I just asked myself, why I actually never posted my project here on the Proafile… I don’t really know.

I’m building a 30ft. tacking outrigger in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. I’m now finishing the hulls, with painting and all. Shouldn’t be too long until I start assembling the parts, in preparation for launching. In the last 5 years of building, I have become rather conservative with any predictions concerning the timeline. But I guess I can say that the boat will find its natural element within this year.

The construction process is largely documented on my blog: arpex.blogspot.com

See attached a recent picture of my boat, Arpex,

Hi petermirow!

I have been following your build the last couple of years.

Its great to see the progress and read about your ideas.
Thanks for sharing with us all. Arpex looks lovley!

Cheers,
Johannes

Hey Johannes,

thanks for your kind message. Good to know, that like it.
I look forward to launching with a great deal of anticipation, and also a good dose of concern and fear, even. 😊
Lets see how it comes out in the end.
Cheers,

Peter

Hi Peter, welcome to the forum. I think most of the online proa world is looking forward to the launch of Arpex. Keep on going, almost there! 😊

Hi Peter,

I’ve been following your build too—I dig Arpex!

I especially like her accommodation.  Can’t wait to see her sailing.

Welcome to the forum.

Chris

Hi Guys,

thanks for the support. It sure is good to hear!
Chris, I’m surprised to hear your comment on the accommodation…. there isn’t much of it, anyway… 😊 That was one of the ideas of the concept. To actually be rather minimalistic on that side and rather prioritize the exterior, with a nice wooden deck. But, then, maybe that`s what you like. And frankly, I think it does feel quite agreeable inside. With a few cushions it will be very nice.

I put a few pictures into this post. But now I suspect you have seen them already…. 😉

Cheers,

Peter

No there’s not too much of it, but what there is is bright and airy. 

Arpex’s cabin was one of the inspirations for my Palindrox design.

http://proafile.com/forums/viewthread/64/P15

chris

I’m glad to hear it, Chris.

By the way; your Palindrox is a great concept, with terrific renderings.
Hope to see it built soon.

Peter

Hi Peter

How is it going on with Arpex. I am also one of these who watched your boat in your blog before you joined proafile. I like it, it is really beautiful. I wonder how she will sail. Please keep us informed.

Cheers
Alexander

Hi Alexander,

thanks for asking. Your’re right, I need to update.

Work on Arpex, is going on. I’d say slowly, but constantly. My drive is somewhat hampered by the difficulty in getting the painting job done. It is why during the construction I have usually avoided to hire work. I don’t know what happens. They just never deliver! If you give them money, they take it, but don’t work. If you promise them money upon delivery, they don’t work either. If you put pressure on them, they get upset, and stop working. If you stay friendly, they think they can do as they want, which usually means not to work. ... hahaha! Difficult to get things done with the people around here. I think it works only if you have a constant presence in the boatshed. And since I have to work myself, that is not a possibility. ... Anyway. I don’t think you wanted to know about all this. Sorry for busting out my frustration. 😊 

These quarrels sap time and energy. ... I should have bought a cheap compressor and should have done it myself. It would be ready now.

But still I’m advancing with other jobs that need doing either. Cutting out the policarbonate windows, getting some painting of the interior done. Thinking a lot about the deck arrangements. I suppose the former will be one area of trial and error, with lots of adjustments after the first sail. I’m using a Wharram Wingsail mast and sail arrangement. But it needs some adjustments for my project. One of them is to use a boom. And that causes some issues.

Last weekend I had opportunity to actually sail on a Tiki 30. It was a great learning for me. One of them was to experience the benefits of not having a boom to worry with. On the other hand, I was not pleased with the sailshape. I mean, the boat performed well, sailed fast. But I felt that there was performance left on the table, due to the missing boom. So I’ll experiment with this.

Long port. Sorry. ... I’m still counting on launching this year. Not much is missing.

Cheers,
Peter

Hi Peter
Thank you for your post. It is very interesting, also the part about how it is to build a boat outside of western countries. It seems I have the same experiences here as you. Luckily I know Khun Him, the boatbuilder and mechanic for a long time now. He likes it when things are done right. And also it was important that I was working at the boat every day because Him also has other projects and sometimes for one or two weeks just passed by to bring more material I ordered (I have no car). Even then some things were made wrong and had to be cut or sanded off. So I know what you are talking of. But in the end I can say I would build here again.
I also think a boom is important on a fast boat. And also I think the main is easier to handle with a boom if you have lazy jacks. And I think there is less power on the sheet because the sail does not need to be stretched.
I hope you can launch her soon, even if not all work is completely finished. I also did that and finished some jobs on the water. As soon as you can sail you get some uplift.

Cheers
Alexander

Hi Alexander,

Putting the boat in the water must be the priority. And I agree, some things might just as well stay unfinished. And can be terminated while in the water.

I thought you could relate to my work experience… 😊
Anyway, how are your boat tests coming along?
I guess we’re all dying to hear about it.  I take you’re back in Thailand?

Cheers,
Peter

Hi Peter
I just posted a reply on the Nixe thread, a link to a video clip.
Cheers
Alexander

I took a few days off for work on the boat.

After five and a half years of construction I’m thrilled to now say that I’m pretty close to completion.

Painting is done, except for antifouling. I took a deep breath, dug deep into my pockets and purchased the Coppercoat coating. Seemed to be the best value for money. I hope it will work as advertised.

Most windows are glued in, and pulpit and pushpit are installed, along with the navigation lights, which are fixed on them.

But some jobs still need doing, like finishing the deck and engine and anchor mounts, the finish the electrics installation and some deckgear installation. Actually for that some stainless steel parts still need to be produced. Hope to be able to order these, this week. And then, of course, there is the putting together of the hulls… And launching itself will also be a complex process. At least at this point it feels like it is going to be very complicated.

Cheers,

Peter

She looks beautiful in red.

I once tried a product called “copperpoxy” that was basically ground up copper in a fluid of resin. It was a nightmare. I rolled it on and the surface finish was far too rough for a multihull - better suited for a barge. The nightmare part was sanding it off again.

I have seen boats with a good finish but they are all done by spraying it. The moral of the story is to do a test section first.

Thanks.
I think she looks fine. Now, soon we will need to see how she will trim in the water, and then behave and perform. The proof of the pudding is in the eating… 😊
But frankly, I’m also happy about the good look so far. 😊

Thanks also for the hint on the Coppercoat. I’ll do as you recommended. I have seen some boats, with coppercoat on the yard, on a recent visit to the Yacht Club (not the Club where I’m working, but the posh, upscale Yacht Club), one was a big 50 footer with a recent Coppercoat application. It was still on the dry. The coating looked fine and fair. But I don’t know how the application was made, whether they used a compressor and pistol. I might want to check. I will also contact the representative. On the CD that came with instructions, the application is done with a roller.

Cheers,

Peter