Through out the summer and autumn months, Paul DeNoble worked as part of the Blue Dream Project with shipwright Dave Westergard building this new, 60-foot schooner in beautiful Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

The wooden schooner should be in operation this spring, 2016. 

We look forward to sharing more photos of the upcoming rig project, and in the meantime, please check out the website of the Blue Dream Project.

http://www.thebluedreamproject.org

Well, we're back at it. Since starting with the sail-cargo venture s.v. AVONTUUR at the end of summer, we've had to take a break from the project to complete some other tasks... but, Topsail Rigging is happy to be back on the scene with the large-scale restoration/conversion project in Elsfleth, Germany.

Working hard to complete a range of jobs in order to step all four masts at the same time has been made easier with the help of the volunteers brought together by TIMBERCOAST, the operators of Avontuur.

From splicing and serving we've moved forward to blacking down, painting seizings, measuring & seizing on ratlines as well as detail tasks such as doubling-up on leather for certain parts of the rig which require even more protection, to fabricating wire-rope grommets to sit over the topmast head.

We hope to very (very) soon write a post with all the masts successfully stepped!

Oh, and be sure to take a look at the website of Avontuur - www.timbercoast.com

Topsail Rigging Limited is happy to say that our recent project in Iceland has come to a close, with very fine results. Beginning in April, our team began by assisting in calking the hull. When the ship was launched again, we turned our focus to fabricating the new steel spreaders & other rig irons. This task was also taken on by the architect of the project; Pepijn from Manta Marine Design.

From there, we lifted the foremast out (for the first time in many years!) with the largest crane available to this area in Iceland. We did this in order to better fit the new irons to the mast. In the rig shop, our team measured, cut & served 175 meters of new wire rope. All the new lines for the squares were also made in this space, as well as serving as a paint shop for the new irons... task management and space allocation became priority!

When all three yards had been successfully crossed and all the new lines run, North Sailing hosted the Prime Minister of Iceland onboard Opal for a lovely day sail. This was in celebration & recognition of the commitment to sustainability & green energy that North Sailing has displayed. Indeed; the new engine of OpalTopsail Rigging Limited is happy to say that our recent project in Iceland has come to a close, with very fine results. Beginning in April, our team began by assisting in calking the hull. When the ship was launched again, we turned our focus to fabricating the new steel spreaders & other rig irons. This task was also taken on by the architect of the project; Pepijn from Manta Marine Design.

From there, we lifted the foremast out (for the first time in many years!) with the largest crane available to this area in Iceland. We did this in order to better fit the new irons to the mast. In the rig shop, our team measured, cut & served 175 meters of new wire rope. All the new lines for the squares were also made in this space, as well as serving as a paint shop for the new irons... task management and space allocation became priority!

When all three yards had been successfully crossed and all the new lines run, North Sailing hosted the Prime Minister of Iceland onboard Opal for a lovely day sail. This was in celebration & recognition of the commitment to sustainability & green energy that North Sailing has displayed. Indeed; the new engine of Opal is 100% electric - her extensive battery bank can be fully charged by a generator which runs off the spinning of the propeller, which turns when the ship moves through the water when powered by sail alone. 

After some trials in Skjalfandi Bay, the ship set out with part of our team onboard for the delivery to Scorsbysund, East Greenland. A great end to a lovely project! Thanks to all who helped out in the Rig Shop and to all those who supported us throughout. We look forward to again working with Manta Marine, North Sailing & the ever-beautiful,  (now) square-topsail schooner Opal.

Riggers out for now!

SCHOONER RUTH FIRST SAIL – MOUNT GAY REGATTA

Six weeks after launching, SV Ruth had to sail. We told them at the bar, at the docks and we told them at the store – she wasn’t ready. “But she HAS to sail!” was their only response. I have to admit, it was a pretty convincing argument.

Though her mahogany interior was not varnished, her galley stove without propane – regardless of her lack of fresh water and her railing still a dream; she had to sail. Her anchor “winch” was just man-power, the depth sounder a lead with white-duck fathoms marked; she still missed her fisherman and fore-topsail, her main topsail rigged late the night before. But she must put out to sea! Heedless of her new green crew, having only one big pump and no GPS onboard, we were as ready as we could be for the Mount Gay Round Barbados Race.

Twelve people were on the dock in the Shallow Draught harbor before the Sun rose on the day of the race, each as nervous as the rest. How would she sail, they wondered? Did the engine really work? Would she be stable? What exactly is this “tacking” that everyone keeps talking about? Was she ready? We were about to find out.

The ship and the captain had the same resume – 12 years of experience with boats, sails, boatbuilding, rigging and crew – only SV Ruth had never been a sailboat before and the captain had never been a captain before. Couldn’t have found a better match.

The schooner left the wall before 0700 without incident, and drove under engine power to the starting line in Carlisle Bay – right to where she had been launched from. The plan had been to set sail slowly, one by one, to consider each and make sure everything was just right. But, lo and behold, in the bay was our contender – cargo brigantine Tres Hombres – under full press, sailing across the line!

“LET’S GET THAT MAINSAIL UP!”

Due to our late start, Tres Hombres had 15 minutes of ground on us… but we were sailing! Under Mainsail, Fore, Jumbo, Jib & Jibtop, we were moving wonderfully! For the first time ever, Ruth was cutting along just as she was meant to. The helm responded perfectly, the experienced Canadians taught the greenhands how to trim and coil – everyone was having a splendid time on the water. But… we weren’t gaining.

Taeo was sent up to unfurl the Main Gaff Topsail, which had never been set before. The sail is in a sense, the most complicated one on the vessel; with mini-masthoops, halliard, loose tack, luff pennant to be lashed still, a sheet leading out to the end of the main gaff and the clewline reaching the whole outline of the sail through small blocks lashed onto each corner. We weren’t sure how well this was going to work the first time. After getting some twists out here and there, the sail set correctly (well, we’ll have to play with that sheet lead a little) and we were pushed ahead faster than ever before – speeding through the water, we were catching up.

We had the advantages of a freshly painted, super-clean bottom, a few feet of waterline on Tres Hombres, and we were as light a ship as she could be. Also, Ruth choose to sail a little farther out from the Island of Barbados than many of the other racers. Putting all these factor together made for a very fast sail. Unlike on launch day, when she could have only been described as ‘jaunty’ under power, her motion was now lively and tender, and she picked up speed smoothly as soon as any gust of wind came across the water. Leaning her shoulder into the water during more powerful winds, we put the lee rail under water on more than one occasion pressing forward at up to 9 knots. We could not have asked for a better performance from Ruth.

We reached North Point in good time, decided to tack around and sail back down the coast – as we were only awarded a provisional license allowing up to sail the South & West coasts of Barbados. It was at this time that we saw the breathtaking schooner Elena charging towards us under full sail. We all decided that it would be best to tack around again and sail north alongside Elena – and we could not have decided to soon enough. We spun around (Ruth does so splendidly.) and watched the racing yacht blow past us, stealing our wind.

The sail back down the west coast was quick and wonderful – Ruth maintained eight or so knots for the whole southbound leg. We were lucky and kept the wind, whereas other vessel around the coast of Barbados had experienced complete stills.

We all hope to sail around the island next year – and of course break some records!

Best,

The Crew of Ruth

Although many of our interested followers are already aware, SV Ruth has wonderfully exciting news – she is launched and in the water! As of Saturday, December 6th, 2014, we can officially say that she floats!

The excitement began the previous afternoon when the 100’ steel schooner was pulled out onto the beach on the large, 18-wheeled trailer that had held her for nearly 12 years. A small crowed watched with anticipation as the vessel and the launch project took life for the first time. As she inched along the gravel & sand, it is safe to say that some people could not believe their eyes. “They’re actually doing it!” For the three persons onboard – Project Foreman Owen DaSilva, Master Rigger Sean Parsonage and Captain Danielle Doggett, the experience was unforgettable.

The launch day was a massive success. A vast crowd of well-wishers joined together on Browne’s Beach; stretching from the scuba-shack buildings and bars and flowing ceaselessly deep into the water, transforming from late-comers arriving in the car-park at the top of the road, to those who had set up camp on the nearby boats hauled out for repairs, youngsters atop mountains of sand, to VIPs and ministers seated in the pavilion, into swimmers and kayakers eager to see the event from a different perspective. It became clear just how important this project has been to the people of Barbados.

After a number of supportive and heartfelt speeches were given in the VIP Pavilion – including one by Director of SV Ruth, Mr. Ian Dash – it was time. For the ten people onboard that day, the excitement was about to begin. Pulled seaward by the large tugboat ‘Barbados II’, she began to roll down the incline of the sand and into the water. The angle of the brow of the beach at the waters edge had been reduced that morning, but as the ship passed the greatest incline, it was still steep enough to cause the crew to grab hold of anything firmly attached to the ship – though some of the crew remember Mr. Dash charging forward, gaining the bow with all the vigor of the day!

The ship continued, deeper into the crystal clear, bright blue waters of Carlisle Bay. The tugboat was smooth and controlled, not over-powering the pace of entry as she easily could have. When the stern-tube and through-hulls entered the sea, we found with great relief (not at all disbelief) that she was water-tight. Check. The Captain sparked the engine, which started without hesitation. Check. Then, without so much as a shudder or a bump, SV Ruth was floating. The crowd exploded into cheering & applause. Those at the bow called aft “We’re free of the cradle!” This galvanized those at the stern into action – engine in gear; spot the surrounding swimmers, kayakers, boaters, buoys and the great, half sunken tow-rope which was directly across our path; start to move.

Gliding through the water, headed out to the open water just outside of the bay, was incredible. The band onboard played a happy tune and all were smiling. Our escort – or rather entourage – helped guide the way over to the Shallow Draft Harbour, where the vessel came alongside for the first time. As the event came to a close it became obvious that this was a first, large step into the new life of this sailing cargo vessel, and for the sailing cargo movement that is now taking shape in the Caribbean.

Thank you so much to all who participated in the Launch of Schooner Ruth.

Topsail Rigging Limited is excited to announce the purchase of a new little schooner Tradition II! Built in Nova Scotia in 1974, Tradition is currently wrapped up for the winter on Lake Ontario. 

We are very excited to have a lovely little vessel to showcase the care & skill Topsail Rigging gives to every project. 

Keep posted for updates about Tradition II, although there probably won't be any until Canada thaws out in the spring!