Re: Anybody built/own a Surf?
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Jonathan Smith" <the_jopasm@y...>
wrote:
I built and owned a SURF many years ago.When I built her,I
already knew how to sail,so I can't say just how "suitable she is as
a sail trainer".However,her very simple sail rig is most forgiving
of inexperience and her positive foam floatation makes her very
unsinkable.
Nevertheless,since you mention that you intend on using her in
fairly calm and shallow waters,just about any small daysailer would
serve as a trainer.
For the first time builder,the SURF is very straight forward. In
fact,if you buy the book"INSTANT BOATS" along with the plans for
SURF,you will be well equiped for success. It is amazing how nice
just 4 sheets of plywood can look when cut and assembled according
to the plans! She is light enough to easily trailer with a minimal
trailer or even car-top if you have racks strong enough for her 180
lbs.
Adding a kick-up rudder(very easy onwer modification) is a good
idea and something I too did to my boat.The leeboard is not such a
big deal.It is light enough to quickly lift up but,should you
accidently hit something only one of the leeboard"tongues" will
break provided you are sailing fast enough.This once happened to me
and the repair was quick and easy.I should add that,I did
not"permanently" attach the tongue back in place but instead secured
it with a simple bolt and butterfly nut.This way,if I was to ever
hit something again,it would be able to pivot back a bit before
actually breaking and if it did break,fixing another tongue back in
place would be quick dry work.
At anyrate, the SURF will make a fine first time building
project and sailboat for beginners.
http://www.instantboats.com/surf.htm
Good luck with her!!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan
wrote:
> As looking at building a Surf as a first time boatbuilding projectand to have
> something to learn to sail in. I like the lines of the boat butI'm wondering about it's
> suitability as a sail trainer. I'll be using it on local lakes -fairly calm waters (shallow
> though).leeboard.
>
> I'll probably modify the design a tiny bit - folding rudder and
>appreciated.
> Any feedback from people who've built/sailed this boat would be
>Jonathan,
> Jonathan
I built and owned a SURF many years ago.When I built her,I
already knew how to sail,so I can't say just how "suitable she is as
a sail trainer".However,her very simple sail rig is most forgiving
of inexperience and her positive foam floatation makes her very
unsinkable.
Nevertheless,since you mention that you intend on using her in
fairly calm and shallow waters,just about any small daysailer would
serve as a trainer.
For the first time builder,the SURF is very straight forward. In
fact,if you buy the book"INSTANT BOATS" along with the plans for
SURF,you will be well equiped for success. It is amazing how nice
just 4 sheets of plywood can look when cut and assembled according
to the plans! She is light enough to easily trailer with a minimal
trailer or even car-top if you have racks strong enough for her 180
lbs.
Adding a kick-up rudder(very easy onwer modification) is a good
idea and something I too did to my boat.The leeboard is not such a
big deal.It is light enough to quickly lift up but,should you
accidently hit something only one of the leeboard"tongues" will
break provided you are sailing fast enough.This once happened to me
and the repair was quick and easy.I should add that,I did
not"permanently" attach the tongue back in place but instead secured
it with a simple bolt and butterfly nut.This way,if I was to ever
hit something again,it would be able to pivot back a bit before
actually breaking and if it did break,fixing another tongue back in
place would be quick dry work.
At anyrate, the SURF will make a fine first time building
project and sailboat for beginners.
http://www.instantboats.com/surf.htm
Good luck with her!!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan
Jonathan:
Take a look at Jim Michalak's Mayfly16. It already has a folding rudder and leeboard.
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/store/plans/jim/mayfly16/
As looking at building a Surf as a first time boatbuilding project and to have
something to learn to sail in. I like the lines of the boat but I'm wondering about it's
suitability as a sail trainer. I'll be using it on local lakes - fairly calm waters (shallow
though).
I'll probably modify the design a tiny bit - folding rudder and leeboard.
Any feedback from people who've built/sailed this boat would be appreciated.
Jonathan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Take a look at Jim Michalak's Mayfly16. It already has a folding rudder and leeboard.
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/store/plans/jim/mayfly16/
As looking at building a Surf as a first time boatbuilding project and to have
something to learn to sail in. I like the lines of the boat but I'm wondering about it's
suitability as a sail trainer. I'll be using it on local lakes - fairly calm waters (shallow
though).
I'll probably modify the design a tiny bit - folding rudder and leeboard.
Any feedback from people who've built/sailed this boat would be appreciated.
Jonathan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
As looking at building a Surf as a first time boatbuilding project and to have
something to learn to sail in. I like the lines of the boat but I'm wondering about it's
suitability as a sail trainer. I'll be using it on local lakes - fairly calm waters (shallow
though).
I'll probably modify the design a tiny bit - folding rudder and leeboard.
Any feedback from people who've built/sailed this boat would be appreciated.
Jonathan
something to learn to sail in. I like the lines of the boat but I'm wondering about it's
suitability as a sail trainer. I'll be using it on local lakes - fairly calm waters (shallow
though).
I'll probably modify the design a tiny bit - folding rudder and leeboard.
Any feedback from people who've built/sailed this boat would be appreciated.
Jonathan