Hi from the Falkland Islands, Tiki21 and Hitia 14 owner

[Rob Wilkinson]

Hi there, well first things first..got interested in Wharrams in the late 90's after seeing an ad in a magazine, featured a Tiki 21. Its lines really struck a chord.

 

Learnt to sail with a self built kit Mirror dinghy in 2000, then bought a badly busted up Laser 2. Had not forgotten the Wharram concept though, towards the end of 2001 saw me launching a self built Hitia 14. First cat sailing I had ever done, good times.

 

5 years ago I bought 'Papayo' a Tiki 21 from a bloke in Guernsey (anyone know this boat?) and got her shipped to the Falklands.   I must say I had neglected her, though always kept her covered up over the winter. Just finished painting the center decks after stripping them down for an inspection..aiming to get her back on the water very soon.  Shes weathered very well, well made boat, with a lot of life ahead of her. 

 

Questions though, thinking of building a small 'pod' to place on the center deck..and/or building a tabernacle system for the mast. Anyone done either of these things? the Pod would be made in such a way as to dismantle easily..though havent ruled out a canvas cover instead.  The overall idea would be a large spray dodger that could be used for cooking under etc.

 

The tabernacle would be handy as we have this lagoon, the entrance to this has a bridge..the local yacht people tend to squabble over some things, the ideal mooring for me would be in said Lagoon if I can design a system for dropping the mast easily.  I might go for an alloy mast, as the original timber one is quite heavy. So with mast dropped I could scoot under the bridge and help myself to one of the best moorings in the area :)

 

They are great boats, wished I had gone for the 26ft Tiki in some ways..def more cabin space for one thing.

 

Anyway, look forward to hearing from anyone

 

Rob

[paul anderson]

Wow these boats get around. As  for the mast tabernacle have a look at the element tiki 26 blog or his postings on this forum about a mast tabernacle. Rory is your man to talk to about 21's as there is no man better qualified to do so. I think a canvas dodger/pod would be the way to go.

all the very best paul.

[Rob Wilkinson]

Claudio...we both know its the Falklands!! :)  Guess you got a Wharram based in Argentina? whereabouts? I have been as far north as Puerto Madryn when travelling.

 

Yep, Wharrams get all over the world:)  I would hesitate in some ways over suitability of catamarans in the southern ocean...I have never done deep sea and and very careful about coastal trips. The 21 isnt big enough for serious trips unless heavily modded to cope.  My dream boat would prob be the Islander 55, looks an ideal size.

 

I have the only Wharrams in this area, one key point with these boats is that the stability is good...but you must reef early id if the wind is looking to get strong. Heavily reefed my 21 has always got me home:)

[Rob Wilkinson]

Hmm, Malvinas...now where are they? ;)  Are there many Wharrams in Argentina? I have seen some video on Youtube of one or two based in Uruguay..they went on a small trip up the Parana?

 

[Galway Bay]

Welcome !!

   You should register your boat on " Tous Les Wharrams dans le monde " discussion [see Roux Oliver's page] he will put your boat on a Google Earth program.  I am at present the most northerly boat you will no doubt be the most southerly so we are about as far apart as Wharram fans can get but we are still connected by this bond ! 

  Godzilla if you register you might bump me - how far north in Finland are you ? 

  It is a pity that only whan someone registers that this discussion makes it onto the forum board.  Roux I suggest to you that you open this again by adding a GROUP instead of a discussion then it would be available all the time. Remember this site is now attracting many new members who will not know of your excellent idea.

  Now that mast - yes I do it afloat every year with a 30 footer. Even at this size it is only an hour's work  BUT  it then takes me ages to adjust the rig for sailing.  This is because of the cutter rig which has  8 stays so this will not apply to lucky you ! All you need is something - anything - to hold the base of the mast in position. Tie the m'sail halyard to the end of the boom [ or a boathook / similar rigged to serve ] release the backstay and lower the mast over the BOWS using the mainsheet. The side stays must be slackened in tandem so ease off a couple of inches here then mainsheet then repeat etc...The boom or lash-up will also need to be restrained  with a stay each side and adjusted in the same way. The real load is in the last meter or so [ first going up ] so for your purpose I suggest a removable "Y" pole  [1m or so ]on the  No 1 beam in perhaps a stanchion socket to catch the pole and do'nt let it all the way down if it is going back up again so soon !  The closer the base of the stays are in line with the base of the mast the less they will need adjusting as you lift / lower.  I moved my sidestays forward until almost in line with the mast then set split backstays instead of the single to the  bridle. This is so much better than the designed single backstay that I recommend it to all builders whether or not they want to raise/lower their mast.

Any chance you might come visit some day ????

 

[paul anderson]

Bloody hell, that is some serious water Juan, what are those winds called that come off the mountains called again?

[Rob Wilkinson]

Ushuaia? really? I have been there before, about 3 times now.  I never saw your Wharram, unless shes based away from the yacht club?

 

The Malvinas are under my feet? oh yes...the Falklands/Malvinas:)  dont worry I dont get crazy about names and politics...I was here in 1982 and know the loss of life on both sides...very very sad, a dark time in history indeed.

 

Of interest to you, two 'Grumete' keel boats were gifted the Islands, but both have long since gone. One got broken up and burnt during the war..the other got wrecked in the water as it wasnt cared for. I have some very dull slide negatives that show these boats being worked on in the late 70's I think. 

 

You should visit, flights from Rio Gallegos with LAN are not a bad price...unless you bring the Tiki 30 over?  I dont cruise very far, just the local area of Stanley. One day I would like to cruise further, down the southern coast of East Falkland as its more scenic and not as dangerous as the northern coast.

 

 

[Rob Wilkinson]

Goodness knows where that is. Been working at getting my Tiki back on the water today, mast is stepped and sorting out the trampoline. The original is no good anymore but have some heavy duty cargo net that will do:)  wanting to get her on the water for the referendum this weekend...look out for her on the news, you might see her:)