Season preparation this time was quite similar to the last: consisting mostly of work. However we did celebrate Kvark finally landing on her custom built trailer! Now all that is left to get her waterborne are some additions to the trailer chassis. After that we plan to explore the nearby ports, preparing for some longer legs later this summer.
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- Here we are again! Joosep, Katrin and Uku working on Kvark in the port of Käsmu.
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- Firstly we welded some “arms” to support Kvark on the trailer, which was built almost a month a go. Both arms are removable just in case we need to roll the boat over, work on her keel or simply make the launch process simpler.
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- Then we removed the existing wooden framing, which kept Kvark upright over the winter.
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- And then it was time to mate the frame to the sailboat. It was a delicate procedure, as weight makes “Kvark” a stubborn lady.
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- Joosep maintaining a close eye on the stress in the planks and his head.
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- Once on the trailer, all seemed like planned. The “car end” or aft of the boat was light enough for a man to lift. Here we see Kvark tilted towars the fore. This is the direction she will enter water.
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- A closeup on how we resolved the side-supports: they are threaded rods, running in a long nut welded to the chassis. Onto the end of the threaded rod we welded an universal joint (Invented by the Italian Gerolamo Cardano). The interface beteeen the boat and the joint is a plywood plate.
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- And there she is! All that is left do do is to construct two arms to the rear of the boat. Also we will add a small wheel to the car end of the trailer.
As you see, we opted for the classic “Egyptian” style of work: using levers to slowly creep Kvark upright into her trailer. The first night of this work ended in a slight frustration due to exhaustion and mosqitoes. But then, things took a seriously positive momentum when we met the local Pruuli family who gave us shelter, wine, sauna, tall tales, a good nights sleep in an actual bed and morning coffee. Thank you very much, family Pruuli! In the morning we had a fresh breeze of ideas, plus the help from an hydraulic jack and the local museums men Titus and Virko. Up she went!
We also did some painting. Of course on the freshly welded steel on the trailer and the anchor, which Uku welded up three years ago.
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- Katrin painting the frame of the trailer.
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- Red is a good color for the anchor, right?
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- The anchor looks like a Halloween prop now!
This time in Käsmu reminded us the need to acknowledge and be thankful for all the good people that we’ve met when building and sailing Kvark. She is like a silent bystander and matchmaker, getting the odd look and the very frequent question “Why does she look so.. strange!?” Then we say:”She was built this way.” There is a saying that a weakness can be a virtue. This is very true for Kvark. Build a boat and you will not win prizes in money or pristine looks, but you will win in all the stories you hear and the compassion that people have for your ambition and story – and the inspiration you can give to others.
Gentlemen,
I have read through your postings with keen interest. I plan to begin my own Fafnir project within the month, with the same intention as you: to take it across the Atlantic, from the U.S. to Europe. I have started a website at buildingmerciana.com
Your experience as related in your blog will be extremely valuable. A respectful request: Would you post some more pictures of the interior of your boat? I am still working out how exactly that will be configured.
Fair winds this season! Warmest regards, Rick
Hello Rick,
I’m glad to hear there are more Fafnirs being built. I’ll start working on the boat again in a month and I’ll post some pictures of the interior then.