Manie's Microcruiser

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by Manie B, Jun 14, 2009.

  1. Fanie
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: Colonial "Sick Africa"

    Fanie Fanie

    Very good and well done Manie.

    Still no crew pictures... :D

    Mooii Eland daardie !

    I see you plan to do Bloemhof dam... very different an more dangerous than the others, the swells are different and the water is relative shallow, better check the water level prior...

    Gariep have a lot of rocks, you need to watch underwater hills you may run onto.
    Other than that, mostly like the Vaal.

    When are we doing the Moz to RB ?!!!
     
  2. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Whoa !

    the folding cockpit cover is cool !!!
     
  3. Manie B
    Joined: Sep 2006
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    Location: Cape Town South Africa

    Manie B Senior Member

    Fanie - Mozambique (Maputo) is most definately on the cards.

    I know very little about Moz, so it would be very helpful if we can start to get info here on this thread of what to do, where and when.

    What are the correct procedures at the border.
    What paperwork is required both sides of the border.
    Who is going to give me uphill and where.
    If I have to pay bribes every second kilometer I wont go.
    Where is the best and safest place to launch in Maputo harbor, so that I know my vehicle and trailer will still be there (in one piece) when I get back from a weeks trip.

    I spoke to a guy that sailed in Richards Bay for the past 5 years and the paperwork and fees are becoming ridiculous. I will have to sign my life away to the South African government if I wanted to stay out at sea for a couple of nights.

    I am hoping that Moz has less red tape and that I could sail away in piece.
    Port Elizabeth is very friendly towards me but very far to travel.
     
  4. Manie B
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    Location: Cape Town South Africa

    Manie B Senior Member

  5. Fanie
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: Colonial "Sick Africa"

    Fanie Fanie

    Oh sht, I forgot what a bloody ripoff it became to live in your own country.

    You don't have to pay bribes in Moz, just don't do anything stupid or illegal. There are a few pitfalls, mostly corruption caused by lazy whites to do their own work, but one can get around that.

    Is there any other place in ZA where you can launch instead of a harbor, that will cut a lot of ridicule. I was thinking about launching somewhere more North and not from Maputu, then launch at a beach somewhere in ZA instead of a harbor. It will be weather dependent though, but not un-doable. Moz is beautiful, the people are stunning and very friendly further away from ZA, the rot spills over.

    Btw, how's your Portuguese :D
    And where do we get the other hull... I don't sail half a boat ok !

    If you're seriously considering, lets talk.
     
  6. Fanie
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    Fanie Fanie

    One can also only do Moz... there are some season weather trends to watch in the channel
     
  7. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

  8. Manie B
    Joined: Sep 2006
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    Location: Cape Town South Africa

    Manie B Senior Member

  9. Manie B
    Joined: Sep 2006
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    Location: Cape Town South Africa

    Manie B Senior Member

  10. Manie B
    Joined: Sep 2006
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    Location: Cape Town South Africa

    Manie B Senior Member

    Ok here is the second video,

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHeQ211tmVU

    This collage is a bit of the scenery and surroundings.

    The main problem with shooting the videos was my nervousness. I handsteered for hours on end, every day.
    The Garmin charts that mark out the original "river" as she sweeps along under the dam is probably 95% correct but the charts show depths of the dam in a FULL state. Over the years the mudflats and sandbanks have also shifted so the depth sounder becomes of pivotal importance. Some of the shallow areas are now ABOVE the water and definately not 2m deep. I think that the Vaaldam at 75% full is approximately 3m shallower that the charts show on average.
    The charts also only cover the dam, when you go higher up you are once again dependant on the fish finder.

    I only had the time to pick up the video camera when I was sure that we had a good stretch of straight deep "river" ahead of us.
    My other problem was that I only sat down and read the instructions for the Raymarine ST1000 on the last day when I also happened to have good weather. The autopilot now works much better because I got it to "settle down and take it easy"

    The odd fisherman that I saw along the way must have thaught that I am dilly, winding my way back and forth along a dam that looks perfectly good from the edge. The Vaaldam is definately not deep in the middle and shallow along the sides, it winds its way along like a snake.

    This map is of the mudflats area which is actually a bit shitty and dangerous.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. michael pierzga
    Joined: Dec 2008
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Black is going to be hot !!

    Perhaps that cover could also morph into a solar hot water heater..


    Hmmmmmm, hot showers............
     
  12. masalai
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: cruising, Australia

    masalai masalai

    Congratulations Manie,
    All the very best for your cruising life... I am still in Cairns helping out friends and slowly fixing minor issues on my boat... 24 v macerator on the toilet is next to be refined...
     
  13. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Nice vid. See any crocs?
     
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  14. Manie B
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    Manie B Senior Member

    no crocs in these waters - they were taken out many years ago by the farmers
     

  15. Manie B
    Joined: Sep 2006
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    Manie B Senior Member

    I posted a slide show of the interior photos.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27HhpRqFmxM

    this for the guys that PM me asking about "liveability"
    I just want to reassure all the micro enthusiasts out there that a 5m boat is a big boat.
    You can sit very comfortabilly with ample head room and a 360 deg view all round.
    Very comfortable bunks at 2m for a good nights sleep. Plenty storage space forward.
    Comfortable standing/sitting in the hatch. My small bimini sunshade allows me to stand or sit in the hatch with my arms resting on the roof. Minimal wind resistance.
    So lots of space to move around, I shower on deck in the evenings with the hand shower.

    So the next question was if I had build again would I go bigger,
    THE ANSWER IS NO
    I am absolutely and totally happy with the size, space, and towing weight.

    I can now get on with the centerboard and ballast AND MAST AND SAILS
    with absolute peace of mind that the boat fullfills all my requirements, dreams and desires.
     
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