Re: Sailing the Bolger Micro - on Sydney Harbour
> Forget the lessons - the micro is a special boat and part of thefun
> is getting the feel for her. I topped mine over 10 knots more thanWell said, Fancy paying someone to tell you that you nedd lots of
> once - and you can surprise some people when you can get them to
> reach with you - it's a fun boat!
>
> Gregg Carlson
wires, lines, fancydohickies, and widgits all over your production
boat just to get out of the Marina.
from what you've told us your trying to sail like your in a race, so
as everyone said ease off and enjoy Yuo may suprise yourself and the
other boats bygetting there almost as fast.
.
I know myself that getting somewhere in a boat that I built is a
great feeling.
On our last trip we made the effort to stop at every little beach on
the river we saw.
We often found streches of sand with no footprints and lots of
interesting things to see. and this was insight of a bustling city.
the best beach of all was under a a big 6 lane bridge, so cool and
quiet when your under it.
cheers paul
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "dbaldnz <oink@p...>" <oink@p...>
wrote:
tips next weekend. I have my micro moored on the harbour so its
quite convenient to get out and sail. It may have come across that I
am not satisfied with the boat, but I couldn't be happier. The boat
is a tribute to epoxy technology, not my woodworking skills and
although Peter Lenihan may not remember, he gave me some helpfull
advice during her construction.
I have spoken and visited on a number of occasions to Roger Keyes
(Paloma Blanca) in South Australia who has sailed around the open
ocean waters and in the gulf waters of that state in his Micro.
He gave me a diagram on a reefinf system that he uses and I might try
to rig this on my boat.
I will try to get some pictures of the boat and maybe of the reefing
set-up.
Has anyone developed an efficient system to reef Micro quickly and
easily?
Regards,
John Mann
wrote:
> Part of the answer to your question, is answered by the discussionsimple
> about tools going on just now....'you get what you pay for'.
> Micro is an extremely cheap and simple boat. For this you get
> performance. I am not knocking her, just being factual.Thanks to everyone for the sailing lessons on-line. I'll try the
> Either you enjoy her simplicity, and revel in the fun she provides,
> or, if you come to want more, invest in a more expensive boat.
> Sydney is rather like Auckland, and the Micro design can be very
> frustrating in the conditions we have.
> Have fun in the meantime!
> DonB
>
tips next weekend. I have my micro moored on the harbour so its
quite convenient to get out and sail. It may have come across that I
am not satisfied with the boat, but I couldn't be happier. The boat
is a tribute to epoxy technology, not my woodworking skills and
although Peter Lenihan may not remember, he gave me some helpfull
advice during her construction.
I have spoken and visited on a number of occasions to Roger Keyes
(Paloma Blanca) in South Australia who has sailed around the open
ocean waters and in the gulf waters of that state in his Micro.
He gave me a diagram on a reefinf system that he uses and I might try
to rig this on my boat.
I will try to get some pictures of the boat and maybe of the reefing
set-up.
Has anyone developed an efficient system to reef Micro quickly and
easily?
Regards,
John Mann
>months
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "mannthree <atonkin@b...>"
> <atonkin@b...> wrote:
> > I have been sailing my Micro on Sydney Harbour for about 12
> > after launching her in February 2001. I have a number of(just
> questions
> > which I hope some of the more experienced sailors can answer
> inkeelboats,
> > case there is any doubt, I am not an experienced sailor,
> especially
> > cat yawls).
> >
> > The questions are:
> >
> > 1. When to Reef?
> > I have terrified myself in 15knot plus winds when the
> boat
> > heels rather violently in the gusts and then rounds up. Is it
> > time to reef when the wind reaches 15 knots?
> >
> > 2. I seem to make too much leeway
> > I appear to be pointing as well as some of the deep
> > but no matter how hard I try I always seem to end up downwindto
> of
> > their position. Is there any way to correct this?
> >
> > 3. My impression is that the Micro is not a good boat for choppy
> > waters and the hull slams into the chop created on Sydney
> Harbour
> > on busy weekends. I have read that part of the solution is
> > keep the boat heeled so that the chine helps to cut thechop.
> > This is difficult to do when the winds are 5 knots. Do Ihave
> toa
> > live with this?
> >
> > 4. Ending up "in irons"
> > I have reefed the boat and found that if I was not carefull,
> the
> > boat would not pass through the tack and got stuck "in
> irons".
> > This has been a bit embarrassing on a number of occasions and
> I
> > have also noticed that the boat is not quick to pass through
> > tack. I have also had this trouble with the un-reefedperfect
> mainsail.
> >
> > All is not gloom and doom however, and I enjoy the boat immensely
> > when I can get her sailing well. When she is balanced, I can
> relax
> > and enjoy the scemery and let the boat sail herself in the
> > hot summer weather we are having.
> >
> > PS: Maybe I need some sailing lessons!
Part of the answer to your question, is answered by the discussion
about tools going on just now....'you get what you pay for'.
Micro is an extremely cheap and simple boat. For this you get simple
performance. I am not knocking her, just being factual.
Either you enjoy her simplicity, and revel in the fun she provides,
or, if you come to want more, invest in a more expensive boat.
Sydney is rather like Auckland, and the Micro design can be very
frustrating in the conditions we have.
Have fun in the meantime!
DonB
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "mannthree <atonkin@b...>"
<atonkin@b...> wrote:
about tools going on just now....'you get what you pay for'.
Micro is an extremely cheap and simple boat. For this you get simple
performance. I am not knocking her, just being factual.
Either you enjoy her simplicity, and revel in the fun she provides,
or, if you come to want more, invest in a more expensive boat.
Sydney is rather like Auckland, and the Micro design can be very
frustrating in the conditions we have.
Have fun in the meantime!
DonB
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "mannthree <atonkin@b...>"
<atonkin@b...> wrote:
> I have been sailing my Micro on Sydney Harbour for about 12 monthsquestions
> after launching her in February 2001. I have a number of
> which I hope some of the more experienced sailors can answer (justin
> case there is any doubt, I am not an experienced sailor,especially
> cat yawls).boat
>
> The questions are:
>
> 1. When to Reef?
> I have terrified myself in 15knot plus winds when the
> heels rather violently in the gusts and then rounds up. Is itof
> time to reef when the wind reaches 15 knots?
>
> 2. I seem to make too much leeway
> I appear to be pointing as well as some of the deep keelboats,
> but no matter how hard I try I always seem to end up downwind
> their position. Is there any way to correct this?Harbour
>
> 3. My impression is that the Micro is not a good boat for choppy
> waters and the hull slams into the chop created on Sydney
> on busy weekends. I have read that part of the solution is toto
> keep the boat heeled so that the chine helps to cut the chop.
> This is difficult to do when the winds are 5 knots. Do I have
> live with this?the
>
> 4. Ending up "in irons"
> I have reefed the boat and found that if I was not carefull,
> boat would not pass through the tack and got stuck "inirons".
> This has been a bit embarrassing on a number of occasions andI
> have also noticed that the boat is not quick to pass through amainsail.
> tack. I have also had this trouble with the un-reefed
>relax
> All is not gloom and doom however, and I enjoy the boat immensely
> when I can get her sailing well. When she is balanced, I can
> and enjoy the scemery and let the boat sail herself in the perfect
> hot summer weather we are having.
>
> PS: Maybe I need some sailing lessons!
Hi,
You can't go far wrong in applying seriously Greggs
suggestions.....all of them are very good!
If you are confident in the boats construction/integrity,then the
boat will certainly be able to take more then you can when the going
gets rough.
15knots is a fair ball park figure for the first reef.Do not
forget to make full use of your snotter.....really haul her in tight
when the wind pipes up and let her out in 10 knots or less.In light
wind,with chop or not,it helps to sail on the leeward side for two
reasons;1)if there is a chop,your shape is more "Veed"
2) in flat water water it increases your waterline length
hence greater speed potential( at least I like to humour myself with
that last one!)
When tacking,try sailing her through the wind(eye) or steering
her through the wind intead of quickly throwing the tiller over to
the other side.Leave your mizzen sheeted in tight but keep a hand on
the mainsheet and just ease her out a wee bit as you come up to the
eye.The idea,in lighter winds,is to always keep boat speed on.Should
events conspire to find you "in irons",do as Gregg said and just
reach up,grab the main sprit-boom and push it into the wind.This will
bring the bow around smartly.
I sail on a river where the current is constant and big
powerboat wakes can sometimes overwhelm the available space in the
channel/seaway.There is nothing more frustrating then trying to find
the "groove" in 10 knt winds while dealing with waves more
appropriate for 25 knt winds.It really throws your concentration off!
And finally,unless I am in conditions where I am absolutely
confident I can handle the boat,I never hesitate to start the motor.I
keep her in neutral until I am in the clear or else just power out of
any tight situation.A bit of prudence never hurt anyone,but accidents
can happen when ego,pride or just plain recklessness rule the
moment.Use your boat often,get to know her limits and enjoy her a
life-time!
Happy sailing!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,father to LESTAT and jealous of your "warm sunny
weather",from along the frozen shores of the St.Lawrence...........
-- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "mannthree <atonkin@b...>"
<atonkin@b...> wrote:
You can't go far wrong in applying seriously Greggs
suggestions.....all of them are very good!
If you are confident in the boats construction/integrity,then the
boat will certainly be able to take more then you can when the going
gets rough.
15knots is a fair ball park figure for the first reef.Do not
forget to make full use of your snotter.....really haul her in tight
when the wind pipes up and let her out in 10 knots or less.In light
wind,with chop or not,it helps to sail on the leeward side for two
reasons;1)if there is a chop,your shape is more "Veed"
2) in flat water water it increases your waterline length
hence greater speed potential( at least I like to humour myself with
that last one!)
When tacking,try sailing her through the wind(eye) or steering
her through the wind intead of quickly throwing the tiller over to
the other side.Leave your mizzen sheeted in tight but keep a hand on
the mainsheet and just ease her out a wee bit as you come up to the
eye.The idea,in lighter winds,is to always keep boat speed on.Should
events conspire to find you "in irons",do as Gregg said and just
reach up,grab the main sprit-boom and push it into the wind.This will
bring the bow around smartly.
I sail on a river where the current is constant and big
powerboat wakes can sometimes overwhelm the available space in the
channel/seaway.There is nothing more frustrating then trying to find
the "groove" in 10 knt winds while dealing with waves more
appropriate for 25 knt winds.It really throws your concentration off!
And finally,unless I am in conditions where I am absolutely
confident I can handle the boat,I never hesitate to start the motor.I
keep her in neutral until I am in the clear or else just power out of
any tight situation.A bit of prudence never hurt anyone,but accidents
can happen when ego,pride or just plain recklessness rule the
moment.Use your boat often,get to know her limits and enjoy her a
life-time!
Happy sailing!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,father to LESTAT and jealous of your "warm sunny
weather",from along the frozen shores of the St.Lawrence...........
-- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "mannthree <atonkin@b...>"
<atonkin@b...> wrote:
> I have been sailing my Micro on Sydney Harbour for about 12 months
> after launching her in February 2001. I have a number of questions
> which I hope some of the more experienced sailors can answer
Gregg,
Great response. A lesson in sailing delivered via the Internet at virually no
cost!
Mike Masten
In a message dated 1/19/03 6:09:44 AM,gcarlson@...writes:
Great response. A lesson in sailing delivered via the Internet at virually no
cost!
Mike Masten
In a message dated 1/19/03 6:09:44 AM,gcarlson@...writes:
>Forget the lessons - the micro is a special boat and part of the fun
>is getting the feel for her. I topped mine over 10 knots more than
>once - and you can surprise some people when you can get them to
>reach with you - it's a fun boat!
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "mannthree <atonkin@b...>" >
reef when you see this: terrified
The micro will handle a knockdown generally, but you might not. So,
trust your instinct.
point with an efficient, deep keel boat. You're describing pinching,
which puts you roughly in the same position anyway at the end of your
tack, but slower.
micro. You could try sitting on the downhill side, but I found that
about 7 knots is minimum to sail with the crowds.
little more just before tacking. Try easing the main just before and
leaving the mizzen hard until the last moment. Some careful timing
in the sails solved that for me.
If you go into irons, reach up and pull the boom over and behind your
head and puch it into the breeze - it'll push the bow over.
I was frustrated with the micro at first, too, for the same reasons.
After training myself to sail down a little (if you're a racer it's
hard to do!), I got to enjoy playing with the boat and feeling the
keel slip or sail.
Forget the lessons - the micro is a special boat and part of the fun
is getting the feel for her. I topped mine over 10 knots more than
once - and you can surprise some people when you can get them to
reach with you - it's a fun boat!
Gregg Carlson
> 1. When to Reef?Yes, you've answered your own question; foget about this: 15knot, but
> I have terrified myself in 15knot plus winds when the at
> heels rather violently in the gusts and then rounds up. Is it
> time to reef when the wind reaches 15 knots?
reef when you see this: terrified
The micro will handle a knockdown generally, but you might not. So,
trust your instinct.
> 2. I seem to make too much leewayFoot off another 5 or 10 degrees - the micro's short keel just won't
> I appear to be pointing as well as some of the deep keelboats,
> but no matter how hard I try I always seem to end up downwind of
> their position. Is there any way to correct this?
point with an efficient, deep keel boat. You're describing pinching,
which puts you roughly in the same position anyway at the end of your
tack, but slower.
> 3. My impression is that the Micro is not a good boat for choppyThat's true - light air and motorboat chop are a bad combination for
> waters and the hull slams into the chop created on Sydney our
> on busy weekends. I have read that part of the solution is to
> keep the boat heeled so that the chine helps to cut the chop.
> This is difficult to do when the winds are 5 knots. Do I have
> live with this?
micro. You could try sitting on the downhill side, but I found that
about 7 knots is minimum to sail with the crowds.
> 4. Ending up "in irons"Firstly, footing off should increase your boatspeed. Foot off a
> I have reefed the boat and found that if I was not carefull, te
> boat would not pass through the tack and got stuck "in irons".
> This has been a bit embarrassing on a number of occasions and I
> have also noticed that the boat is not quick to pass through a
> tack. I have also had this trouble with the un-reefed mainsail.
little more just before tacking. Try easing the main just before and
leaving the mizzen hard until the last moment. Some careful timing
in the sails solved that for me.
If you go into irons, reach up and pull the boom over and behind your
head and puch it into the breeze - it'll push the bow over.
I was frustrated with the micro at first, too, for the same reasons.
After training myself to sail down a little (if you're a racer it's
hard to do!), I got to enjoy playing with the boat and feeling the
keel slip or sail.
Forget the lessons - the micro is a special boat and part of the fun
is getting the feel for her. I topped mine over 10 knots more than
once - and you can surprise some people when you can get them to
reach with you - it's a fun boat!
Gregg Carlson
I have been sailing my Micro on Sydney Harbour for about 12 months
after launching her in February 2001. I have a number of questions
which I hope some of the more experienced sailors can answer (just in
case there is any doubt, I am not an experienced sailor, especially
cat yawls).
The questions are:
1. When to Reef?
I have terrified myself in 15knot plus winds when the boat
heels rather violently in the gusts and then rounds up. Is it
time to reef when the wind reaches 15 knots?
2. I seem to make too much leeway
I appear to be pointing as well as some of the deep keelboats,
but no matter how hard I try I always seem to end up downwind of
their position. Is there any way to correct this?
3. My impression is that the Micro is not a good boat for choppy
waters and the hull slams into the chop created on Sydney Harbour
on busy weekends. I have read that part of the solution is to
keep the boat heeled so that the chine helps to cut the chop.
This is difficult to do when the winds are 5 knots. Do I have to
live with this?
4. Ending up "in irons"
I have reefed the boat and found that if I was not carefull, the
boat would not pass through the tack and got stuck "in irons".
This has been a bit embarrassing on a number of occasions and I
have also noticed that the boat is not quick to pass through a
tack. I have also had this trouble with the un-reefed mainsail.
All is not gloom and doom however, and I enjoy the boat immensely
when I can get her sailing well. When she is balanced, I can relax
and enjoy the scemery and let the boat sail herself in the perfect
hot summer weather we are having.
PS: Maybe I need some sailing lessons!
after launching her in February 2001. I have a number of questions
which I hope some of the more experienced sailors can answer (just in
case there is any doubt, I am not an experienced sailor, especially
cat yawls).
The questions are:
1. When to Reef?
I have terrified myself in 15knot plus winds when the boat
heels rather violently in the gusts and then rounds up. Is it
time to reef when the wind reaches 15 knots?
2. I seem to make too much leeway
I appear to be pointing as well as some of the deep keelboats,
but no matter how hard I try I always seem to end up downwind of
their position. Is there any way to correct this?
3. My impression is that the Micro is not a good boat for choppy
waters and the hull slams into the chop created on Sydney Harbour
on busy weekends. I have read that part of the solution is to
keep the boat heeled so that the chine helps to cut the chop.
This is difficult to do when the winds are 5 knots. Do I have to
live with this?
4. Ending up "in irons"
I have reefed the boat and found that if I was not carefull, the
boat would not pass through the tack and got stuck "in irons".
This has been a bit embarrassing on a number of occasions and I
have also noticed that the boat is not quick to pass through a
tack. I have also had this trouble with the un-reefed mainsail.
All is not gloom and doom however, and I enjoy the boat immensely
when I can get her sailing well. When she is balanced, I can relax
and enjoy the scemery and let the boat sail herself in the perfect
hot summer weather we are having.
PS: Maybe I need some sailing lessons!