[bolger] Re: Jochems Exposition.
Thanx to Bill, Bjorn, and Richard for the multi-dimisional perspective on
the WDJ schooner. Bill, your excellent prose on Sapphire's performance are
inspiring and reasuring. Though the Bay of Fundy is certainly very
different from Lake Mead, I'm convinced the design will adapt well to the
environment. Richard and Bjorn, I appreciate your sharing your inventory
assessments of material and cost. I'm still agonizing over plywood options.
I've even toyed with the idea of using double layers of u-lay or Louanne.
Richard, I'm making two assumptions on your cost estimates, the second the
more frightening of the two. #1 I assume you are costing based on marine
ply prices? #2 (shudder) I also assume you are estimating based on US$?
You'd think that a place as definitively maritime as Nova Scotia would
offer more options (and compitition) on marine building supplies. It's
really a quest of Holy Grail proportions.
Only slightly off topic, does anyone out there have eperience with CPES?
Some folks on the WB forum swear by it. Dr. Rot obviously promotes it as
something only fools would do with out. At the same time several highly
professional boat builders I've checked with have never heard of it. My
interest is also obvious. Can it really turn cheap plywood into... well,
something less cheap?
Jack E. Bearden
On the Fundy Shore, NS
the WDJ schooner. Bill, your excellent prose on Sapphire's performance are
inspiring and reasuring. Though the Bay of Fundy is certainly very
different from Lake Mead, I'm convinced the design will adapt well to the
environment. Richard and Bjorn, I appreciate your sharing your inventory
assessments of material and cost. I'm still agonizing over plywood options.
I've even toyed with the idea of using double layers of u-lay or Louanne.
Richard, I'm making two assumptions on your cost estimates, the second the
more frightening of the two. #1 I assume you are costing based on marine
ply prices? #2 (shudder) I also assume you are estimating based on US$?
You'd think that a place as definitively maritime as Nova Scotia would
offer more options (and compitition) on marine building supplies. It's
really a quest of Holy Grail proportions.
Only slightly off topic, does anyone out there have eperience with CPES?
Some folks on the WB forum swear by it. Dr. Rot obviously promotes it as
something only fools would do with out. At the same time several highly
professional boat builders I've checked with have never heard of it. My
interest is also obvious. Can it really turn cheap plywood into... well,
something less cheap?
Jack E. Bearden
On the Fundy Shore, NS
To Bolgeristas interested in this design:
In the beginning, I wrote to Bolger & Friends and asked if they would
be willing to help modify Whalewatcher by lengthening the cockpit and
changing the bow rocker. They convinced me that these changes were not
appropriate, writing that "we should start from first principles".
So we did. I explained that I wanted a boat which was trailerable, large
enough to accommodate me (6'4" and 100 kilos), comfortable for two persons
for up to a ten day cruise, capable of surviving a Tubas in the Sea of
Cortex and preferably pleasing to the eye.
They responded with various conceptual drawings. The hull below the
Sherwin always seemed the same, but there were centerboard, full length
shallow keel and leeboard versions. There were also two rigs, a yawl and a
schooner.
After I chose the leeboard schooner version, they developed the final
plan and I built the boat.
I am very pleased with the result. Sapphire is larger than other
sailboats I've owned but she is the easiest to sail single-handed. The
balance is so good that I can easily leave the tiller to make adjustments to
the rig, pour a cup of tea, etc. I have an autopilot but usually use it, in
its inactive state, simply as a means of locking the tiller in position.
The full length hatches are a great feature. All rig handling is done
through these hatches. The only times I must leave the cockpit or cabin are
to handle the ground tackle.
With the stays'l set she has a large sail area (462 square feet with
4700 lbs.. displacement) so she sails on the slightest breeze; and yet she
can be perfectly balanced when reefed for strong winds.
Since launching in April '98 Sapphire has always been kept on Lake Mead
near Las Vegas,Nevada. This is a challenging place to sail. There are
hundreds of miles of desert in all directions where temperature changes can
cause violent and very sudden wind changes. Twice in the first month the
boat was knocked down 90 degrees. Both instances were due to captain's error
but Sapphire recovered reassuringly-bounced back as if she were on springs.
Water came into the cockpit, but not the cabin, and it rushed out of the
boat as she recovered.
Bolger&Friends then recommended shortening the masts a couple of feet
and hollowing the gaffs and booms. I made these changes as well as adding
some lead ballast; but I now think the lead is not needed.
After I retire, hopefully with in a year, I plan to cruise extensively
in the Sea of Cortez, Gulf of Mexico, Keys and maybe the Bahamas. I think
the boat is well suited to these aspirations.
I'm looking forward to seeing the video. One thing missing from the film
record is a good still photo of Sapphire sailing with all sail set. I will
try to get one in the next couple of months and send it to the Australian
web site.
Bill Jochems Redstone, Colorado
-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Bearden <bearden@...>
To:bolger@egroups.com<bolger@egroups.com>
Date: Thursday, December 23, 1999 6:06 PM
Subject: [bolger] Re: Speaking of asymmetry...
In the beginning, I wrote to Bolger & Friends and asked if they would
be willing to help modify Whalewatcher by lengthening the cockpit and
changing the bow rocker. They convinced me that these changes were not
appropriate, writing that "we should start from first principles".
So we did. I explained that I wanted a boat which was trailerable, large
enough to accommodate me (6'4" and 100 kilos), comfortable for two persons
for up to a ten day cruise, capable of surviving a Tubas in the Sea of
Cortex and preferably pleasing to the eye.
They responded with various conceptual drawings. The hull below the
Sherwin always seemed the same, but there were centerboard, full length
shallow keel and leeboard versions. There were also two rigs, a yawl and a
schooner.
After I chose the leeboard schooner version, they developed the final
plan and I built the boat.
I am very pleased with the result. Sapphire is larger than other
sailboats I've owned but she is the easiest to sail single-handed. The
balance is so good that I can easily leave the tiller to make adjustments to
the rig, pour a cup of tea, etc. I have an autopilot but usually use it, in
its inactive state, simply as a means of locking the tiller in position.
The full length hatches are a great feature. All rig handling is done
through these hatches. The only times I must leave the cockpit or cabin are
to handle the ground tackle.
With the stays'l set she has a large sail area (462 square feet with
4700 lbs.. displacement) so she sails on the slightest breeze; and yet she
can be perfectly balanced when reefed for strong winds.
Since launching in April '98 Sapphire has always been kept on Lake Mead
near Las Vegas,Nevada. This is a challenging place to sail. There are
hundreds of miles of desert in all directions where temperature changes can
cause violent and very sudden wind changes. Twice in the first month the
boat was knocked down 90 degrees. Both instances were due to captain's error
but Sapphire recovered reassuringly-bounced back as if she were on springs.
Water came into the cockpit, but not the cabin, and it rushed out of the
boat as she recovered.
Bolger&Friends then recommended shortening the masts a couple of feet
and hollowing the gaffs and booms. I made these changes as well as adding
some lead ballast; but I now think the lead is not needed.
After I retire, hopefully with in a year, I plan to cruise extensively
in the Sea of Cortez, Gulf of Mexico, Keys and maybe the Bahamas. I think
the boat is well suited to these aspirations.
I'm looking forward to seeing the video. One thing missing from the film
record is a good still photo of Sapphire sailing with all sail set. I will
try to get one in the next couple of months and send it to the Australian
web site.
Bill Jochems Redstone, Colorado
-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Bearden <bearden@...>
To:bolger@egroups.com<bolger@egroups.com>
Date: Thursday, December 23, 1999 6:06 PM
Subject: [bolger] Re: Speaking of asymmetry...
>Huge thanx to Bill and Bjorn (where'd you find a Nordic keyboard). You've
>no idea how inspiring and affirming your messages are. Bjorn, you are
>leaving me in the dust. You will likely be far out to sea by the time I get
>started with my WDJ. But believe me, you'll be hearing from me. For
>starters you can tell me how many sheets of plywood she needs. I'm hard
>pressed to figure this out from Phil's "step by step" that came with the
>plans. I will have the luxurary of an inclosed workshop. But that's also
>the reason for the delay. (I've got to build the workshop this winter.) For
>that matter, what did you use for plywood?
>
>Bill Jochems, if you're out there, please share some anecdotal narrative re
>Saphire's performance. Susanne's picture shows her reefed for a high winds.
>How'd she do? Can you picture her dealing with the most radical tides on
>the planet?
>jeb
>
>
>
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