Re: [bolger] Re: Whalewatcher bowboard
The Whalewatcher's trailer, which came with the George Anger Whalewatcher hull when Chuck Raynor passed the boat along to me, has four rocker arms with two rollers at each end of each. These support the hull hear the outer parts of the bottom. I provided two more sets of rollers mounted on the cross-beams of the trailer frame so as to support the boat direrctly under the two truss beams of the architecture. I would say that's good support, well distributed.
---Mason
---Mason
----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher Wetherill
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 11:43 AM
Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: Whalewatcher bowboard
I would be very interested in making sure the trailer provides adequate
support such that the weight of people and gear moving around inside the
hull doesn't damage it.V/R
Chris
Rob Kellock wrote:
> Thanks for all this information, Mason. Leaves me with plenty to think about.
>
> Hopefully, Pat will provide us with some sailing, trailering and launch reports soon.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rob.
>
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I can give you trailering and launch reports. She trailers fine and easily, not really being very heavy. I have a 99 Mercedes 4Matic wagon with load levelling, which I like a lot as a trailering car. I brought her 500 miles mostly on Interstates and parkways but also had to trail her right through downtown Annapolis. The launch was quite surprising" I asked a helper to let me know when my car's rear wheels were at the water's edge, hopped out then, expecting touse the tilt feature of the trailer and a tackle I had rigged to gibe me a two-part hitch to shove her off. But she was already completely afloat! That makes her as easy to launch as a Dovekie, and easier than a Micro. ---Mason
----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Kellock
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 5:16 AM
Subject: [bolger] Re: Whalewatcher bowboard
Thanks for all this information, Mason. Leaves me with plenty to think about.
Hopefully, Pat will provide us with some sailing, trailering and launch reports soon.
Cheers,
Rob.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I would be very interested in making sure the trailer provides adequate
support such that the weight of people and gear moving around inside the
hull doesn't damage it.V/R
Chris
Rob Kellock wrote:
support such that the weight of people and gear moving around inside the
hull doesn't damage it.V/R
Chris
Rob Kellock wrote:
> Thanks for all this information, Mason. Leaves me with plenty to think about.
>
> Hopefully, Pat will provide us with some sailing, trailering and launch reports soon.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rob.
>
>
>
>
Thanks for all this information, Mason. Leaves me with plenty to think about.
Hopefully, Pat will provide us with some sailing, trailering and launch reports soon.
Cheers,
Rob.
Hopefully, Pat will provide us with some sailing, trailering and launch reports soon.
Cheers,
Rob.
The bow daggerboard is intended to correct the center of lateral plane when the leeboards are swept back in shoal water. But it seems to be useful more genereally -- aiding in tacking -- and I think it will often be left inserted.
She sails well but we may as well await more reports from Pat Connor--We had only light air conditions at Annapolis. And some video and photos from Susanne.
I think to get aboard in a park you'd use the transom-=mounted ladder rather than remove the engine.
I don't think the hard hatches would be a good idea on this boat because of the rig, so different from the Jochems's. You need the cabin-tops for the spars when trailering. The soft cover we provided doesn't give you standing headroom, since it was intended to be used while sailing and while trailering, but it is about 5' above the floor and pretty easy to get around underneath. For a nicer camping cover I think I would like fiberglass bows that would bend in semicircles, coaming to coaming. The boat does have drop-boards, and also a soft companionway with zippered door, and another privacy partition with a zippered door that snaps on between the forward galley bulkhead and the forward berth, where the head lives.
I agree that Whalewatcher makes a very agreeable "caravan." I can imagine some kind of table or individual tables but they have to fold completely away from the standing room when not in use, in my view. Freedom of fore and aft movement isn't negotiable. This one does have drawers, by the way (2, in galley) and the under-berth stowage is fairly accessible by lifting the mattress and one of three lids per berth. Huge amounts of stowage all told, under all berths, under cockpit seats, under bow platforms, under gelley counters.
--Mason
She sails well but we may as well await more reports from Pat Connor--We had only light air conditions at Annapolis. And some video and photos from Susanne.
I think to get aboard in a park you'd use the transom-=mounted ladder rather than remove the engine.
I don't think the hard hatches would be a good idea on this boat because of the rig, so different from the Jochems's. You need the cabin-tops for the spars when trailering. The soft cover we provided doesn't give you standing headroom, since it was intended to be used while sailing and while trailering, but it is about 5' above the floor and pretty easy to get around underneath. For a nicer camping cover I think I would like fiberglass bows that would bend in semicircles, coaming to coaming. The boat does have drop-boards, and also a soft companionway with zippered door, and another privacy partition with a zippered door that snaps on between the forward galley bulkhead and the forward berth, where the head lives.
I agree that Whalewatcher makes a very agreeable "caravan." I can imagine some kind of table or individual tables but they have to fold completely away from the standing room when not in use, in my view. Freedom of fore and aft movement isn't negotiable. This one does have drawers, by the way (2, in galley) and the under-berth stowage is fairly accessible by lifting the mattress and one of three lids per berth. Huge amounts of stowage all told, under all berths, under cockpit seats, under bow platforms, under gelley counters.
--Mason
----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Kellock
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 8:58 PM
Subject: [bolger] Whalewatcher bowboard
This design fascinates me. What is the purpose of that bow board?
Is it to:
1. Provide lateral resistance forward because the mast is so far forward on the hull.
2. Allow for directional control when under power near the dock.
3. Ameliorate pounding under the flat bottom.
4. Increase hull speed by creating a carpet of bubbles under the hull!
How does she sail? There was mention of videos being taken of her under sail. Any chance we are going to see these posted on the Internet?
As a boat/caravan combination Whalewatcher seems to tick all the boxes I can think of:
1. 6'6" beam means it can be containerized on it's trailer.
2. Bolger rudder doesn't impede access over the transom when sitting low on its trailer in the caravan park, although the outboard motor would need to be removed.
3. The centred mast in the bow compartment on a tabernacle allows a tent to be erected over the cabin deck. When combined with two insulated half hard hatches that meet in the middle and a drop board between the cabin and cockpit you would be secure, warm and cozy inside, particularly if you added a small heater that flued out through the port or starboard cockpit wall.
4. The cabin layout is very similar to a basic caravan. The only change required is drawers and a folding table forward.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Rob,
You might read with interest the "Whalewatcher" chapter in "Boats with an open mind" by Philip C. Bolger in which you shall find answers to your questions.
About the bow board : in shallow waters where the leeboards cannot be lowered to balance the boat there was a choice between bow rudders and a daggerboard in the bow, which was eventually chosen.
Nice boat indeed, I am dreaming...
jcjglt
You might read with interest the "Whalewatcher" chapter in "Boats with an open mind" by Philip C. Bolger in which you shall find answers to your questions.
About the bow board : in shallow waters where the leeboards cannot be lowered to balance the boat there was a choice between bow rudders and a daggerboard in the bow, which was eventually chosen.
Nice boat indeed, I am dreaming...
jcjglt
This design fascinates me. What is the purpose of that bow board?
Is it to:
1. Provide lateral resistance forward because the mast is so far forward on the hull.
2. Allow for directional control when under power near the dock.
3. Ameliorate pounding under the flat bottom.
4. Increase hull speed by creating a carpet of bubbles under the hull!
How does she sail? There was mention of videos being taken of her under sail. Any chance we are going to see these posted on the Internet?
As a boat/caravan combination Whalewatcher seems to tick all the boxes I can think of:
1. 6'6" beam means it can be containerized on it's trailer.
2. Bolger rudder doesn't impede access over the transom when sitting low on its trailer in the caravan park, although the outboard motor would need to be removed.
3. The centred mast in the bow compartment on a tabernacle allows a tent to be erected over the cabin deck. When combined with two insulated half hard hatches that meet in the middle and a drop board between the cabin and cockpit you would be secure, warm and cozy inside, particularly if you added a small heater that flued out through the port or starboard cockpit wall.
4. The cabin layout is very similar to a basic caravan. The only change required is drawers and a folding table forward.
Is it to:
1. Provide lateral resistance forward because the mast is so far forward on the hull.
2. Allow for directional control when under power near the dock.
3. Ameliorate pounding under the flat bottom.
4. Increase hull speed by creating a carpet of bubbles under the hull!
How does she sail? There was mention of videos being taken of her under sail. Any chance we are going to see these posted on the Internet?
As a boat/caravan combination Whalewatcher seems to tick all the boxes I can think of:
1. 6'6" beam means it can be containerized on it's trailer.
2. Bolger rudder doesn't impede access over the transom when sitting low on its trailer in the caravan park, although the outboard motor would need to be removed.
3. The centred mast in the bow compartment on a tabernacle allows a tent to be erected over the cabin deck. When combined with two insulated half hard hatches that meet in the middle and a drop board between the cabin and cockpit you would be secure, warm and cozy inside, particularly if you added a small heater that flued out through the port or starboard cockpit wall.
4. The cabin layout is very similar to a basic caravan. The only change required is drawers and a folding table forward.