It is 230 miles from Home to the boat. I have never been that far from my main source of R and R. The miles are really starting to bite. I have discovered that if I drive at 55 I can do the distance on a single £50 tank of petrol, But if I get impatient and find myself going at 75 then it is pretty quickly up to a tank and a half.
I left home at just after ten and got to the boat just before seven - I touched the zen - as a bloke I was at college with used to say.
I spent some time listening to the radio, some time on an MP3 book and a fair bit of time listening to folk music and thinking about boats, family holidays around the top of Britain, tracking down a venerable yet jiggered Centaur.
I took the boat out for a sail today (sunday) high tide at about two so it was a pretty good window.
I used the little Honda because it needed a run and there was not much wind. The engine works fine until about half revs when it starts to froth a bit - but at half revs the boat is doing 3.5 knots. At full blatt it will do 4.3 knots but the engine is clearly wasting energy sucking in some air. It would be wonderful to see how she did with a long shaft 2.3 which would be deep enough to reduce the cavitating
This evening I had a walk around Anstruther - a few boats have been craned out. One of these had a seriously bent keel - bloody Nora.
I then had a quiet evening afloat. I just love being on the boat and watching the light change as the natural light gives way to the sodium lights.
the Centaur project continues to amaze me the way the elements keep falling into place - however, soon after the rise comes the fall -but I am enjoying it while it is going so well. I spoke to one of my pontoon neighbours tonight - he sails a Hunter 272
27 foot long 2.5 tonnes - it is powered by a 9.8hp Yamaha in a well
and darn that well is close to the water line. I helped him to remove the 19hp Yamaha from the well - it is heavy but manageable for one old bloke.
http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/hunter-horizon-273/hunter-horizon-273.htm
When it comes to the three blokes, three days that is also falling into place. I have been offered a day by a neighbour who used to do lots of engine swaps in boats - it was how he earned his living. He has offered to come and supervise the removing of the old engine.
So I have my three man team for prepping the space where the engine will will go. I have also been offered the services of one of the finest Centaur anatomists alive in the UK today - this is his blog
http://www.agentlemansyacht.com/
Julian, who lives in Lincolnshire has offered some timber and a KTL sailor who lives in Harpenden has offered to source and cut some timber for me. So I think we have the teams for the three day operation
the dimensions are pretty much there - but the the construction system might leave something to be desired. Not many people like the look of the block corners. More miles, more folk music needed I fear.
The idea continues to upset people - this from a forum -
" I agree.
I know where there is a suitable Centaur but I am not going to tell him.
As well as denying some cash strapped aspirant yotperson the opportunity to acquire something they will love and cherish it is a travesty to butcher, misuse and dump (for, at that stage it really will be worthless) such a boat after it has served its questionable purpose."
I don’t agree that the modified Centaur will be “trashed” or become trash. So many good old boats languish for want of an engine that will cost more than the boats worth. If a cheeper arrangement can be proven around the North coast of Scotland then the project will be justified and the boat will, I belive have interested buyers just becase it’s a success! I had a Trident 24 and lived in fear of the engine dying, but owners were using outboards in wells and on the transom successfully. More strength to your elbow Dylan.