Cetol - first coat

Today the WOWers, with foam brushes in hand, painted the wood floor boards, masts, and odd bits with the first coating of Marine Cetol - a durable satin, translucent protective wood finish for use above the waterline on interior and exterior woods. We expect we will do 3 or more layers. Maria painted the bow and stern with the first coats of varnish. The Sunday Sailors painted the yellow band on the interior boat on Sunday, but it's still drying. All in all things are moving ahead smoothly. Many hands have made light the work.  We celebrate with a tailgate tea party because it's warmer outside than inside.

 

Looking longingly at the water. It would have been a good day to row.

Sisters...

The Bees Knees

For those who know her know - we all think Vérité is the Bees Knees!
Meaning she is pretty darn cool.
She also has knees - four of which are in need of replacement.

What is a knee?
A knee is a natural or cut, curved piece of wood. Ships knees are a common form of bracing in boat building.

A ship’s knee has two parts called the arm (shorter) and a body (longer). The outside surfaces come to a corner,  called the heel. The inside surface retains its natural shape and the curve is called the bosom. The thickness between the heel and bosom is the throat. The ends of the arm and body are the toes.
The names of ship’s knees are based on their position.

• Hanging knee, the arm is down;
• Standing~, the arm is up;
• Lodging~, the arm is sideways;
• Boson~ or lap~, (unclear);
• Quarter~, quarter sawn thus smaller but without the pith (center of the tree rings) so less prone to checking;
• Dagger~ In shipbuilding, typically a hanging knee set slightly off diagonally to clear an obstruction such as a gunport in a fighting ship. From "Building the Wooden Fighting Ship"

Due to tradition, ease of workability, strength and durability characteristics, some species of wood are particularly prized for making knees. Tamarack (also known as hackmatack) stumps are among the preferred softwood species for grown knees, while white oak, live oak and elm are preferred for hardwoods for bent knees due to their ease of steam bending.



Maria is holding one of the knees that will be used.

 

The sanding is done.

Next - the work of varnishing, cetoling, and painting.

This year a new set of oars will be made, along with those knees, and some stanchions,

and the list may grow because

Vérité is going to Denmark!

She and her crew (made up of East Coast and West Coast youth) will be

participating in the Atlantic Challenge!

Needless to say - the excitement is building!

Thea Foss Presentation

The WOWers are so proud of one of our rowers - Nancy Bourne Haley who co-directed, and produced the film "Finding Thea." The WOWers attended a viewing at the Tacoma Yacht Club this past week. There's talk about bringing the Norwegian stage production to Tacoma in the future. We can't wait!

1st work day of 2016

The WOWers are back in the boat and ready to get'r done. Today's motto:

 

Whether it is big or small do it right or not at all.

 

Today we sanded the green paint on the inside of the boat, the masts and some of the floor boards.

Much was accomplished by many hands. Nine in all.

 

 

 

 

Before you know it - she will be back in the water!

 

Happy Holidays from Vérité

As the year winds down those who row  board the Vérité wish for the Merriest of Seasons. When January rolls around you will find the crew at the Petrich building scrapping and sanding, painting and polishing on our beloved wooden boat.  Till then we feast and toast to good health, good times ahead, and to lasting friendships.

The rain doth fall

An unusual thing happened this Monday... it rained during our rowing time. That happens so rarely. Sometimes we ignore it and go out anyway. This time the wind picked up and the rain wasn't to our liking so we stayed inside. We tied knots, discussed the winter maintenance schedule and had our normal laughs between sips of tea and delightful snacks. Voski's cookies were too yummy to just have one.

Under threatening skies

Oh, joy to see so many gathered together in spite of threatening skies. Many who have been away returned for the day. The luck of the Verite stayed with us for the entire row. Not a drop on our heads. The water was gentle and the wind waited until we turned toward home to make itself known.  The clouds really wanted to rain. Father wind, brother sky were getting very blue in the face. True to form not long after we got in our cars and headed home the rains started.

It's the luck of a Bantry Bay Gig!

Nancy tells the story of traveling to Norway to view the play that was made as a result of her video about Thea Foss. Our very own filmmaker!

Plans are for a special viewing this winter. We just can't wait!

 

 

It was a good day on the water.