Spidsgatter Pax

Engine box of teak

Derk Wolmuth did a great job with box size and function for the engine, but the lid was still a template and the box was only held by clamps, at the base. Diana Talley used his lid for the teak inlay on top, added strong bronze quick release hinges and added lock/unlock fasteners so it stays in place underway or can be removed for access.

Chart Table

With a few conversations and sketches, Diana Talley created a perfect chart table for Pax. I wanted to maximize open air space inside the cabin, have easy access from the cockpit, use the (also new) engine box top as my seat and have an engine and electrical panel that hinged down for comfortable wiring projects. Diana recommended the bulkhead location and shape, picking up some of the design features of the early Danish details, while also achieving the functional needs I have now. Originally, there was a hanging locker style top to bottom bulkhead here. We may do a top to bottom bulkhead on starboard, but for now, this achieves the open space with important structural support for both chart table and setee. It is built of wana, with the bulkhead bones of marine okuome plywood from Edensaw Woods.

New forward bulkheaad

Thanks to a timely visit from Alex Spear, I opted for a double bulkhead design serving a dual purpose of strength and function. Here's Diana's design, in marine Okuome from Edensaw Woods.

Patterns for new bulkheads

My friend, Adam Henley tried to explain this to me, but it took a real life situation for the transition of "door skins" and a glue gun to a pattern for building design to make me a believer. Here's Diana Talley's pattern for one of the new bulkheads.

Double bulkhead

Pax mast is 2' higher than the original already tall spidsgatter design. This worried me, but counsel from riggers and sailors convinced me to save Derk's beautiful work but do what I could to support it. That support includes this double bulkhead and a 30% first reef, 60% second reef and easy reefing options for the Main. Here is Diana Talley's work. Inspired by the curvaceous bulkhead I'd lived with for six years on Tethys, I am thrilled with Diana's pick up of Pax hull shape in the aft bulkhead design. The face of the ply will be finished with Wana, a mahogany relative, with plans to use design details visible in the photos of Pax charred original interior.

anchor

The bow roller was created from a Wilmo pattern saved by Pete Langley and poured at his foundry in Port Townsend. Pete and wife, Kathy, are talented and committed family in the maritime community. See their work at PT Foundry. Diana Talley added purple heart protection pads for the bow stem and deck. Nancy Erley took a moment from her Tethys teaching this summer to complete a shovel splice for my new 60' of 3/8" chain to 250' of 3-strand rope.

Stern cleat install

I didn't have a lot of time this summer, but did manage to do quite a few of the smaller projects. Here, I was adding a hefty stern cleat for controlling the main sheet. I also added a new main halyard bronze winch, installed all the new engine hoses, wires, cables and switches, the reefing cleats and blocks, and a door latch. Thank goodness I live in a town with so much talent and so many friends.

Reefing setup on boom

There are two reefs on Pax new Hasse & Company main sail. I was able to use the stopper block and turning block location of one of the former setups, but needed to drill new holes through the boom for the forward set. Our test sails have been done with one reef tied in. Spinlock PXR cam cleats are being tested to hold the outhaul and one reef. Back up cleats will be installed before stronger wind tests. I use (and love) the Tufnol blocks visible in this photo. You can find them at the With a few conversations and sketches, Diana Talley created a perfect chart table for Pax. I wanted to maximize open air space inside the cabin, have easy access from the cockpit, use the (also new) engine box top as my seat and have an engine and electrical panel that hinged down for comfortable wiring projects. Diana recommended the bulkhead location and shape, picking up some of the design features of the early Danish details, while also achieving the functional needs I have now. Originally, there was a hanging locker style top to bottom bulkhead here. We may do a top to bottom bulkhead on starboard, but for now, this achieves the open space with important structural support for both chart table and setee. It is built of wana, with the bulkhead bones of marine okuome plywood from Edensaw Woods. in Port Townsend.

View of new winch, spinlock and opportunities

Here, on our FIRST sail of the boat, you can see the new bronze LVJ winch (purchased at Wooden Boat Chandlery in Port Townsend), one of the Spinlock PXR cam cleats in use and a bad lead for the cleat. The bronze track and luff cars are sticking too much, so we'll switch to Strong Trak this winter. The reefing downhaul is in test phase, with a hook and line to one of the mast cleats. There's no reefing winch yet, which I anticipate I'll need to pull the huge main down in a wind. Always an opportunity to improve a boat!