Re: Seaworthyness and stability Long Micro?

wow...I had not thought of that. lash the new clew to the sprit boom and then lead it aft through an outhaul type arrangement. I am currently working on building a Core Sound 17, that uses such and arrangement with it's sprit. (hence my lack of posts on the Bolger forum). Although the sketch of the AS 29 still hangs in the office. Someday...

Happy building,
David

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Mason Smith" wrote:
>
> For reefing the Micro's mainsail I like David's reefing downhaul idea
> (though going forward to tie down the reef cringle to the tack doesn't
> bother me much, especially if Maggie does it). But I prefer not to move the
> sprit boom forward. If you have a long enough piece of line on the reef
> clew, you can take a round turn around the boom and lead it aft, to the end
> of the boom or the original clew, making it serve also as an outhaul. This
> way you preserve the main sheeting angle. The YouTube video "Micros in the
> Harbor" shows both my and David's Micros sailing reefed at Phil's Memorial
> in 2010. I just accepted a down payment on my Micro, by the way. Maggie is
> disgusted with me. ---Mason
>
>
>
> From:bolger@yahoogroups.com[mailto:bolger@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> dnjost
> Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2013 5:03 PM
> To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [bolger] Re: Seaworthyness and stability Long Micro?
>
>
>
>
>
> Sail was on sail track, not laced on. I had a ss hook tied to a piece of
> line and down to a block on the deck, then run aft to a small cleat on the
> aft edge of the deck near the cabin hatch. toughest part is unattaching and
> reattaching the sprit to the new location.
>
> It has been a long time, but I think this is what I did.
> Step 1. trim the mizzen in all the way
> Step 2. ease the main sheet
> step 3. ease the snotter
> step 4. undo the halyard.
> Step 5. pull on the reefing line and cleat
> step 6. move the sprit to it's new clew on the reef line (this is the
> hardest part)
> step 7. raise the halyard
> step 8. trim the snotter
> step 9. smile incessently and go sailing.
>
> It probably took longer to type this than do it. all told about 2 minutes.
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat wrote:
> >
> > Hi Myles
> >
> > Thanks for sharing your procedure for reefing but could you elaborate on
> > the reefing hook arrangement. When you say "My sail was on a track with a
> > reefing hook attached...". Do you mean you have a line to the reefing hook
> > from the cock pit?
> >
> > I was just doing a bit of research on the advantages of a wishbone boom
> > similar to the Canadian Nonesuch design. A bit more complicated in
> > construction and rigging but the lazy jack seems to solve the reefing
> > problems.
> >
> > Cheers
> > Pat
> >
> > vid of Nonesuch reefing sytem
> >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgoJWgDnDe8
> >
>

For reefing the Micro’s mainsail I like David’s reefing downhaul idea (though going forward to tie down the reef cringle to the tack doesn’t bother me much, especially if Maggie does it). But I prefer not to move the sprit boom forward. If you have a long enough piece of line on the reef clew, you can take a round turn around the boom and lead it aft, to the end of the boom or the original clew, making it serve also as an outhaul. This way you preserve the main sheeting angle. The YouTube video “Micros in the Harbor” shows both my and David’s Micros sailing reefed at Phil’s Memorial in 2010. I just accepted a down payment on my Micro, by the way. Maggie is disgusted with me. ---Mason

From:bolger@yahoogroups.com [mailto:bolger@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Ofdnjost
Sent:Saturday, February 09, 2013 5:03 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject:[bolger] Re: Seaworthyness and stability Long Micro?

Sail was on sail track, not laced on. I had a ss hook tied to a piece of line and down to a block on the deck, then run aft to a small cleat on the aft edge of the deck near the cabin hatch. toughest part is unattaching and reattaching the sprit to the new location.

It has been a long time, but I think this is what I did.
Step 1. trim the mizzen in all the way
Step 2. ease the main sheet
step 3. ease the snotter
step 4. undo the halyard.
Step 5. pull on the reefing line and cleat
step 6. move the sprit to it's new clew on the reef line (this is the hardest part)
step 7. raise the halyard
step 8. trim the snotter
step 9. smile incessently and go sailing.

It probably took longer to type this than do it. all told about 2 minutes.

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat wrote:
>
> Hi Myles
>
> Thanks for sharing your procedure for reefing but could you elaborate on
> the reefing hook arrangement. When you say "My sail was on a track with a
> reefing hook attached...". Do you mean you have a line to the reefing hook
> from the cock pit?
>
> I was just doing a bit of research on the advantages of a wishbone boom
> similar to the Canadian Nonesuch design. A bit more complicated in
> construction and rigging but the lazy jack seems to solve the reefing
> problems.
>
> Cheers
> Pat
>
> vid of Nonesuch reefing sytem
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgoJWgDnDe8
>

One challenge is how best to get steering capability into the deckhouse with LM. Regarding the cockpit not self-draining - well it is not supposed to have a cockpit. So some sort of whip staff might work?

Nels

--- In bolger@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
>
> LM should have the same options; already has the main-mast location.
> We thought that the determined will just do much of that work on their existing hull.
> Based on her current performance, these ergonomic upgrades would make LM perhaps one of the most potent small-cruisers. I'd love to get to it right now... But no can do ! Yet.
>
> Susanne Altenburger, PB&F
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: prairiedog2332
> To: bolger@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2013 8:35 AM
> Subject: [bolger] Re: Seaworthyness and stability Long Micro?
>
>
>
> Just to clarify, there was never that option offered for the LONG MICRO sail rig. I enquired to Mr. Bolger a long time ago about a LONG MICRO NAVIGATOR but he was too busy at the time and there seemed to be a lack of interest in his view. He suggested the MICRO NAV. option might be adaptable. The updated sheets (MICRO II?) cost $50 at the time. I posted a "teaser" view of them to Bolger 4.
>
>
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger4/files/MICRO%20NAVIGATOR/
>
>
> Two major points in my view were the much larger and fully battened mizzen which would aid in holding the bow to windward for reefing. The second was the forward hatch that allowed access to the bow well and main mast without having to go on deck. I think these two items might really be considered as necessary additions if building a LONG MICRO.
>
>
> Nels
>
>
> --- In bolger@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
> >
> > On the issue of reefing MICRO or LONG MICRO, we explicitly offered as one option the fully-battened gaff-main version for easy pull-down per panel convenience. Different strokes for different folks. But not an issue that would de facto 'condemn' either MICRO in terms of safety in rising winds.
> >
> > Susanne Altenburger, PB&F
> >
>

LM should have the same options; already has the main-mast location.
We thought that the determined will just do much of that work on their existing hull.
Based on her current performance, these ergonomic upgrades would make LM perhaps one of the most potent small-cruisers. I'd love to get to it right now... But no can do ! Yet.

Susanne Altenburger, PB&F

----- Original Message -----
From:prairiedog2332
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent:Saturday, February 09, 2013 8:35 AM
Subject:[bolger] Re: Seaworthyness and stability Long Micro?

Just to clarify, there was never that option offered for the LONG MICRO sail rig. I enquired to Mr. Bolger a long time ago about a LONG MICRO NAVIGATOR but he was too busy at the time and there seemed to be a lack of interest in his view. He suggested the MICRO NAV. option might be adaptable. The updated sheets (MICRO II?) cost $50 at the time. I posted a "teaser" view of them to Bolger 4.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger4/files/MICRO%20NAVIGATOR/

Two major points in my view were the much larger and fully battened mizzen which would aid in holding the bow to windward for reefing. The second was the forward hatch that allowed access to the bow well and main mast without having to go on deck. I think these two items might really be considered as necessary additions if building a LONG MICRO.

Nels

--- In bolger@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
>
> On the issue of reefing MICRO or LONG MICRO, we explicitly offered as one option the fully-battened gaff-main version for easy pull-down per panel convenience. Different strokes for different folks. But not an issue that would de facto 'condemn' either MICRO in terms of safety in rising winds.
>
> Susanne Altenburger, PB&F
>

Just to clarify, there was never that option offered for the LONG MICRO sail rig. I enquired to Mr. Bolger a long time ago about a LONG MICRO NAVIGATOR but he was too busy at the time and there seemed to be a lack of interest in his view. He suggested the MICRO NAV. option might be adaptable. The updated sheets (MICRO II?) cost $50 at the time. I posted a "teaser" view of them to Bolger 4.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger4/files/MICRO%20NAVIGATOR/

Two major points in my view were the much larger and fully battened mizzen which would aid in holding the bow to windward for reefing. The second was the forward hatch that allowed access to the bow well and main mast without having to go on deck. I think these two items might really be considered as necessary additions if building a LONG MICRO.

Nels

--- In bolger@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
>
> On the issue of reefing MICRO or LONG MICRO, we explicitly offered as one option the fully-battened gaff-main version for easy pull-down per panel convenience. Different strokes for different folks. But not an issue that would de facto 'condemn' either MICRO in terms of safety in rising winds.
>
> Susanne Altenburger, PB&F
>

Do you mean topping lift? Lazy jacks are usually referred to in the
plural... You can use a topping lift with a regular sprit-boom. I Had one
on my Michalak Jewelbox, Jr. and it made hoisting sail, furling and
reefing it easier. I was gonna try experiment with lazy jacks hung from
the topping lift, but never got around to it...

You've pretty much gotta use a sail track on the mast to make reefing a
sprit-boomed leg o' mutton reasonably safe and easy. I hate sail track,
but it's necessary. <shrug>

I don't know what a "reefing hook" is.

On Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:15:39 -0800, Pat wrote:

> ...
> I was just doing a bit of research on the advantages of a wishbone boom
> similar to the Canadian Nonesuch design. A bit more complicated in
> construction and rigging but the lazy jack seems to solve the reefing
> problems.

--
John (jkohnen@...)
The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of
morality by religion. (Arthur C. Clarke)

Pat,

I wasn’t the one with the reefing hook. I only have one set of reef points in my Micro sail. I run a simple recirculating line through each reef hole and loosely under the foot of the sail. Friction is low enough that way that I can drop the main a bit, pull the line taut, and tie it off where the last reef point meets the boom.

Early on I tried the “proper” method of relocating the boom end to the last reef point. That was a pain, time consuming, and resulting in the boom banging hard on the mast. My way is fast, easy, and the boom doesn’t change position.

MylesJ

Well said Bill and that's always the case on any small boat. the wind comes up waves build(opposing wind and current!) Boat starts rocking, boom violently banging back and forth the funs just startin' one hand for you and one for the boat Only experience on your particular boat will show you the way to tame her. Reef points a must, old sailing sayings like "A Prudent sailor reefs early" start to make sense A reef hook is precious, but 5-10 pieces of 1/4 inch line, 3 ft long and you can "reef" her down. Tighten that halyard and get back to the tiller haul in the main and get her going..... If your a lucky sea dog you can let that mizzen out......sleep good tonight

On 02/08/2013 01:50 PM, William wrote:

In my experience, one of the biggest impediments to readily reefing my LM is the wave action, and not so much the wind. When I sail on a smallish, madmade lake in Texas, I can reef without much drama. The fetch on this lake is 4 miles at most and the waves never get very large. But when I'm on the Great Lakes the waves can be considerable (considerable for an LM). I've seen Pat's movies and I see that he's been in some big waves too. Big waves push bow off the wind, let the boom swing to-and-fro, and can even wrap a loosened halyard around the mast (I have a steaming light on my mast, and that danged thing snags the halyard when I'm not careful). Perhaps one of the differences between Micro owners' experiences reefing, and LM owners' experiences is due to the sailing grounds and hence the waves? Add in a longer boom, bigger mainsail, and longer cabintop (thus farther from cockpit to mast) and you have just a smidge more excitement when tying a reef in an LM?

My reefing system uses sail ties (6 for the 1st reef, 5 for the 2nd). I MUST go to the mast, to hook the new clew point, and to tie in the first few reef points. Not a big deal. Just a time to be mindful and cautious. A little dry mouthed anxiety helps focus the mind. And none of this should be interpreted by anyone as a critique of the beloved LM, nor as a suggestion that the LM is unsafe, flawed, or less than perfect.

Bill, in Texas (where the waves at NOT bigger)

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat wrote:
>
> Hi Myles
>
> Thanks for sharing your procedure for reefing but could you elaborate on
> the reefing hook arrangement. When you say "My sail was on a track with a
> reefing hook attached...". Do you mean you have a line to the reefing hook
> from the cock pit?
>
> I was just doing a bit of research on the advantages of a wishbone boom
> similar to the Canadian Nonesuch design. A bit more complicated in
> construction and rigging but the lazy jack seems to solve the reefing
> problems.
>
> Cheers
> Pat
>
> vid of Nonesuch reefing sytem
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgoJWgDnDe8
>

In my experience, one of the biggest impediments to readily reefing my LM is the wave action, and not so much the wind. When I sail on a smallish, madmade lake in Texas, I can reef without much drama. The fetch on this lake is 4 miles at most and the waves never get very large. But when I'm on the Great Lakes the waves can be considerable (considerable for an LM). I've seen Pat's movies and I see that he's been in some big waves too. Big waves push bow off the wind, let the boom swing to-and-fro, and can even wrap a loosened halyard around the mast (I have a steaming light on my mast, and that danged thing snags the halyard when I'm not careful). Perhaps one of the differences between Micro owners' experiences reefing, and LM owners' experiences is due to the sailing grounds and hence the waves? Add in a longer boom, bigger mainsail, and longer cabintop (thus farther from cockpit to mast) and you have just a smidge more excitement when tying a reef in an LM?

My reefing system uses sail ties (6 for the 1st reef, 5 for the 2nd). I MUST go to the mast, to hook the new clew point, and to tie in the first few reef points. Not a big deal. Just a time to be mindful and cautious. A little dry mouthed anxiety helps focus the mind. And none of this should be interpreted by anyone as a critique of the beloved LM, nor as a suggestion that the LM is unsafe, flawed, or less than perfect.

Bill, in Texas (where the waves at NOT bigger)

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat wrote:
>
> Hi Myles
>
> Thanks for sharing your procedure for reefing but could you elaborate on
> the reefing hook arrangement. When you say "My sail was on a track with a
> reefing hook attached...". Do you mean you have a line to the reefing hook
> from the cock pit?
>
> I was just doing a bit of research on the advantages of a wishbone boom
> similar to the Canadian Nonesuch design. A bit more complicated in
> construction and rigging but the lazy jack seems to solve the reefing
> problems.
>
> Cheers
> Pat
>
> vid of Nonesuch reefing sytem
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgoJWgDnDe8
>

Hi Myles

Thanks for sharing your procedure for reefing but could you elaborate on the reefing hook arrangement. When you say "My sail was on a track with a reefing hook attached...". Do you mean you have a line to the reefing hook from the cock pit?

I was just doing a bit of research on the advantages of a wishbone boom similar to the Canadian Nonesuch design. A bit more complicated in construction and rigging but the lazy jack seems to solve the reefing problems.

Cheers

Pat

vid of Nonesuch reefing sytem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgoJWgDnDe8

David says: “My old Micro would heave to quite nicely for reefing. I just lashed sheeted the mizzen in full, and then eased the main, the boat would head up just a little off the wind with the boom within easy reach for doing the reefing. My sail was on a track with a reefing hook attached, so it could be done quickly from the cockpit without the need to go forward. Perhaps the extra length of the Long Micro causes things to act differently”

That is exactly right. I have a slab reef line on my Micro that I pull from the helm position. If you spend a little time getting the main just right after heaving to you can maintain position for a long time, hands off.

MylesJ

Gruetzi !

----- Original Message -----
From:stoffersg
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent:Wednesday, February 06, 2013 11:59 AM
Subject:[bolger] Re: Seaworthyness and stability Long Micro?

Hi

I thank you for all the answers up to now. I will think about that and look around for what and how my future boat shall be...;-)

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
>
> On the issue of reefing MICRO or LONG MICRO, we explicitly offered as one option the fully-battened gaff-main version for easy pull-down per panel convenience. Different strokes for different folks. But not an issue that would de facto 'condemn' either MICRO in terms of safety in rising winds.
>
> Susanne Altenburger, PB&F
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: dnjost
> To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2013 9:58 AM
> Subject: [bolger] Re: Seaworthyness and stability Long Micro?
>
>
>
> Interesting thread.
>
> My old Micro would heave to quite nicely for reefing. I just lashed sheeted the mizzen in full, and then eased the main, the boat would head up just a little off the wind with the boom within easy reach for doing the reefing. My sail was on a track with a reefing hook attached, so it could be done quickly from the cockpit without the need to go forward. Perhaps the extra length of the Long Micro causes things to act differently.
>
> David Jost
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "William" wrote:
> >
> > Pat,
> > Laying a hull would entail dropping the main and mizzen and sitting on your hands. The boat should settle 90 degrees off the wind. I would lash the tiller, since it tends to bang around. But I do not lay a hull. The limited research on boat in severe storms indicates that laying a hull is less ideal than heaving too (boat is more likely to broach/roll/sink). I also think the LM's hull (flat bottom) would roll and pitch quite a bit and might not be comfortable sitting beam ends to the waves.
> > Heaving to can be accomplished by sheeting the mizzen tight. The bow will drop off the wind and settle to about 45 degrees off the wind. I've hove to in winds around 15 knots and seen my LM drift backwards at around .5 knots. Again, lashing the tiller would be prudent. I've never been in conditions so serious that I had to heave to, but if I do, my plan is to heave to. I've also contemplated using a bucket on a line, cleated to the bow, as a sea anchor if required to slow the drift. All of this is really just idle contemplation since I'll never have my LM is some off-shore gale. But it is fun to think about in the privacy of the privy. And for clarification's sake (in case someone is wondering), forereaching is different from heaving to and laying a hull.
> >
> > Pat. What have you tried? What works? What doesn't?
> > Bill
> >
> > --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Bill
> > >
> > > Could you outline your procedure for laying a hull?
> > > Thanks
> > > Pat
> > >
> > >
> > > Sent from my iPad
> > >
> >
>

I once broke my rudder trying to heave too. The boat was I guess moving backwards and the big outboard rudder broke leaving one plank that was attached to the rudder post. We were about 1/2 way to Bermuda so thinking there likely was not enough money in the world to heave it repaired there we turned back to the Chesapeake bay. WE could steer okay but could not come about. We instead would ware ship and come all the way around to come beck to windward on the other tack. This very thing is the reason I am a ketch or schooner/sailor. I don't think a modern sloop could have been sailed under those conditions. It also might not have broken the rudder with it down under the hull??
When you heave to the waves are coming toward you and the boat appears to be moving slowly forward. It is very hard to tell that you are drifting backward especially at night. One of the failings of a ketch is that the mizzen is often not strong enough in a blow to heave to on jib and a small piece of mizzen sail. On a schooner the main mast being aft and can carry some sail when heaved to and she stands a better chance of moving a little bit to windward. This has been my experience. Doug

On 02/06/2013 08:42 AM, William wrote:

Pat,
Laying a hull would entail dropping the main and mizzen and sitting on your hands. The boat should settle 90 degrees off the wind. I would lash the tiller, since it tends to bang around. But I do not lay a hull. The limited research on boat in severe storms indicates that laying a hull is less ideal than heaving too (boat is more likely to broach/roll/sink). I also think the LM's hull (flat bottom) would roll and pitch quite a bit and might not be comfortable sitting beam ends to the waves.
Heaving to can be accomplished by sheeting the mizzen tight. The bow will drop off the wind and settle to about 45 degrees off the wind. I've hove to in winds around 15 knots and seen my LM drift backwards at around .5 knots. Again, lashing the tiller would be prudent. I've never been in conditions so serious that I had to heave to, but if I do, my plan is to heave to. I've also contemplated using a bucket on a line, cleated to the bow, as a sea anchor if required to slow the drift. All of this is really just idle contemplation since I'll never have my LM is some off-shore gale. But it is fun to think about in the privacy of the privy. And for clarification's sake (in case someone is wondering), forereaching is different from heaving to and laying a hull.

Pat. What have you tried? What works? What doesn't?
Bill

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat wrote:
>
> Hi Bill
>
> Could you outline your procedure for laying a hull?
> Thanks
> Pat
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>

-- 
                 Doug Pollard, 
      Sailor, Machinst, writer,artist 
                Visit me at:http://sailboatsfairandfine.blogspot.com/

Hi

I thank you for all the answers up to now. I will think about that and look around for what and how my future boat shall be...;-)

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
>
> On the issue of reefing MICRO or LONG MICRO, we explicitly offered as one option the fully-battened gaff-main version for easy pull-down per panel convenience. Different strokes for different folks. But not an issue that would de facto 'condemn' either MICRO in terms of safety in rising winds.
>
> Susanne Altenburger, PB&F
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: dnjost
> To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2013 9:58 AM
> Subject: [bolger] Re: Seaworthyness and stability Long Micro?
>
>
>
> Interesting thread.
>
> My old Micro would heave to quite nicely for reefing. I just lashed sheeted the mizzen in full, and then eased the main, the boat would head up just a little off the wind with the boom within easy reach for doing the reefing. My sail was on a track with a reefing hook attached, so it could be done quickly from the cockpit without the need to go forward. Perhaps the extra length of the Long Micro causes things to act differently.
>
> David Jost
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "William" wrote:
> >
> > Pat,
> > Laying a hull would entail dropping the main and mizzen and sitting on your hands. The boat should settle 90 degrees off the wind. I would lash the tiller, since it tends to bang around. But I do not lay a hull. The limited research on boat in severe storms indicates that laying a hull is less ideal than heaving too (boat is more likely to broach/roll/sink). I also think the LM's hull (flat bottom) would roll and pitch quite a bit and might not be comfortable sitting beam ends to the waves.
> > Heaving to can be accomplished by sheeting the mizzen tight. The bow will drop off the wind and settle to about 45 degrees off the wind. I've hove to in winds around 15 knots and seen my LM drift backwards at around .5 knots. Again, lashing the tiller would be prudent. I've never been in conditions so serious that I had to heave to, but if I do, my plan is to heave to. I've also contemplated using a bucket on a line, cleated to the bow, as a sea anchor if required to slow the drift. All of this is really just idle contemplation since I'll never have my LM is some off-shore gale. But it is fun to think about in the privacy of the privy. And for clarification's sake (in case someone is wondering), forereaching is different from heaving to and laying a hull.
> >
> > Pat. What have you tried? What works? What doesn't?
> > Bill
> >
> > --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Bill
> > >
> > > Could you outline your procedure for laying a hull?
> > > Thanks
> > > Pat
> > >
> > >
> > > Sent from my iPad
> > >
> >
>

On the issue of reefing MICRO or LONG MICRO, we explicitly offered as one option the fully-battened gaff-main version for easy pull-down per panel convenience. Different strokes for different folks. But not an issue that would de facto 'condemn' either MICRO in terms of safety in rising winds.

Susanne Altenburger, PB&F

----- Original Message -----
From:dnjost
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent:Wednesday, February 06, 2013 9:58 AM
Subject:[bolger] Re: Seaworthyness and stability Long Micro?

Interesting thread.

My old Micro would heave to quite nicely for reefing. I just lashed sheeted the mizzen in full, and then eased the main, the boat would head up just a little off the wind with the boom within easy reach for doing the reefing. My sail was on a track with a reefing hook attached, so it could be done quickly from the cockpit without the need to go forward. Perhaps the extra length of the Long Micro causes things to act differently.

David Jost

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "William" wrote:
>
> Pat,
> Laying a hull would entail dropping the main and mizzen and sitting on your hands. The boat should settle 90 degrees off the wind. I would lash the tiller, since it tends to bang around. But I do not lay a hull. The limited research on boat in severe storms indicates that laying a hull is less ideal than heaving too (boat is more likely to broach/roll/sink). I also think the LM's hull (flat bottom) would roll and pitch quite a bit and might not be comfortable sitting beam ends to the waves.
> Heaving to can be accomplished by sheeting the mizzen tight. The bow will drop off the wind and settle to about 45 degrees off the wind. I've hove to in winds around 15 knots and seen my LM drift backwards at around .5 knots. Again, lashing the tiller would be prudent. I've never been in conditions so serious that I had to heave to, but if I do, my plan is to heave to. I've also contemplated using a bucket on a line, cleated to the bow, as a sea anchor if required to slow the drift. All of this is really just idle contemplation since I'll never have my LM is some off-shore gale. But it is fun to think about in the privacy of the privy. And for clarification's sake (in case someone is wondering), forereaching is different from heaving to and laying a hull.
>
> Pat. What have you tried? What works? What doesn't?
> Bill
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat wrote:
> >
> > Hi Bill
> >
> > Could you outline your procedure for laying a hull?
> > Thanks
> > Pat
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
>

Interesting thread.

My old Micro would heave to quite nicely for reefing. I just lashed sheeted the mizzen in full, and then eased the main, the boat would head up just a little off the wind with the boom within easy reach for doing the reefing. My sail was on a track with a reefing hook attached, so it could be done quickly from the cockpit without the need to go forward. Perhaps the extra length of the Long Micro causes things to act differently.

David Jost

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "William" wrote:
>
> Pat,
> Laying a hull would entail dropping the main and mizzen and sitting on your hands. The boat should settle 90 degrees off the wind. I would lash the tiller, since it tends to bang around. But I do not lay a hull. The limited research on boat in severe storms indicates that laying a hull is less ideal than heaving too (boat is more likely to broach/roll/sink). I also think the LM's hull (flat bottom) would roll and pitch quite a bit and might not be comfortable sitting beam ends to the waves.
> Heaving to can be accomplished by sheeting the mizzen tight. The bow will drop off the wind and settle to about 45 degrees off the wind. I've hove to in winds around 15 knots and seen my LM drift backwards at around .5 knots. Again, lashing the tiller would be prudent. I've never been in conditions so serious that I had to heave to, but if I do, my plan is to heave to. I've also contemplated using a bucket on a line, cleated to the bow, as a sea anchor if required to slow the drift. All of this is really just idle contemplation since I'll never have my LM is some off-shore gale. But it is fun to think about in the privacy of the privy. And for clarification's sake (in case someone is wondering), forereaching is different from heaving to and laying a hull.
>
> Pat. What have you tried? What works? What doesn't?
> Bill
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat wrote:
> >
> > Hi Bill
> >
> > Could you outline your procedure for laying a hull?
> > Thanks
> > Pat
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
>

Pat,
Laying a hull would entail dropping the main and mizzen and sitting on your hands. The boat should settle 90 degrees off the wind. I would lash the tiller, since it tends to bang around. But I do not lay a hull. The limited research on boat in severe storms indicates that laying a hull is less ideal than heaving too (boat is more likely to broach/roll/sink). I also think the LM's hull (flat bottom) would roll and pitch quite a bit and might not be comfortable sitting beam ends to the waves.
Heaving to can be accomplished by sheeting the mizzen tight. The bow will drop off the wind and settle to about 45 degrees off the wind. I've hove to in winds around 15 knots and seen my LM drift backwards at around .5 knots. Again, lashing the tiller would be prudent. I've never been in conditions so serious that I had to heave to, but if I do, my plan is to heave to. I've also contemplated using a bucket on a line, cleated to the bow, as a sea anchor if required to slow the drift. All of this is really just idle contemplation since I'll never have my LM is some off-shore gale. But it is fun to think about in the privacy of the privy. And for clarification's sake (in case someone is wondering), forereaching is different from heaving to and laying a hull.

Pat. What have you tried? What works? What doesn't?
Bill

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat wrote:
>
> Hi Bill
>
> Could you outline your procedure for laying a hull?
> Thanks
> Pat
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>

Hi Bill

Could you outline your procedure for laying a hull?
Thanks
Pat

Sent from my iPad

The scene: A gloomy night. A searchlight flickers and plays along the low, gray clouds hanging over Bolger City. Stunned city-folk gasp as they look skyward. The lit logo on the clouds becomes clearer. "LM".
Someone is summoning the reclusive Long Micro fanatics from their slumber. Their motto? Whereever someone queries things Long Micro, we will reply.

Willem,
I completed my Long Micro in 2007. I have sailed her on the Great Lakes, in the US and Canada since then, and I have lived onboard for up to two weeks at a time (by myself). I think LM is a great coastal cruising sailboat. One or two people could live aboard, frugally, for at least a week at a time. She day sails four people with ease. She handles rough weather passably. I've sailed in waves of at least 2 meters (trough to crest) without mishap, and she can sail in winds approaching (about) 25 knots, but these are, for me, the upper limits on her safe operating conditions where the boat will still travel where you wish. In rougher conditions (esp winds near 30 knots), you won't get to windward but you can safely heave-too or run downwind. Pat's comments on her limitations are accurate, although I probably lack his good sense (I almost always sail solo and reef solo too. If you wait too long to reef, things can get a little tense aboard the good-ship LM. I should have learned by now, but...).

I think she is sturdy, self-righting, and very rugged. She does not go to windward well in light winds (say, anything less than 6 or 7 knots of breeze). She points, but won't point as high as a plastic production sloop with a jib and deep keel. Off the wind, even in light air, she is deceptively fast. I can get her past 6 knots on a beam reach, and have seen her hit 8.2 knots for a brief moment while running downwind in big following seas (her hull speed should be around 5.6 knots). The LM is a boat full of useful abilities: Shallow draft, lots of interior storage space, anchor locker, mizzen, storage under cockpit seats, etc. But she is only a boat 19 feet long, and she should be sailed as such.

I have various films of my LM and LM adventures on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oWsB-iFJ98
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vXqmS-q9Mc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg5iRw0xpYg

I'll turn off the search light now.

Bill, in Texas
Long Micro Pugnacious

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "stoffersg" wrote:
>
> Hello together
>
> Im looking for a small cruising boat for 2 people.It should be able to go for coastal cruising even in rough conditions and should sail well in lightwind conditions also. Daysailing with 4 people should be done inshore too....
>
> So I saw the Long Micro. She is a very special boat and Im surching for any informations about her.
>
> Did or does someone serious coastal cruising with her and can tell me more about how secure this boat is or where the limits of her are?
>
> It would be nice to hear as much as possible about her.
>
>
> Regards
>
> Willem
>