Ready for launch!
Last two weeks the weather was rainy and stormy. Adequate conditions for this time of the year - and clearly no-no for launching the boat.
This weekend we finally got one day with fine weather and not-so-stormy wind, so that I could take Louve out for stepping the mast and checking all running rig.
All missing fittings arrived from Toplicht.
I chose leading downhaul purchase along starboard as my right hand is stronger.
Plans propose using centerboard case for that but then this would obstruct access to forward hatch (where I will keep anchor rode) and will be in the way when working on deck. Having it along freeboard keeps the center line uncluttered.
Besides - Roger Barns has it that way, too!
This 3-part purchase is led towards the bow…
… to neatly emerge above the foredeck:
Sail tack is attached with soft-shackle.
I chose to divert from main sheet configuration proposed in plans - with thimble and single block. It certainly is more head-safe this way but I chose to have better purchase with double blocks on the main sheet.
After checking all running rigging I packed the sail into its bag and put to winter storage.
Taking advantage of fine weather I took measurements for sewing tent and making boom (yard) crook.
I was curious if my old 6hp outboard would fit. Last time I used it was many years ago on Motoko. It seems that the rig length is fine but it is certainly overdimensioned for Louve.
As every boat - she is never “finished”, in the sense that I will continue tinkering and optimizing things. She is, however, finished in the sense of building her.
Would it not be so late in the year I would launch her now.
That’s it then - the build is finished and Louve is ready for launch!
It took two summers to build her and it was great fun.
I will continue tinkering and building equipment for her (pentry, tent etc) but that will be covered in Workshop section.
All posts about building Louve can be accessed also via