Pat Mellema

Abe I measured mint and it is 2 1/2"

Chris That looks very nice

Yesterday evening I got Sanddragon out on the water. It was nice going out of the marina. When we got out at the lake there was absolutely no wind. we motored out to where we could see a little ripple in the water. The boat picks up on almost no wind. We sailed for a few minutes and decided we should head back. The wind picked up and we were moving along leaving a wake. Unfortunately the wind was coming directly out from where we were headed. I learned how to tack and we made good time. When we started up the chanel to the marina the battery died. I was thinking and put my canoe paddles in before I left. we ended up paddling the last mile. This morning I found my arm is a bit stiff from using muscles that haven't been used like that for a long time. I am thinking I am going to have to make some oars to row with. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

Scott I am currently up to two sailing vessels. I have my canoe that I put a 35 sq ft sail on and my weekender Sanddragon which I am going to take out on her maiden voyage on Friday afternoon.I have been out with the canoe a few times and liked sailing it. I am really looking forward to taking the weekender out and seeing how I did building her. The whole process of building a boat has been fun. now I don't know what I will do with my free time as the majer project is finished.

Brent I have been using 3M 4000 fast setting sealer. It seems to work well.

Styge remember kiss principle. It works best..

John Menards have stainless eyebolts thet are just over 1/2" eyes on them. That is what I used and they fit right with the tubing it calls for in the plans.

The boat is dark brown with a black keel the topside and rubrails are a yellow. The sails are brown. I found some brown polytarp and it looks good. I will try to take some pics during the daylight that will show the true colors Thank you all for the comments I was just wondering what everybody else did.

Frank thank you. I looked at that mess and said there has to be some way to clean this up but wasn't sure how to go about it. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

I was just wondering what everybody does with all the lines when they have the mast down for trailering. I have just finished rigging Sanddragon and found a lot of line that needs to be taken care of. but I am not sure what to do with it. any suggestions would be welcomed. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

Tyler Congratulations on your launching. I will get Sanddragon in the water sometime in the next week. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

congratulations Konrad sleep is gone for a long time :twisted:

Mike That is the one thing that gave me a little worry. I am planing to make a tarp out of poly that snaps onto the back of the raised seat backs so when it is stored so it will stay dry.I can also use it as a boom tent so we have more room away from the bugs that always show up when you are not moving.

Chris I have a feeling you will not be storing the boat in the garage as it is to long without the bowsprit.

Mark I am glad to see I am not the only one who raised the mast up 12'". I also raised the cabin 4" .The extra hieght in the mast should pose no problems with the location of the chainplates.

Florin That turned out great. I am glad to hear that hvlp sprayer worked well for you.

Ray Wouldn't it be easier to go through the cannal and go south west and skip the bad water around the cape.

Sorry guys but it is a full 24 hour plane ride from here and thats not couting layovers so I don't think I willl make it.

Wayne You have to take Robbo out and see what he is in for. It will br fun.

I have a trailer for sale . It was origanlly for a 14' Thompson runabout . I bought it thinking I could make it fit a weekender but it is to short. It would be fine for any of the smaller boats. I am asking $150 for it.

Charlie That sounds like a fun cruise. I know I will not be able to make but it sounds like fun. post some pics when you get back.

Thank you all for your responses. I was just wondering as I saw these while I was there getting more brushes for installing the glass. I am actually getting closer to being able to sail. I got the chainplates, the bowsprit and mast cut out this weekend. I put the first coat of varnish on the bowsprit and it looks nice.

Has any one tried using the painters dropcloth material for a sail. I was in Lowes the other day and found they have a 12x15 canvas paint drop cloth which is washable and is 8-9 oz cloth. It seems to be a good stout cloth and should work for sails on the weekender. I have run the sail plan and you could get the full sail out of this size piece. I was wondering if anybody has tried this material.

Mark If you have a Menards the tool shop ssanders they have are great . The bearings go out about half way through the sanding on the boat but they give you a 1 year warrenty. I had them replace mine about the time I finished the bottom of the boat. You just have to bring it back to the store . If you are using epoxy you will go through at least one of this type of sander. I have used up one and the second one is getting tired so I may take it back as well.

Mark I wish I would have followed Barreys nethod of finishing. I assembeled minr and masked it off.I did have some blead under the masking tape. I used recycled mahogany from an old boat that didn't have enoogh of the bottom left to salvage it . The old boat was built in 1949 and the only thing holding the keel on it was the fiberglass. I may build another boat like it as I liked the design of it. It was an open canoe type and looked like it would have been fun to sail.