Persistence whatsits? The devil is in the details  BOO! Give up? Actually, this odd-looking thing is the author's custom-built wooden seat, fitted in the companionway.The circles are for his, er, seat and are custom fitted. The holes let out water, if any comes aboard.  Whatzit? Passersby often wonder what this is. Actually, it's a deck prism inset in a cast bronze mount. It gathers light and disperses it below -- a favorite of the author's, particularly on dark days.  A pint-sized expresso maker sits atop a butane stove, with copper tube leading to metal coffee cup. Cup contains mixed instant milk. When cruising onboard Persistence, the author enjoys latte every morning.  Look deep in the water: it's a sort of fin protruding aft. The author likes the fin and the bulb at the rudder tip to control heavy weather wave action. He uses the tip at a foothold to get back in the boat when he sometimes falls in.  Home-built wooden bows fit atop the sea hood. When in upright position (shown here) they hold up a companionway dodger, just big enough for the author to sit on his wooden seat. When not in use, the Sunbrella and plastic hood comes off, and, the wooden bows fold forward.  Inside the tiny cloth and plastic dodger (just big enough for the author's head and shoulders), the boat can be operated out of the weather. GPS is on right, compass dead ahead, and clock to port. A folded chart hangs from clip for easy reference, and, Building |
Das Boot: The Boat  Details of the author's 20-foot sloop, Persistence. The sloop is set up for singlehanded sailing with all sail controls leading aft to the cockpit. New in 2007 is the tanbark 5.2 ounce mainsail complete with single-line reefing. Length: 20 feet Beam:7 feet, 4 inches Draft: Centerboard up, 12 inches, CB down 4 feet 6 inches Weight: Ultralightweight at about 1100 pounds. Sail area: Main 80 square feet; Jib 88 square feet Sail handling controls: In 2007, Persistence received a new tanbark loose-footed jib. It is now controlled by single-line reefing. Jib is set on Cruising Design roller bearing furler. All sail controls lead aft to cockpit. Main has lazy jacks. Construction details: Keel and stem, white oak; Ribs, mahogany composite, Hull, three layers of 1/ Electrical: Two photovoltec panels atop cabin recharge two 12-volt deep cycle marine batteries under forward bunk along keelson Engine: 5 hp. Nissan two-cycle outboard mounted on swing bracket. Remote 3 1/ Radios: VHF radio with mast head antenna, AM/ Berths Large double berth located in forecastle; two quarterberths are aft extending under sides of cockpit seat. Miscellaneous Equipment: Magellan GPS, knot meter, depthsounder, three compasses, Portable head under forward V-berth. Foam Flotation fore and aft. Mast is set on tabernacle and is foamed and sealed. Boat is lightning grounded from mast to keel, and also, all major metal parts. Autohelm with remote control. Design additions Folding lcoth dodger fits over companionway, so author can sit sheltered inside and operate boat. Portable seat fits under companionway. Transom was lengthened with "scoop". Six-inch deep stub keel added through which 3/  Coming about, the boat is easily sailed single handed.  Leaning out, the author finds his mast crutch a handy convenience in the cockpit. Bree has lived aboard Persistence for as long as three months while cruising Lake Superior.  On its way north to Superior, Persistence rests securely on its trailer, its forward section protected by its cover. Loris stands beside small boat, towed by the author's 4 x 4 Suzuki Sidekick. The Kick's 1600 c.c. engine puts out 80 h.p.  In gin-clear waters, Persistence floats easily in CPR Harbor, on a small island in the northern arc of Lake Superior. The visit to the harbor is described in the author's book, Wake of the Green Storm.  Inside Persistence, the author sits on the forward V berth to operate the nav station. In front of him is a ham-band radio and (top left) the VHF. The boat also carries an EPIRB. To the right is the CB trunk.  The deck is teak, and, the cabin top is Honduras Mahogany. Note sea hood over cockpit hatch.  Under Cover: Boat cover totally protects topsides of Persistence. The cover is used when mast is up and also protects boat when mast is down, for winter storage. Note boom tent.  At Sunset, Persistence is snuggled down deep inside a harbor in the beautiful Slate Islands. In a few minutes, the author will see one of the islands caribou on the shore.  With Superior in the distance, Persistence (right) waits out the aftermath of the Green Storm on tiny Thompson Island's harbor. (photo by Clive Dudley) |
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