thebmproject

I picked a light wind day (Forecast 10 -15 knots max)to put the 16m2 through her paces and attend to any necessary rigging adjustment. My mate Jim and I set out and lo and behold the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ came in smack on midday with a vengeance! Winds gusting  to 35 knots and not less than 20 knots. The ‘Cosican’ sailed hard and beautifully balanced! One proud Owner/Builder at the helm relishing the conditions as did the boat. A great test of her seaworthiness, passed with flying colours!!!

Jim enjoying being in control of the jib!!!

Launch went well. Final tune up and adjustments done. The conditions (lack of cooperation of other club members, ‘hurry up get that boat out of our way’) stopped us from trying to see how she went under motor and/or sail.

rolling her out for the launch

A little champers for good luck!

Willing helpers

Moment of truth!

Nice!

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Some detail pictures:

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The trailer was adapted to the keeled BM 16 m2.

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The boat was lowered onto it and the combination completed’

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Congratulations from Tillie!!!

A Parsun  3.6 long-shaft outboard motor is to complete the picture!!

The base for the trailer is a 5m galvanised  boat trailer.

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The trailer  was modified to accommodate the keeled boat and the following were affected:

1. Increasing the height of the slide bars by 600mm by welding 4 x uprights.
   

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2. Welding a center bar and plate for under the keel and a ‘keel (guide)box’ onto the plate.
3. Re-siting the winch and its guide roller to suit the height of the boat when on the trailer. 
4. Install 4 x  8″ pneumatic wheels on the uprights under the hull to facilitate launch and retrieval.
5. support pads where needed.rear support wheels to aid in launch and retrieval

The boat was raised by means of a block and tackle.

keel in place

The keel placed underneath and hull was then lowered onto it.

lowering the hull

Before placing the boat completely down onto it the keel was sealed to the hull.

The boat lowered bolts tightened and mission accomplished.

keel installed

keel ready to be fitted

The keel requires  a 85 kg cast iron ballast component.

Instead a 85+ Kg lead keel  was cast

the burner was surrounded with bricks to retain the heat

tilting the container the molten lead was poured into the mold in one go

cast removed

the cast was removed voila!  the lead keel in its place!

sacrificial keel attached

The construction of the BM is done!  BAR for the keel.  

The deadwood part of the keel has been made and is ready to be bolted on. However I need to add 80kg of ballast and a sacrificial piece of timber to make up the specified dimensions. I am using lead as the ballast instead of cast iron so the ballast section will be some 50mm less in height.

To keep the mast from falling back while setting up the rigging I made a s/s bracket at the bottom of the tabernacle with a retaining bolt which can be removed if the mast needs to be set. 

The sails that I got from Holland fitted perfectly and slid in the boom and gaff grooves nicely!

Looking at a trailer frame now as well. So with everything going to plan she’ll be in her element by the summer.