mrthethird

"Fer Hecks sakes", Ken, come on out. I'll bring out the Pearl

Might as well put me down too. Weekender Mini Cup

This will floor Barry... I would use marine grade Meranti plywood in hull areas, rather than the ACX. The ACX I used is fine, and I expect no problems from it. However, after the huge construction-grade lumber price jump after Katrina, Meranti (Aquatek) is only marginally more expensive. And I would find a way to spray on the finish, rather than "roll and tip" it.

Thanks for askin' The deck is western red cedar, a very light, very soft wood. I picked through the fencing material to find the multi-colored stuff. It is 1/4" thick by 3/4" wide strips, glued down with "subfloor and decking" construction adhesive and staples. Once the adhesive dried, I removed the staples. The compass rose on the cabin is Lyptus and maple, glued on the same way. Because the cedar is so soft, it was necessary to harden the surface. I filled all voids with epoxy thickened with cedar dust from my belt sander (100 grit belt), then glassed the deck with 6 oz. fiberglass. Three coats of aircraft grade polyurethane enamel (it was cheaper than automotive clear coat, about half the price), and it was all done. The whole process looks like it was harder than it was, really. A little creative planning, and the pattern possibilities are endless.

How tight are these shrouds supposed to be on a weekender? I'm not really looking for tension gauge reading, but are they hand tightened, or "really cranked down with a wrench" tight?

Thanks, Frank. Works fine now.

Thanks, dingo. Last I heard from you, you were havin' issues with yer wheel. Good to have you back, and glad to hear you're spending less time in the hole

Ok, I'm logged in, I post photos to my gallery. I can see the thumbnails, but when I click on the pictures, They won't display. I turned off my firewall, antivirus, and set my privacy level to "0" (or "O" like OMG). What am I doing wrong here?

Like adla afore mentioned, I launched "Mini Pearl" Saturday. Showed up at Yuba lake still needing to rig the sails. Spent a couple of hours lacing the main and hanking the jib, then backed her down to the water for the ceremonial stuff. It was then that the wind died. Thanks to all of you that helped by pitching in your awesome advice. It wouldn;t have happened near as fast without you guys.

Out of the garage, and onto the trailer. This boat is supposed to go in the water Saturday..... Wish me luck.

wAHoO!!! Can't wait fer the pics!!!!

That pirate frog ROCKS!!! Can't wait to see the finished product!

The glass bead idea hit the skids.... It isn't clear, but has a slight blue-green tint to it. Ugly. So I picked up a Martha Stewart ( )sponge roller for the entry rail areas and the seats. If that doesn't work, I'll have to do without.

To calm the nerves, I plan on applying no-skid, in the form of glass bead, only to the entry points of the cockpit. I'm making a mock-up of the glass bead no-skid, and I'll post a photo as soon as it's done. I hadn't thought of the forepeak and the jib....may have to carry some mats for emergencies if the glass bead thing doesn't look REAL good

I just about got all the paint on I'm gonna get this season. Just got the no-skid left, and the cabin interior, which will be white. And the port hole covers...

Dave beat me to it....That is what I would recommend. No sense in cutting the deck up. And no need for a second shim, use the fall-off from the first cut.

Ok, last shot of the compass until launch. :roll: Got all the stripping done. Opened up the area under the seats for stowage of oars und stuf. And dry-fitted the bow sprit and bits. Good thing there's chocks, cuz I was off center 3/8"... :oops:

Steering rigged and tested: Rudder rigged and tested as well: On to the seats, which have been nagging at me for months now... :oops:

I wanna go sailing THERE!!! awesome pics

I'm glad you took the fall on that one, Greg. Thanks :oops:

Got the hull painted now, getting closer every day... Back to work on the inlay... Movin' fast now!!!

Just kicking around an idea, looking for some input from the slightly educated or better I am playing around with the idea of a 22' - 24' sharpie with a twin centerboard. The idea is to increase windward performance and overall stability, while keeping as shallow a draft as possible. The centerboards would be able to be set at variable depths, as well. I got the idea from looking at some twin-keeled boats. I do not know if the idea has enough merit to pursue any farther, hence the post.

Yup, got tell-tales for the sails, myself. But, looking at the boats in the GSL marina, I noticed the masthead flies as well. Not an instrument I plan on sole dependency, just another source of input. And another little project. Thanks to all for the awesome input. Brit

That's cool. I wonder if I could make it look like a salmon fly.... Thanks, Barry.