Author: ws lirakis

a sailor who carries a camera

POURING LEAD

I intended to make orderly posts starting in 1958 finishing in 1987, the 12 meter era.  I knew I had pictures of this event, I did not remember exactly what, and certainly had not found them until yesterday. 
This may qualify as one of the more foolish things I have done in my life.  I have written about having lofted and built “Courageous”. we literally did it all; we built everything. 
The boat was well underway; it is the early spring of 1974, We started early in the morning, everything was prepared. We started heating and loading 50,000 pounds of lead in the cauldron we had crudely built. After all it was a one time use. As you can see from the photos this lasted all day and well into the night. Keeping the lead flowing and the slew free and running proved to be a challenge. If you notice how we are dressed, it may be a clue to how foolhardy this was. The hot lead was spattering everywhere.
We are pouring the lead into a cement mould also weighing nearly 50,000 pounds; which we had let cure for a period of time. With all this molten lead pouring into the mold the steam coming out of the cement was impressive. The heat was coming right through the soles of my shoes. 
Obviously we succeeded. “Courageous” became the last two time defender of the America’s Cup

APRIL FOOLS’ DAY

      Perhaps we should consider April fools day as a national holiday. It has no religious or political implications; no group affiliation, universally accepted, blind to race, creed, nationality.
     Over the years I have read or seen some very creative stories created for April fools’ day. My favorite continues to be the one the BBC broadcast more than 30 years ago now.  The Lock Ness monster had been found dead. The British Museum of Natural History decided to bring it to London in a refrigerated truck for study. The Scots were literally up in arms that a national treasure such as “Nessy” would be taken out of Scotland, particularly by the English. Armed and angry Scotsmen manned a barricade at the border between Scotland and England to prevent the “national treasure” from being looted by the heathens from the south.  This story continued throughout the day, with regular updates of the truck’s progress, and Scotch reaction.

SIX METER FOR SAIL

“MADCAP” IS FOR SALE.

      “Madcap” a classic 1924 six meter designed by Frederick Hoyt lovingly restored at IYRS. She finished  second in her class in the North American Championships in 2009 in Newport, Rhode Island; and third in the World championships in her division a week later.
   Measurement certificate, ready to go. lying Newport, Rhode Island. Call Tom Rowe at NYM Yachts 401-683-1616

six meter class meeting

Saturday, March 27, 2010 Toby Rodes arranged a meeting to discuss the events during the upcoming summer. The day started in Bristol at Lars Gluck’s shop where Totem and Flapper are undergoing refits and finishing, which will surely make already fast boats faster.

     Lunch at the Moorings restaurant, then a meeting at the Seaman’s Church Institute to finalize plans for the upcoming sailing season. In attendance were naval architect David Pedrick, Tony Widmann ,who has strongly supported the class by donating a trophy, Tom Fair, owner of “Madcap”; Toby Rodes owner of “Alana”, Peter Muir, Brion Reiff, Molly Savard, owner of “Cherokee”, Bill Doyle, Jens Lange, Andrew Burton,


12 meters and the America’s cup



The longevity of the 12 meter class is owed in no small part to  Lloyd’s scantling rules. They were strict and the boats were indeed inspected for compliance. These boats were overbuilt certainly by today’s standards and the result is that they are still here today.
In fact while I was building “Courageous” at Minneford’s Yacht yard one of my jobs was to co ordinate with Lloyds, as we were building the first ever aluminum 12 meter.


 

CORONET

Coronet , began as a vision of Elizabeth Meyer, who should be credited with the restoration of the “J” boat Shamrock and Endeavour  as well the institution which is undertaking the restoration. Looking at the hulk, it takes real vision to see the light at the end of the tunnel.It took years to get to this point. 
If you are a shipwright, this project is already a dream come true; interesting work, that is liable to last awhile
TJ Perrotti drew the lines based on offsets taken from a model. Apparently he faired both the outside and inside of the frames, which will save a great deal of time on the long run.