| | All going well here with Bovinda's sea trials - thanks to all who turned up last Saturday! Work continues as we are constantly tweeking this and that, hopefully improving her capabilities. Weather hasn't been too favourable with easterly winds blowing but as they ease off we aim to take her out again! As the saying goes - 'A lot done! A lot still to do....!' |
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‘You brought the north easterlies back with ye I see’, Dave commented as he climbed out from his trawler on his way home. It was great to be back in Annagassan, I thought as the crane lowered Bovinda down into the water, but no sooner had we arrived than the work began scrambling about the inside of the craft to see if there were any leaks, but to my surprise nothing was visible. The crew turned out in full measure to get the boat here and as soon as something was suggested, the job was done. A tonne of gravel bags quickly found its way into the bowel of the beast, while others were lifting the mast and winding up the leather stays, it couldn’t have been a better day. Since that day, the boat has undergone the changes needed to get her moving. The two quarter rudders have found their way to steer the boat while the mast was shifted a meter forward which allows Bovinda shift from reaching across the wind to running with it, without stalling in lighter winds. The skids beneath the craft seem to have been a success allowing the leeboards and lumpy leather bags that sat behind them to be abandoned for the present anyhow. The boat can sail 180˚ for now and was out in a force 5 wind.
…A lot done and plenty more to do…. I found its best to work on the project in the early hours of the morning as today I officially talked myself out and retreated to the van to hide while sewing leather straps together for binding up the sail. I can’t get a balance on this one, I’m either overly enthusiastic or bordering grumpy from overdoing it, disappointing but the public are fascinated so tomorrow is a new day and after a bit of grub and a sleep I will be back to myself again. So to recap…..the Stone Age currach sails and with every slight alteration, it is getting easier. Huge thanks again to all for so much help from everybody, the local support has been unbelievable! Thanks also to Meath County Council / Indaver Ltd for their continued support.... |
Claidhbh Ó GibneAn artist and currach-maker whose studio and home are located among the remnants of countless monuments in the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Park. Archives
August 2018
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