The Boat

Katla is a 26ft Wooden Gaff Cutter built by Martin Lund in 2006 of the Wynfall design by Mark Smaalders.

She is Carvel built of Mahogany planks over sawn Pine frames. The planks are fastened with Stainless Steel (316) screws and the frames are glued and fastened using wooden pegs and Galvanised bolts. Before painting, all wood was treated with a mixture of Turpentine, Pine Oil and Cuprinol.

The deck is Marine Plywood epoxy laminated and covered with chopped strand mat in epoxy resin. The Spar is of Siberian Larch. The rudder is transom hung on Stainless Steel (316) pintles.

The ballast keel is a Stainless Steel (316) box of 6mm sides and bottom, which has lead ingots in it. The lead is then laid in poliester resin inside. Five Stainless Steel (316) tubes are welded inside vertically through the keel box, where the keel bolts go through, meaning the box is completely sealed from seawater. There are 5 Stainless Steel (316) keelbolts to carry 1.5 tonnes. It is a massively strong construction.

There are no through hull fittings and a water tight bulkhead under the cockpit.

The broker described her as: 'A sturdy and salty little lady. Which will appeal to traditionalists on a budget'.

There is no inboard engine, no toilet, no electronics, and traditional (Block & Tackle) rigging (no winches).

LOA: 26' - 5"
LWL: 23' - 10"
BEAM: 8' - 10"
DRAFT: 3' - 10"
DISP: 9500 lbs
BALLAST: 3300 lbs
D/L: 343
SAIL AREA: 466 sq. ft.

The Trip

View Katla

Thursday, 30 June 2011

Here We Go Again ...

Follow my progress ...
Horta in the Azores to Falmouth Cornwall U.K. - ~1250nm

The forecast is far from ideal (little wind followed by Northerlies) but I'm really desperate to get going. I might be OK if I can get ~150nm north in the next few days. Ordinarily I wouldn't leave on this forecast but I have been here long enough and it's rubbish without the posse. It's also costing me money when I can be bored at sea for free! Besides, I'm mentally ready for another ocean crossing... Worse case scenario, I end up in Spain!

Sat Phone: 8816 316 67012
Send SMS to my Sat Phone for free here: http://messaging.iridium.com/
Send me a message! Just dont expect a reply - and YES 'It's working - I do receive them'.
The Satphone is only turned on periodically throughout the day.


View Katla

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29 comments:

  1. Pirate Princess1 July 2011 at 15:14

    Fasten your life jackets for Boo and Katla's Azores-UK passage. First update now plotted on the map!

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  2. Liza2 July 2011 at 19:40

    yay and hurray! safe home and may your spud supply never run dry ~

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  3. Pirate Princess2 July 2011 at 23:29

    Thanks Liza, have passed message on to Boo. . Looks like wind is picking up a bit for next couple of days. Any news on Rosa?

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  4. Liza3 July 2011 at 09:26

    not heard a sausage from Rosa ... will be sure to let you know when I get word! glad to hear there's some fair wind potential for Katla xx

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  5. Tracy4 July 2011 at 13:25

    A member of the Coven is wondering if she could be taught to sail - would make a change from flying on that broomstick (its not very comfortable)

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  6. Pirate Princess4 July 2011 at 14:29

    Latest update is for 12:00 UTC today. Very speedy considering his initial doubts about the forecast!
    Request for sailing lessons has been forwarded to The Captain.

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  7. Pirate Princess4 July 2011 at 22:23

    Has had a pod of about 20 or so small black whales around the boat. Apparently could be going even faster with current conditions!

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  8. Liza6 July 2011 at 12:41

    Rosa in Falmouth~ arrived 0100h 6 July. Loved reading about the whales accompanying Katla, and wish you the very best of weather and cetacean company ~ x

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  9. Pirate Princess6 July 2011 at 22:54

    Great news Liza, I have passed the message on. Send them our best and see them soon!

    Latest update shows that Boo is having a rough ride at the moment - hopefully will calm down in next day or so....

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  10. Tracy7 July 2011 at 17:01

    Ride that baby Boo, ride, ride! Sending cuds and calm, safe wishes from The Coven x

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  11. Pirate Princess7 July 2011 at 21:53

    Thanks for those wise words of encouragement which have been passed on to Boo - I'm sure he needs them at the moment!
    In the meantime, I am on wine and chocolate...

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  12. Anna7 July 2011 at 22:08

    Hey Boo, sorry to hear it's horrid. Hope all is bright and shiny again soon and that the chocolate supplies have held out!
    Thinking of you, Anna x

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  13. Pirate Princess7 July 2011 at 22:50

    Thanks Anna - message passed on. Hoping for good news in next update! Enjoy Scandinavia x

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  14. Pirate Princess8 July 2011 at 22:45

    Map updated today and also spoken to Boo - thanks for all messages, here and on Sat phone.
    Keep 'em coming!
    Wind and sea calmed down a bit - almost too much according to the forecast for the weekend. Should have better idea early next week of when he is likely to make landfall in Falmouth...watch this space!

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  15. Pirate Princess10 July 2011 at 15:16

    Latest update now on map. "Welsh" refers to a family of whales who have been accompanying Katla. Outboard needed to be put back on as it was smashed off by a wave on Wednesday. Luckily it was tethered so Boo was able to haul it into the cockpit!

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  16. Anonymous10 July 2011 at 21:44

    O, whats occurin?! Hope you're alright out there Boo. We arrived in Baltimore safe and sound yesterday. Hit gale winds and locked inside for a few days, thankful for the radar! Caught mackerel today and had bbq with Peel Castle! You know the rave night, to top it off Austins got back to their deflating dinghy, sat on the front and fell in the water! Hilarious ey! But yes, all is well and glad you're still at it...stay safe and chin up! Love Ocean Warrior Princesses X

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  17. Pirate Princess11 July 2011 at 01:25

    Thanks E&E - have passed on to Boo for you. Safe sailing to you too.

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  18. Pirate Princess11 July 2011 at 22:38

    Boo and Katla are still becalmed and very bored! Map updated with likely location. Hope to have an ETA for Falmouth soon.

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  19. Pirate Princess12 July 2011 at 22:06

    Map updated with a "guesstimate" position based on crossing the ocean shelf...weather should be calmer by now....proper update tomorrow.

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  20. Anonymous13 July 2011 at 00:09

    Allo Boo Mate- your'e doin' just great! SOON BE THERE! BLIGHTY & MANY FRIENDS AWAIT. "SIR" PHIL

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  21. Pirate Princess13 July 2011 at 00:17

    Thank you Sir Phil of St B. Message passed on to Boo who has probably stopped playing with the dolphins and started concentrating on his sails for a bit! x

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  22. Liza14 July 2011 at 09:50

    iridium not responding today, so posting here instead ~ just reading the latest position post and hope like mad things are better today~ nearly home, nearly home ~ x

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  23. Pirate Princess14 July 2011 at 12:19

    Hi Liza, thank you. Seems to be working at the mo so have passed on your message. Hoping for an update soon ....watch this space....

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  24. Pirate Princess15 July 2011 at 00:12

    Map updated with position today. Coming up the channel against the tide. Not much wind but due to get a lot stronger. Should be able to confirm ETA soon.....

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  25. Pirate Princess15 July 2011 at 14:13

    Boo and Katla are flying towards Falmouth. In the words of the Captain; "sailin like I stole it!" - 47nm to go!

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  26. Aussie Auntie16 July 2011 at 06:32

    Sounds like it's going to be a great finish and I'm assuming it will be today. Well done Boo and welcome home.

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  27. Liza16 July 2011 at 18:37

    well done mate! Liza out x

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  28. Pirate Princess24 July 2011 at 18:22

    Captain Boo and the Good Ship Katla have been joined by Brighton Bosun. After a leisurely start, they left Falmouth at 1000UTC 23/07/2011 and are currently flying past Bournemouth cooking sausages and "larging it"!

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  29. Pirate Princess25 July 2011 at 07:29

    S/v Katla and crew are approaching Brighton
    ETA;
    09.47 UTC (10.47 BST)

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