional Irish party (tho that's the Scottish spelling, the Irish leave the "dh" off the end), featuring traditional Irish music, traditional Irish dancing (the couple) & traditional Irish drinking, & the Piedy is traditionally a party boat. There is another boat sailing around called "Ceilidh", so my boat's registered name is "Ceilidh II" (once again, the dancing couple). A bit laboured, maybe, but it was my daughter Abby's suggestion, & I've never said "no" to her in my life.

I'd love to see pictures of your Mullety. To post pics on this Forum you need to store them in a web-based picture hosting service like PictureTrail, then post them using the "Forum [IMG] tag" in the "Image URLs" thingy. The Forum itself does not have the capacity to do that for you. This one thread has more than 300 of my pics in it!

[RFNK]

Another vote for a photo of the Mullet boat. I love NZ boats - thank God you lot have one redeeming feature!

Rick

[Larks]

In the spirit of "all and any comments......" I'm not too sure about the sketch of the dancers, it's a bit complex in so far as any more than a couple of metres away I don't think it'd be distinguishable, it just looks a little too busy. But that's just my opinion Graeme, it doesn't make it a good opinion.......

[witchywomoon]

I need a bit of a rocket this morning...
I did read where you had the boat....and I did read all about the name...in fact I think I have read every word you have written...however the old filing cabinet(brain.grey matter) works like a sieve these daze and stuff falls out...
I use photobucket for my photos etc...however I havnt yet been able to work out how to write a thread as a blog like you do yet...
have a great day..i have been out and back..without the rain returning..

[witchywomoon]

I have started my own blog/thread/whatever..lol.."Gypsy of the land and sea,I be"
with photos..yehaaa grandma..i did it with a little help
as you see I come/came from a huge family...

[Candyfloss]

I hear you Greg & I have to say I have my own reservations exactly the same. Will it make any sense from half a mile away? Do I care? Will it make sense from a few hundred yards away? That's better. Will you have to make contact with me & a share a few glasses of medication just to find out what the hell it does mean?

I like the last scenario best. The dancing couple will fill the whole space between the rubrail & the boot top. Yeah, that big, at least on the Port side. In fact they will be dancing on the boot top, or even over the boot top, so I could hardly make it more plain. The graphic will fill most of the side of the boat. Piedys do that. "Don't just do it, overdo it".

Is that better?

[Candyfloss]

Witchy.

Damn, I wish my childhood was that much fun.

[Candyfloss]

Rick, I'm really glad there is something about us you like.

No, really.

(Just in case, & because, like Kerry, I never use smileys, say this with a Kiwi accent).

No, really.

[Larks]

I hear you Greg & I have to say I have my own reservations exactly the same. Will it make any sense from half a mile away? Do I care? Will it make sense from a few hundred yards away? That's better. Will you have to make contact with me & a share a few glasses of medication just to find out what the hell it does mean?

I like the last scenario best. The dancing couple will fill the whole space between the rubrail & the boot top. Yeah, that big, at least on the Port side. In fact they will be dancing on the boot top, or even over the boot top, so I could hardly make it more plain. The graphic will fill most of the side of the boat. Piedys do that. "Don't just do it, overdo it".

Is that better?

That explains it nicely Graeme. However we'll now be expecting a decent set of speakers and the sounds of Riverdance wherever you go......Piedys do that .........(don't they??)

[floatingkiwi]

Yeah, smileys suck.
Say Graeme, although it would be hard to need it looking any better with the standard of work you are exhibiting here, may I suggest something that I read somewhere in my small library of illustrated literary wonderment on the shelf next to my head as I write this, that if the toerail is tapered, ever so slightly at the bottom edge toward the ends fore and aft, it makes it and the whole boat look much more natural and boatlike, or some words to that effect. I tried it and they were right. Although it isn't something one might pick up or even know it if they were lookin at it, it made a nice difference.

And to add, it just became apparent that it would make even more room for the dancing couple.

[RFNK]

I hear you Greg & I have to say I have my own reservations exactly the same. Will it make any sense from half a mile away? Do I care? Will it make sense from a few hundred yards away? That's better. Will you have to make contact with me & a share a few glasses of medication just to find out what the hell it does mean?

I like the last scenario best. The dancing couple will fill the whole space between the rubrail & the boot top. Yeah, that big, at least on the Port side. In fact they will be dancing on the boot top, or even over the boot top, so I could hardly make it more plain. The graphic will fill most of the side of the boat. Piedys do that. "Don't just do it, overdo it".

Is that better?

That's the spirit!!

Rick

[Candyfloss]

I got over "Riverdance" Greg. I'll be mostly making my own music.

G C#dim
Don't know why
Am D7+9
There's no sun up in the sky
G C#dim
Kiwi weather...........
Am D7+9 G C#dim
Now I've got this old boat together
Am Eb7 D7+9 G
Keeps on raining all the time.

The Forum won't allow me to post the words & chords in the right places! It takes all the spaces between the chords out, so you'll have to figure it out yourselves.

[Candyfloss]

A week of foul weather courtesy of a tropical storm currently hammering Fiji (this late in the season?!) has allowed me to continue on the boat, so now for the bit that goes on the back end of the hatch.

Take the piece of Sapelle I prepared earlier, copy the shape of the existing bits onto it, cut it out, offer it up, shape it to fit with a 2mm gap, screw it to the back of the hatch, figure what it takes to make a good fit. Take the second bit, clamp it over the top & rough it to shape. Glue the whole lot together;



Next day, take off the clamps, shape the second layer to nearly match the first & fit your hatch. Gratifyingly, the bit on the hatch is in the same plane as the bits on the roof, & all in one harmonious curve across the boat. Hurrah! Carefully sand the cut-out bit to a 2mm gap again, clamp the pattern I made (how long ago?) over the face & shape the whole thing the way Des shows on the plan.

So here's how it looks;



With the washboards fitted;



And from down on the ground;



See how it leaves the vent over the top? I love that.

But wait, there's more. I've finished painting down the quarter berths!;



I never have to do that again. Ever.

[Larks]

I never have to do that again. Ever.

Wait...you missed a bit, just up the back there......

That's a lovely job of the cabin top coaming...back bit/thing/piece Graeme, lovely fit!! It's a very "pleasant" curve and seems to match the cockpit coaming curve very nicely, I assume that was intended all along!!!......????

[Candyfloss]

Yeah, that's how it works. I've never seen this arrangement on anything but a Townson boat, ever. I believe it's unique & I think it's brilliant. What I am showing you here is exactly to the plan. Des put it on all his boats, from the first to the last, they're all the same.

[RFNK]

I agree. I reckon I'll steal that idea for theTwister

Rick

[Candyfloss]

Kerry, I thought about doing that with the rubrail, I mean, I do exactly that with the sheer rail on the dinghy, & I agree, it just looks so smart, even tho 90% of people wouldn't even notice. But there were two reasons I didn't. First, I didn't think it would be noticeable enough to be worthwhile, & second, the rubrail is so shallow, only 36mm deep. That's Des' specification. It's really only a trim piece to protect the edge of the deck ply, & only comes down onto the topsides by about 10mm. Not much to play around with.

[Candyfloss]

I haven't shown you, but the facing stands about 12mm proud of the top of the hatch, giving a comfortable finger grip for sliding the hatch closed, otherwise you'd jam your fingers in the washboards.

[witchywomoon]

Candyfloss man.....the fun was hard earned..and most of my life a living hell...however to loose myself in wodden boats,mangroves and fantacy..helped me through.
and to be honest,there was enough fun/joy to JUST keep me hanging on..
even now some daze when i feel like that,I cross the HWY to the boat yard and the sounds/smells..soothe it all away..
have a great weekend matey..watch the "red"...sounds a bir more-ish,eh

Gloria

[Candyfloss]

Witchy. Thank you for your honesty. I understand your byline. My mother was a Member from when I was 9 years old 'till the day she died. Her name was Tia. It's been a while since she passed away, but Bill remembers her.

I'll be working all this weekend. For all the difference it makes to my social life, one day is very much the same as any other. This will change, but not soon.

Me and the "red" are just good friends.

[AnalogKid]

MERCIA is back on the market.

The current owner is heading Stateside and needs to offload her in the next month. Currently on TradeMe with a $1 reserve.

Way too big a project for me I'm afraid. I need something more complete and with less historical significance.

[Candyfloss]

Turned her down the last time she was for sale for the same reasons Andy, & nothing has changed for me since.

Interesting about the split front screen, inboard engine & no hatch. Pied Piper herself had none of those features. Maybe Allan Warwick changed them all.

Interesting also about the "unique" sheerline. Allan surely could not have changed that.

I'd give my right arm for her stemhead fitting.

[snow(Alan H)]

Graeme

See link below to a few photos from Saturdays 'Townson Keelboat Regatta' - John B who was crewing for the day is a tad smitten with 'Talent'

Cheers Alan


http://classicyacht.org.nz/forum/vie...hp?f=10&t=1645

[johnno]

Looks like a top day!

[RFNK]

Graeme

See link below to a few photos from Saturdays 'Townson Keelboat Regatta' - John B who was crewing for the day is a tad smitten with 'Talent'

Cheers Alan


http://classicyacht.org.nz/forum/vie...hp?f=10&t=1645

I can see why - what a lovely boat!

Rick

[Candyfloss]

Thanks for that Allan.

Any day's a good day on a Townson boat, & if John B says she's a joy to helm..........well he does know what he's talking about. "Talent" is so clean & uncluttered isn't she. Absolutely nothing you don't need.

Ceilidh is progressing, but paint prep is not interesting viewing, so no pics yet.

[snow(Alan H)]

Graeme
Talent is one of the featured boats in the upcoming CYA NZ Classic Register Book, you are right about the un-cluttered style :-)
When its finished I'll email you the interior photos.

Cheers Alan

[Candyfloss]

I'll look forward to that Allan.

[snow(Alan H)]

I'll look forward to that Allan.

In the diary Graham. Cheers Alan

[AnalogKid]

I'm liking the look of Forty-Two on TradeMe, but I can't get hold of the local mooring until June at the earliest.

[Candyfloss]

That is a nice-looking boat Andy. Long cabin, very clean inside.

Getting a mooring here is starting to look problematic too.

[floatingkiwi]

but paint prep is not interesting viewing, .

I disagree.

[Candyfloss]

So here, especially for Kerry's benefit are paint prep pics.

The keel, side one, sanded, filled, undercoated, sanded again, filled again & in the process of being undercoated for the second time;



Then it will be lightly sanded, turned over (that will be a trick) & start again.

And here is the stbd side, ready to be 240 grit sanded & topcoated;



Like I said, not very compelling viewing, but here's what went into it; eight hours longboarding the existing paint back, roll on three coats of epoxy hibuild, then another eight hours longboarding, both sides, total 32 hours or more. Since I'm knackered after four hours of that, a total of eight days work, not including filling & spot-fairing.

But it's going to look fabulous.

[RFNK]

It already looks fabulous!

Rick

[Rayjing]

Graeme,I'll be over in mid june,look forward to catching up and having a squizz at your pride and joy. Looks great mate

[Candyfloss]

Thanks Rick. I feel I am a better person after all that character-building effort. Joke.

Hey, that's cool Ray. Look forward to that.

[salt stains]

Hi Graeme. I have been following your thread for some time and thought I would have a go at a post. I built a Hartley 16 donkeys years ago and I've done various projects since then - strictly amateur. I have to say that watching a professional is a fascinating process and a bit humbling. I've loved watching Ceilidh emerge from a somewhat inauspicious base.
In an earlier post you mentioned that the keel has a twist but I don't recollect seeing the fix for that. Did you do something before starting in on the fairing further up this page?
I was sailing up the Tamaki and spotted Bliss the other day and that lead me to your Candifloss thread - how do you do it?! If anyone out there knows of a Townson 25 in need of a new home I would love to hear about it.
Boats are a dream and adventure - thanks for sharing yours. Keith

[Candyfloss]

Hi Salti, welcome to the thread. Thanks for the kind words.

No, it turned out the "twist" in the keel was an optical illusion caused by the way it was mounted crooked on the boat. She would have gone like a rocket on stbd & a dog on port. It only took four days to reshape, fill, fair, sand & paint one side, & only one more side to go!

Good luck with finding a 25 mate, there were only 10 made. The last one I saw was a half-wreck on the hardstand at Little Shoal Bay on the North Shore about five years ago. You might have more luck finding an 8.8. "Sonata" was mouldering on a mooring off Birkenhead last time I went that way.

[AnalogKid]

I see a 25 every time I crew on my neighbour's Beale, but I can never remember the name of it.

Looks like Forty-Two has sold. Real shame, it had everything I wanted. If it had come up a couple of months later I would've had it.

Still waiting for news on the mooring, but if all else fails I'll see about having a new one sunk. My neighbour also told me PaulG has just put his Stewart 34 on a nearby mooring, but the other side of the wharf. Don't know if this was a vacant existing mooring or if he had one sunk specially.

[Candyfloss]

Bad luck Andy. She sure looked like a very nice boat.

Paul could have told us about that. I'll PM him & get the story.

[Candyfloss]

Paint prep pics. Trying to get a view of the toerail so it looks like something ain't easy, but here's the best I could do;



In case you've forgotten, I used the toerail to straighten the sheerline in both dimensions, vertically & horizontally. It only took forever.

And here are paint finished pics. The galley;



And the heads, with dunny permanently installed;



The waste hose yet to be connected.

The little chrome thing on the bulkhead is the water tank breather. This is the only place I could find to put it out of sight & where nasty salt water & stuff couldn't get back down it. If I'm ever beam-ended, a few drops of fresh water may end up in my dunny. Well, bugger.

[AnalogKid]

I had a look tonight on the way home from work. It looks like Paul's boat is between an old fisheries protection patrol boat and Marilyn, a 50' plastic yacht partly owned by neighbour and friend Stan. The mooring I've got my name down for currently has a shabby looking old centre-board trailer-sailer on it, but apparently the guy who owns it is going to sell up and go overseas soon. The skipper of the Beale also has a mooring at Birkenhead that I could possibly get a loan of for a month or two, although he's talking of using it himself to save on the exorbitant fees for keeping his boat in West Haven.

Meanwhile, I'm hoping the ad on Forty-Two just expired and it will reappear soon. Tomorrow I'm going up to Torbay to pick up some cat-3 standard stanchions and pulpit that he took of a Piedy - I don't know if I'll use them but it might make a boat more suitable for Sam to crew on.

BTW - your boat is looking fantastic Graeme, must be nearly time for some transom surgery.

[Rayjing]

Hey Analogkid,I see 42 is back on trade me again,just thort you might like to know. Cheers

[Rayjing]

Graeme,you could put the dunny roll holder over the water tank vent,but then you may get soggy dunny paper,a new version of an arsewipe maybe !!!. lol

[Larks]

Nice to start getting an idea of what the finished product will look like inside. You must feel like you're getting close Graeme!!

[AnalogKid]

Hey Analogkid,I see 42 is back on trade me again,just thort you might like to know. Cheers

Cheers, I spotted it. I'm in talks with the owner - watch this space.

Andy.

[Candyfloss]

Just went back to 42s TradeMe site & she still looks terrific. Maybe he'll let you use his mooring 'till yours becomes available.

[Rayjing]

Hey Andy,best of luck going after '42'. Be interested why it is called '42'

ray