Fib - The Puff Wheat Boat Story

As with all sailors, at some time or another we will want to put ashore.  No tides and a sandy beach, no problem. With Bluster’s light weight and shallow draft we just pull her up on the beach and maybe drop the anchor or tie up to a handy tree. 

Crystal Beach on Kootenay Lake

The problem is when I want to anchor out I needed a dingy or tender to get ashore.  A rigid hull tender that is large enough to ferry two persons I always thought would look disproportionally large when towed behind a 19.5 foot sailboat. Also because Bluster is primarily a trailer sailor there is the issue transporting the large, awkward tender.  An inflatable dingy could be an answer and a popular option for some small boat sailors.

In the 1960s my father-in-law started up what was to become a very successful industrial fibreglass manufacturing company.  In the early days of the company no jobs were too small.  They were approached be a breakfast cereal company to manufacture a number of child sized fibreglass rowboats.  These would be distributed to grocery stores throughout western Canada.  As a promotion the boats were filled with Puffed Wheat Cereal and customers would guess the number of puffed wheat and the closest to the actual number would win the boat!

Kid sized

Our family always had a couple of well worn "Puff What Boats" as they were call at the cottage for the kids to play around with.  This got me thinking that this little boat would be the perfect size for a rigid Chebacco tender.  Unfortunately unless you are expecting to go a swim there it has a very strict two kids or one adult capacity rating.

Puff Wheat Boats

The original molds were still hanging around so I made up a nice new PWB for my Chebacco.  My wife suggested that because our Chebacco has the slightly arrogant name of Bluster that the little PWB should have an equally boastful name of "Fib".

Bellingham Harbour 

Fib, with her short waterline and flat bottom does not track worth a fig but with a little practise and a light hand on the five foot oars she will get you across the anchorage and back.  She she is small enough to travel in Bluster's cockpit while on the road and I can hoist it onto my back, coracle or turtle style, to carry across the beach. .

Now if the situation arises I can drop off any passengers or crew ashore then anchor out and use what is very likely the smallest true production fibreglass boat in the world to get ashore. 

 Puff Wheat Boat Statistics:

• Length:  5'6"
• Beam:    3'6"
• Draft:     0"1"
• Capacity: 200 lbs
• Designer Unknown
• Manufacturer: Marine Plastics Ltd. 

Fib in action...

Sucia Island (John Kohen photo)

"Time out" in Fib

Light enough for an exhausted wife and nine year old to carry

 

Sucia Island

Maintenance and The Need to Vent

We were blessed with a lovely sunny Easter weekend on the the Sunshine Coast that allowed me to get some minor maintenance and modifications done on Bluster.

The gaff boom had been removed to redo the jaws and touch up the varnish.  This was laced back onto the sail and the halyards attached.  I was amazed with this mess of lines I had no serious tangle issues.  Lots of spider nest to brush off the sails.

When spending any time 'below decks' it was obvious there is very poor air circulation.  The companion way boards and hatch can be opened but without another opening to the outdoors air flow is minimal.  To address this I purchased a Sea Dog 3" low profile cowl vent with jaunty red interior.

The stressful issue here was determining where to cut the hole and I decided to locate it within the companionway frame.  This spot is protected from deck action and would not interfere with the sliders as the hatch is never pushed that far forward.  A 3.75 inch hole was drawn out and my trusty jigsaw did the rest.

The cut was then cleaned up with 180 grit sandpaper and the raw plywood sealed with epoxy.  Silicone sealant was applied to the vent base and this was then attached to the cabin top with stainless screws.

The vent was then attached to the base and when I went below a fresh breeze was detectable from the slight wind above.

Not Really Marine Equipment, But Useful On A Small Sailboat Post #4

Big Sky Bistro Coffee Press

If you like fresh coffee in the out of doors this is a really useful rig.  It is basically an insulated mug with a lid and a coffee press.  Just add the ground coffee to mug, top up with boiled water and stap on lip with press in the up position.  Let sit for a spell then plunge the press to the bottow and viola, coffee.  I like that the mug is insulated and the lid has a little hole so that the java can be sipped directly.  The 16 oz. capacity provides for plenty of coffee to share if you like.   Without the removable press it makes a reasonalble tea pot and and the mug alone is just fine sipping cold brews as well.  Cheers.

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/HikingCamping/CookwareUtensils/CaffeineCreators/PRD~4008-946/big-sky-bistro-coffee-press.jsp

$14.00

Gaff Business

I did not 100% followed the original Phil Bolger drawings when I built Bluster.  Most of the deviations involved raising and widening the cabin, changing the stern cut away and adding a mast tabernacle.  In hind sight, all good ideas.  One item I considered changing but did not is the straight style gaff horns (fork?).

The straight ones are easier to build but do not work as well or look as "gaffy" as the curved style.  This retrofit was on my to do list for this year.  

I started by cutting away the straight horns but leaving the base, where the one piece original horns were attached to the gaff.  

The new horns were cut out of 3/4" plywood and glued into place.

Epoxy sealing and a couple of coats of Interlux Brightside Polyurathane White.
Job done. Tick.

In place, working fine and looking good

Old Gaffers Association of BC - AGM

This past Saturday evening I had the pleasure of attending the Old Gaffers Association (OFA) of BC annual general meeting.  The Old Gaffers Association was started in the UK in 1963 to promote the gaff rigged and traditional sailboats (www.oldgaffersassociation.org) and has local chapters throughout the world.  The OGA of BC chapter  (gaffers-canada.ning.com) has been active for a couple of years and although a relatively small group they are quite active and very welcoming to this first timer.

Jamie pipes in the executive committee

The meeting was fun as the group observes traditions such as bag piping in of the executive committee and toasts to the Queen and Canada.  Discussed were plans for  the coming year and gaff rig related items locally and nationally.  After the official AGM we all sat down to a lovely pot luck dinner with much boat talk.  I enjoyed reconnecting with past sailing mates Jamie and Curtis as well as meeting some new keen trailer sailors.

Not Really Marine Equipment, But Useful On A Small Sailboat Post #3

Ice Fishing Rod

Ice fishing rod?  Yes, but not for ice fishing (not for me anyways).  I bought this several years ago with the idea that the boys could use it to try a little jigging for shinners and such while at anchor or from the dock.  It is made in Finland and though simple in design, quite well made.  The mini rod length would be easier to stow and should allow for fewer jabbing accidents amongst the  crew.
The fishing thing never took off but what I did was to attach a lead ball weight to the line and it has become a very handy depth sounder.  I just release the drag until the weight touches down and two cranks of the reel pulls in almost exactly one metre of line.  Count the cranks and divide by two.  Guess I always have the option of dropping a hook...

Looking Back - Launch Day 2002

After numerous weekends and Tuesday nights work, Bluster's launch day had finally arrived.  Most amateur boat builder would likely agree, finding the time (away from young family) and money to complete the dream seems oh so daunting at times.  I had never in my life taken on such an ambitious project so I was feeling rather proud of myself when the basic boat was done. 

Without yet spars, sails or rigging we decided to take her to the water.  We chose the public boat ramp at Stave Lake, not too far from my folks' farm where I had been completing the work.  Lisa, Jacob, Sam and my parents joined me for the occasion.  I remember being just thrilled as she settled smartly in the water at the dock and then easily carried the whole crowd for a short cruise around the end of the lake.

My parents are both now gone.  Jacob is now taller than me and Sam not far off.  We have had many happy family times with our little boat and expect many more to come. 

And I am still proud of her.