[bolger] re;thinking MICRO etc....
Hello fellow Micrologists,
It is so good to hear a few builders contemplating(if not actually
biting the bullet!) and going ahead with a MICRO!!!Done well,this
little dream boat will reward you with endless hours(years!) of pure
sailing pleasure.For the experienced dinghy sailor joining the ranks of
the truly blessed ie;MICRO owner/builders,you may wish to consider
selling the wet suit and sailing gloves not to mention erasing from you
thoughts such contraptions as trapeze harnesses,boomvangs,spinnaker
poles,hiking straps etc...you will never need them again with the
MICRO.Instead,consider lots of sunscreen,a comfy seat cushion,a good
book or two,maybe some choice cassettes for the sound system(Gustav
Mahler's "Chant de la terre" comes to mind),a number of rich earthy
Bordeauxs,a small sampling of cheeses,a basket of various
fruits.Also,perhaps a change of clothes for later on in the day as the
sun settles on the horizon and things cool down somewhat.A soft wooly
sweater neatly handles the temperature drop.The real icing on the cake
however,is to share all of this blissfulness with your most cherished
significant other.As the two of you tidy up after a delicious meal of
fettucine in a white wine clam sauce and prepare for some cozy cuddling
under the stars with your nightcap firmly in hand.The stresses of
modern life will be further eased by the accompaning sounds of crickets
from the nearby shore and the watery sounds from the little wavelettes
in the snug cove you both have decided to spend the night anchored
in.The coolness of the surrounding air does not bother you either,as
you know that you both will be snug and warm within that nifty little
cabin some insist on calling a cuddy.
By all means,follow Stan M's advice on the 1/2 inch bottom and if
at all possible,go with 3/8 inch for the rest.MDO is a wonderfull
material to work with and will certainly allow you to put a first class
finish on your new pride and joy.You will be glad that you did!
Depending on your areas conditions(currents?tides?waves?winds?)
you can look forward to a leisurely 3 to 4 knots cruising speed under
sail.No record breaking stuff here but then again,you will be sooo
comfortable and relaxed that the speed will hardly be of any
consequence.Ideal wind speeds are between 10 and 15 knots.Of coarse,as
the winds increase further,a reef is called for and she will happily
continue on her way.Your own particular standards of comfort will
dictate just how much more"excitement"you will/can handle before that
second reef goes in!Considering how little time most of us have to
spend on the water,surely any thing that helps prolong that time must
be seen as an asset!
Working at a humane rate,dealing with Montréal winters and having
to move my"work shop" three times during the construction phase
consumed about 18 months of time.A further delay was occassioned by
still owning another boat during the building phase(an Elver).A
wonderful day for sailing is also a grand day for building however,I am
far too much an undisciplined wimp to stress myself with work,so I
invariably went sailing and therefore"gave up"a number of months worth
of building time in the process.In 1992/93 Canadian dollars,the works
cost me right near $6000.00.
If you sail in an area that is either exposed to the ocean or you
have to deal with a current(s),it may prove prudent to install a 5HP
outboard as smaller engines may not be able to overcome an evil
combination of wind and current at the most inopportune moment!
Well,that is my two Canadian cents worth.Most of the above is not
wholely objective,of course,as I am one very happy and smitten MICRO
owner/builder and some may wish to offer contrary opinions to balance
things a wee bit for the potential MICRO builders out there lurking
around the boat yards and classified sections of the boating press.
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,ticking the days off the calendar,in anticiptation of
what promises to be another glorious summer,eventually,on the thawing
shores of the St.Lawrence
It is so good to hear a few builders contemplating(if not actually
biting the bullet!) and going ahead with a MICRO!!!Done well,this
little dream boat will reward you with endless hours(years!) of pure
sailing pleasure.For the experienced dinghy sailor joining the ranks of
the truly blessed ie;MICRO owner/builders,you may wish to consider
selling the wet suit and sailing gloves not to mention erasing from you
thoughts such contraptions as trapeze harnesses,boomvangs,spinnaker
poles,hiking straps etc...you will never need them again with the
MICRO.Instead,consider lots of sunscreen,a comfy seat cushion,a good
book or two,maybe some choice cassettes for the sound system(Gustav
Mahler's "Chant de la terre" comes to mind),a number of rich earthy
Bordeauxs,a small sampling of cheeses,a basket of various
fruits.Also,perhaps a change of clothes for later on in the day as the
sun settles on the horizon and things cool down somewhat.A soft wooly
sweater neatly handles the temperature drop.The real icing on the cake
however,is to share all of this blissfulness with your most cherished
significant other.As the two of you tidy up after a delicious meal of
fettucine in a white wine clam sauce and prepare for some cozy cuddling
under the stars with your nightcap firmly in hand.The stresses of
modern life will be further eased by the accompaning sounds of crickets
from the nearby shore and the watery sounds from the little wavelettes
in the snug cove you both have decided to spend the night anchored
in.The coolness of the surrounding air does not bother you either,as
you know that you both will be snug and warm within that nifty little
cabin some insist on calling a cuddy.
By all means,follow Stan M's advice on the 1/2 inch bottom and if
at all possible,go with 3/8 inch for the rest.MDO is a wonderfull
material to work with and will certainly allow you to put a first class
finish on your new pride and joy.You will be glad that you did!
Depending on your areas conditions(currents?tides?waves?winds?)
you can look forward to a leisurely 3 to 4 knots cruising speed under
sail.No record breaking stuff here but then again,you will be sooo
comfortable and relaxed that the speed will hardly be of any
consequence.Ideal wind speeds are between 10 and 15 knots.Of coarse,as
the winds increase further,a reef is called for and she will happily
continue on her way.Your own particular standards of comfort will
dictate just how much more"excitement"you will/can handle before that
second reef goes in!Considering how little time most of us have to
spend on the water,surely any thing that helps prolong that time must
be seen as an asset!
Working at a humane rate,dealing with Montréal winters and having
to move my"work shop" three times during the construction phase
consumed about 18 months of time.A further delay was occassioned by
still owning another boat during the building phase(an Elver).A
wonderful day for sailing is also a grand day for building however,I am
far too much an undisciplined wimp to stress myself with work,so I
invariably went sailing and therefore"gave up"a number of months worth
of building time in the process.In 1992/93 Canadian dollars,the works
cost me right near $6000.00.
If you sail in an area that is either exposed to the ocean or you
have to deal with a current(s),it may prove prudent to install a 5HP
outboard as smaller engines may not be able to overcome an evil
combination of wind and current at the most inopportune moment!
Well,that is my two Canadian cents worth.Most of the above is not
wholely objective,of course,as I am one very happy and smitten MICRO
owner/builder and some may wish to offer contrary opinions to balance
things a wee bit for the potential MICRO builders out there lurking
around the boat yards and classified sections of the boating press.
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,ticking the days off the calendar,in anticiptation of
what promises to be another glorious summer,eventually,on the thawing
shores of the St.Lawrence