RE: [bolger] Jack of Hearts first sail
Congratulations! A great feeling!
Re: your having to use the motor when a tack didn't work -- a couple of
times I had trouble getting Wayward Lass sailing after a stop, too. I
finally noticed that after stopping, she starts to move backwards -- if I
reverse the rudder then, she will turn off the wind and start sailing again
-- the mizzen can also be used as a rudder. I'm not sure if Micro has two
sheets, or only a single sheet to a boomkin -- two sheets make steering with
the mizzen much easier.
Again, all the best on your first launch.
Jamie Orr
-----Original Message-----
From: Glen Gibson [mailto:glen@...]
Sent: March 19, 2002 6:48 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Jack of Hearts first sail
All the sailors I know were busy, so I invited one of my good friends
from my street, Jack, an airline pilot (cool under pressure, I figured).
We arrived around 11ish or so at the little lake in Pleasenton, CA (near
San Francisco) called Shadow Cliffs, which we have now nicknamed
"Shallow Cliffs", for reasons to be explained shortly....
Boat trailered fine, parked, and did the putting up of the mast thing,
rigging, etc. which all seemed to go just fine. I told Jack "OK, I'm
going to back down now, when the boat just starts to float off the
trailer, give a yell". So I start backing, and backing, and backing
(hmmm, what's that gurgling sound?). So I stop, get out, and then
realize that the nice angle of the launch ramp is not carried very far
into the water, and the launch ramp evens our at about 2 feet deep.
(oh, and the gurgelling sound is the exhaust pipe under water ;-()
So I, being a Gibson (not exceptionally bright, but determined) backed
up a little more, and then Jack and I were able to push the boat off the
trailer. AND IT FLOATED!!!! Didn't check for level, I was just tickled
that the whole thing was floating there, freed from the confines of the
trailer (man that trailer didn't give up without a fight, though...)
Parked the car, donned our PFDs, hopped in the boat, and fired up the
little (17lbs thrust) electric trolling motor, and backed up into the
lake. A quick 180 had us facing the middle of the lake, into the wind,
with a bunch of little fishing boats gawking at this monster coming at
them. A 10' pram looks pretty small compared to a Micro.
So, with no further ado, we unfurreled the mizzen, hoisted the main, and
were off. Everything went great. Winds were pretty light, but got
better as the day went on, and a couple of times we were really moving
(if you can call 4 knots moving), and had a great time. Jack took over
the rudder/mainsheet for a while, and we worked on sailing technique.
Did a couple tacks across the lake, ran downwind, upwind, across wind,
etc terrorizing the fishermen (OK, we kept our distance....). But it's
a pretty small lake, and a little crowded, but we had a blast.
Practiced a couple of jibes, perfect. We did have to fire up the
trolling motor after a couple of botched tacks in light wind, but I
think I'll get the hang of it soon.
So we wandered around the lake, broke out the sandwiches, and had a
great time. Man, roast beef with cheese tastes really good while
sailing on a boat you built yourself ;-)
Unfortunatly, all good things must end. Jack had an appt that
afternoon, so after about 2 hours, we headed back for the launch ramp (I
was dreading this, we barely got the boat off, would we be able to get
it back on?) And yes, we did have some trouble getting the boat back
on the trailer, enouph so to send Jack off the dock 1/2 way into the
water (I got a picture of him all soaking wet), but he's a good sport
and we were finally able to get the boat on the trailer, tow it up, and
strike the masts, and put everything away.
A man came by while we were putting everything away and said "wow, a
Bolger Micro, I've never seen one up close before". And I thought no
one would recogize it. We talked a little while (didn't get his name),
and then he wandered off to spend at least a couple of minutes with his
family...
All in all, a great day. No, we're probably not going to go back there
again, but will opt for someplace with a real launch ramp. Official
christening is set for March 30th, so we'll be back in the water again
soon.
And I'm just about ready to order my nice Nissan 4hp 4 stroke.... or
maybe
get a larger electric, it sure is handy...
Glen
Bolger rules!!!
- no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, or flogging dead horses
- pls take "personals" off-list, stay on topic, and punctuate
- add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts, snip all you like
- To order plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA,
01930, Fax: (978) 282-1349
- Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject tohttp://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: your having to use the motor when a tack didn't work -- a couple of
times I had trouble getting Wayward Lass sailing after a stop, too. I
finally noticed that after stopping, she starts to move backwards -- if I
reverse the rudder then, she will turn off the wind and start sailing again
-- the mizzen can also be used as a rudder. I'm not sure if Micro has two
sheets, or only a single sheet to a boomkin -- two sheets make steering with
the mizzen much easier.
Again, all the best on your first launch.
Jamie Orr
-----Original Message-----
From: Glen Gibson [mailto:glen@...]
Sent: March 19, 2002 6:48 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Jack of Hearts first sail
All the sailors I know were busy, so I invited one of my good friends
from my street, Jack, an airline pilot (cool under pressure, I figured).
We arrived around 11ish or so at the little lake in Pleasenton, CA (near
San Francisco) called Shadow Cliffs, which we have now nicknamed
"Shallow Cliffs", for reasons to be explained shortly....
Boat trailered fine, parked, and did the putting up of the mast thing,
rigging, etc. which all seemed to go just fine. I told Jack "OK, I'm
going to back down now, when the boat just starts to float off the
trailer, give a yell". So I start backing, and backing, and backing
(hmmm, what's that gurgling sound?). So I stop, get out, and then
realize that the nice angle of the launch ramp is not carried very far
into the water, and the launch ramp evens our at about 2 feet deep.
(oh, and the gurgelling sound is the exhaust pipe under water ;-()
So I, being a Gibson (not exceptionally bright, but determined) backed
up a little more, and then Jack and I were able to push the boat off the
trailer. AND IT FLOATED!!!! Didn't check for level, I was just tickled
that the whole thing was floating there, freed from the confines of the
trailer (man that trailer didn't give up without a fight, though...)
Parked the car, donned our PFDs, hopped in the boat, and fired up the
little (17lbs thrust) electric trolling motor, and backed up into the
lake. A quick 180 had us facing the middle of the lake, into the wind,
with a bunch of little fishing boats gawking at this monster coming at
them. A 10' pram looks pretty small compared to a Micro.
So, with no further ado, we unfurreled the mizzen, hoisted the main, and
were off. Everything went great. Winds were pretty light, but got
better as the day went on, and a couple of times we were really moving
(if you can call 4 knots moving), and had a great time. Jack took over
the rudder/mainsheet for a while, and we worked on sailing technique.
Did a couple tacks across the lake, ran downwind, upwind, across wind,
etc terrorizing the fishermen (OK, we kept our distance....). But it's
a pretty small lake, and a little crowded, but we had a blast.
Practiced a couple of jibes, perfect. We did have to fire up the
trolling motor after a couple of botched tacks in light wind, but I
think I'll get the hang of it soon.
So we wandered around the lake, broke out the sandwiches, and had a
great time. Man, roast beef with cheese tastes really good while
sailing on a boat you built yourself ;-)
Unfortunatly, all good things must end. Jack had an appt that
afternoon, so after about 2 hours, we headed back for the launch ramp (I
was dreading this, we barely got the boat off, would we be able to get
it back on?) And yes, we did have some trouble getting the boat back
on the trailer, enouph so to send Jack off the dock 1/2 way into the
water (I got a picture of him all soaking wet), but he's a good sport
and we were finally able to get the boat on the trailer, tow it up, and
strike the masts, and put everything away.
A man came by while we were putting everything away and said "wow, a
Bolger Micro, I've never seen one up close before". And I thought no
one would recogize it. We talked a little while (didn't get his name),
and then he wandered off to spend at least a couple of minutes with his
family...
All in all, a great day. No, we're probably not going to go back there
again, but will opt for someplace with a real launch ramp. Official
christening is set for March 30th, so we'll be back in the water again
soon.
And I'm just about ready to order my nice Nissan 4hp 4 stroke.... or
maybe
get a larger electric, it sure is handy...
Glen
Bolger rules!!!
- no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, or flogging dead horses
- pls take "personals" off-list, stay on topic, and punctuate
- add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts, snip all you like
- To order plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA,
01930, Fax: (978) 282-1349
- Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject tohttp://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Glen,
Sounds like, despite the hassle at the ramp, one of the better launches!
Congratulations. Is there a website which details the whole story of building
and launching "Jack of Hearts?"
Mike Masten
Sounds like, despite the hassle at the ramp, one of the better launches!
Congratulations. Is there a website which details the whole story of building
and launching "Jack of Hearts?"
Mike Masten
All the sailors I know were busy, so I invited one of my good friends
from my street, Jack, an airline pilot (cool under pressure, I figured).
We arrived around 11ish or so at the little lake in Pleasenton, CA (near
San Francisco) called Shadow Cliffs, which we have now nicknamed
"Shallow Cliffs", for reasons to be explained shortly....
Boat trailered fine, parked, and did the putting up of the mast thing,
rigging, etc. which all seemed to go just fine. I told Jack "OK, I'm
going to back down now, when the boat just starts to float off the
trailer, give a yell". So I start backing, and backing, and backing
(hmmm, what's that gurgling sound?). So I stop, get out, and then
realize that the nice angle of the launch ramp is not carried very far
into the water, and the launch ramp evens our at about 2 feet deep.
(oh, and the gurgelling sound is the exhaust pipe under water ;-()
So I, being a Gibson (not exceptionally bright, but determined) backed
up a little more, and then Jack and I were able to push the boat off the
trailer. AND IT FLOATED!!!! Didn't check for level, I was just tickled
that the whole thing was floating there, freed from the confines of the
trailer (man that trailer didn't give up without a fight, though...)
Parked the car, donned our PFDs, hopped in the boat, and fired up the
little (17lbs thrust) electric trolling motor, and backed up into the
lake. A quick 180 had us facing the middle of the lake, into the wind,
with a bunch of little fishing boats gawking at this monster coming at
them. A 10' pram looks pretty small compared to a Micro.
So, with no further ado, we unfurreled the mizzen, hoisted the main, and
were off. Everything went great. Winds were pretty light, but got
better as the day went on, and a couple of times we were really moving
(if you can call 4 knots moving), and had a great time. Jack took over
the rudder/mainsheet for a while, and we worked on sailing technique.
Did a couple tacks across the lake, ran downwind, upwind, across wind,
etc terrorizing the fishermen (OK, we kept our distance....). But it's
a pretty small lake, and a little crowded, but we had a blast.
Practiced a couple of jibes, perfect. We did have to fire up the
trolling motor after a couple of botched tacks in light wind, but I
think I'll get the hang of it soon.
So we wandered around the lake, broke out the sandwiches, and had a
great time. Man, roast beef with cheese tastes really good while
sailing on a boat you built yourself ;-)
Unfortunatly, all good things must end. Jack had an appt that
afternoon, so after about 2 hours, we headed back for the launch ramp (I
was dreading this, we barely got the boat off, would we be able to get
it back on?) And yes, we did have some trouble getting the boat back
on the trailer, enouph so to send Jack off the dock 1/2 way into the
water (I got a picture of him all soaking wet), but he's a good sport
and we were finally able to get the boat on the trailer, tow it up, and
strike the masts, and put everything away.
A man came by while we were putting everything away and said "wow, a
Bolger Micro, I've never seen one up close before". And I thought no
one would recogize it. We talked a little while (didn't get his name),
and then he wandered off to spend at least a couple of minutes with his
family...
All in all, a great day. No, we're probably not going to go back there
again, but will opt for someplace with a real launch ramp. Official
christening is set for March 30th, so we'll be back in the water again
soon.
And I'm just about ready to order my nice Nissan 4hp 4 stroke.... or
maybe
get a larger electric, it sure is handy...
Glen
from my street, Jack, an airline pilot (cool under pressure, I figured).
We arrived around 11ish or so at the little lake in Pleasenton, CA (near
San Francisco) called Shadow Cliffs, which we have now nicknamed
"Shallow Cliffs", for reasons to be explained shortly....
Boat trailered fine, parked, and did the putting up of the mast thing,
rigging, etc. which all seemed to go just fine. I told Jack "OK, I'm
going to back down now, when the boat just starts to float off the
trailer, give a yell". So I start backing, and backing, and backing
(hmmm, what's that gurgling sound?). So I stop, get out, and then
realize that the nice angle of the launch ramp is not carried very far
into the water, and the launch ramp evens our at about 2 feet deep.
(oh, and the gurgelling sound is the exhaust pipe under water ;-()
So I, being a Gibson (not exceptionally bright, but determined) backed
up a little more, and then Jack and I were able to push the boat off the
trailer. AND IT FLOATED!!!! Didn't check for level, I was just tickled
that the whole thing was floating there, freed from the confines of the
trailer (man that trailer didn't give up without a fight, though...)
Parked the car, donned our PFDs, hopped in the boat, and fired up the
little (17lbs thrust) electric trolling motor, and backed up into the
lake. A quick 180 had us facing the middle of the lake, into the wind,
with a bunch of little fishing boats gawking at this monster coming at
them. A 10' pram looks pretty small compared to a Micro.
So, with no further ado, we unfurreled the mizzen, hoisted the main, and
were off. Everything went great. Winds were pretty light, but got
better as the day went on, and a couple of times we were really moving
(if you can call 4 knots moving), and had a great time. Jack took over
the rudder/mainsheet for a while, and we worked on sailing technique.
Did a couple tacks across the lake, ran downwind, upwind, across wind,
etc terrorizing the fishermen (OK, we kept our distance....). But it's
a pretty small lake, and a little crowded, but we had a blast.
Practiced a couple of jibes, perfect. We did have to fire up the
trolling motor after a couple of botched tacks in light wind, but I
think I'll get the hang of it soon.
So we wandered around the lake, broke out the sandwiches, and had a
great time. Man, roast beef with cheese tastes really good while
sailing on a boat you built yourself ;-)
Unfortunatly, all good things must end. Jack had an appt that
afternoon, so after about 2 hours, we headed back for the launch ramp (I
was dreading this, we barely got the boat off, would we be able to get
it back on?) And yes, we did have some trouble getting the boat back
on the trailer, enouph so to send Jack off the dock 1/2 way into the
water (I got a picture of him all soaking wet), but he's a good sport
and we were finally able to get the boat on the trailer, tow it up, and
strike the masts, and put everything away.
A man came by while we were putting everything away and said "wow, a
Bolger Micro, I've never seen one up close before". And I thought no
one would recogize it. We talked a little while (didn't get his name),
and then he wandered off to spend at least a couple of minutes with his
family...
All in all, a great day. No, we're probably not going to go back there
again, but will opt for someplace with a real launch ramp. Official
christening is set for March 30th, so we'll be back in the water again
soon.
And I'm just about ready to order my nice Nissan 4hp 4 stroke.... or
maybe
get a larger electric, it sure is handy...
Glen