Re: [bolger] Re: bobcat--advice? plans?

On Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 4:51 AM, Patrick Crockett<pcrockett@...>wrote:

Jay:

An extra 20 or 30 minutes to get on the water and an extra 20 or 30 minutes when you get home to tidy up are definitely disincentives to going out on the boat and it is worth paring the process down to the absolute essentials. However, the really big disincentive is having to drive 30 minutes or an hour to the water. If you don't live within sight of the water you need an additional incentive to get out -- a partner with whom you have arranged to go out or a club you race with (giving you a deadline and a set of days when you are expected to go out) or something like that. So -- everybody buy waterfront homes!!

Patrick

On Aug 31, 2010, at 4:10 PM, Jay Bazuzi wrote:

I'm on the verge of getting rid of my Bobcat, because I don't have time for it, but maybe if I could optimize things, I would sail it more.

I keep my sail attached to the gaff and boom.

I keep the 4 lines going aloft in on the mast. The ends get paired & figure-8 knots, so they don't get lost. Then the bundle is clove-hitched to the mast, to keep things neat.

I raise the mast, then attach the lines to the sail & run them through the right blocks, etc.

I'm thinking about removing the lazy jack and the topping lift. They're rarely useful to me. A single gasket is enough to keep the cockpit clear when I drop the sail.  Having only two lines aloft is way less work, since they won't tangle with each other.

I have a cover that is meant to go on when the boat is rigged, so it can be parked next to a boat ramp. It would be really convenient. As it is, I never use that cover.

When I get home, I hang the mast and the spars/sail bundle up in my garage, to keep them out of the sun. That's another delay.

-J

On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 9:47 AM, robertchamberland<chamberlands@...>wrote:

I kept the sail permanently on the spars also all the halliards and sheets. I made a long bag that everything would fit in. I also had a bag for the mast. When launching I rove all the halliards, set the boom and gaff on the boat with all the hoops lined up over the HOLE and kept them in line with a 4" piece of PVC then raised the mast and dropped it down the hole. It helps to have someone hold this assembly so it doesn't roll off the boat. I sometimes got the halliards lined up wrong but it was still a quick enough process. I'll post a picture if I can figure how.
Bob Chamberland

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "dkp390" <dkp390@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Boat ideas:
>
> I took out the sailboat For the first time in over a year yesterday and that got me thinking of improvements again.  As usual I did ignore the launch checklist created and even used the first few times. Why not use and update it each time? It might even remind me to check trailer tire pressure. All did go quite well though, no major items forgotten, no embarrassment, damage or do-overs worth mention.
>
> Something I did notice was how much work it is to get out on the water trailering for a day sail.  How nice it would be to be able to leave it in the water and mostly ready to go, I could imagine setting up once a year then at each sail remove sail cover hoist halyards and sail away.  The advantage of indoor storage, infrequent use and distance from lakes in the area make trailering a necessity for me though. So I'm thinking of ways to simplify the process. The boat is a Bolger Bobcat 12' 6" gaff rigged catboat. It has no standing rigging but has mainsheet, throat and peak halyards, topping lift, lazy jacks and uses individual sail ties along the gaff and boom. The mast is carried along the side of her on the trailer and needs to be stepped each time so a mast tabernacle can be a possible future improvement.
>
> What I thought of doing first is to find a way to transport with the sail bent onto the spars which would require a tight fitting cover to protect the sail while holding both gaff and boom. With this method it may also be better to carry in the boat rather than alongside on the trailer. My current way of attaching the luff to the mast uses rope cringles looped through grommets in the sail that must be slid up the mast as it is stepped. This will not work well with spars in the way while stepping the mast so I may need to leave them on like mast hoops and lash, toggle or snap shackle the sail to them. Being able to keep the halyards and other rigging on the mast would also simplify setup, but require another cover to protect and organize the lines while towing. It normally takes almost an hour to get everything ready but with these few changes I hope to reduce that by half.
>
> Another potential efficiency improvement would be better gear storage onboard. I also found myself moving loads of stuff form the boat to the tow vehicle at home, then back at launching; reverse and repeat again for hauling out and returning home. With gear properly stowed in and lashed to the boat it could be left there while on the road. First here should be attachments for the floorboards, oars and ground tackle. Then gear tie-downs for items stowed forward under the deck and a cover for the storage space aft.
>
> Reefing control lines would also be a sensible improvement. It was windy while setting up so I tied in a reef before launching, but it would be difficult underway when needed most, and I even had a bit of trouble just shaking it out as the wind faded. The problem is that it is hard to reach the aft end of the boom and the sail fills as I hold onto it while tying or untying the individual reef ties. I see this additional rigging as a valuable use of setup time saved elsewhere. I will also use a proper reef knot with a loop in it on the reefpoint sail ties, rather than a square knot, to make it easy to undo.
>
> Most of these ideas are functional improvements but I also want to keep my boat looking good.  Paint and varnish; that's another story though. Most areas got primer and only one coat without annual repainting. The sand used as non-slip surface on deck is too rough, so it needs additional coats of paint. A minimum number of varnish coats were used on brightwork where for best results more is best.
>
> To help organize and prioritize all this work,  I think it best to take a trip to the lake for another afternoon sail or two.
>
>
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Jay Bazuzi <jay@> wrote:
> >
> > It takes me a while to prep the boat before I leave the house, then rig at
> > the boat ramp, then launch, then park, then raise sail & cast off.
> > -J
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 7:38 AM, dkp390 <dkp390@> wrote:
> > >
> > >There is an article called "The
> > > catboat and how to sail her" available from the catboat association (
> > >http://www.catboats.org/pubs.php) recommended with some details you will
> > > want to know about and experiment with.
> > > strong gusts. It responds well to
> > >
> > > <glasscocklanding@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I recently received a free Bobcat from a local sailing club where it had
> > > been abandoned. The hull is sheathed with glass (in polyester, I think)
> > > inside and out, and is sound. The bow deck/side decks are sheathed, and are
> > > sound except where the mast is stepped through the deck. The seat and
> > > coamings are shot, and will have to be replaced, along with the rudder and
> > > transom. The big problem is the centerboard trunk, which looks like it will
> > > have to be replaced. I have always admired the look of these little cats.
> > > Are they decent sailors? Does anyone have a set of plans they might want
> > > to sell/trade, which would be very helpful for rebuilding the centerboard
> > > trunk and the other pieces that have to come out. Thanks, Sam
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>

On Aug 31, 2010, at 4:10 PM, Jay Bazuzi wrote:

I'm on the verge of getting rid of my Bobcat, because I don't have time for it, but maybe if I could optimize things, I would sail it more.

I keep my sail attached to the gaff and boom. 

I keep the 4 lines going aloft in on the mast. The ends get paired & figure-8 knots, so they don't get lost. Then the bundle is clove-hitched to the mast, to keep things neat. 

I raise the mast, then attach the lines to the sail & run them through the right blocks, etc.

I'm thinking about removing the lazy jack and the topping lift. They're rarely useful to me. A single gasket is enough to keep the cockpit clear when I drop the sail.  Having only two lines aloft is way less work, since they won't tangle with each other.

I have a cover that is meant to go on when the boat is rigged, so it can be parked next to a boat ramp. It would be really convenient. As it is, I never use that cover.

When I get home, I hang the mast and the spars/sail bundle up in my garage, to keep them out of the sun. That's another delay. 

-J

On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 9:47 AM, robertchamberland <chamberlands@...> wrote:

 

I kept the sail permanently on the spars also all the halliards and sheets. I made a long bag that everything would fit in. I also had a bag for the mast. When launching I rove all the halliards, set the boom and gaff on the boat with all the hoops lined up over the HOLE and kept them in line with a 4" piece of PVC then raised the mast and dropped it down the hole. It helps to have someone hold this assembly so it doesn't roll off the boat. I sometimes got the halliards lined up wrong but it was still a quick enough process. I'll post a picture if I can figure how.
Bob Chamberland

--- In bolger@yahoogroups.com, "dkp390" <dkp390@...> wrote:
>
> 
> 
> Boat ideas:
> 
> I took out the sailboat For the first time in over a year yesterday and that got me thinking of improvements again.  As usual I did ignore the launch checklist created and even used the first few times. Why not use and update it each time? It might even remind me to check trailer tire pressure. All did go quite well though, no major items forgotten, no embarrassment, damage or do-overs worth mention. 
> 
> Something I did notice was how much work it is to get out on the water trailering for a day sail.  How nice it would be to be able to leave it in the water and mostly ready to go, I could imagine setting up once a year then at each sail remove sail cover hoist halyards and sail away.  The advantage of indoor storage, infrequent use and distance from lakes in the area make trailering a necessity for me though. So I'm thinking of ways to simplify the process. The boat is a Bolger Bobcat 12' 6" gaff rigged catboat. It has no standing rigging but has mainsheet, throat and peak halyards, topping lift, lazy jacks and uses individual sail ties along the gaff and boom. The mast is carried along the side of her on the trailer and needs to be stepped each time so a mast tabernacle can be a possible future improvement. 
> 
> What I thought of doing first is to find a way to transport with the sail bent onto the spars which would require a tight fitting cover to protect the sail while holding both gaff and boom. With this method it may also be better to carry in the boat rather than alongside on the trailer. My current way of attaching the luff to the mast uses rope cringles looped through grommets in the sail that must be slid up the mast as it is stepped. This will not work well with spars in the way while stepping the mast so I may need to leave them on like mast hoops and lash, toggle or snap shackle the sail to them. Being able to keep the halyards and other rigging on the mast would also simplify setup, but require another cover to protect and organize the lines while towing. It normally takes almost an hour to get everything ready but with these few changes I hope to reduce that by half.
> 
> Another potential efficiency improvement would be better gear storage onboard. I also found myself moving loads of stuff form the boat to the tow vehicle at home, then back at launching; reverse and repeat again for hauling out and returning home. With gear properly stowed in and lashed to the boat it could be left there while on the road. First here should be attachments for the floorboards, oars and ground tackle. Then gear tie-downs for items stowed forward under the deck and a cover for the storage space aft.   
> 
> Reefing control lines would also be a sensible improvement. It was windy while setting up so I tied in a reef before launching, but it would be difficult underway when needed most, and I even had a bit of trouble just shaking it out as the wind faded. The problem is that it is hard to reach the aft end of the boom and the sail fills as I hold onto it while tying or untying the individual reef ties. I see this additional rigging as a valuable use of setup time saved elsewhere. I will also use a proper reef knot with a loop in it on the reefpoint sail ties, rather than a square knot, to make it easy to undo.          
> 
> Most of these ideas are functional improvements but I also want to keep my boat looking good.  Paint and varnish; that's another story though. Most areas got primer and only one coat without annual repainting. The sand used as non-slip surface on deck is too rough, so it needs additional coats of paint. A minimum number of varnish coats were used on brightwork where for best results more is best.
> 
> To help organize and prioritize all this work,  I think it best to take a trip to the lake for another afternoon sail or two.  
> 
>                              
> 
> --- In bolger@yahoogroups.com, Jay Bazuzi <jay@> wrote:
> > 
> > It takes me a while to prep the boat before I leave the house, then rig at
> > the boat ramp, then launch, then park, then raise sail & cast off. 
> > -J 
> > 
> > 
> > On Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 7:38 AM, dkp390 <dkp390@> wrote:
> > > 
> > >There is an article called "The
> > > catboat and how to sail her" available from the catboat association (
> > > http://www.catboats.org/pubs.php) recommended with some details you will
> > > want to know about and experiment with. 
> > > strong gusts. It responds well to
> > >
> > > <glasscocklanding@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I recently received a free Bobcat from a local sailing club where it had
> > > been abandoned. The hull is sheathed with glass (in polyester, I think)
> > > inside and out, and is sound. The bow deck/side decks are sheathed, and are
> > > sound except where the mast is stepped through the deck. The seat and
> > > coamings are shot, and will have to be replaced, along with the rudder and
> > > transom. The big problem is the centerboard trunk, which looks like it will
> > > have to be replaced. I have always admired the look of these little cats.
> > > Are they decent sailors? Does anyone have a set of plans they might want
> > > to sell/trade, which would be very helpful for rebuilding the centerboard
> > > trunk and the other pieces that have to come out. Thanks, Sam
> > > >
> > >
> > > 
> > >
> >
>

On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 9:47 AM, robertchamberland<chamberlands@...>wrote:

I kept the sail permanently on the spars also all the halliards and sheets. I made a long bag that everything would fit in. I also had a bag for the mast. When launching I rove all the halliards, set the boom and gaff on the boat with all the hoops lined up over the HOLE and kept them in line with a 4" piece of PVC then raised the mast and dropped it down the hole. It helps to have someone hold this assembly so it doesn't roll off the boat. I sometimes got the halliards lined up wrong but it was still a quick enough process. I'll post a picture if I can figure how.
Bob Chamberland

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "dkp390" <dkp390@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Boat ideas:
>
> I took out the sailboat For the first time in over a year yesterday and that got me thinking of improvements again.  As usual I did ignore the launch checklist created and even used the first few times. Why not use and update it each time? It might even remind me to check trailer tire pressure. All did go quite well though, no major items forgotten, no embarrassment, damage or do-overs worth mention.
>
> Something I did notice was how much work it is to get out on the water trailering for a day sail.  How nice it would be to be able to leave it in the water and mostly ready to go, I could imagine setting up once a year then at each sail remove sail cover hoist halyards and sail away.  The advantage of indoor storage, infrequent use and distance from lakes in the area make trailering a necessity for me though. So I'm thinking of ways to simplify the process. The boat is a Bolger Bobcat 12' 6" gaff rigged catboat. It has no standing rigging but has mainsheet, throat and peak halyards, topping lift, lazy jacks and uses individual sail ties along the gaff and boom. The mast is carried along the side of her on the trailer and needs to be stepped each time so a mast tabernacle can be a possible future improvement.
>
> What I thought of doing first is to find a way to transport with the sail bent onto the spars which would require a tight fitting cover to protect the sail while holding both gaff and boom. With this method it may also be better to carry in the boat rather than alongside on the trailer. My current way of attaching the luff to the mast uses rope cringles looped through grommets in the sail that must be slid up the mast as it is stepped. This will not work well with spars in the way while stepping the mast so I may need to leave them on like mast hoops and lash, toggle or snap shackle the sail to them. Being able to keep the halyards and other rigging on the mast would also simplify setup, but require another cover to protect and organize the lines while towing. It normally takes almost an hour to get everything ready but with these few changes I hope to reduce that by half.
>
> Another potential efficiency improvement would be better gear storage onboard. I also found myself moving loads of stuff form the boat to the tow vehicle at home, then back at launching; reverse and repeat again for hauling out and returning home. With gear properly stowed in and lashed to the boat it could be left there while on the road. First here should be attachments for the floorboards, oars and ground tackle. Then gear tie-downs for items stowed forward under the deck and a cover for the storage space aft.
>
> Reefing control lines would also be a sensible improvement. It was windy while setting up so I tied in a reef before launching, but it would be difficult underway when needed most, and I even had a bit of trouble just shaking it out as the wind faded. The problem is that it is hard to reach the aft end of the boom and the sail fills as I hold onto it while tying or untying the individual reef ties. I see this additional rigging as a valuable use of setup time saved elsewhere. I will also use a proper reef knot with a loop in it on the reefpoint sail ties, rather than a square knot, to make it easy to undo.
>
> Most of these ideas are functional improvements but I also want to keep my boat looking good.  Paint and varnish; that's another story though. Most areas got primer and only one coat without annual repainting. The sand used as non-slip surface on deck is too rough, so it needs additional coats of paint. A minimum number of varnish coats were used on brightwork where for best results more is best.
>
> To help organize and prioritize all this work,  I think it best to take a trip to the lake for another afternoon sail or two.
>
>
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Jay Bazuzi <jay@> wrote:
> >
> > It takes me a while to prep the boat before I leave the house, then rig at
> > the boat ramp, then launch, then park, then raise sail & cast off.
> > -J
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 7:38 AM, dkp390 <dkp390@> wrote:
> > >
> > >There is an article called "The
> > > catboat and how to sail her" available from the catboat association (
> > >http://www.catboats.org/pubs.php) recommended with some details you will
> > > want to know about and experiment with.
> > > strong gusts. It responds well to
> > >
> > > <glasscocklanding@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I recently received a free Bobcat from a local sailing club where it had
> > > been abandoned. The hull is sheathed with glass (in polyester, I think)
> > > inside and out, and is sound. The bow deck/side decks are sheathed, and are
> > > sound except where the mast is stepped through the deck. The seat and
> > > coamings are shot, and will have to be replaced, along with the rudder and
> > > transom. The big problem is the centerboard trunk, which looks like it will
> > > have to be replaced. I have always admired the look of these little cats.
> > > Are they decent sailors? Does anyone have a set of plans they might want
> > > to sell/trade, which would be very helpful for rebuilding the centerboard
> > > trunk and the other pieces that have to come out. Thanks, Sam
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>

On Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 7:38 AM, dkp390<dkp390@...>wrote:

Bobcat sailing.  Yahoo groups Bolger post reply

I noticed that most responses to your post were regarding the rebuild so let me add what I can about sailing the Bolger Bobcat. It does feel like a larger boat under sail and with two sets of reef points can be adjusted well to a great variety of weather conditions. Almost always, I sit on the floor and do not find the need to hike out by sitting on the side deck, in fact I never have at all. Most of the characteristics of traditional catboats do apply and there are a great many little tricks such as using centerboard adjustment to maintain good helm balance. There is an article called "The catboat and how to sail her" available from the catboat association (http://www.catboats.org/pubs.php) recommended with some details you will want to know about and experiment with. And just in case you want way more information try this link (http://www.tropicalboating.com/imagestr/CatboatSailingManual.pdf) What I like most is that it can be very simple to sail yet also have many subtile qualities and complexities to master to sail well. It feels stable and tends to heal over just so far then firm up in gusts or rounds up into the wind in strong gusts. It responds well to sheet and tiller inputs. The rudder design with endplate keeps steady helm pressure as the boat heels. Traditional rigging and character make it a fun small daysailer, a disadvantage though it that it takes a bit longer to setup and rig.

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Sam Glasscock <glasscocklanding@...> wrote:
>

> I recently received a free Bobcat from a local sailing club where it had been abandoned.  The hull is sheathed with glass (in polyester, I think) inside and out, and is sound.  The bow deck/side decks are sheathed, and are sound except where the mast is stepped through the deck.  The seat and coamings are shot, and will have to be replaced, along with the rudder and transom.  The big problem is the centerboard trunk, which looks like it will have to be replaced.  I have always admired the look of these little cats.  Are they decent sailors?  Does anyone have a set of plans they might want to sell/trade, which would be very helpful for rebuilding the centerboard trunk and the other pieces that have to come out.  Thanks, Sam
>