Re: [bolger] Micro sails! Thoughts on rig layout.
Sounds like a fun sail!
There doesn't have to be any tying involved at the clew. Make a loop of
line to fit fairly snugly over the end of the sprit (an eye splice is
nice), stick the end of the line through the grommet at the clew and put a
stopper knot in it, then cut it off short. The loop is even easier to deal
with than any hardware, and cheap to boot! Just slip the end of the sprit
into the loop when you set the sail. I've got a setup like that for the
peak of my spritsail, and it works fine.
There doesn't have to be any tying involved at the clew. Make a loop of
line to fit fairly snugly over the end of the sprit (an eye splice is
nice), stick the end of the line through the grommet at the clew and put a
stopper knot in it, then cut it off short. The loop is even easier to deal
with than any hardware, and cheap to boot! Just slip the end of the sprit
into the loop when you set the sail. I've got a setup like that for the
peak of my spritsail, and it works fine.
On Mon, 22 Jul 2002 18:50:32 -0000, David Jost wrote:
> Dear Group,
> I finally had a chance to take my Micro out for a decent sail
> yesterday.
> ...
> 3. The pegs on the sprits are a pain. It is too complicated for lay
> people to handle the tying of clews and sprits. I will replace the
> clew attachments with standard sailboat hardware this weekend.
> ...
--
John <jkohnen@...>
http://www.boat-links.com/
The denunciation of the young is a necessary part of the hygiene of older
people, and greatly assists the circulation of the blood.
<Logan Pearsall Smith>
Last time I went sailing, on my friend's MacGregor with no downhaul
and also no halyard winch, I really missed the downhaul, and that is
the line I would have preferred to fiddle with from the cockpit.
The halyard I could have set and left. Instead I was scrambling around
adjusting halyards, outhaul, and leech lines (my friend is not into
sail trim, at least not yet, but I am a little). When the wind came up
I couldn't get enough halyard tension. The MacGregor is kind of scary
as the lifelines are more like triplines, and I seem to recall no
substantial toerail.
and also no halyard winch, I really missed the downhaul, and that is
the line I would have preferred to fiddle with from the cockpit.
The halyard I could have set and left. Instead I was scrambling around
adjusting halyards, outhaul, and leech lines (my friend is not into
sail trim, at least not yet, but I am a little). When the wind came up
I couldn't get enough halyard tension. The MacGregor is kind of scary
as the lifelines are more like triplines, and I seem to recall no
substantial toerail.
--- In bolger@y..., "dnjost" <djost@m...> wrote:
> Yes Lincoln, you are absolutely correct a downhaul would be quite
> helpful. However, I am trying to eliminate extra lines to the
> cockpit to make a trip to the mast a pleasant experience. snip
Yes Lincoln, you are absolutely correct a downhaul would be quite
helpful. However, I am trying to eliminate extra lines to the
cockpit to make a trip to the mast a pleasant experience. I will
also be adding a downhaul as my 11 year old loves to climb into the
bow compartment and tweak lines and stuff. He is the perfect bow
man! Light, strong, and agile. I know i could lead this line aft,
but having been on J boats before, the more stuff in the way, the
more the chance for an unexpected swim increases!
David Jost
helpful. However, I am trying to eliminate extra lines to the
cockpit to make a trip to the mast a pleasant experience. I will
also be adding a downhaul as my 11 year old loves to climb into the
bow compartment and tweak lines and stuff. He is the perfect bow
man! Light, strong, and agile. I know i could lead this line aft,
but having been on J boats before, the more stuff in the way, the
more the chance for an unexpected swim increases!
David Jost
> Wouldn't using a downhaul instead really reduce friction and makethe
> luff tension easier to adjust? Especially considering that you'llhave
> a bit of extra friction in the fairlead?
Wouldn't using a downhaul instead really reduce friction and make the
luff tension easier to adjust? Especially considering that you'll have
a bit of extra friction in the fairlead?
luff tension easier to adjust? Especially considering that you'll have
a bit of extra friction in the fairlead?
--- In bolger@y..., "dnjost" <djost@m...> wrote:
snip
> I am also going to replace the main halyard cleat with a deck
mounted
> cam cleat with a fairlead. It will allow me to tweak the halyard to
> tension the luff in a much more efficient manner. snip
> David Jost
David, congratulations on your lauch. Do I remember right that
you have a mooring in Harwich? If that's where you're heading,
let's meet one day at Monomoy Point. You bring Micro, I'll bring
Chebacco...
you have a mooring in Harwich? If that's where you're heading,
let's meet one day at Monomoy Point. You bring Micro, I'll bring
Chebacco...
> "dreading another coat of anti-fouling paint, as Micro is headedfor
> a vacation on the Cape"
Bill,
This has to be taken into perspective. For one, I am new to
trailer boating having lived off a mooring for close to 30 years.
At the risk of being repetitive. The story involves a very busy
launch ramp (they even have a traffic attendant to deal with the
mess) and a 10.5' tidal range.
I purchased a stock 1500lb galvanized Loadrite trailer with tall
bunks so that boat rides level. (We use her as a camper) The rear
roller which supports the aft part of the keel just forward of the
rudder sits in its lowest slot, but the boat still sits a good 18"
above this due to the full keel of Micro. I have thoughts of
modifying the trailer during the off season to accomodate a keel cut
out in the aft beam of the trailer which should lower the whole
configuration about 6-9". Six inches is a big deal when launching
and retrieving.
We arrived at the ramp, rigged the boat (35 MINUTES) in the staging
area and I proceeded to scope out the pitch of the ramp. I knew that
I could launch without my extension tongue on a ramp with good pitch,
and this ramp seemed to meet that standard. I backed down, and the
boat just slid off the trailer. It was 2 hours past high tide and
falling at this point. I parked and we went out for a glorious day
of Micro sailing.
When we got back to the ramp, It was one hour past low and rising. I
drove the car down the ramp and parked with the tail pipe just 6"
above the salt water line. At this point, Micro was tied up to the
waiting area and a boat was at the critical spot blocking my access
to the trailer which was in the water and waiting. The boaters just
sat there in their boat waiting for the owner to arrive, and the tide
was still coming in. The tide increases (rule of 12) in increasing
proportions to the time past low and it was starting to come in
pretty quickly at this point. The driver of the boat arrived and
moved his boat so that we could access the waiting trailer and I
moved the Micro to the trailer with lines, Once again, my 60"
vertical guide posts made loading Micro onto the trailer a breeze.
However, the time between backing down and loading was now close to
10 minutes. The exhaust pipe was now sounding like a 1960's Lyman
inboard, with a deep-throated exhaust note "Glug, glug, glug..."
Time was of the essence. I slapped the vehicle into 4 wheel drive
and proceeded up the ramp. No problem, I hesitate to think what
trouble I would have been in if I had a front wheel drive vehicle on
trying to pull a boat up the slime covered ramp. In the future I
will take the time to use the extension tongue until I modify the
trailer beam. There is no sense destroying the family vehicle over
the boat!
On another note: As we progressed down rt 128 we were passed by a
beautiful Bentley. The owner slowed, gazed, and greeted us with a
gratuitous "thumbs up" as he identified it correctly as a Micro. At
this point, I assured my wife that he had slowed down to check her
out. This made points all around.
Regards,
David Jost
"dreading another coat of anti-fouling paint, as Micro is headed for
a vacation on the Cape"
This has to be taken into perspective. For one, I am new to
trailer boating having lived off a mooring for close to 30 years.
At the risk of being repetitive. The story involves a very busy
launch ramp (they even have a traffic attendant to deal with the
mess) and a 10.5' tidal range.
I purchased a stock 1500lb galvanized Loadrite trailer with tall
bunks so that boat rides level. (We use her as a camper) The rear
roller which supports the aft part of the keel just forward of the
rudder sits in its lowest slot, but the boat still sits a good 18"
above this due to the full keel of Micro. I have thoughts of
modifying the trailer during the off season to accomodate a keel cut
out in the aft beam of the trailer which should lower the whole
configuration about 6-9". Six inches is a big deal when launching
and retrieving.
We arrived at the ramp, rigged the boat (35 MINUTES) in the staging
area and I proceeded to scope out the pitch of the ramp. I knew that
I could launch without my extension tongue on a ramp with good pitch,
and this ramp seemed to meet that standard. I backed down, and the
boat just slid off the trailer. It was 2 hours past high tide and
falling at this point. I parked and we went out for a glorious day
of Micro sailing.
When we got back to the ramp, It was one hour past low and rising. I
drove the car down the ramp and parked with the tail pipe just 6"
above the salt water line. At this point, Micro was tied up to the
waiting area and a boat was at the critical spot blocking my access
to the trailer which was in the water and waiting. The boaters just
sat there in their boat waiting for the owner to arrive, and the tide
was still coming in. The tide increases (rule of 12) in increasing
proportions to the time past low and it was starting to come in
pretty quickly at this point. The driver of the boat arrived and
moved his boat so that we could access the waiting trailer and I
moved the Micro to the trailer with lines, Once again, my 60"
vertical guide posts made loading Micro onto the trailer a breeze.
However, the time between backing down and loading was now close to
10 minutes. The exhaust pipe was now sounding like a 1960's Lyman
inboard, with a deep-throated exhaust note "Glug, glug, glug..."
Time was of the essence. I slapped the vehicle into 4 wheel drive
and proceeded up the ramp. No problem, I hesitate to think what
trouble I would have been in if I had a front wheel drive vehicle on
trying to pull a boat up the slime covered ramp. In the future I
will take the time to use the extension tongue until I modify the
trailer beam. There is no sense destroying the family vehicle over
the boat!
On another note: As we progressed down rt 128 we were passed by a
beautiful Bentley. The owner slowed, gazed, and greeted us with a
gratuitous "thumbs up" as he identified it correctly as a Micro. At
this point, I assured my wife that he had slowed down to check her
out. This made points all around.
Regards,
David Jost
"dreading another coat of anti-fouling paint, as Micro is headed for
a vacation on the Cape"
In a message dated 7/22/02 1:51:08 PM Central Daylight Time,
djost@...writes:
great boat! I'm sure that the "Micronisatas" will find your sailing
observations useful. However, I can't help but wonder if you aren't holding
back an exemplary tale about a "near car launching experience"! I would
surely welcome an accout of your "near-launch" experience as well as your
ideas on trailer configuration and use.
Ciao for Niao,
Bill in MN
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
djost@...writes:
> 1. I did not launch my car, but came close on retrieval. I willI'm happy to hear about your gratifying sailing experience. Sounds like a
> modify my trailer at first chance I get. Priority #1
>
great boat! I'm sure that the "Micronisatas" will find your sailing
observations useful. However, I can't help but wonder if you aren't holding
back an exemplary tale about a "near car launching experience"! I would
surely welcome an accout of your "near-launch" experience as well as your
ideas on trailer configuration and use.
Ciao for Niao,
Bill in MN
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
That is how I set up my mainsheet. I don't like the cumbersome
process of cleating and uncleating the sheet. I am going to replace
the mainsheet block with a mainsheet block and cleat from Harken.
Dinghy style.
I am also going to replace the main halyard cleat with a deck mounted
cam cleat with a fairlead. It will allow me to tweak the halyard to
tension the luff in a much more efficient manner. The cam cleat is
more easily understood by passengers as well. I had a passenger who
was a former Navy officer really do a number on the main halyard
cleat with numerous turns and underturns, making a simple manner of
dropping the main into a major project. I think she thought she was
tying of the USS Enterprise.
David Jost
process of cleating and uncleating the sheet. I am going to replace
the mainsheet block with a mainsheet block and cleat from Harken.
Dinghy style.
I am also going to replace the main halyard cleat with a deck mounted
cam cleat with a fairlead. It will allow me to tweak the halyard to
tension the luff in a much more efficient manner. The cam cleat is
more easily understood by passengers as well. I had a passenger who
was a former Navy officer really do a number on the main halyard
cleat with numerous turns and underturns, making a simple manner of
dropping the main into a major project. I think she thought she was
tying of the USS Enterprise.
David Jost
OOps its under coastal cruising with the micro in the photo's section.
Todd
Todd
--- In bolger@y..., "ntsrfer" <ktsrfer@m...> wrote:
> Hey David,
>
> There's a couple of pics in the photo's section under cruising
micro
> just off shore of the way my micro is set up. It seems to work for
> me. Don't know if it is to plans. But you might be able to get an
> idea from it.
>
> Todd
>
> --- In bolger@y..., "dnjost" <djost@m...> wrote:
> > Dear Group,
>
> > 2. Micro sails quite well. She does not heel much, and the
single
> > part mainsheet lets you know when it is time to reef. We had 10-
> > 15kts of wind which was just perfect. In the 15 kt range, I
began
> to
> > think about putting in a reef.
> >
> > 3. The pegs on the sprits are a pain. It is too complicated for
> lay
> > people to handle the tying of clews and sprits. I will replace
the
> > clew attachments with standard sailboat hardware this weekend.
> >
> > 4. Sailing with a mizzen is a unique experience. When hauled in
it
> > helps the rudder do its job to windward. I found tacking without
> the
> > mizzen sheeted in very difficult. I suspect that the underslung
> > rudder is too small and positioned too far forward to be
effective
> > without the mizzens help.
> >
> > 5. Downwind, the mizzen helps hold the boat on course. Sheeted
in
> > too tightly creates quite a bit of weather helm, too loose and
the
> > boat wants to head straight downwind.
> >
> > 6. I will replace the cleat for the mainsheet, which is located
as
> > per Bolger with a Harken mainsheet block and cleat mounted on the
> > transom cap. The deck position just does not work. Too
cumbersome
> > for quick decisions.
> >
> > Regards,
> > David Jost
Hey David,
There's a couple of pics in the photo's section under cruising micro
just off shore of the way my micro is set up. It seems to work for
me. Don't know if it is to plans. But you might be able to get an
idea from it.
Todd
There's a couple of pics in the photo's section under cruising micro
just off shore of the way my micro is set up. It seems to work for
me. Don't know if it is to plans. But you might be able to get an
idea from it.
Todd
--- In bolger@y..., "dnjost" <djost@m...> wrote:
> Dear Group,
> 2. Micro sails quite well. She does not heel much, and the single
> part mainsheet lets you know when it is time to reef. We had 10-
> 15kts of wind which was just perfect. In the 15 kt range, I began
to
> think about putting in a reef.
>
> 3. The pegs on the sprits are a pain. It is too complicated for
lay
> people to handle the tying of clews and sprits. I will replace the
> clew attachments with standard sailboat hardware this weekend.
>
> 4. Sailing with a mizzen is a unique experience. When hauled in it
> helps the rudder do its job to windward. I found tacking without
the
> mizzen sheeted in very difficult. I suspect that the underslung
> rudder is too small and positioned too far forward to be effective
> without the mizzens help.
>
> 5. Downwind, the mizzen helps hold the boat on course. Sheeted in
> too tightly creates quite a bit of weather helm, too loose and the
> boat wants to head straight downwind.
>
> 6. I will replace the cleat for the mainsheet, which is located as
> per Bolger with a Harken mainsheet block and cleat mounted on the
> transom cap. The deck position just does not work. Too cumbersome
> for quick decisions.
>
> Regards,
> David Jost
Dear Group,
I finally had a chance to take my Micro out for a decent sail
yesterday.
My family of 4 plus a friend launched in Salem, MA at a very busy
boat ramp in a very busy harbor. We then sailed out to Great Misery
Island for a picnic, and then back again. total distance of 8 miles
(including tacks). We learned a few things about Micro that I would
like to share with potential builders.
1. I did not launch my car, but came close on retrieval. I will
modify my trailer at first chance I get. Priority #1
2. Micro sails quite well. She does not heel much, and the single
part mainsheet lets you know when it is time to reef. We had 10-
15kts of wind which was just perfect. In the 15 kt range, I began to
think about putting in a reef.
3. The pegs on the sprits are a pain. It is too complicated for lay
people to handle the tying of clews and sprits. I will replace the
clew attachments with standard sailboat hardware this weekend.
4. Sailing with a mizzen is a unique experience. When hauled in it
helps the rudder do its job to windward. I found tacking without the
mizzen sheeted in very difficult. I suspect that the underslung
rudder is too small and positioned too far forward to be effective
without the mizzens help.
5. Downwind, the mizzen helps hold the boat on course. Sheeted in
too tightly creates quite a bit of weather helm, too loose and the
boat wants to head straight downwind.
6. I will replace the cleat for the mainsheet, which is located as
per Bolger with a Harken mainsheet block and cleat mounted on the
transom cap. The deck position just does not work. Too cumbersome
for quick decisions.
7. the boat was very comfortable in what was quite a chop between
the outgoing tide, opposing wind, and persistant motor boat wake. We
did a constant 4kts. The boat sails very much like a catboat. Not
terrific upwind (don't pinch), but sails great just eased off a bit.
Once the boat is moving at hull speed she does not make a terrific
amount of leeway. We got where we wanted, but the deep draft fin
boats got there faster. We tacked through 90 degrees, and made just
a little leeway on each tack once we gained speed. The boat can be
made to go through a tack quicker by holding the sprit to windward as
you go through the tack, in essence the same as backing the jib on a
sloop.
8. You will really appreciate the mizzen when anchored in a choppy
anchorage as it steadys the boat just enough for comfort.
9. Her speed will astound onlookers. We passed a Peason Ensign
whose skipper was not paying attention (sailboat instructor). After
much embarassment, he trimmed and caught up to us to inquire about
the freeing ports in the bow. I explained that they were there to
let the water out. He just could not understand the part about the
water coming in. (I refused to give him the whole secret and he left
just shaking his head) My kids had a good laugh at this, and the 11
year old loved standing and hiding in the bow well. His help with
dousing and setting sail was great. I believe he is hooked on
sailing forever! We also left a Capri 16 in our dust. Just don't
expect to get up much past 4 kts. on the knotmeter! But, planning
your afternoon is fairly easy between the predicted hull speed with
assistance from the motor.
Regards,
David Jost
I finally had a chance to take my Micro out for a decent sail
yesterday.
My family of 4 plus a friend launched in Salem, MA at a very busy
boat ramp in a very busy harbor. We then sailed out to Great Misery
Island for a picnic, and then back again. total distance of 8 miles
(including tacks). We learned a few things about Micro that I would
like to share with potential builders.
1. I did not launch my car, but came close on retrieval. I will
modify my trailer at first chance I get. Priority #1
2. Micro sails quite well. She does not heel much, and the single
part mainsheet lets you know when it is time to reef. We had 10-
15kts of wind which was just perfect. In the 15 kt range, I began to
think about putting in a reef.
3. The pegs on the sprits are a pain. It is too complicated for lay
people to handle the tying of clews and sprits. I will replace the
clew attachments with standard sailboat hardware this weekend.
4. Sailing with a mizzen is a unique experience. When hauled in it
helps the rudder do its job to windward. I found tacking without the
mizzen sheeted in very difficult. I suspect that the underslung
rudder is too small and positioned too far forward to be effective
without the mizzens help.
5. Downwind, the mizzen helps hold the boat on course. Sheeted in
too tightly creates quite a bit of weather helm, too loose and the
boat wants to head straight downwind.
6. I will replace the cleat for the mainsheet, which is located as
per Bolger with a Harken mainsheet block and cleat mounted on the
transom cap. The deck position just does not work. Too cumbersome
for quick decisions.
7. the boat was very comfortable in what was quite a chop between
the outgoing tide, opposing wind, and persistant motor boat wake. We
did a constant 4kts. The boat sails very much like a catboat. Not
terrific upwind (don't pinch), but sails great just eased off a bit.
Once the boat is moving at hull speed she does not make a terrific
amount of leeway. We got where we wanted, but the deep draft fin
boats got there faster. We tacked through 90 degrees, and made just
a little leeway on each tack once we gained speed. The boat can be
made to go through a tack quicker by holding the sprit to windward as
you go through the tack, in essence the same as backing the jib on a
sloop.
8. You will really appreciate the mizzen when anchored in a choppy
anchorage as it steadys the boat just enough for comfort.
9. Her speed will astound onlookers. We passed a Peason Ensign
whose skipper was not paying attention (sailboat instructor). After
much embarassment, he trimmed and caught up to us to inquire about
the freeing ports in the bow. I explained that they were there to
let the water out. He just could not understand the part about the
water coming in. (I refused to give him the whole secret and he left
just shaking his head) My kids had a good laugh at this, and the 11
year old loved standing and hiding in the bow well. His help with
dousing and setting sail was great. I believe he is hooked on
sailing forever! We also left a Capri 16 in our dust. Just don't
expect to get up much past 4 kts. on the knotmeter! But, planning
your afternoon is fairly easy between the predicted hull speed with
assistance from the motor.
Regards,
David Jost