The Sea Nation

Ikaroa

MacGyvering Starlink Back to the Workshop

After moving to Nimrod, I moved the office back to the workshop and reconnected Starlink with a suitably MacGyver-style setup. It works perfectly.

Ikaroa

Our Onboard Storage Solution Arrives

We’re getting ready to leave our winter hideout in Brighton and move back to Newhaven and Nimrod to step up work on IKAROA. Our onboard storage solution has arrived, with a couple of boxes each for our stuff.

Ikaroa

Spring Arrives in the Workshop

Today I switched the workshop air conditioner from heating to cooling for the first time this year. At 21°C, it was suddenly a little too warm for gluing that 11-metre piece of wood with epoxy.

Ikaroa

Dry-Fitting the Remaining External Stringers

I’m dry-fitting the remaining external stringers, while explaining why my apparently tidy workshop is mostly a photographic illusion. A few may get glued permanently today—but probably not all three.

Ikaroa

Sanding the Bows Between Deliveries

With epoxy work ruled out by a day of deliveries, I finished the bows and spent the day testing my new sanding board and mesh. It works a treat.

Ikaroa

Outer Stringers Before Lamination

I cut and epoxy-soaked two outer stringers, ready to glue them into place with plenty of pilot holes. That means another round of crawling under the hull before lamination can begin.

Ikaroa

Straightening the Hull for Stringers

I took a short break from filling gaps to fix a damaged stringer batten and straighten the hull’s wobbles. It worked a treat, and she’s starting to look like a boat.

Ikaroa

Defining the Hull Edge with Filler

After a week of angry seas and three named storms, I finally got back to the workshop. A more fluid second layer of epoxy filler worked beautifully, and the hull edge is now taking its final shape.

Ikaroa

Sanding the Hull Through Storm Eunice

While Storm Eunice raged outside, I spent a surprisingly calm day in the workshop sanding the hull towards its final shape. There’s still more filling and sanding to come, accompanied by Tevye.

Ikaroa

Filling the Holes in My Hulls

I’ve been filling the gaps and holes in the hull panels, getting them smooth and ready for laminating. Madness continues.

Ikaroa

Taking Stock of the Timber

I’m taking stock of our timber before the next stage of work. The tidying is mostly just a byproduct—and it looks good.

Ikaroa

Breakfast Between the Tiki 38 Hulls

I had breakfast—technically lunch—with a view between the Tiki 38 hulls.

Journal

Going Virtually to Oceanology International

We are going virtually to Oceanology International 2022 in March. Join me online from 15–17 March.

Ikaroa

The Hull Sides Are Finally Fitted

After a long and painful job, I’ve fitted and laminated all the hull sides and got the workshop tidy again. Next I’m making fillets and sending Adam to the workshop for his first weekend of laminating both hulls.

Ikaroa

Four Stern Panels and More Sanding

With Maciek’s help, I dry-fitted four stern panels and finally completed the hull sides on both lower hulls. Now I’m sanding, filling and preparing the panel ends for glass tape—because apparently boatbuilding is mainly sanding.

Journal

Happy Holidays from All of Us

We wish you happy holidays from all of us here at The Sea Nation.

Journal

A Farewell to James Wharram

James deeply influenced my life as a sailor and designer. I send my deepest condolences to Hanneke, with sadness that we will never show him the Tiki he helped us realise.

Ikaroa

Making the Workshop Tent Silver

After three weeks refreshing my graphic design skills, I’m back in the workshop upgrading our tent. It’s going silver, much warmer, and should cut our heating costs by at least half.

Ikaroa

I’m Upgrading Our Workshop Tent

After three weeks refreshing my graphic design skills, I’m back in the workshop upgrading our tent. It’s going silver, much warmer, and should cut our heating costs roughly in half.

Journal

Back to School, Powered by Caffeine

I went back to school with a simple message: caffeine is good, decaf is evil.

Ikaroa

My Bows Are Set in Epoxy

I managed to finish another bit, and my bows are now set in something almost as permanent as stone. Time to move on to the last four bits at the sterns.

Ikaroa

Lesson Number Zero With a Jigsaw

I learned lesson number zero in using a jigsaw: check what’s underneath before cutting, especially when it’s a cement floor. The blade produced an interesting effect.

Ikaroa

A Paint Scheme for Ikaroa

I think we’ve found a paint scheme spot on for our boat. I’m just not sure whether visitors will take it the wrong way or get scared.

Tech

Testing Starlink Before It Lands on Ikaroa

I’m testing internet from Mars before it later lands on our boat.

Journal

Home Office, Boat Finance, Workshop Every Day

Adam starts at 6:30; I start a little later before heading to the workshop. That’s how we finance the boat every day except Shabbat.