Re: [bolger] Re: Whalewatcher launched!

There's no trim around the windows, just an overlap of 7/8" or so and 3M silicon clear sealant under the polycarbonate. It is not Lexan but another brand, and "smoke" color, though I don't know how much light it is supposed to filter. It's nice looking, I think, and I prefer it to the clear. --Mason

----- Original Message -----
From: Donnie
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 9:44 AM
Subject: [bolger] Re: Whalewatcher launched!





--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "adkgoodboat" <masonsmith@...> wrote:
>Awesome workmanship! What is that trim around the windows? The tinted lexan I'm finding online is rated @ 50% light filter. Is this what you used? thanks





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "adkgoodboat" <masonsmith@...> wrote:
>Awesome workmanship! What is that trim around the windows? The tinted lexan I'm finding online is rated @ 50% light filter. Is this what you used? thanks
Rob, you are right about the need to climb out of the cabin to go forward, but it is not too bad. We put the head in a lidded box, and you just step up on one of the berths, then on the box, and knee out on the cabin-top and down into the bow (which is a very pleasant place to be, under way). This Whalewatcher has cored cabin-tops, very strong, fine for walking on and worth building on any Whalewatcher, I think. We devised a nice standing-room cover that stretches over a simple system of easily stowed supports. It's low enough to use while sailing -- low enough for the main sheet to run side to side without interference -- and we had a zippered opening put in over the head, so we can go forward with the cover on. We also provided for having the cover partially rolled back from either end, a canvas companionway (zippered) closure, and a zippered privacy partition between the galley and the forward berths. The boat has two two-bulb lights over each berth, galley lights, and 4" foam cushions. In the after section, the midship floorboard unit can be placed between the berths for a full-width bed. The split cushion for the middle part becomes seatbacks for the after berths, hung just below the windows. You have in effect four 6 - 7 foot sofas with full head-room and picture windows all around. You can imagine Phil holding court in there. ---Mason
----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Kellock
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 6:04 AM
Subject: [bolger] Re: Whalewatcher launched!





Excellent pictures, thank you. Been looking and looking, both at plans in Google's BWAOM and the photos, but can't see how you are supposed to get into the bow area easily from the cabin or cockpit when on the water to use the ground tackle and painter. AFAICS, you either have to walk along the cabin deck which seems neither safe, nor feasible if it's made of 1/4 inch plywood, or you have to be a contortionist and somehow squeeze through the windows on either side of the mast?

In Birdwatcher the mast is offset to starboard inside the cabin, so its easy to walk past it, but in this design the mast is centred forward of the cabin with windows either side to prevent spray coming into the cabin from the bow.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Excellent pictures, thank you. Been looking and looking, both at plans in Google's BWAOM and the photos, but can't see how you are supposed to get into the bow area easily from the cabin or cockpit when on the water to use the ground tackle and painter. AFAICS, you either have to walk along the cabin deck which seems neither safe, nor feasible if it's made of 1/4 inch plywood, or you have to be a contortionist and somehow squeeze through the windows on either side of the mast?

In Birdwatcher the mast is offset to starboard inside the cabin, so its easy to walk past it, but in this design the mast is centred forward of the cabin with windows either side to prevent spray coming into the cabin from the bow.
Woo hoo! A favourite. Man, that's good to see. What a splendid design! A lovely job Mason, love your colours too, and thanks for sharing the pics

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger/photos/album/1246921844/pic/list

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger/photos/album/1369503063/pic/list

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bolger4Sale/photos/album/14077525/pic/list

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger/photos/album/660843651/pic/list

I think it was Mr Hallman here who pointed out one time that, bowsprit, rudder and all, Birdwatcher wasn't very much shorter...

Graeme


--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "adkgoodboat" <masonsmith@...> wrote:
>
> Pat Connor's new Whalewatcher "Utilis" was launched on the Severn River and shaken-down on the bay off Annapolis, MD, April 26th, with Phil Bolger and Susanne Altenberger on hand. Susanne got good coverage from a chase-boat. I'll post some photos from the launch and on board. Great boat. More should be built. If Birdwatcher was slow to be accepted because people can't imagine sailing her from down inside the cabin, Whalewatcher might have been accepted quickly, with her long roomy four-berths-and-a-galley cabin (supremely comfortable and livable, with great visibility) plus a comfortable cockpit and handy outboard arrangements. Not to mention a mast you can raise with one finger and a powerful balanced lug yawl rig, water ballast, and extremely easy launching. That boat is a sweetheart, believe me.
>
Pat Connor's new Whalewatcher "Utilis" was launched on the Severn River and shaken-down on the bay off Annapolis, MD, April 26th, with Phil Bolger and Susanne Altenberger on hand. Susanne got good coverage from a chase-boat. I'll post some photos from the launch and on board. Great boat. More should be built. If Birdwatcher was slow to be accepted because people can't imagine sailing her from down inside the cabin, Whalewatcher might have been accepted quickly, with her long roomy four-berths-and-a-galley cabin (supremely comfortable and livable, with great visibility) plus a comfortable cockpit and handy outboard arrangements. Not to mention a mast you can raise with one finger and a powerful balanced lug yawl rig, water ballast, and extremely easy launching. That boat is a sweetheart, believe me.