merrimange

Sorry for the delay out of town. No delam at all. I simply got beam to the wind when a microburst hit and scared me to death, flipped over and I then righted the boat. Took on a good deal of water. 2 hours later, I drilled a plug as I didn't have one in the transom. Been garage kept, just need a heavy keel boat. Old saying is so true, rain before wind, better go in, ( Not to mention the 12 year olds in sunfish who caused me to go in irons).

Buying a Catalina, loved my weekender. Sails etc. included. yellow and white, not bad at all, but no perfect woodbuilder boat. No leaks to speak of. Sail away condition. Only real need is plugs, which the holes I created after it rained on me heavily. Been generally garage kept. Sailed it say 15 times. Needs some subtle to gee whiz projects to make ideal, but truly not bad. Make offer. Live in Franklin, TN. I have a reasonably good converted bass boat trailer worth say $500. I'd be glad to send pics, but probably only makes sense for folks in the area.

how about a unprecedented messing-about .com gathering we plan whereby we put say 50 guys at it at one time and build something along these lines. Kind of a take on the build a home in 48 hours concept. I know I know, the curing takes time, the paint has to dry, etc. - but work with me, okay.

my weekender, but thinking about the next project. I had the patience made the lists, but hated it and wanted to get done more quickly and efficienty - thus the hull/mold concept. It is amazing how "bored" you feel after building that thing. I like being bored for now though.

Me trying to make a buck at boatbuilding ranks up there with getting paid to play golf and drink beer in probability. Nice dream though. Can you buy just hulls anywhere?

Thanks for the feedback. I was between honey dos and trying to think outside the wooden box so to speak. No real end goal in mind just curious.

By sacrilege, I meant there are some great boat builders on this website who build beautiful wooden boats, grand piano types. Since I launched my boat, I can now consider myself at another level, but still humble in my new found abilities and wouldn't want to offend some of the fine folks who helped me out through difficult times by speaking of an "easy way out". I guess you'd say I like to take shortcuts and lack patience. Maybe a function of my age (mid 30s). But, I did survive the first go round. I now am in complete love of sailing but it is enhanced by having built a boat to sail in. The weekender is a perfect little boat to sail. If only it could be built faster and easier ( though some say it is easy ) - all relative to the experience level I presume. Thus, my question of a mold. The thought being once the hull is complete, it is somewhat downhill and not to mention it takes all of those restless apprehensions of leaks, airbubbles, etc. out of the equations (for the most part). In looking back, it seems like no big deal, but the first steps as I recall were quite difficult. Thanks and I appreciate more feedback on this topic.

This may be sacrilege on this site though not intended to be, but i was curious on the possibility and difficulty of creating a fiberglass hull for the weekender. I built mine by the book, but knowing what I know now I wonder if it could have been done differently, say through female molds etc. There seems to be so many composite materials available to make it strong, smoother, and perhaps more cost effective - though I am completely blind on that statement. Thanks.

http://weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/centmissvly.php#tabs I saw this link recommended in the recent "Sailing" magazine. You can change your region. Seems like a good site. Curious if anyone found a better site for weather, windspeed predictions. I don't live on the coast so this appears to be all that's available for me.

Man - this forum keeps getting better and better. I really appreciate the experience out there. I think I was doing most things wrong, so good stuff for me to dwell on. It seems like most of the best methods for light winds aren't intuitive or logical. I am going to do a little research before I post any dumb questions about the "best" design for a topping lift. I've sailed enough to know that taking the sails up and down is quite painful, so it can help there also.

Ray - thanks a bunch for your feedback. Couple of clarifications for light winds: 1. I lace the foot of my main to the boom - you mean loosen the clue / outhaul right or is that comparable? 2. seating arrangement - by leeward rail, you mean rail farthest from the wind - reverse of what you typically or naturally do in higher winds? I hear you on the beverage - I enjoyed it, but I don't have an outboard yet and was accustomed to moving at least some in a keel boat. So, when I went nowhere, It was troubling to me. THANKS!

I've sailed probaby 6 or 7 times now in Sol Rayo. 5 or 6 times have been great as I watch the weather and wind speed extremely close. I have never had a problem sailing her. She tacks fine, and I normally sit on the windward side of the boat (I think I read that here or in the plans). I normally go when winds are at least 8 mph - have been pretty good at timing. However, last night was the first time I had two people in extremely light winds. I weigh 170 and my wife is 125. So, we are no Krispy Kremers. The forecast said 9 to 10 knots (WRONG by far). Note I've sailed w/ 2 people but had 8 to 10 mph winds before. That's when I noticed the lateral "drift" or leeway (I think that is the right term ) where the boat wouldn't sail at all near the wind ( again - almost no wind, maybe 1 to 2 mph at best). Generally only went where the wind pushed. But - you still should sail some though right? At least I have in other boats - I realize what a boat without a Keel now feels like in light winds. My questions relates to LIGHT WINDS: 1) what angle to the wind can you get? 2) where should we position for optimal sai?l 3) would weight forward help the small Keel "catch" and reduce the leeway effect? Other: Has this leeway been happening all the time in moderate to Heavy winds, or does my sail shape correct this? Thanks as always.

Sounds like you got it under control. Most of those things probably happen to us all at some point. You don't know what to expect until you sail it, then you get the understanding needed to correct it. Enjoy!

Replaced the cheek face plate and used steel straps to secure the problems I had with the rudder housing. Tacks fine and Sails great. Winds at 5 to 8, loving every minute of it. For folks having trouble with tacks, I tried the "kegging" I think that is what it is called where you whip the rudder back and forth with the tiller to gain, sort of a prop effect, to encourage the tack on through. Works fine.

Had 20 mph gusts today. Consistently 10 to 15 - really solid feel, without the heel I was expecting in that kind of wind. EXCEPT, 1/2 into the sail, the cheek mounting spacer tore. My oh my it was fun before that happened. Had considerable weather helm. This baby sails good, except without a rudder. I knew I should have used hard wood on that. Got a friendly tow. Tough on the pride - But I will fix it better, now that I know the weak spots. I am gonna ditch the club foot, It is just not responsive to tacking that fast, I'm used to yanking the sheet over quick to help my tack, this club foot works but it is not quick enough to grab air and help the tack like I'd prefer. Bud - I'll send you some contact info - Sounds like a good time. I work in Chattanooga quite a bit - so no biggie on the miles.

Thanks again Frank - your work on this site and dedication is fantastic. My winter to do minimums are as follows: 1) finish the inside, may put a net hammock in there, still debating the portholes, I kind of like it without them so far. 2) install my fuse panel and battery and light kit 3) have a plug in for the trolling motor and mount the motor itself. It really only needs a little bit of wind to move her though. Our sail marina is small and only a short distance to wind. 4) install a downhaul for comfort - clean up my spaghetti using a mast canvas and tarp, maybe put all controls to the cockpit. 5) optimize the rigging, use harkin blocks. That peak halyard is intriguing me on how to get it "right". The hardware store blocks work but definitely not the greatest "feel" 6) Maybe trade for a smaller trailer meant more for my boat as opposed to what I've "designed" from a larger one. As you might could tell, I chose the fastest route to get her water ready and sailable, but maybe that's typical. IF I ever build another one, I'll go for the salty look and use the patience thereon, but I really wanted to sail more than build. She's fine now and once you sail her, you get over all those uncertainties you had building. But, boy I suddenly feel bored all the sudden on not having to "do" something. Boredom will be good for a while. Guess I to a degree know what Oyster's been saying now. My wife was about ready to kill me if kept on at my pace. I'm gonna try to take her out again today, if we can get some wind here in the Music City.

I'm in Nashville, TN. seep might have been from the mast box, and "rolled" back, not sure very slight though. I really have only one sample, but my rudder is from a 2X2 poplar at home depot which I trimmed, routed, and belt sanded for hand comfort at "just the right" spot. It measures 36 inches, say 32 from the rear of transom. I haven't had it in heavy winds, but feels really solid as I beefed up the cheeks and used 1/2 inch threaded rod for connection. Felt very solid. I really like the feel of the tiller and don't think it sticks out that far to be honest as it relates for space. I built my per plans, so I really think you only want about two in the cockpit anyways. From what I've read on the boards, I was very fearful of how it would tack, but it was really no big deal. I absolutely can't wait until a 15 mph wind day. Oh boy.

was already picking up admirers and "unbelievers" when I told them I built it. (1st picture)

Thanks to all on this forum. I couldn't have got here without you. Boy it feels good to sail her, makes it all worthwhile. What a project to take on. But, really really gratifying. I didn't do the fancy woodwork stuff for finishing, chose strength and paint in most cases and used the fiberglass cloth and resin as per plans. She's bright yellow and white, the good thick oil base paint covered most blemishes I was concerned about before - looks pretty good if I do say so. I'll send closeups when I get my better camera. Test sail went absolutely great. Sailed for about an hour and a half. Had 5-10mph winds, very swift response in light winds. Most if all tacks went find except in very very light wind - my fault. It has a good "feel" when you catch a good puff. Still have some cosmetic things and inside cabin to complete but that'll be winter now that she sails. Gonna call her Sol Rayo. Tiller was a good call, great response and I must have shaped the rudder good. The boat has a slightly stronger weather helm than I'm used to but felt fine if you set the sails correct (as in most boats, but particularly important with that big main)- seems to be in her sweet spot when you let the main out closer to the sidestays where it handled well and took the pressure of the rudder (I think that's the sail "shaping" of the gaff I haven't been exposed to before). She loves the beam and broad reach. Close hauled just fine though. Thanks to Frank for the main sheet set up given the tiller. Don't love the club foot, but works for now, would prefer two sheet controls which I'm used to. Had a slight seep of water in the cabin - wouldn't even call it a puddle and I think I know where it came from as I had a few fiberglass troublespots on the hull plyboard edge, though small seeps can be big I suspect. So I'll try to find a good outside seal gel or something for that. Again, thanks all!

guys thanks alot. I'm test launching this weekend - been working all hours. question - what is a fiddle block?

Frank - that link helps considerably - didn't realize it was there. Good stuff. I don't mind a heavier "pull" raising the mast, as it is infrequent, so I'm not seeing a major reason beyond that that it wouldn't work. Though, I think in reading your response though that it puts more pressure on the eyebolt at the gaff jaws, versus where plans call for a block attached to the eyebot then back to the "becket" on the mast. I think I understand the "purchase" vocabulary you describe and on the link.

Instead of having two blocks then to a "becket" at the throat, could you simply have a block on the mast pulling to a "becket"/eyebolt on the gaff, - it seems it would allow further height say a couple or more inches compared to the two block set up per plans. That couple of inches goes quite a long ways for sail shape and mast height? What's the catch if I do it that way? I do have the recommended "spreader" on, so sidestays are not a hinderance. Thanks in advance. Test launch next weekend.

Is it me or do the last few weeks (I think) of trying to complete the weekender turn into a constant focus of your thoughts which leads to midnight or after garage time - It's all good though as long as my wife and kids don't leave me. Just an observation.

On the last lap so thought I'd consider outsourcing as this seems to be the component of most concern for my building skills (or lack of) - Anybody interested in building me a rudder and tiller system to complete my weekender? I would expect the best practices or lessons learned to be a part of the design, but not expecting perfect mahogany, just good longevity and performance.

haven't seen this on the website - thank you! In last stages and panicked.