jsalamon

Thanks, PAR. What exactly do you mean by "thickened goo?"

Thanks Thrillsbe. About that B&B forum. Do you mean BYYB? I've browsed it and saw those threads you mentioned. I also signed up but it still says it's waiting for activation. I've tried twice but have gotten no email notification. Also, my boat doesn't have a cockpit drain installed yet, but a quarter inch hole was drilled into the bottom near the transom after its last use. What's the best way to fix this, or can a drain be installed there?

I appreciate your comments very much, PAR. Being a designer you should know your stuff, and you seem familiar with the weekender. Therefore, I'll probably get a 2HP engine. As for my mishap, it's still a mystery to me. I think the biggest culprit might be the rudder. The line slipped on the cleat and it wasn't down all the way. We (me and two of my brothers) were in light winds, in a river, and a gust of wind caught us. I turned up into it but as the boat heeled over the boom dug into the water and seemed to pull us over. We were barely moving to begin with and it's my understanding that Weekender, because of its design, needs momentum to work properly. I know how to sail, but have little experience. My dad and I had it out briefly that day and all went well (can't remember if the rudder was down or not, but that line and cleat design wasn't working well for us that day.)

I don't know anyone who could take me out and teach me. I plan to take lessons at the UW Wisconsin Hoofers club soon. My dad built the boat but is in a nursing home now. I took it out once, on it's maiden voyage, and it rolled over. Luckily he wasn't in it at the time. Later I learned that the weekender is not for the novice. It then sat for about two years, because of my dad's failing health. I sort-of rescued it before it wasted away, no one else wanted it. I will sail this boat! But I also want a motor for a little cruising without sail. What's the biggest I should get that can be put on the wooden mount?

Thanks, Ken. I have seen from posts in the BYYB forums that 4 and 5hp motors have been used on weekenders, but it seems that all have either mounted a bracket, or built a well. I like the well idea, but my time and skills are limited. My dad had the skills, but maybe I'll attempt it this fall. I was hoping to buy such a motor and use the boat's wooden mount for now, when not sailing it. Any further advice, anyone?

My dad gave me his Weekender which he built just a few years ago. However, I have very little experience sailing and plan to take classes soon. Meanwhile I was wondering what size gas engine I could put on it, and could I use the wooden motor mount it already has?