[bolger] Re: Two Cents to Various Recent Topics
>I use a windsurfer rig on my teal. the mast is strong enough to flip
>conjecture is that sticking a windsurfer mast down into a step,
>supporting it at 16" to 18" at the partner, (and sailing) would break
>it off at the partner. Anyone have experience with windsurfer masts in
>this application? Seems like making one from pine or fir would be
>better than the risk of tearing sail and capsize.
the boat with two of us on the rail.
David Ryan
Minister of Information and Culture
Crumbling Empire Productions
(212) 247-0296
WoodenBoat "Launchings" -- A personal goal is to get published in
WoodenBoat, "Launchings" section. I am a subscriber and always look
at that section first.
Draft in homemade sails -- For good, inexpensive sails try Sailrite - I
am quite pleased with the kit. Sewing the sail is not difficult. They
provide a double-sided basting tape with the kit that allows you to put
the panels together and holds them in position until you make the first
stitch. The kit is computer lofted and each panel has what appears to
be light pencil line that you align the adjacent panel upon. They
provided quotes over the Internet and replied promptly by email -- did
it all email with no phone interchange. A one-off 67 sq.ft.
leg-o-mutton with two rows of reef points, no battens, grommets for
lacing to the mast, in real dacron sailcloth was $109. And they took
the flexible fir mast into consideration. The kit was complete
including the computer printout showing the 3-D lines and draft. What
is lacking is the
tool to set the grommets (available for rent or purchase), needle and
palm
for hand sewing the corner grommets. And yes, it was done on a home
sewing
machine. I think I was able to get a much better sail (at a bit higher
price) than one that I could have made from polytarp, but much less
that the
commercial sail makers. Seehttp://sailrite.com/
Cleaning sails -- In my previous life as a teenager, we washed Coronado
15 sails on the grass with a bucket of water, dishwashing soap, hung it
on the clothes line, and then rinsed it with a hose. Never did get
rust stains out though.
eight-siding jig and making masts -- I have been given some windsurfer
equipment and have considered using the sail in some small venture like
a sailing pirogue like Greg Carlson's. I considered windsurfer masts
unsuitable though because they are designed to be held about one-third
to one-half of the way up the mast by the sailor (operator?). My
conjecture is that sticking a windsurfer mast down into a step,
supporting it at 16" to 18" at the partner, (and sailing) would break
it off at the partner. Anyone have experience with windsurfer masts in
this application? Seems like making one from pine or fir would be
better than the risk of tearing sail and capsize. I made an
eight-siding jig out of two layers of quarter inch Superply in about an
hour with a table saw, saber saw, portable drill and file. Even though
I did not drill one of my pencil holes perfectly straight, I compensate
by cutting to the line on one side and taking out the line on the other
- works all the way around. Have done the oars this way with no
problem.
And another thing, why can't we Americans convert to the metric system.
Every tried to divide 5 and 11/32 inches into the correct proportions
for an
eight-siding jig. I gave that up quick - measured it again millimeters
and
did the math in seconds!
Keel anxiety -- An idea for a small keel for a small boat - have seen
commercial galvanized steel handrails about 2 ½ inches in diameter
with rounded welded ends. Somewhere these rounded ends must be mass
produced. A section of handrail pipe filled with molten lead, would be
easier to handle, and with welded caps on the ends could produce a
small bullet shaped keel bulb. This could be welded onto the bottom of
a steel plate daggerboard. A small hand winch atop the case
(retractable keel case) could allow most of the weighted daggerboard
assembly to be drawn up into the slot for ease of trailering. This
seems plausible for something the size of the single-handed schooner.
But maybe this is an old idea, and I read it all from Phil Bolger's
writings at one time.
No more boat work for a week or so. The snow is falling, lows in the
20s,
highs in the low 30's. Epoxy ain't setting, and the latex paint's in
the
house. We have a cold winter, but it's short.
Phil Lea
Russellville, AR.
WoodenBoat, "Launchings" section. I am a subscriber and always look
at that section first.
Draft in homemade sails -- For good, inexpensive sails try Sailrite - I
am quite pleased with the kit. Sewing the sail is not difficult. They
provide a double-sided basting tape with the kit that allows you to put
the panels together and holds them in position until you make the first
stitch. The kit is computer lofted and each panel has what appears to
be light pencil line that you align the adjacent panel upon. They
provided quotes over the Internet and replied promptly by email -- did
it all email with no phone interchange. A one-off 67 sq.ft.
leg-o-mutton with two rows of reef points, no battens, grommets for
lacing to the mast, in real dacron sailcloth was $109. And they took
the flexible fir mast into consideration. The kit was complete
including the computer printout showing the 3-D lines and draft. What
is lacking is the
tool to set the grommets (available for rent or purchase), needle and
palm
for hand sewing the corner grommets. And yes, it was done on a home
sewing
machine. I think I was able to get a much better sail (at a bit higher
price) than one that I could have made from polytarp, but much less
that the
commercial sail makers. Seehttp://sailrite.com/
Cleaning sails -- In my previous life as a teenager, we washed Coronado
15 sails on the grass with a bucket of water, dishwashing soap, hung it
on the clothes line, and then rinsed it with a hose. Never did get
rust stains out though.
eight-siding jig and making masts -- I have been given some windsurfer
equipment and have considered using the sail in some small venture like
a sailing pirogue like Greg Carlson's. I considered windsurfer masts
unsuitable though because they are designed to be held about one-third
to one-half of the way up the mast by the sailor (operator?). My
conjecture is that sticking a windsurfer mast down into a step,
supporting it at 16" to 18" at the partner, (and sailing) would break
it off at the partner. Anyone have experience with windsurfer masts in
this application? Seems like making one from pine or fir would be
better than the risk of tearing sail and capsize. I made an
eight-siding jig out of two layers of quarter inch Superply in about an
hour with a table saw, saber saw, portable drill and file. Even though
I did not drill one of my pencil holes perfectly straight, I compensate
by cutting to the line on one side and taking out the line on the other
- works all the way around. Have done the oars this way with no
problem.
And another thing, why can't we Americans convert to the metric system.
Every tried to divide 5 and 11/32 inches into the correct proportions
for an
eight-siding jig. I gave that up quick - measured it again millimeters
and
did the math in seconds!
Keel anxiety -- An idea for a small keel for a small boat - have seen
commercial galvanized steel handrails about 2 ½ inches in diameter
with rounded welded ends. Somewhere these rounded ends must be mass
produced. A section of handrail pipe filled with molten lead, would be
easier to handle, and with welded caps on the ends could produce a
small bullet shaped keel bulb. This could be welded onto the bottom of
a steel plate daggerboard. A small hand winch atop the case
(retractable keel case) could allow most of the weighted daggerboard
assembly to be drawn up into the slot for ease of trailering. This
seems plausible for something the size of the single-handed schooner.
But maybe this is an old idea, and I read it all from Phil Bolger's
writings at one time.
No more boat work for a week or so. The snow is falling, lows in the
20s,
highs in the low 30's. Epoxy ain't setting, and the latex paint's in
the
house. We have a cold winter, but it's short.
Phil Lea
Russellville, AR.