RE: [bolger] Re: Choice of small sail boat for Puget Sound Micro, Catfish, Chebacca for all weather

Although it may not suit you, PCB designed a Birdwatcher type boat called “Camper” specifically for oar/sail cruising on Puget Sound .  I gave considerable thought to building one (without the railings which, IMHO, are complex, expensive, and mostly in the way).  I finally concluded that sitting on the bottom of a boat does not match well with my arthritic knees and hips, so I went in a different direction.  Birdwatcher hulls have a great range of stability for a very lightly ballasted boat, but they are rough on old joints and look sort of strange.

 

JohnT

 

From:bolger@yahoogroups.com [mailto: bolger@yahoogroups.com ]On Behalf OfDave Gentry
Sent:Monday, November 30, 2009 2:39 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject:[bolger] Re: Choice of small sail boat for Puget Sound Micro, Catfish, Chebacca for all weather

 

 



I've sailed those waters, for months at a time. The most suitable of your 3, if the weather turned bad, would be the Micro, with her lead keel. However, I wouldn't build one (again), nor the Catfish, for any cruises there. A Long Micro, or one of the Chebacco variations would be my choice (of your stated options), leaning towards the Chebacco. You say you don't mind getting somewhere slowly? Well, the breeze is generally light in the summer, and there are pretty good tides and currents to contend with. A faster boat (usually longer) is the only way to go, for either sailing or motoring - which you'll do a LOT of if you only have a week to get to Vancouver and back.

As for handling rough weather, if you sail prudently, that should not be an issue. Listen to the weather reports and plan accordingly. And, there are lots of anchorages you can pull into if you if you don't heed that plan. That crossing to Pt Townsend can be ridiculously rough, though, and sometimes you have to get back to work the next day. The Long Micro, again because of the lead keel, would seem to be more capable (I have zero experience with the Long Micro, or the Chebacco, so take this with the appropriate skepticism).

I'd still choose the Chebacco, though, due to the even shallower draft, better windward ability, and very much for aesthetic reasons.

However, for Spring, early Summer and Fall cruising, I'd have to go with something that has enclosed steering!

BUT, all that being said, I wouldn't build any of these boats just to go cruising there. Instead, I'd hop on Craigslist, or visit some of the marinas, and take my pick of hundreds of already built, already equipped, used boats that can be had for a song. Now's the time to look, too!

If I really, really wanted to build one of these, it'd be the glued lapstrake Chebacco, for the stated reasons. The Long Micro would be more reassuring in bad weather, and roomier inside, but also have less re-sale potential. Either would be acceptable, IMO.

Figuring out what you want is half the fun - enjoy!

Dave Gentry

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.87/2534 - Release Date: 11/29/09 02:49:00

I've sailed those waters, for months at a time. The most suitable of your 3, if the weather turned bad, would be the Micro, with her lead keel. However, I wouldn't build one (again), nor the Catfish, for any cruises there. A Long Micro, or one of the Chebacco variations would be my choice (of your stated options), leaning towards the Chebacco. You say you don't mind getting somewhere slowly? Well, the breeze is generally light in the summer, and there are pretty good tides and currents to contend with. A faster boat (usually longer) is the only way to go, for either sailing or motoring - which you'll do a LOT of if you only have a week to get to Vancouver and back.

As for handling rough weather, if you sail prudently, that should not be an issue. Listen to the weather reports and plan accordingly. And, there are lots of anchorages you can pull into if you if you don't heed that plan. That crossing to Pt Townsend can be ridiculously rough, though, and sometimes you have to get back to work the next day. The Long Micro, again because of the lead keel, would seem to be more capable (I have zero experience with the Long Micro, or the Chebacco, so take this with the appropriate skepticism).

I'd still choose the Chebacco, though, due to the even shallower draft, better windward ability, and very much for aesthetic reasons.

However, for Spring, early Summer and Fall cruising, I'd have to go with something that has enclosed steering!

BUT, all that being said, I wouldn't build any of these boats just to go cruising there. Instead, I'd hop on Craigslist, or visit some of the marinas, and take my pick of hundreds of already built, already equipped, used boats that can be had for a song. Now's the time to look, too!

If I really, really wanted to build one of these, it'd be the glued lapstrake Chebacco, for the stated reasons. The Long Micro would be more reassuring in bad weather, and roomier inside, but also have less re-sale potential. Either would be acceptable, IMO.

Figuring out what you want is half the fun - enjoy!

Dave Gentry
I am a retired boat builder and I am looking for a small sailboat to go out for say a week at a time. I like simple so do not need all the luxuries of bigger boats. I guess my criteria would be if these boats would be suitable if the weather turned bad? They are also affordable to build. I know the Cheebacca and Micro Navigator are more cruze worthy, but really don't know the difference from the standard plan? I have had much larger power boats, but I am more interested in enjoying the trip than to getting somewhere fast and the fact these are all trailable allow me many options for travel. The fact is I would sail this boat from Bremerton, WA to Port Townsend or Vancouver Island or Vancouver Canada. So am interested in what the differences are and any comments of which you would choose. Thanks for the help.