In irons

Literally.

Nothing. is. happening. at. the. moment. except. waiting.

1. Waiting: FINALLY I found a rudder blade - the one that came with the boat is cactus. Completely useless and un-useable. After approaching the local sailing club who also sail Corsairs, I was told "Oh, we made ours" , thanks guys, thanks a bunch. Clearly I was asking where TO GET ONE not HOW TO MAKE ONE and if you're all such handy dudes, why not offer to help out, or at least point me in the direction of someone who could help. So I got to thinking, which class is most like a Corsair, and who have I lent bits and pieces at regattas to before, VAGABONDS, as the Corsair is the itty-bitty-baby-stepped version of the 420, so the Vag is to the Corsair.
After contacting the Noosa Sailing and Rowing Club - search vagabonds online and they're the only site - I was able to locate a 2nd-hand f/glass one. Ok, so i prefer wooden blades - for no real reason other than i just like 'em - but i'll take whatever i can get.
I just hope Old-mate calls me back so we can arrange the freighting.

Other than that, the Ninja is currently hanging from the shed roof being puttied and sanded ready to be painted (more on this later), I occasionally give the old name a brush with sandpaper if i'm out there but i think it can wait until we do the whole boat.

I bought a power sander which has been great to tidy up the wooden tiller and Tabernacle ready for re-varnishing.

And I remembered to swing into my local Home Hardware - which has a chandlery attached to pick up wire, thimbles and swages to replace my main halyard.

But there doesn't seem to be any point in hurrying with the other repairs without a rudder

Cracks Me Up - but not in a funny-ha-ha way

And THIS is what I found when I cleared away all the muck.

Obviously this won't be an overnight fix.
But stay tuned for updates and Pics

First things First

"Scrub the Deck ye scurvy dawgs"

The Ninja had spent a few years mouldering in someones back yard before I acquired it, and as such, was FILTHY.

Nothing however, that truck wash and a bit of elbow grease can't fix.

The XO (otherwise known as the Hubby) suggested that gurneying the muck off would be the way to go, but using a sponge and brush means that you can feel 'soggy'and 'snagy' spots that you might otherwise miss with the naked eye.

Sadly, some great pieces of rigging had also been left exposed to the elements, the sheets and lanyards were sandpaper rough and covered in mould - out they go (sunlight, salt water and the chemicals in detergents degrade ropes integrity) to the spares bucket.

Congratualtions, It's a Ninja!

Late Friday afternoon, I arrived home to the most magnificent sight, a Corsair in the driveway.

Previously known as "Cruzin Blue" the soon to be re-named "GinjaNinja" obviously needed some TLC.
Early the next day, I pulled out the magnifying glass (not really) and went over it inch by inch. Noting from Bow to stern, mast head to foot, everything needing attention.
->It's a long list. <-
After searching (exhaustively) the internets for information on repairing, maintaining and overhauling Corsairs, or Dinghies in general - and coming up with next to nothing - the Aus. Corsair Association page not included as they are building a great catalogue of information - my response was to chronicle the repairs and adventures of the GinjaNinja.

And then I realised, there's so much more information that other sailers and boat hobbyists like myself would find interesting, i.e. Suppliers, Sailing tips, Rigs and Gear to make your life easier on the water, so on and so forth - so hopefully this blog will be a comprehnsive Corsair and Small Dinghy FYI and DIY site.

Contributers are welcome, please contact me if you would like to contribute to this blog.

THIS BLOG IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

EXPECT INTERESTING AND HELPFUL TIPS AND TRICKS SOON.