Paul356

That looks terrific, Amos. Very handsome!

Very nice. Looks like the real deal. Many good ideas I plan to steal.

that looks terrific.

Yes, I find that someone comes in and misplaces my tools even when I'm right there to keep an eye on them.

With the sprits, the snotter should force the new foot of the sail tight more or less regardless of where the block on the sprit is located in relation to the cringle, as long as your snotter is adjustable and tightened when you reef.

Nice name. Very evocative. This way, we'll always picture you out in the mythical lost cove we're all always looking for with our little craft. Plus it's nice the way it fits in your string of earlier names. I have a hard time think of a boat or even a big warship as anything but a she, but that's just me.

It finally turned warm here. Everyone's gone sailing, I think.

"Micro Power Cruiser": so this is kind of where you're headed?

I will say with a bit of embarrassment that even if you measure and drop strings and crawl around on ladders and level trailers and do all those other things until you think everything is perfect, your mast angle may not end up where you think it was going to. And I will say with some satisfaction that the 17 seems to sail perfectly fine regardless, probably for the reasons Ken just mentioned. The adjustments available with the two sails are such that a slight displacement in the center(s) of effort appear to be easily -- really unconsciously -- adjusted for.

the varnish i used did not darken it more than the epoxy, or i guess not noticeably. not sure if you've epoxied yours yet? pretty much what you see with epoxy is what you'll get with varnish on it, i'd say. the okume grain patterns can vary, so yours may just have a different look to it, i suppose.

Hi, Steve, The transom is okume , as supplied by Graham in the kit. The only treatment is epoxy coating, followed by a layer of glass applied with further clear epoxy, then varnish.

Another vote for bright transom. A layer of glass should be no obstacle.

You could use a rabbet plane horizontally on the deck edges, possibly a block plane if there's a slight gap above the rub rails. I mention rabbet plane because it does not need a gap. Set the plain for a very slim cut, essentially fuzz. Take it slow, work from aft to bow to allow for the grain. It should work out well.

28 degrees F here this morning. Your pictures are a good antidote. Thanks for sharing.

what a great adventure. thanks for sharing.

That's the fun stuff. Looking like real progress.

Yow. No fun. Take care.

Both, actually, I guess. I can certainly set it out in the house when not afloat, but my plan is to take it along cruising on the 17, fit it in on the main thwart or along the keel somewhere. Or probably move it around as I move around.

Fighting the winter doldrums: March is the worst month, for sure. Aha! I had an old pedestal compass from the big boat, and some scraps of teak, so a box compass seemed in order. I removed the Danforth's covers (which had made it impossible to read standing up, anyway), made a hole, fiddled with some rabbets, made a box, and now I have a box compass. Can't wait for real spring.

Swimboy's post from Watertribe. Good seamanship in difficult conditions: “A small squall hit just as I was getting a bridge to open near Overhaul Inlet. Tacting back and forth, calling the bridge tender 4 or 5 times to respond, he finally started to open the bridge and as I had a controled jibe, a big gust pushed me over. With the high wind and tide, my boat slowly turned turtle and got masts stuck in the mud. Had to swim away from the boat to grab my waterproof bag with my phone, debit card, license, etc. and swam back to the boat. Police help arrived. I was not injured. The boat was turned back upright but it took 2 boats and 3 1/2 hours. Wind was still strong at that time. Got towed to Overhaul public boat ramp where I stayed for 2 1/2 days until I could get transportation. Thanks to all who followed and helped during this amazing adventure. A special thanks to Paula [Martel, of Watertribe] for all her help. I'll do a follow up on the expedition.”

Very nice. Love those stools, even if they don't float well. What a great setup you have.

I did it kind of like Chick -- bottom first, to the chines, and then sides -- but he says it and does it much better. I wetted out the ply first (but see his discussion above and on his page). I wetted out first so I could make sure the ply was wet, and since I had precut the cloth and all, didn't really have much trouble getting the cloth back where I want it. I had rolled it up on a tube and then unrolled it back out. FWIW.

Great job, you two. Once again. (How's mom?)

1 day and 13 hours makes a lot more sense. Thanks for correction. A death: tragic. I'd heard about the trimaran turtling. He was 'way out in front, then he went over and was done, rescued by the Coast Guard. As you say, lots of stories in this one. Looking forward to hearing from Alan.

Alan and Dad finished the 300 miles in 3 minutes under 48 hours. Crazy fast. This is them pulling into the finish, having just doused their roller-spin. They were the third boat overall to finish. First in was a multi-hull in the incredible time of 13 hours, 40 min. Second in was the custom 22, in 39 hrs, 31 min. The only other boat to finish so far is another multi-hull, in 48 hrs, 25 min. So a terrific showing by the CS. A few more multihulls have made it to checkpoint 3, but no other monohulls.