Bill Graham's 37 ft concrete boat Philosophical;
completed in under five years and fitted with an attention seeking 37 HP diesel, temporary previously owned sails, was stressfully launched into Avoch Harbour.
There for sailing trials which revealed a propellor problem, she later set off for a new home at Cromarty Harbour.
A fair wind helped but once in the Cromarty Firth, blanketed by the Sutors, beset by the tide she struggled against the ebb. Bill's wife Helen wondered if Philosophical had run aground. But no. At peak revs, with the cooling water discharge heating a chilly Firth she barely made it to the pontoon where willing hands were there by chance to grab the shore lines and ease her to safety. Immediately the Harbourmaster gave instructions to moor to the NW side of the pontoon, the exposed side, where the full impact of the Westerlies tested the integrity of the concrete hull. After enough damage had been done to the woodwork a disillusioned Bill motored back to Avoch.
Advice there was in plenty. Prop too small. Engine not big enough. And Those Sails!
Concrete engine bearers were cut and carved. A New Big Beta engine was dropped in,
and Oban Sailmakers arrived. The rigging was set up and tensioned with a lovely bend in the mast and crisp new sails supplied.
And this is where the story really begins.
Well.........
Not really.
Aligning the engine has been difficult. Bill is struggling. Tighten the mountings and alignment becomes history
But Billy's on the job and a solution has been found
ONWARDS FORWARDS NO SURRENDER.
Problem was flatness of engine bearers. Packing fixed that and -----
Engine starts first time!! 8th May 2008
But there is a knock as it starts.
WHHAAATTTTT????
A possiible foul was ground from the port bearer and it was confirmed that some gearboxes "are a bit noisy"
So that's alright then.
Gas check for cert. next then sails up and out onto the Firth.
Big problems are now things like sail cover too small.
So that's all right then
Then of course sailing trials.
Bit of weather helm and heavy wheel sorted by making proper big steering wheel and trimming mainsail to reduce problem.
Then practiced going aground in Avoch Harbour.
Unintentionally.
Quick wash and brush-up
Date for departure now set for Monday 7th July 2008.
France/Spain via Caledonian Canal/St George's Channel/Biscay/Med.
Not really.
Aligning the engine has been difficult. Bill is struggling. Tighten the mountings and alignment becomes history
But Billy's on the job and a solution has been found
ONWARDS FORWARDS NO SURRENDER.
Engine starts first time!! 8th May 2008
WHHAAATTTTT????
A possiible foul was ground from the port bearer and it was confirmed that some gearboxes "are a bit noisy"
So that's alright then.
Gas check for cert. next then sails up and out onto the Firth.
Big problems are now things like sail cover too small.
So that's all right then
Then of course sailing trials.
Bit of weather helm and heavy wheel sorted by making proper big steering wheel and trimming mainsail to reduce problem.
Then practiced going aground in Avoch Harbour.
Unintentionally.
Quick wash and brush-up
Date for departure now set for Monday 7th July 2008.
France/Spain via Caledonian Canal/St George's Channel/Biscay/Med.