Re: More Micro Questions
Tom,
Back in the states. Point your browser here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hallman/4032944720/sizes/l/
You'll see a scale drawing of an LM with a scale. You can use a ruler or sheet of paper to measure the dimensions of the LM interior. Even better, you can see how things would look if you moved things around. I saw one person (Pryor, in Australia) who slid the berths forward and created galley space in the aft end of the cabin. I would consider sliding the berths aft (maybe 3 feet, maybe more), under the cockpit, and using the free space in the bow-end of the cabin for a private head/galley. Just check for sufficient head room. Anywho, the drawing will give you plenty of time to tinker around.
I haven't sailed in TX since arriving last summer (I live a little north of Houston). I'm still weighing the benefits of putting-in at Clear Lake on Galveston Bay, or just plopping into Lake Conroe. Probably won't make a decision until later in the summer. I'm hoping to take the LM up to Lake Huron for some sailing this summer.
Bill, Long Micro Pugnacious
Back in the states. Point your browser here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hallman/4032944720/sizes/l/
You'll see a scale drawing of an LM with a scale. You can use a ruler or sheet of paper to measure the dimensions of the LM interior. Even better, you can see how things would look if you moved things around. I saw one person (Pryor, in Australia) who slid the berths forward and created galley space in the aft end of the cabin. I would consider sliding the berths aft (maybe 3 feet, maybe more), under the cockpit, and using the free space in the bow-end of the cabin for a private head/galley. Just check for sufficient head room. Anywho, the drawing will give you plenty of time to tinker around.
I haven't sailed in TX since arriving last summer (I live a little north of Houston). I'm still weighing the benefits of putting-in at Clear Lake on Galveston Bay, or just plopping into Lake Conroe. Probably won't make a decision until later in the summer. I'm hoping to take the LM up to Lake Huron for some sailing this summer.
Bill, Long Micro Pugnacious
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Tom" <tomoll@...> wrote:
>
> Bill and Loy,
> Thanks for your responses, information, and suggestions - it all helps a great deal to put things in perspective. I suspected that significant interior layout modifications would be a challenge, but I am encouraged by what I am hearing none the less. An aft end of cabin head sounds very possible. Bill, when you are able, some actual interior dimensions (measured or from the plans) would really be appreciated - no hurry - whenever it is convenient for you. By the way Bill, I really enjoyed your videos on YouTube - great stuff - please post some more when you can!! Where do you sail in TX?
> Thanks again,
> Tom
>
Bruce,
If I can take the liberty of totally fictionalizing and exagerating a previous post of yours just for the fun of it (well, it could be true, right?):
"I recall sitting in the bow anchor well, casually taking a dump on the porta pottie with the Micro trimmed up and sailing herself with the empty helm lashed down, sailing on a reach across
the San Francisco waterfront, and waving to the crew of a 30+ foot
Beneteau sloop dressed in foul weather gear go into panic mode
tweaking their sails, spinnaker pole, and more to avoid being passed
by a boxy looking backyard built 16 footer"
Now THAT paints a picture!!! Thanks for your ideas.
Tom
If I can take the liberty of totally fictionalizing and exagerating a previous post of yours just for the fun of it (well, it could be true, right?):
"I recall sitting in the bow anchor well, casually taking a dump on the porta pottie with the Micro trimmed up and sailing herself with the empty helm lashed down, sailing on a reach across
the San Francisco waterfront, and waving to the crew of a 30+ foot
Beneteau sloop dressed in foul weather gear go into panic mode
tweaking their sails, spinnaker pole, and more to avoid being passed
by a boxy looking backyard built 16 footer"
Now THAT paints a picture!!! Thanks for your ideas.
Tom
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Hallman <hallman@...> wrote:
>
> > Would it be practical to build an enclosed head (porta pottie
>
> The Micro Mod has reworked the forward bulkhead (Sta#12) to include an
> opening hatch to the "wet anchor well", and a port-a-potty could be
> kept there with the anchor, plus I think a curtain could be easily
> fitted giving a reasonable degree or privacy for your wife :).
>
> Pretty astonishing that a 15'4' long boat can sleep two inside a cabin
> plus have a separate space for a port-a-potty stowage outside the
> cabin.
>
> I recall that the Bolger4 yahoo group has scans for the upgrade sheet...
>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger4/files/MICRO%20NAVIGATOR/
>
> Would it be practical to build an enclosed head (porta pottieThe Micro Mod has reworked the forward bulkhead (Sta#12) to include an
opening hatch to the "wet anchor well", and a port-a-potty could be
kept there with the anchor, plus I think a curtain could be easily
fitted giving a reasonable degree or privacy for your wife :).
Pretty astonishing that a 15'4' long boat can sleep two inside a cabin
plus have a separate space for a port-a-potty stowage outside the
cabin.
I recall that the Bolger4 yahoo group has scans for the upgrade sheet...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger4/files/MICRO%20NAVIGATOR/
Bill and Loy,
Thanks for your responses, information, and suggestions - it all helps a great deal to put things in perspective. I suspected that significant interior layout modifications would be a challenge, but I am encouraged by what I am hearing none the less. An aft end of cabin head sounds very possible. Bill, when you are able, some actual interior dimensions (measured or from the plans) would really be appreciated - no hurry - whenever it is convenient for you. By the way Bill, I really enjoyed your videos on YouTube - great stuff - please post some more when you can!! Where do you sail in TX?
Thanks again,
Tom
Thanks for your responses, information, and suggestions - it all helps a great deal to put things in perspective. I suspected that significant interior layout modifications would be a challenge, but I am encouraged by what I am hearing none the less. An aft end of cabin head sounds very possible. Bill, when you are able, some actual interior dimensions (measured or from the plans) would really be appreciated - no hurry - whenever it is convenient for you. By the way Bill, I really enjoyed your videos on YouTube - great stuff - please post some more when you can!! Where do you sail in TX?
Thanks again,
Tom
Tom,
I'm overseas and cannot look at my Long Micro (LM) blueprints or measure my boat. But here's a short answer to some issues:
Micro and LM plans are separate. I think you need to stipulate that you want the micro upgrade. The variants of the micro, and the plans, have been discussed here before. I wasn't paying attention.
I have never sailed on a micro before. Bruce Hallman has sailed his micro navigator around the San Fran area and might have some hard data on his boat's performance. He has a great quote about sailing past some expensive plastic sloop while they frantically try to adjust sails to forestall the humiliation of defeat by Bolger box.
My LM is faster than her hull speed would indicate, and methinks that's the same with the micro. My LM will effortlessly cruise well into the low 6 knot range. On a good beam run or a run she'll easily stay solidly in the mid 6 knot range, and I've had her hit 7.2 knots on the knot meter (in Lake Erie, without a current or tide). My GPS tracklogs indicate the same speeds up to 7 knots. These shapries are fast off the wind and easily exceed their predicted hull speed. But for my boat, 7.0-7.2 knots seems to be a "speed limit" of sorts. You'll hit that speed for brief spurts, but generally drop back down into the high 6's.
I can give you the exact dimensions later (if you want) for the LM, but off the cuff, the cabin is 8 feet long, 6 feet wide (at the max beam), and about 4-4.5 feet (? guessing here) tall at the max beam. IF you were to install a private place for a head, it should go at the aft end of the cabin. There is not sufficient head room in the bow-area for to sit on the throne, unless you installed a pop-top or something. You might install a small head to one side, and slide the bunk over to make one big bunk along the center-line. It's not an easy modification. The other option is to partially slide both bunks aft, under the bridge-deck/cockpit (as the micro does), and then build a head up in the bow-end of the cabin. If you and your wife are under 6 feet tall, athwartship berths might work, but they would need to be near the stern-end of the cabin for max length, and the stern-end of the cabin is where the max head room is. None of these are simple or elegant solutions, but the head plays an important role in some sailor's lives and SWMBO must be obeyed.
Cockpit is 6 feet long- maybe a bit more (maybe 6.5 feet long), and
6 feet wide at max beam. It's a very roomy cockpit and I've had four
people all sitting on one side as we bashed into Lake Erie with the full main up on a day far too windy to not be reefed. Big fun.
Hope this helps. These boats are a lot of fun and open paths to new adventures.
Bill, in Texas now.
Long Micro Pugnacious
I'm overseas and cannot look at my Long Micro (LM) blueprints or measure my boat. But here's a short answer to some issues:
Micro and LM plans are separate. I think you need to stipulate that you want the micro upgrade. The variants of the micro, and the plans, have been discussed here before. I wasn't paying attention.
I have never sailed on a micro before. Bruce Hallman has sailed his micro navigator around the San Fran area and might have some hard data on his boat's performance. He has a great quote about sailing past some expensive plastic sloop while they frantically try to adjust sails to forestall the humiliation of defeat by Bolger box.
My LM is faster than her hull speed would indicate, and methinks that's the same with the micro. My LM will effortlessly cruise well into the low 6 knot range. On a good beam run or a run she'll easily stay solidly in the mid 6 knot range, and I've had her hit 7.2 knots on the knot meter (in Lake Erie, without a current or tide). My GPS tracklogs indicate the same speeds up to 7 knots. These shapries are fast off the wind and easily exceed their predicted hull speed. But for my boat, 7.0-7.2 knots seems to be a "speed limit" of sorts. You'll hit that speed for brief spurts, but generally drop back down into the high 6's.
I can give you the exact dimensions later (if you want) for the LM, but off the cuff, the cabin is 8 feet long, 6 feet wide (at the max beam), and about 4-4.5 feet (? guessing here) tall at the max beam. IF you were to install a private place for a head, it should go at the aft end of the cabin. There is not sufficient head room in the bow-area for to sit on the throne, unless you installed a pop-top or something. You might install a small head to one side, and slide the bunk over to make one big bunk along the center-line. It's not an easy modification. The other option is to partially slide both bunks aft, under the bridge-deck/cockpit (as the micro does), and then build a head up in the bow-end of the cabin. If you and your wife are under 6 feet tall, athwartship berths might work, but they would need to be near the stern-end of the cabin for max length, and the stern-end of the cabin is where the max head room is. None of these are simple or elegant solutions, but the head plays an important role in some sailor's lives and SWMBO must be obeyed.
Cockpit is 6 feet long- maybe a bit more (maybe 6.5 feet long), and
6 feet wide at max beam. It's a very roomy cockpit and I've had four
people all sitting on one side as we bashed into Lake Erie with the full main up on a day far too windy to not be reefed. Big fun.
Hope this helps. These boats are a lot of fun and open paths to new adventures.
Bill, in Texas now.
Long Micro Pugnacious
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Tom" <tomoll@...> wrote:
>
> While I (somewhat) patiently (OK, not really) wait for a response to either my FAX or my email to Susanne about plans, maybe some of you could continue my education.
> Micro plans - what do you get? Does one set cover all Micro variations including Long Micro, or is each a separate set of plans?
> Has anyone successfully ordered a set recently to know what the price is?
> Micro vs. Long Micro: LM should be faster due to its oversized sail plan and inherently greater hull speed, but can anyone quantify this (actual, not theoretical)?
> What are the approximate interior dimensions of both the Micro and LM (L, W, H) and also cockpit dimensions (L, W).
> Would it be practical to build an enclosed head (porta pottie in an enclosed space with door or curtain) in the LM and still have berths for 2, or a single berth for 2? Berth(s) would not have to be longitudinal as far as I am concerned, although I am guessing the interior hull width is marginal for a berth arranged athwart. Diagonal? I'd like to do a full size cardboard mock up to help understand the options and get a feel for the space.
> I prefer the appearance of the Micro, but the larger accommodations for cruising, speed, and tabernacle mast of the LM are also appealing. Marginally modern accommodations (privacy) are required if my wife is to join me I am afraid.
> TIA for any information and opinions.
> Tom
>
Tom,
This may not answer all your questions regarding the two boats, but I think it will help as it is a portion of a letter from Phil Bolger himself when I wrote to him a few years ago. I will quote the last two paragraphs.
"Costs and time vary so wildly that it is useless to give figures, according to builder's details and circumstances. Long Micro is about 50% heavier than Micro with 532 lbs of ballast to 412, for instance. That would be a fair reflection of relative material cost. The difference in labor time would be much less as all the operations are the same.
In our opinion, and what we hear from owners, Long Micro is the better value for the investment in money and effort. They are powerful good sailors."
Sincerely,
Phil Bolger
I hope this helps.
Loy
This may not answer all your questions regarding the two boats, but I think it will help as it is a portion of a letter from Phil Bolger himself when I wrote to him a few years ago. I will quote the last two paragraphs.
"Costs and time vary so wildly that it is useless to give figures, according to builder's details and circumstances. Long Micro is about 50% heavier than Micro with 532 lbs of ballast to 412, for instance. That would be a fair reflection of relative material cost. The difference in labor time would be much less as all the operations are the same.
In our opinion, and what we hear from owners, Long Micro is the better value for the investment in money and effort. They are powerful good sailors."
Sincerely,
Phil Bolger
I hope this helps.
Loy
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Tom" <tomoll@...> wrote:
>
> While I (somewhat) patiently (OK, not really) wait for a response to either my FAX or my email to Susanne about plans, maybe some of you could continue my education.
> Micro plans - what do you get? Does one set cover all Micro variations including Long Micro, or is each a separate set of plans?
> Has anyone successfully ordered a set recently to know what the price is?
> Micro vs. Long Micro: LM should be faster due to its oversized sail plan and inherently greater hull speed, but can anyone quantify this (actual, not theoretical)?
> What are the approximate interior dimensions of both the Micro and LM (L, W, H) and also cockpit dimensions (L, W).
> Would it be practical to build an enclosed head (porta pottie in an enclosed space with door or curtain) in the LM and still have berths for 2, or a single berth for 2? Berth(s) would not have to be longitudinal as far as I am concerned, although I am guessing the interior hull width is marginal for a berth arranged athwart. Diagonal? I'd like to do a full size cardboard mock up to help understand the options and get a feel for the space.
> I prefer the appearance of the Micro, but the larger accommodations for cruising, speed, and tabernacle mast of the LM are also appealing. Marginally modern accommodations (privacy) are required if my wife is to join me I am afraid.
> TIA for any information and opinions.
> Tom
>
While I (somewhat) patiently (OK, not really) wait for a response to either my FAX or my email to Susanne about plans, maybe some of you could continue my education.
Micro plans - what do you get? Does one set cover all Micro variations including Long Micro, or is each a separate set of plans?
Has anyone successfully ordered a set recently to know what the price is?
Micro vs. Long Micro: LM should be faster due to its oversized sail plan and inherently greater hull speed, but can anyone quantify this (actual, not theoretical)?
What are the approximate interior dimensions of both the Micro and LM (L, W, H) and also cockpit dimensions (L, W).
Would it be practical to build an enclosed head (porta pottie in an enclosed space with door or curtain) in the LM and still have berths for 2, or a single berth for 2? Berth(s) would not have to be longitudinal as far as I am concerned, although I am guessing the interior hull width is marginal for a berth arranged athwart. Diagonal? I'd like to do a full size cardboard mock up to help understand the options and get a feel for the space.
I prefer the appearance of the Micro, but the larger accommodations for cruising, speed, and tabernacle mast of the LM are also appealing. Marginally modern accommodations (privacy) are required if my wife is to join me I am afraid.
TIA for any information and opinions.
Tom
Micro plans - what do you get? Does one set cover all Micro variations including Long Micro, or is each a separate set of plans?
Has anyone successfully ordered a set recently to know what the price is?
Micro vs. Long Micro: LM should be faster due to its oversized sail plan and inherently greater hull speed, but can anyone quantify this (actual, not theoretical)?
What are the approximate interior dimensions of both the Micro and LM (L, W, H) and also cockpit dimensions (L, W).
Would it be practical to build an enclosed head (porta pottie in an enclosed space with door or curtain) in the LM and still have berths for 2, or a single berth for 2? Berth(s) would not have to be longitudinal as far as I am concerned, although I am guessing the interior hull width is marginal for a berth arranged athwart. Diagonal? I'd like to do a full size cardboard mock up to help understand the options and get a feel for the space.
I prefer the appearance of the Micro, but the larger accommodations for cruising, speed, and tabernacle mast of the LM are also appealing. Marginally modern accommodations (privacy) are required if my wife is to join me I am afraid.
TIA for any information and opinions.
Tom
Hello Paul,
I admire your determination and wish you every success!Yes,it
would be just grand if you were to launch your new MICRO at the LAKE
CHAMPLAIN BOLGER MESSABOUT.....then we could perhaps have a pot-luck
type christening whereby everyone brings a sampling(bottle) of their
favorite beverage and dribbles a dram on her stem!!
I'll gladly take you out and share what I know about handling the
MICRO even if you do not show up with your MICRO.Afew hours on the
lake will re-charge your batteries and give you all the drive needed
to finish her up!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,with happy visions of fun times this summer,somewhat
South of the shore of the St.Lawrence.............
I admire your determination and wish you every success!Yes,it
would be just grand if you were to launch your new MICRO at the LAKE
CHAMPLAIN BOLGER MESSABOUT.....then we could perhaps have a pot-luck
type christening whereby everyone brings a sampling(bottle) of their
favorite beverage and dribbles a dram on her stem!!
I'll gladly take you out and share what I know about handling the
MICRO even if you do not show up with your MICRO.Afew hours on the
lake will re-charge your batteries and give you all the drive needed
to finish her up!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,with happy visions of fun times this summer,somewhat
South of the shore of the St.Lawrence.............
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, "Paul A. Lefebvre, Jr." <paul@w...> wrote:
> Yes Peter, I really am (perhaps naively) hoping to launch sometime
this
> summer, 2001. Your suggestion a few weeks back of the messabout on
Champlain
> really got me fired up - I'd love to go and meet you and the others
there,
> and sail my new Micro in the company of other Micros! I also haven't
seen
> Lake Champlain since I was about 6 years old, and have long dreamed
of going
> back, so it'd be a great way to inaugurate the boat. If I don't get
my Micro
> done, I may go anyway, bring photos of the Micro in progress and a
> non-Bolger boat just to meet you guys, see some Bolger boats in
action and
> get my batteries recharged, as they'll no doubt need it by then. But
> wouldn't it be great if, after all this talk of launchings, I could
launch
> my Micro at the Champlain messabout! We could all drink some
recycled
> homegrown wine and you could teach me how to sail it! Never sailed
with a
> mizzen before...
>
Eric,
Does the term, "nor-easter" ring a bell? My Granddaddy warned me
about them, and we were in upstate New York! ;-) Your story was
fantastic, and as Peter said, there is much to learn from it. I imagine
it gave you a early start toward trusting the sea worthiness of the
Micro design.
The only experience I have had, on that level, was about 40 + years
ago when a buddy of mine talked me in to going with him from Staten
Island, out to the first channel marker (N.Y.C. harbor), then around the
Ship with the light on it that marked the outer channel beginning. All
in an 11 Foot Penguin, during the last throws of a passing hurricane. We
did make it back, and landed about 6 miles from where we wanted to be,
and felt darned fortunate that we made it back at all. It is stories
like yours that make this list such fun to read.
Peter,
After reading Eric's adventures, you can bet your bippy that I WILL
have a ceremony with none of the gods left out! I'm going to cover all
the bases.
Paul,
Welcome to the ranks of the Micro minded! Best of luck on your due
date, Work hard, stick with the plans, and it can be done. Not by me,
but it can be done.
Eric U.,
A while back I bought a pair of tail lights for my boat trailer. They
were military surplus and water proof, but when I got them home and took
them apart they didn't have bulbs in them, they were clusters of LED's
In the shape of an arrow for the turn signals and a triangle cluster for
the running lights. All behind red lenses. There are six wires going
into each light housing, and I have no idea what voltage they were set
up for. I haven't looked at them for a while, but I think there were
about 18 to 20 LED's in each assembly. How would I check them out, and
are these the kind that I can use for lights on my boat? Any thoughts
will be appreciated. Anyone on the list have any experience with these?
Best to all, Stan, Snow Goose
Does the term, "nor-easter" ring a bell? My Granddaddy warned me
about them, and we were in upstate New York! ;-) Your story was
fantastic, and as Peter said, there is much to learn from it. I imagine
it gave you a early start toward trusting the sea worthiness of the
Micro design.
The only experience I have had, on that level, was about 40 + years
ago when a buddy of mine talked me in to going with him from Staten
Island, out to the first channel marker (N.Y.C. harbor), then around the
Ship with the light on it that marked the outer channel beginning. All
in an 11 Foot Penguin, during the last throws of a passing hurricane. We
did make it back, and landed about 6 miles from where we wanted to be,
and felt darned fortunate that we made it back at all. It is stories
like yours that make this list such fun to read.
Peter,
After reading Eric's adventures, you can bet your bippy that I WILL
have a ceremony with none of the gods left out! I'm going to cover all
the bases.
Paul,
Welcome to the ranks of the Micro minded! Best of luck on your due
date, Work hard, stick with the plans, and it can be done. Not by me,
but it can be done.
Eric U.,
A while back I bought a pair of tail lights for my boat trailer. They
were military surplus and water proof, but when I got them home and took
them apart they didn't have bulbs in them, they were clusters of LED's
In the shape of an arrow for the turn signals and a triangle cluster for
the running lights. All behind red lenses. There are six wires going
into each light housing, and I have no idea what voltage they were set
up for. I haven't looked at them for a while, but I think there were
about 18 to 20 LED's in each assembly. How would I check them out, and
are these the kind that I can use for lights on my boat? Any thoughts
will be appreciated. Anyone on the list have any experience with these?
Best to all, Stan, Snow Goose
Yes Peter, I really am (perhaps naively) hoping to launch sometime this
summer, 2001. Your suggestion a few weeks back of the messabout on Champlain
really got me fired up - I'd love to go and meet you and the others there,
and sail my new Micro in the company of other Micros! I also haven't seen
Lake Champlain since I was about 6 years old, and have long dreamed of going
back, so it'd be a great way to inaugurate the boat. If I don't get my Micro
done, I may go anyway, bring photos of the Micro in progress and a
non-Bolger boat just to meet you guys, see some Bolger boats in action and
get my batteries recharged, as they'll no doubt need it by then. But
wouldn't it be great if, after all this talk of launchings, I could launch
my Micro at the Champlain messabout! We could all drink some recycled
homegrown wine and you could teach me how to sail it! Never sailed with a
mizzen before...
I realize it's gonna be a push, but in the past have gotten quite obsessive
when boatbuilding, having put 3 18' strip kayaks in the water, two of them
in 2 months/300 hours each. The third took longer due to logistical
problems, but was eventually finished in the 4' wide hallway of a rented
house. That was all a few years ago, I lived alone, didn't own a television;
I'm a bit mellower now, sometimes I even manage to sit through an hour-long
TV program (Junkyard Wars!!!). But if reports of Micro building time hold
true (most I've heard so far is 600 hours, CSB's propaganda says
150(absurd!)-300!), a July launch seems at least conceivable, if not
practical. Time (and money!) will tell. Also, I've already learned a
tremendous amount from this forum, received lots of advice and
encouragement, and seen the excellent documentation like your Duckworks
articles, so the path looks pretty clear, and most of the hard thinking has
been done for me. The kayaks were built largely in a vacuum, nobody I knew
had ever seen a strip kayak, there were no books or even designs available
then as there are now, so I had to draw and (learn how to) loft them, and
work out all construction details and techniques for myself, in unheated
rented space using borrowed tools. I am now well equipped with tools and the
collective wisdom of this group, and have a very nice heated workspace;
together with the ingenious, proven design and clear blueprints in hand, I'm
optimistic that this will go very nicely.
I'm aware of the 'rule of 5's of boatbuilding', and I won't mind eating some
humble pie if I show up at Champlain without a Micro in tow, but I'm going
to go for it. Listen to me, Stan, I already sound like a MICROHOLIC! ;-]
Paul Lefebvre
summer, 2001. Your suggestion a few weeks back of the messabout on Champlain
really got me fired up - I'd love to go and meet you and the others there,
and sail my new Micro in the company of other Micros! I also haven't seen
Lake Champlain since I was about 6 years old, and have long dreamed of going
back, so it'd be a great way to inaugurate the boat. If I don't get my Micro
done, I may go anyway, bring photos of the Micro in progress and a
non-Bolger boat just to meet you guys, see some Bolger boats in action and
get my batteries recharged, as they'll no doubt need it by then. But
wouldn't it be great if, after all this talk of launchings, I could launch
my Micro at the Champlain messabout! We could all drink some recycled
homegrown wine and you could teach me how to sail it! Never sailed with a
mizzen before...
I realize it's gonna be a push, but in the past have gotten quite obsessive
when boatbuilding, having put 3 18' strip kayaks in the water, two of them
in 2 months/300 hours each. The third took longer due to logistical
problems, but was eventually finished in the 4' wide hallway of a rented
house. That was all a few years ago, I lived alone, didn't own a television;
I'm a bit mellower now, sometimes I even manage to sit through an hour-long
TV program (Junkyard Wars!!!). But if reports of Micro building time hold
true (most I've heard so far is 600 hours, CSB's propaganda says
150(absurd!)-300!), a July launch seems at least conceivable, if not
practical. Time (and money!) will tell. Also, I've already learned a
tremendous amount from this forum, received lots of advice and
encouragement, and seen the excellent documentation like your Duckworks
articles, so the path looks pretty clear, and most of the hard thinking has
been done for me. The kayaks were built largely in a vacuum, nobody I knew
had ever seen a strip kayak, there were no books or even designs available
then as there are now, so I had to draw and (learn how to) loft them, and
work out all construction details and techniques for myself, in unheated
rented space using borrowed tools. I am now well equipped with tools and the
collective wisdom of this group, and have a very nice heated workspace;
together with the ingenious, proven design and clear blueprints in hand, I'm
optimistic that this will go very nicely.
I'm aware of the 'rule of 5's of boatbuilding', and I won't mind eating some
humble pie if I show up at Champlain without a Micro in tow, but I'm going
to go for it. Listen to me, Stan, I already sound like a MICROHOLIC! ;-]
Paul Lefebvre
There you go Stan and fellow Micrologists!,
Some fine first class témoignage from Eric.Bravo Eric!!Alot to be
learnt from carefully reading his account of adventure!!!
Sure sounded like fun to me,especially since no real harm came to
the crew,only the owners pride........perhaps.
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,enjoyed the story Eric and glad I did the"right
thing",on the shores of the St.Lawrence................
Some fine first class témoignage from Eric.Bravo Eric!!Alot to be
learnt from carefully reading his account of adventure!!!
Sure sounded like fun to me,especially since no real harm came to
the crew,only the owners pride........perhaps.
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,enjoyed the story Eric and glad I did the"right
thing",on the shores of the St.Lawrence................
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, "Eric Schoonover" <eric@u...> wrote:
> Dear Stan:
>
> I won't dare touch this matter of blood, and virgins, and white and
> red wine with my five-foot gaff (though painted Interlux Vermilion
> RED), but I do think that you must christen your vessel in some
> ceremonial manner; that is, whatever constitutes ceremony in your
> mind.
>
> I did NOT christen my Micro before setting sail. I did incur, as a
> result, the wrath of many gods, and there was no Athena lurking in
> the anchor well ready to bear a hand. My first mistake, THE grand
> mistake,was to set forth on a brief solo-sail after launching, on a
> sea trial of sorts. But no christening! All went well. The wind, my
> log notes,was from the north-east. (The First Warning.) My second
> mistake,after THE GRAND MISTAKE was that of inviting too many people
> to sail with me on the virginal voyage, to be held on the day after
> sea trials: Six adults, one small child. (The small child slept
below
> most of the day.) They would help christen the boat and make it a
> festive, celebratory day. My daughter, the only woman, was to
perform
> the rites. I had carefully typed out the words of appeasement to the
> gods together with a nod of acknowledgement to the boat's namesake.
> But we didn't do it. All these years later I can't remember why we
> didn't do it. (Senescence setting in, perhaps even then.)
>
> Well, we were off, pushed down the great salt pond by my very
small,
> 1.5 Seagull motor--and a fine breeze. The wind was still out of the
> north-east (The Second Warning, Part 1) and was considerably more
> blustery than the day before (The Second Warning, Part 2). But it
was
> bright, unlimited visibility, cool: a lovely early September day in
> southern New England. We sailed, the small boy slept, we ate lunch
at
> anchor, and snoozed in the dazzling sun in that wonderful Micro
> cockpit, or on the cabin top, or down below.
>
> Suddenly, fully aware that the breeze had become a 20-knot wind, I
> thought it best to up anchor and head back. Six adults and a child
> are, after all, some responsibility. I might add that none of the
> guests had any sailing experience, and as if to prove that point,
one
> of them asked, "What bitter end?" And there went my brand-new Bruce
> anchor! (Intimations of the wrath to come? Or was this another part
> of the Warning? Or part of The Punishment?)
>
> We got under way. Gosh, it was wild and wooly: spray leapt, the mast
> creaked in the partners, items came adrift below, and the dacron
> rattled and cracked when we came about. The child slept, wedged in
by
> PFD's piled against the bunkboards. I had yet to install the
> clinometers, so I don't know the angle of heel. I placed the hefty
> guests well to the windward side. But the helm had much more weather
> than I remembered from the day before. How strange, I thought. And
> then, bang, the rudder's post broke. More accurately, it split from
> the top; and the bronze bolt and the bronze strapping came free and
.
> . . and, we had no steerageway!
>
> I lowered the Seagull into the water. "Dad, that thing's from World
> War I," and it was, or so it looked and acted. Its flywheel was
> exposed (beard snatcher), the starter rope had to be re-threaded
each
> time one cranked and often whipped your knuckles, and it started,
> could only start, in gear. This particular Seagull would always
start
> when cold. Always. When hot or even warm, it was a brute. I yanked,
> and yanked, and, nervous, over primed, and flooded, and . . . . But
> eventually it started.
>
> It had to push pretty hard to take all of us back, and motoring a
> Micro against a strong breeze is fairly demanding. My guests were
> unfazed by all of this (Oh for innocence!), and the child had woken
> to the sound of the motor and was happily standing in the bunk
looking
> at the world through the porthole. We made at best 1 kt.
>
> And then the dock. I felt that I should kneel and kiss the
> pressure-treated boards. "Dad, aren't we going to have the
> christening?" Oh, yes. The christening. And we did, and she read the
> lines and broke a bottle of properly-netted champagne that a
> well-wisher had given me many years before when I started building
> the boat, I think it was that phony stuff that you can buy in the
> marine discount stores, yet it fizzed and foamed, and we all
declared
> it a fine day. Well, they did. Two days later I bought a 3.5 Tohatsu
> motor that has pushed the Micro ever since and, I might add, through
> strong tides at ¼ throttle. It starts in neutral. I still have the
> Seagull,but I don't take six adults and child for a sail anymore,
> even if the wind comes soft.
>
> Thus, I recommend that you not procrastinate as I. That before even
> the smallest amount of water touches the keel, or whatever, that
your
> vessel be well-christened. I wish you the very best in your voyages
> and may the gods look with favor upon your work. Oh yes, I easily
> fixed the split post with an epoxy slurry and hose clamps. To
appease
> the gods, I painted THAT Vermilion Red.
>
>
> Eric Schoonover
> Wakefield, RI
> eric@u...
Dear Stan:
I won't dare touch this matter of blood, and virgins, and white and
red wine with my five-foot gaff (though painted Interlux Vermilion
RED), but I do think that you must christen your vessel in some
ceremonial manner; that is, whatever constitutes ceremony in your
mind.
I did NOT christen my Micro before setting sail. I did incur, as a
result, the wrath of many gods, and there was no Athena lurking in
the anchor well ready to bear a hand. My first mistake, THE grand
mistake,was to set forth on a brief solo-sail after launching, on a
sea trial of sorts. But no christening! All went well. The wind, my
log notes,was from the north-east. (The First Warning.) My second
mistake,after THE GRAND MISTAKE was that of inviting too many people
to sail with me on the virginal voyage, to be held on the day after
sea trials: Six adults, one small child. (The small child slept below
most of the day.) They would help christen the boat and make it a
festive, celebratory day. My daughter, the only woman, was to perform
the rites. I had carefully typed out the words of appeasement to the
gods together with a nod of acknowledgement to the boat's namesake.
But we didn't do it. All these years later I can't remember why we
didn't do it. (Senescence setting in, perhaps even then.)
Well, we were off, pushed down the great salt pond by my very small,
1.5 Seagull motor--and a fine breeze. The wind was still out of the
north-east (The Second Warning, Part 1) and was considerably more
blustery than the day before (The Second Warning, Part 2). But it was
bright, unlimited visibility, cool: a lovely early September day in
southern New England. We sailed, the small boy slept, we ate lunch at
anchor, and snoozed in the dazzling sun in that wonderful Micro
cockpit, or on the cabin top, or down below.
Suddenly, fully aware that the breeze had become a 20-knot wind, I
thought it best to up anchor and head back. Six adults and a child
are, after all, some responsibility. I might add that none of the
guests had any sailing experience, and as if to prove that point, one
of them asked, "What bitter end?" And there went my brand-new Bruce
anchor! (Intimations of the wrath to come? Or was this another part
of the Warning? Or part of The Punishment?)
We got under way. Gosh, it was wild and wooly: spray leapt, the mast
creaked in the partners, items came adrift below, and the dacron
rattled and cracked when we came about. The child slept, wedged in by
PFD's piled against the bunkboards. I had yet to install the
clinometers, so I don't know the angle of heel. I placed the hefty
guests well to the windward side. But the helm had much more weather
than I remembered from the day before. How strange, I thought. And
then, bang, the rudder's post broke. More accurately, it split from
the top; and the bronze bolt and the bronze strapping came free and .
. . and, we had no steerageway!
I lowered the Seagull into the water. "Dad, that thing's from World
War I," and it was, or so it looked and acted. Its flywheel was
exposed (beard snatcher), the starter rope had to be re-threaded each
time one cranked and often whipped your knuckles, and it started,
could only start, in gear. This particular Seagull would always start
when cold. Always. When hot or even warm, it was a brute. I yanked,
and yanked, and, nervous, over primed, and flooded, and . . . . But
eventually it started.
It had to push pretty hard to take all of us back, and motoring a
Micro against a strong breeze is fairly demanding. My guests were
unfazed by all of this (Oh for innocence!), and the child had woken
to the sound of the motor and was happily standing in the bunk looking
at the world through the porthole. We made at best 1 kt.
And then the dock. I felt that I should kneel and kiss the
pressure-treated boards. "Dad, aren't we going to have the
christening?" Oh, yes. The christening. And we did, and she read the
lines and broke a bottle of properly-netted champagne that a
well-wisher had given me many years before when I started building
the boat, I think it was that phony stuff that you can buy in the
marine discount stores, yet it fizzed and foamed, and we all declared
it a fine day. Well, they did. Two days later I bought a 3.5 Tohatsu
motor that has pushed the Micro ever since and, I might add, through
strong tides at ¼ throttle. It starts in neutral. I still have the
Seagull,but I don't take six adults and child for a sail anymore,
even if the wind comes soft.
Thus, I recommend that you not procrastinate as I. That before even
the smallest amount of water touches the keel, or whatever, that your
vessel be well-christened. I wish you the very best in your voyages
and may the gods look with favor upon your work. Oh yes, I easily
fixed the split post with an epoxy slurry and hose clamps. To appease
the gods, I painted THAT Vermilion Red.
Eric Schoonover
Wakefield, RI
eric@...
I won't dare touch this matter of blood, and virgins, and white and
red wine with my five-foot gaff (though painted Interlux Vermilion
RED), but I do think that you must christen your vessel in some
ceremonial manner; that is, whatever constitutes ceremony in your
mind.
I did NOT christen my Micro before setting sail. I did incur, as a
result, the wrath of many gods, and there was no Athena lurking in
the anchor well ready to bear a hand. My first mistake, THE grand
mistake,was to set forth on a brief solo-sail after launching, on a
sea trial of sorts. But no christening! All went well. The wind, my
log notes,was from the north-east. (The First Warning.) My second
mistake,after THE GRAND MISTAKE was that of inviting too many people
to sail with me on the virginal voyage, to be held on the day after
sea trials: Six adults, one small child. (The small child slept below
most of the day.) They would help christen the boat and make it a
festive, celebratory day. My daughter, the only woman, was to perform
the rites. I had carefully typed out the words of appeasement to the
gods together with a nod of acknowledgement to the boat's namesake.
But we didn't do it. All these years later I can't remember why we
didn't do it. (Senescence setting in, perhaps even then.)
Well, we were off, pushed down the great salt pond by my very small,
1.5 Seagull motor--and a fine breeze. The wind was still out of the
north-east (The Second Warning, Part 1) and was considerably more
blustery than the day before (The Second Warning, Part 2). But it was
bright, unlimited visibility, cool: a lovely early September day in
southern New England. We sailed, the small boy slept, we ate lunch at
anchor, and snoozed in the dazzling sun in that wonderful Micro
cockpit, or on the cabin top, or down below.
Suddenly, fully aware that the breeze had become a 20-knot wind, I
thought it best to up anchor and head back. Six adults and a child
are, after all, some responsibility. I might add that none of the
guests had any sailing experience, and as if to prove that point, one
of them asked, "What bitter end?" And there went my brand-new Bruce
anchor! (Intimations of the wrath to come? Or was this another part
of the Warning? Or part of The Punishment?)
We got under way. Gosh, it was wild and wooly: spray leapt, the mast
creaked in the partners, items came adrift below, and the dacron
rattled and cracked when we came about. The child slept, wedged in by
PFD's piled against the bunkboards. I had yet to install the
clinometers, so I don't know the angle of heel. I placed the hefty
guests well to the windward side. But the helm had much more weather
than I remembered from the day before. How strange, I thought. And
then, bang, the rudder's post broke. More accurately, it split from
the top; and the bronze bolt and the bronze strapping came free and .
. . and, we had no steerageway!
I lowered the Seagull into the water. "Dad, that thing's from World
War I," and it was, or so it looked and acted. Its flywheel was
exposed (beard snatcher), the starter rope had to be re-threaded each
time one cranked and often whipped your knuckles, and it started,
could only start, in gear. This particular Seagull would always start
when cold. Always. When hot or even warm, it was a brute. I yanked,
and yanked, and, nervous, over primed, and flooded, and . . . . But
eventually it started.
It had to push pretty hard to take all of us back, and motoring a
Micro against a strong breeze is fairly demanding. My guests were
unfazed by all of this (Oh for innocence!), and the child had woken
to the sound of the motor and was happily standing in the bunk looking
at the world through the porthole. We made at best 1 kt.
And then the dock. I felt that I should kneel and kiss the
pressure-treated boards. "Dad, aren't we going to have the
christening?" Oh, yes. The christening. And we did, and she read the
lines and broke a bottle of properly-netted champagne that a
well-wisher had given me many years before when I started building
the boat, I think it was that phony stuff that you can buy in the
marine discount stores, yet it fizzed and foamed, and we all declared
it a fine day. Well, they did. Two days later I bought a 3.5 Tohatsu
motor that has pushed the Micro ever since and, I might add, through
strong tides at ¼ throttle. It starts in neutral. I still have the
Seagull,but I don't take six adults and child for a sail anymore,
even if the wind comes soft.
Thus, I recommend that you not procrastinate as I. That before even
the smallest amount of water touches the keel, or whatever, that your
vessel be well-christened. I wish you the very best in your voyages
and may the gods look with favor upon your work. Oh yes, I easily
fixed the split post with an epoxy slurry and hose clamps. To appease
the gods, I painted THAT Vermilion Red.
Eric Schoonover
Wakefield, RI
eric@...
Hi Paul Lefebvre,
Glad to read that you will soon enter into the realm of the
"truly blessed" MICROLOGISTs.Congradulations!!!
I am,however,somewhat confused with your estimated launching
date,"early summer"?!Is that 2001 or 2002?If 2001,I'll send you a
bottle of some really delicious stuff,fresh,from France to sooth your
vocal chords from all the shouting you'll be doing keeping your
building crew very very busy meeting your deadline!;-D
Then we can all meet in mid-summer on Lake Champlain for a nifty
BOLGER MESSABOUT........think of the fun!!!!!!!
Good luck with your MICRO and you can be assured of lots of free
advice right here on this forum!!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,dreaming of Lake Champlain,while wide awake on the
shores of the frozen St.Lawrence.........
Glad to read that you will soon enter into the realm of the
"truly blessed" MICROLOGISTs.Congradulations!!!
I am,however,somewhat confused with your estimated launching
date,"early summer"?!Is that 2001 or 2002?If 2001,I'll send you a
bottle of some really delicious stuff,fresh,from France to sooth your
vocal chords from all the shouting you'll be doing keeping your
building crew very very busy meeting your deadline!;-D
Then we can all meet in mid-summer on Lake Champlain for a nifty
BOLGER MESSABOUT........think of the fun!!!!!!!
Good luck with your MICRO and you can be assured of lots of free
advice right here on this forum!!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,dreaming of Lake Champlain,while wide awake on the
shores of the frozen St.Lawrence.........
>of
> So given the recent thread, I'm wondering if I should start a batch
> homemade wine as well, so it'll be ready in time for the hoped-for
> early-summer launch.
>
> Paul Lefebvre
I must say, all this talk of launchings, virgins, etc. has me going! I'm now
moving rapidly toward becoming a Micro builder. 2 weekends ago David Jost
was kind enough to invite me and my wife up to see his Micro 'Firefly' in
progress, and satisfy our curiosity over just how big a 15-footer could
really be; I was impressed enough with the spaciousness of the boat that I
sent away for my plans last week, and they arrived last night! Signed by PCB
himself, along with a handwritten letter explaining a few changes - taller
main mast and sail, and he now recommends a 1/2" thick bottom as well. I've
really got the itch now, and am going to order my sail kit as soon as
Sailrite gets back to me about the modifications to the rig. Thanks to Dave
and everyone else who has helped me get this far.
So given the recent thread, I'm wondering if I should start a batch of
homemade wine as well, so it'll be ready in time for the hoped-for
early-summer launch. Used to make wine in High School, before my friends and
I could legally buy it... as I remember it wasn't bad, though back then we
didn't really care much how it tasted. Amazing the variety of things you can
make wine out of, too..... A buddy of mine and I also made a still that
produced some pretty nasty stuff! it'd probably be real good for cleaning up
epoxy, but I wouldn't want to splash that all over my new boat! Take the
paint right off.... Wouldn't do the local waters any good either.....
Paul Lefebvre
moving rapidly toward becoming a Micro builder. 2 weekends ago David Jost
was kind enough to invite me and my wife up to see his Micro 'Firefly' in
progress, and satisfy our curiosity over just how big a 15-footer could
really be; I was impressed enough with the spaciousness of the boat that I
sent away for my plans last week, and they arrived last night! Signed by PCB
himself, along with a handwritten letter explaining a few changes - taller
main mast and sail, and he now recommends a 1/2" thick bottom as well. I've
really got the itch now, and am going to order my sail kit as soon as
Sailrite gets back to me about the modifications to the rig. Thanks to Dave
and everyone else who has helped me get this far.
So given the recent thread, I'm wondering if I should start a batch of
homemade wine as well, so it'll be ready in time for the hoped-for
early-summer launch. Used to make wine in High School, before my friends and
I could legally buy it... as I remember it wasn't bad, though back then we
didn't really care much how it tasted. Amazing the variety of things you can
make wine out of, too..... A buddy of mine and I also made a still that
produced some pretty nasty stuff! it'd probably be real good for cleaning up
epoxy, but I wouldn't want to splash that all over my new boat! Take the
paint right off.... Wouldn't do the local waters any good either.....
Paul Lefebvre
David,
Great idea!But Stan may not have enough time to properly age his
homemade wine,with Spring just around the corner....Sorry to read
that the Cabernet batch was lost!Shame.Did you ever figure out why
the wine turned?I remember helping a friend make wine and a few
things were critical for success.1)After all the grapes were
pressed,the juice was stored in one 45 gal.barrel with an airlock,in
the dark.2)After two full lunar cycles,we then decanted the contents
into demijans(sp?) which also have airlocks.3)all subsequent
decantings were undertaken only after the"bubblings"in the airlocks
had pretty much ceased.4)At no time must the containers be manhandled
roughly.5)beware of the full moon!6)Women who are menstruating must
never,NEVER,be in the same room as the wine while decanting or
fermenting!
At any rate,after 11 months we had ourselves some of the best red
wine I have ever had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with.We
called it the"talking wine" since you could consume this wholesome
beverage all evening long and just go on talking 'till sunrise.Three
types of grapes were used and never a hang-over was felt!
I have often wondered why Bolger choose Burgundy for a boats' name.
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan
Great idea!But Stan may not have enough time to properly age his
homemade wine,with Spring just around the corner....Sorry to read
that the Cabernet batch was lost!Shame.Did you ever figure out why
the wine turned?I remember helping a friend make wine and a few
things were critical for success.1)After all the grapes were
pressed,the juice was stored in one 45 gal.barrel with an airlock,in
the dark.2)After two full lunar cycles,we then decanted the contents
into demijans(sp?) which also have airlocks.3)all subsequent
decantings were undertaken only after the"bubblings"in the airlocks
had pretty much ceased.4)At no time must the containers be manhandled
roughly.5)beware of the full moon!6)Women who are menstruating must
never,NEVER,be in the same room as the wine while decanting or
fermenting!
At any rate,after 11 months we had ourselves some of the best red
wine I have ever had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with.We
called it the"talking wine" since you could consume this wholesome
beverage all evening long and just go on talking 'till sunrise.Three
types of grapes were used and never a hang-over was felt!
I have often wondered why Bolger choose Burgundy for a boats' name.
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, "David Jost" <djost@m...> wrote:
> Stan,
>
> What you need is a homemade wine for a homemade boat. I
recently
> made 32 bottles of a homebrewed Cabernet. I spent months slaving
over
> it. mixing the yeast, fermenting, cleaning, bottling, turning the
> bottles every 20 days, keeping them in a cool place. I treated the
> batch of bottles like babies.
> A month ago, I opened the first of many bottles to see how the
> finished product was. . . In one word "terrible
Stan,
Sounds like what you really need at this point is more akin to a
planking party whereby the crew gets to relieve a bit of tension
after the final shutter plank is driven home.
The christening can only happen moments before she embraces her
element......
So gather up a nice selection of pungent cheeses,a variety of
dark breads,two or three old Port wines,perhaps a good sherry or two
and invite some friends over to admire your efforts.By the time the
last cheer is sent up and the bottles emptied you will have perhaps
managed to get yourself a fine finishing crew to assist with the
myriad details to finish her up just right!!!
I'd stay away from any beverage that sounds like it was distilled
from Aqua Velva Aftershave.........
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,feeling the nervous twitchings of Spring as the
thermometer hovers around 0 Celsius,on the shores of the mild
St.Lawrence...........
Sounds like what you really need at this point is more akin to a
planking party whereby the crew gets to relieve a bit of tension
after the final shutter plank is driven home.
The christening can only happen moments before she embraces her
element......
So gather up a nice selection of pungent cheeses,a variety of
dark breads,two or three old Port wines,perhaps a good sherry or two
and invite some friends over to admire your efforts.By the time the
last cheer is sent up and the bottles emptied you will have perhaps
managed to get yourself a fine finishing crew to assist with the
myriad details to finish her up just right!!!
I'd stay away from any beverage that sounds like it was distilled
from Aqua Velva Aftershave.........
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,feeling the nervous twitchings of Spring as the
thermometer hovers around 0 Celsius,on the shores of the mild
St.Lawrence...........
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, Stan Muller <smuller@i...> wrote:
> Thank you all, for the responses!
> Wow, waiting until it goes into the water, what a concept. We had
> planned the Christening for when we pulled her out of the garage,
and
> she first sees the light of day, her birth as it were. Being removed
> from her womb of construction.
> Since the consensus of opinion is red, we have it narrowed down
to;
> Tiger Rose, Twister, or Mogen David 20% (you know, the stuff the
kids
> call Mad Dog 20-20) >
Stan --
My long suffering wife and chief financier nearly choked on her
tongue from laughing as I read the below passage aloud to her.
I thank you for amusing her, but dial it back a bit. Without her, no epoxy!
YIBB,
David
134 W.26th St. 12th Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 243-1636
My long suffering wife and chief financier nearly choked on her
tongue from laughing as I read the below passage aloud to her.
I thank you for amusing her, but dial it back a bit. Without her, no epoxy!
YIBB,
David
> What you need is a homemade wine for a homemade boat. I recentlyCRUMBLING EMPIRE PRODUCTIONS
>made 32 bottles of a homebrewed Cabernet. I spent months slaving over
>it. mixing the yeast, fermenting, cleaning, bottling, turning the
>bottles every 20 days, keeping them in a cool place. I treated the
>batch of bottles like babies.
> A month ago, I opened the first of many bottles to see how the
>finished product was. . . In one word "terrible". It had great body, a
>dirt flavor, an offensive nose, and a digustingly long aftertaste.
>There was no food to offer it a compliment, just an insult.
> I sent it to a friend of mine who is a highly respected vintner and
>he tried to "fix" it. In turn, he sent it off to some labs. They
>still could not fix it. It was completely and utterly undrinkable.
> This concoction was slaved over, loved, caressed, and treated like
>a new child; yet, it still was just plain awful. The only thing it
>was good for would be "Christening a ship".
> You would have a very expensive, well loved wine. That serves no
>purpose other than that of love. Poisiden may have been offended
>however. It is not nice to mess with the Gods of the sea. . .
> Fortunately, my wife made me dump the whole mess with the promise
>that she would let me try again. Unlike boatbuilding, you cannot
>cover up your mistakes in winemaking. Bad juice is bad juice.
>
> My advise. . . .Get some fresh Vermont cheddar cheese, fresh
>apples, and a bagette of bread. Compliment them with nice 1998 (98 was
>a good year for Santa Barbara Valley Wines)cabernet from the Santa
>Barbara area of California served in proper glasses, stemmed, not too
>wide at the top, filled only half way or less. Have a picnic in the
>cockpit of your new boat, and toast your first mate (wife or labrador
>retriever, your pick)! "Accidentally", spill a drop or two in the
>motor well where it can be neatly washed off into a happy waiting sea.
> No Gods would be offended by the charity you have shown, and the
>respect you have given to a proper wine.
>
>> Very, Very nice; With Peter's idea of filling a good wine bottle,
>and
>> Paul Esterle's ceremony, people will not only think I have good
>taste,
>> But think of me as intelligent as well.
>> Stan, Snow Goose
>>
>> PS; Paul, No, not in advertising, I just want to be able to write
>like
>> Peter L. when I grow up. ;-)
>
>
>Bolger rules!!!
>- no cursing, flaming, trolling, or spamming
>- no flogging dead horses
>- add something: take "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
>- stay on topic and punctuate
>- add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
134 W.26th St. 12th Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 243-1636
Stan,
Perhaps you can cut a deal with Pippo to locate a nice bottle of
Sangiovese from the Tuscany region of Italy! Now we are talking!
Perhaps you can cut a deal with Pippo to locate a nice bottle of
Sangiovese from the Tuscany region of Italy! Now we are talking!
Stan,
What you need is a homemade wine for a homemade boat. I recently
made 32 bottles of a homebrewed Cabernet. I spent months slaving over
it. mixing the yeast, fermenting, cleaning, bottling, turning the
bottles every 20 days, keeping them in a cool place. I treated the
batch of bottles like babies.
A month ago, I opened the first of many bottles to see how the
finished product was. . . In one word "terrible". It had great body, a
dirt flavor, an offensive nose, and a digustingly long aftertaste.
There was no food to offer it a compliment, just an insult.
I sent it to a friend of mine who is a highly respected vintner and
he tried to "fix" it. In turn, he sent it off to some labs. They
still could not fix it. It was completely and utterly undrinkable.
This concoction was slaved over, loved, caressed, and treated like
a new child; yet, it still was just plain awful. The only thing it
was good for would be "Christening a ship".
You would have a very expensive, well loved wine. That serves no
purpose other than that of love. Poisiden may have been offended
however. It is not nice to mess with the Gods of the sea. . .
Fortunately, my wife made me dump the whole mess with the promise
that she would let me try again. Unlike boatbuilding, you cannot
cover up your mistakes in winemaking. Bad juice is bad juice.
My advise. . . .Get some fresh Vermont cheddar cheese, fresh
apples, and a bagette of bread. Compliment them with nice 1998 (98 was
a good year for Santa Barbara Valley Wines)cabernet from the Santa
Barbara area of California served in proper glasses, stemmed, not too
wide at the top, filled only half way or less. Have a picnic in the
cockpit of your new boat, and toast your first mate (wife or labrador
retriever, your pick)! "Accidentally", spill a drop or two in the
motor well where it can be neatly washed off into a happy waiting sea.
No Gods would be offended by the charity you have shown, and the
respect you have given to a proper wine.
What you need is a homemade wine for a homemade boat. I recently
made 32 bottles of a homebrewed Cabernet. I spent months slaving over
it. mixing the yeast, fermenting, cleaning, bottling, turning the
bottles every 20 days, keeping them in a cool place. I treated the
batch of bottles like babies.
A month ago, I opened the first of many bottles to see how the
finished product was. . . In one word "terrible". It had great body, a
dirt flavor, an offensive nose, and a digustingly long aftertaste.
There was no food to offer it a compliment, just an insult.
I sent it to a friend of mine who is a highly respected vintner and
he tried to "fix" it. In turn, he sent it off to some labs. They
still could not fix it. It was completely and utterly undrinkable.
This concoction was slaved over, loved, caressed, and treated like
a new child; yet, it still was just plain awful. The only thing it
was good for would be "Christening a ship".
You would have a very expensive, well loved wine. That serves no
purpose other than that of love. Poisiden may have been offended
however. It is not nice to mess with the Gods of the sea. . .
Fortunately, my wife made me dump the whole mess with the promise
that she would let me try again. Unlike boatbuilding, you cannot
cover up your mistakes in winemaking. Bad juice is bad juice.
My advise. . . .Get some fresh Vermont cheddar cheese, fresh
apples, and a bagette of bread. Compliment them with nice 1998 (98 was
a good year for Santa Barbara Valley Wines)cabernet from the Santa
Barbara area of California served in proper glasses, stemmed, not too
wide at the top, filled only half way or less. Have a picnic in the
cockpit of your new boat, and toast your first mate (wife or labrador
retriever, your pick)! "Accidentally", spill a drop or two in the
motor well where it can be neatly washed off into a happy waiting sea.
No Gods would be offended by the charity you have shown, and the
respect you have given to a proper wine.
> Very, Very nice; With Peter's idea of filling a good wine bottle,and
> Paul Esterle's ceremony, people will not only think I have goodtaste,
> But think of me as intelligent as well.like
> Stan, Snow Goose
>
> PS; Paul, No, not in advertising, I just want to be able to write
> Peter L. when I grow up. ;-)
Very, Very nice; With Peter's idea of filling a good wine bottle, and
Paul Esterle's ceremony, people will not only think I have good taste,
But think of me as intelligent as well.
Stan, Snow Goose
PS; Paul, No, not in advertising, I just want to be able to write like
Peter L. when I grow up. ;-)
Paul Esterle's ceremony, people will not only think I have good taste,
But think of me as intelligent as well.
Stan, Snow Goose
PS; Paul, No, not in advertising, I just want to be able to write like
Peter L. when I grow up. ;-)
Thank you all, for the responses!
Wow, waiting until it goes into the water, what a concept. We had
planned the Christening for when we pulled her out of the garage, and
she first sees the light of day, her birth as it were. Being removed
from her womb of construction.
Since the consensus of opinion is red, we have it narrowed down to;
Tiger Rose, Twister, or Mogen David 20% (you know, the stuff the kids
call Mad Dog 20-20) Securely placed in an onion sack to catch the glass.
(This is as close as us rednecks get to lace stockings) The wine choices
are based on the best seller list from the major cities here in the
midwest. Her hull still won't have paint on at this point, so I don't
have to worry about the paint removable aspect of our wine choice. I
plan to go, "PLONK" on the anchor while it is on the anchor ramp. It is
a twenty pound navy, and is probably the only thing on the boat strong
enough to break the bottle.
As a side note, I'm just finishing the parallel arms upon which the
Birdwatcher pilot house, top hatch will pivot up and out of the way, and
have successfully completed one of the MJ type sponsons. It won't be
long now, and out of the garage she will come.
Thanks to all, Stan, Snow Goose.
Wow, waiting until it goes into the water, what a concept. We had
planned the Christening for when we pulled her out of the garage, and
she first sees the light of day, her birth as it were. Being removed
from her womb of construction.
Since the consensus of opinion is red, we have it narrowed down to;
Tiger Rose, Twister, or Mogen David 20% (you know, the stuff the kids
call Mad Dog 20-20) Securely placed in an onion sack to catch the glass.
(This is as close as us rednecks get to lace stockings) The wine choices
are based on the best seller list from the major cities here in the
midwest. Her hull still won't have paint on at this point, so I don't
have to worry about the paint removable aspect of our wine choice. I
plan to go, "PLONK" on the anchor while it is on the anchor ramp. It is
a twenty pound navy, and is probably the only thing on the boat strong
enough to break the bottle.
As a side note, I'm just finishing the parallel arms upon which the
Birdwatcher pilot house, top hatch will pivot up and out of the way, and
have successfully completed one of the MJ type sponsons. It won't be
long now, and out of the garage she will come.
Thanks to all, Stan, Snow Goose.
Thats's easy - for a sailboat...RIPPLE!!
Jim (who suggests not breaking, but pouring it over the transom and
crew...)
Peter Vanderwaart wrote:
Jim (who suggests not breaking, but pouring it over the transom and
crew...)
Peter Vanderwaart wrote:
> > What wine is proper for the Christening, of a non sailing, motorized
> > Micro, red or white? (to bust over the bow, not to drink).
>
> I think the important point is to make sure you don't leave broken
> glass underfoot at a launching ramp. - Peter
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing, flaming, trolling, or spamming
> - no flogging dead horses
> - add something: take "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
> - stay on topic and punctuate
> - add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
> What wine is proper for the Christening, of a non sailing, motorizedI think the important point is to make sure you don't leave broken
> Micro, red or white? (to bust over the bow, not to drink).
glass underfoot at a launching ramp. - Peter
Hello Stan,
Well now,this is certainly one interesting question and speaks
well of your optimism regarding an imminent launching of your Mighty
Micro SNOW GOOSE!
The only proper way to attend to the christening of such a vessel
is to indeed locate one worthy slave(a vestal virgin,perhaps!?) and
allow her to cushion and grease the ways as the keel makes a run for
the water while squirting"special blood" all over the boat.However,in
this day and age,such manly shenanigans are highly frowned upon by
nearly every segment of society and those charged with attempting to
protect us from ourselves have legislated this as illegal.
So that pretty much leaves us with the equally shameful act of
heaving a bottle onto the prow,after invoking a few blessings from
deities various,thanking understanding neighbors,spouse(s),in-
laws,progeny and the fire department,only to observe bits of glass go
flying all over the place,a potentially fine drink going to waste and
perhaps some scratching of the vessel.
The question of whether to use white or red wine hardly matters!
As Chris mentioned,that white stuff approaches paint stripper and
only a barbarian would willfully pass up a fine glass of red.
However,you appear set on your course and despite advice to the
contrary,wish to baptize her with wine.To that end,may I suggest the
following:between now and the actual launch day,each time you are
called upon to attend a social function where wine is served,wait
around until the end and go about relieving the near empty bottles of
their dregs.Not in your mouth(!)but rather into a container suitable
for the task.Once a sufficient amount has been gathered to fill one
normal wine bottle,transfer the gathered dregs into this bottle and
cork it.Ideally,this will be a bottle from some grand and noble cru
(vineyard) of France,whose label has not been picked off.This will
undoubtedly impress the attendees of your launching when they spy the
bottle resting on the small table set up beside the as yet launched
SNOW GOOSE.You will be complemented on your impeccable taste!When the
critical moment arrives,gently and with some ceremony,slide said
bottle into a nylon stocking(I prefer black fine fishnet) and as the
closing words are proclaimed,maintain a firm grip on the bottles'
neck and let it strike the lower starboard side corner(if you are
right handed!) about 1/3 from the bottles' bottom.The breaking glass
will be contained by the stocking,the "wine" will run harmlessly onto
the ground and only you will know that no good wine has been wasted!
As an aside,the above mentioned concoction goes by the name
of"PLONK" and was something of a favorite amongst old
retired"seadogs" with salt for blood in the maritime city of
St.John,New Brunswick."Plonk" may have been the sound of falling
bodies as they hit the warf,in the fog,late at night.....
Hope this helps,Stan,and best of luck!Don't forget to post
pictures and give us all a full report!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,sniffing corks,on the shores of the
St.Lawrence........
Well now,this is certainly one interesting question and speaks
well of your optimism regarding an imminent launching of your Mighty
Micro SNOW GOOSE!
The only proper way to attend to the christening of such a vessel
is to indeed locate one worthy slave(a vestal virgin,perhaps!?) and
allow her to cushion and grease the ways as the keel makes a run for
the water while squirting"special blood" all over the boat.However,in
this day and age,such manly shenanigans are highly frowned upon by
nearly every segment of society and those charged with attempting to
protect us from ourselves have legislated this as illegal.
So that pretty much leaves us with the equally shameful act of
heaving a bottle onto the prow,after invoking a few blessings from
deities various,thanking understanding neighbors,spouse(s),in-
laws,progeny and the fire department,only to observe bits of glass go
flying all over the place,a potentially fine drink going to waste and
perhaps some scratching of the vessel.
The question of whether to use white or red wine hardly matters!
As Chris mentioned,that white stuff approaches paint stripper and
only a barbarian would willfully pass up a fine glass of red.
However,you appear set on your course and despite advice to the
contrary,wish to baptize her with wine.To that end,may I suggest the
following:between now and the actual launch day,each time you are
called upon to attend a social function where wine is served,wait
around until the end and go about relieving the near empty bottles of
their dregs.Not in your mouth(!)but rather into a container suitable
for the task.Once a sufficient amount has been gathered to fill one
normal wine bottle,transfer the gathered dregs into this bottle and
cork it.Ideally,this will be a bottle from some grand and noble cru
(vineyard) of France,whose label has not been picked off.This will
undoubtedly impress the attendees of your launching when they spy the
bottle resting on the small table set up beside the as yet launched
SNOW GOOSE.You will be complemented on your impeccable taste!When the
critical moment arrives,gently and with some ceremony,slide said
bottle into a nylon stocking(I prefer black fine fishnet) and as the
closing words are proclaimed,maintain a firm grip on the bottles'
neck and let it strike the lower starboard side corner(if you are
right handed!) about 1/3 from the bottles' bottom.The breaking glass
will be contained by the stocking,the "wine" will run harmlessly onto
the ground and only you will know that no good wine has been wasted!
As an aside,the above mentioned concoction goes by the name
of"PLONK" and was something of a favorite amongst old
retired"seadogs" with salt for blood in the maritime city of
St.John,New Brunswick."Plonk" may have been the sound of falling
bodies as they hit the warf,in the fog,late at night.....
Hope this helps,Stan,and best of luck!Don't forget to post
pictures and give us all a full report!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,sniffing corks,on the shores of the
St.Lawrence........
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, Stan Muller <smuller@i...> wrote:
> Hi All, Even though the Snow Goose isn't quite ready to get wet
yet, I
> don't want to wait 'till the last moment to have everything ready
for
> the big day.
> Sooooo.... The question is;
> What wine is proper for the Christening, of a non sailing, motorized
> Micro, red or white? (to bust over the bow, not to drink).
> Thanks for your help, Stan, Snow Goose
Stan Muller wrote:
effect being a Micro affects things...
But, unless you have a handy slave to tie to the lunch ramp and then run
the Micro over, splattering said slave's blood all over the bow and keel
for good luck, I would recommend sticking to a 'full-bodied' Red as the
nearest socially acceptable substitute... Using White would bring you
bad luck... besides which it is only useful as paint stripper :)
Cheers,
Chris
> What wine is proper for the Christening, of a non sailing, motorizedWell Stan, I am not in the position of being able to judge to what
> Micro, red or white? (to bust over the bow, not to drink).
effect being a Micro affects things...
But, unless you have a handy slave to tie to the lunch ramp and then run
the Micro over, splattering said slave's blood all over the bow and keel
for good luck, I would recommend sticking to a 'full-bodied' Red as the
nearest socially acceptable substitute... Using White would bring you
bad luck... besides which it is only useful as paint stripper :)
Cheers,
Chris
Hi All, Even though the Snow Goose isn't quite ready to get wet yet, I
don't want to wait 'till the last moment to have everything ready for
the big day.
Sooooo.... The question is;
What wine is proper for the Christening, of a non sailing, motorized
Micro, red or white? (to bust over the bow, not to drink).
Thanks for your help, Stan, Snow Goose
don't want to wait 'till the last moment to have everything ready for
the big day.
Sooooo.... The question is;
What wine is proper for the Christening, of a non sailing, motorized
Micro, red or white? (to bust over the bow, not to drink).
Thanks for your help, Stan, Snow Goose