Ready for launch!
Last two weeks the weather was rainy and stormy. Adequate conditions for this time of the year - and clearly no-no for launching the boat.
This weekend we finally got one day with fine weather and not-so-stormy wind, so that I could take Louve out for stepping the mast and checking all running rig.
All missing fittings arrived from Toplicht.
I chose leading downhaul purchase along starboard as my right hand is stronger.
Plans propose using centerboard case for that but then this would obstruct access to forward hatch (where I will keep anchor rode) and will be in the way when working on deck. Having it along freeboard keeps the center line uncluttered.
Besides - Roger Barns has it that way, too!
This 3-part purchase is led towards the bow…
… to neatly emerge above the foredeck:
Sail tack is attached with soft-shackle.
I chose to divert from main sheet configuration proposed in plans - with thimble and single block. It certainly is more head-safe this way but I chose to have better purchase with double blocks on the main sheet.
After checking all running rigging I packed the sail into its bag and put to winter storage.
Taking advantage of fine weather I took measurements for sewing tent and making boom (yard) crook.
I was curious if my old 6hp outboard would fit. Last time I used it was many years ago on Motoko. It seems that the rig length is fine but it is certainly overdimensioned for Louve.
As every boat - she is never “finished”, in the sense that I will continue tinkering and optimizing things. She is, however, finished in the sense of building her.
Would it not be so late in the year I would launch her now.
That’s it then - the build is finished and Louve is ready for launch!
It took two summers to build her and it was great fun.
I will, of course, continue tinkering and building equipment for her (pentry, tent etc). That’s the sole purpose of owning the boat, ain’t it? Messing around with boats!
All posts about building Louve can be accessed also via