S2E35 my patron meetup, and bobstay challenges (Dominican Republic)

Patron Meetup in Dominican Republic with Sailing Artha

Today, we’re diving into a fantastic recap of the recent Patreon meetup hosted by Sailing Artha’s host. This week-long adventure took place in the stunning Dominican Republic and was packed with thrilling experiences, from motorcycle rides through lush landscapes to exploring food forests, fishing, and awe-inspiring waterfalls. Join us as we relive this exciting journey and get an update on the latest boat projects and challenges encountered during the installation of a new Bobstay.

Adventures in the Dominican Republic

The first day saw participants orienting themselves and renting motorcycles for an adrenaline-fueled adventure. They visited Nelson’s Farm, where they walked through a mesmerizing food forest. From there, they ventured to the north and indulged in a scrumptious brownie baked by Jen. The excitement continued with a fishing trip on Wednesday, although no fish were caught, the fun was undeniably had.

A highlight of the meetup was visiting the Dama Jaga waterfalls, also known as the 27 Charos. This popular spot in the Dominican Republic offers a variety of zip lines, jumping points, and slides for visitors to enjoy. The breathtaking falls and the 45-minute drive from LeRon made for an unforgettable experience.

Installing the New Bobstay

Unfortunately, Artha couldn’t be launched during this meetup. However, later in the week, the host started working on boat projects and tackled installing a new Bobstay, a crucial component for ensuring the stability of the vessel. This particular Bobstay was procured from Port Towns and Foundry and is a through-bolted variant with three bolt holes to secure it to the boat.

The primary challenge arose during the drilling process. The host needed to use a specialized tungsten Cobalt bit for a critical one-inch diameter pin embedded in the stainless steel part. The old Bobstay left behind posed additional difficulties, as its V-shaped design was welded into the bow, making it hard to remove.

Bobstay Challenges and Electrical Work on the Mast

The host expressed their hopes for successfully drilling through the stainless steel and installing the new Bobstay. This completion would be a significant milestone before re-submerging the boat in water. Concurrently, they focused on finishing the electrical work on the mast, with wires already run and instruments ready for installation.

Adding to the excitement was the expected arrival of a crane, potentially on the same day, which would be used to set the mast step. Craig agreed to assist in installing the mast brackets, completing this crucial phase of the refit.

Mast Step Installation

The final task for the day was to install the mast step using a combination of two aluminum plates. This setup ensures that the mast remains stable and securely anchored, preventing any risk of the boat being thrown into disarray in case of an emergency. Bolting this assembly onto the boat’s stern completed the installation process.

Looking Ahead

As the host wraps up this update, they tease that more details about their upcoming adventures with Adventure Man Dan will be shared in future episodes. Furthermore, a sale is ongoing in the background as the refit continues. The host extends gratitude to all the viewers and supporters, especially their patrons for making these incredible experiences possible.

To learn more about Sailing Artha’s journey and experience similar adventures, stay tuned and subscribe to their channel for regular updates and behind-the-scenes insights into their marine adventures and boat restoration projects.