Anyone for Applejack? incorporating 'Adventures of Applejack' ®

[Seadub]

Great setup, Grdon! Applejack looks great and I've enjoyed keeping up with your adventures. Especially appreciate the boom tent photos and notes. We use a bimini and tarp, but the jury is still out on the bimini...it sure gets in the way. BTW, I've been to England twice and rented a canal boat for a few days each time. Great fun!

[GeeW]

I thought it was about time I mentioned the fabric we are using is 4 oz PU coated nylon. We have used this weight a few times before and have found it to last well and packs up into a small bag when not in use. I will ask the Admiral some more technical questions and post them. Stuff like thread, type of seams used etc, etc.
Seadub, glad you enjoyed the canals, they are good fun. Next time you get over maybe try the Norfolk Broads.

[GeeW]

Well we spent most of Saturday trying to get the back end of the tent how the Admiral wanted it. It would just not sit correctly so the back panel was removed and despite several imprecations it would not go right. Decided that rethinking how to do it was the correct way forwards rather than trying to rush it. So despite best efforts little to show.

However the Admiral is not to be deterred and has promised round two on Monday when sharp needles will yet again be employed on wayward fabric.
Gordon

[GeeW]

What a difference a day makes.

[GeeW]

Some images.
First showing the toggle at the aft end of the boom

[GeeW]

Toggles and loops chosen for door tie-backs. Toggles are 1" long.

[GeeW]

Storm flaps over zips are encouraged to stay down with patches of strategically placed sewn on velcro.

[GeeW]

Whilst working on the tent this evening we were treated to a traditional part of a Great British Summer.....being heavily rained on!
So in the words of a Cricket commentator  "rain stopped play". The plus side was that we are now very confident on the water-proofing of the tent. Just wish the bl**dy rain would stop so we can get it finished and go sailing.....grrrrrrrr.

[GeeW]

For a bit of a change from working on the boom tent we attacked the final job of this year and trailed down to the South Coast and had all the standing rigging replaced.
When we bought 'Applejack' we had noted that there were a couple of bits of rigging in poor repair and that two of the bottle-screws had a bit of a bend in them.
It took just over 2 hours and because it was raining (yet again) the guys were grateful for it being a small boat as they could take the mast indoors to carry out the work.
Luckily by the time they had done the rain had stopped and we rigged just to make sure all was good.
Total cost was 200 GBP.
Now back to the tent...well next time it stops raining!

[GeeW]

The rain almost stopped this last Saturday.......well until 16:00!
We were lucky enough to have spotted the half decent weather coming so made the most of it.
First job was to attach hooks in appropriate places under the rubbing strip down the sides of Applejack.

[GeeW]

The next task was to punch holes and fit brass eyelets in the tent. This is a nice quick job where I am allowed to use my 3 lb club hammer!

[GeeW]

Bungy was then threaded through the eyelets and the fit of the tent at the sides was checked. Once we had the sides held down we determined where the hooks had to go across the transom, which were then fitted....
You'll never guess what happened next?
It rained so we retreated indoors.

Just a side note, the hooks were all bedded on a 'blob' (well that's how it comes out if I'm driving a sealant gun) of CT-1 sealant/adhesive.
Next task, to eyelet the rear doors and string with bungy, then on to the front. After that we're going sailing.

[GeeW]

The Admiral put in some extra hours and now has the back of the tent completed. Not a single disagreement on this one as I was safely at work!

[Seadub]

What a fine looking tent!  If you can snap a picture of the interior and post it, that would be much appreciated. Looks like a terrific way to add space and shelter!

[GeeW]

Seadub, will happily post interior image next time we put the tent up, what is it you'd like to see?

We've continued with the fitting of the front of the tent. After much deliberation it was decided to use s/s pop-studs to hold the front edge to the front of the cabin. The slack you can see in the front of the tent should disappear when the mainsail is stowed on the boom. Once we've used the tent in anger I suspect there will be a small tweak to be made, but better have cut a bit out than sew a bit in!