Don Silsbe
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Posts posted by Don Silsbe
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Robert: I thought LA was the low point. Sorry, bad midwestern joke. We plan to do an out west trip in 2018 & 9, including Yosemite. We do have our granite monoliths as well. Locally, Looking Glass Mt. and Table Rock come to mind. Oh, and they have that Stone Mt. thing down in GA, too. They're still around, cuz they are the parts that are hardest to wear out. LOL
Chick: I think an Austrian mess-about would be an excellent idea. Shall we cross in your boat or mine?
Let's get back to mess-about talk. I hope that next year we have more powerboats.
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Dave (Hirlonde): I see the problem. On this forum, the word "Southern" was omitted. On our Facebook page, we do make a geographical distinction.
Robert (Snoring Tiger): Not to worry, snoring is considered an art form in these parts. I am familiar with young, "alpine" mountains. I have driven to the peak of Mt. Evans (el. 14,260'), taken a gondola to near the top of the Dachstein in Austria (el. 9,826'. In photo, upper right.). The Rocky Mts. cheat, because they're "built" on a mile-high foundation. These are all "real" mountains, but they are youngsters. The Appalachian range is their great grandfather. They are mature, and not concerned with showing off, like the youngsters do.
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I never thought of smoking possum skins. Do you use regular Zig-Zag papers, or something else?
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That weather photo you posted makes me homesick for the Great Lakes. I've had some good times sailing a Catalina 27 in conditions like that. Throw up the 170, bury the rail, and hang on!
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Can you give me a link or suggestion regarding the LED trailer lights? Sounds like the way to go.
Oops, never mind. they are easily found.
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Dave: Y'all kin do whatever yinz wants. That's one reason we called it the Southern Appalachian Mess-About; cuz some Yankee mighta got some high-flautin' idees. I think it's a good idea for you to have one in the Northeast, too. Go for it! (I am originally from Michigan, and have only lived in NC for 8 years, btw.)
Chick: I think the word "hillbilly" carries too many negative connotations. It's sort of like the Confederate flag-- it means different things to different people, not all good. Thanks for the compliment on the Friday night meal. It was just some burger and some beans, so the cost was low-- our treat!
Robert: Y'all might have the "real" mountains (that is up for debate, however), but we have the oldest mountains (geological fact). If you want to land in a real bed prior to the main event, you are welcome to occupy our guest bedroom.
Chick and I will target the same time-frame for next year (late-April), unless someone has another suggestion. OK?
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With the memories of this year's Southern Appalachian Mess-About fresh in our minds, let me ask you all a few questions.
1. I think we had a good time, and want to do this again next year, right?
2. Same location, or different? Don Rausch and I checked out a campground nearby, run by the Corps of Engineers. The campsites were gorgeous, but the shoreline was all lined with steel-caged rip-rap. (Gotta love the CoE.) We also considered gathering near the boat launch (at the park where we were this year). But it looks like the geese also like this area, as evidenced by their "calling cards ".
3. It has been suggested that we get the word out better by having it mentioned in publications like Duckworks' magazine and the Messing About in Boats magazine. Other p.r. suggestions?
4. Any other suggestions, to make next year bigger and better?
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I hear you, regarding getting sawdust all over your wife's car. It happens here on a regular basis. For scarfing, I use either a standard hand plane, or the routing jig shown in the attached photo. I like the hand plane for this, over my power planer, simply because it is a slower, more controlled process. (Key word here being "slower".) What I don't like about the router jig is that you need to make successive passes AND scoot the jig from side to side. It does provide a nice, precise angle, though. The plane provides a smoother surface than the router jig does. But the joint is concealed under thickened epoxy, so nobody sees the lumps and bumps. Just make sure you remove any high spots with an 80 grit sanding block, if you use the router. The epoxy takes care of any low spots.
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Why not put a bottom on that box, that the battery will rest on? You could then latch (or bungee) the box you've shown above to it. The weight of the battery will keep the step securely in place. Just a thought.
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We had a couple of May weddings, back in our home state of Michigan. Since we weren't pulling the travel trailer this time, I was able to take my boat. This allowed me to fish and sail some home waters. Here's a video I took of my solo sail on Lake Erie. This was taken in La Plaisance Bay, near Monroe, MI. It was an offshore breeze, which kicked up a typical Lake Erie chop. So, in spite of the fact that my snotters needed a tug (it was windier than I thought it would be), here's a video for your enjoyment.
https://youtu.be/KHGVhMcer8I and https://youtu.be/QEW7WNreBqY
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Ken Potts-- I appreciate your input on my mizzen rig, but I must tell you that I've completely changed it. There was simply too much fuss & friction for a mizzen. I recalled Graham saying something to the effect that sheeting the mizzen is almost always a secondary action, and much less important than messing with the main. My set-up also seemed to have enough friction in it to prevent easy, fluid adjustment. Seemed like I was always having to push the sail forward, to ease the mizzen. I've gone back to Graham's simple set-up for the mizzen, and like it much better. I thought it would be a hassle reaching aft, to make adjustments. But the clam cleat is right by my leg, most of the time. I'm thinking of starting a new thread on the subject of "Rigging the Cat Ketch", in hopes that we would all share our variations of rigging. What do y'all think of this? I've got several nuances to share. I've already seen several of yours at earlier mess-abouts. It might be good for those still building, to have a collection of ideas to pick from.
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I've just completed a Bay River Skiff, which I love. But I also look longingly at the CS17 MkIII. It is a well thought out design-- nimble and accommodating. I would love to have one, to go cruising and exploring. But Graham's advice is spot-on. You need to consider how you'll use the boat. Will you be daysailing, or going on overnight cruises? Are you going to take a bunch of people out for a sail? PAR is right-- you'd give up a lot of cockpit space, if you opted for the cabin version. The stability that comes with the water ballast makes a big difference, too. It's not an easy choice. But it still boils down to how you're going to use your boat. For me, the BRS15 is the perfect boat. I sail inland waters most of the time. I also use the boat for fishing. And while distant shores still occasionally beckon, I do know that I've made the right choice. For me, at least.
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Man, that's a pretty boat! Well done!
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Thanks, Jim. I'm very happy with the outcome.
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Alex-- It's a light air technique. Rolling the hull up onto the leeward chine reduces wetted surface. It also helps the sails maintain shape; this is particularly important when there's a lot of wave action. With all the bass and pontoon boats on Lake Hartwell, we had a lot of prop wash.
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Don R did indeed find some dry, warm clothing. He also got an adult-sized sleeping bag, so he had a good night's sleep last night. Today, Don and I were gunkholing around in my truck, and discovered another campground. The campsites are awesome, but there's no beach for us to assault with our boats. I'm thinking that we should stay with Sadler's Creek next year. What do y'all think about meeting at the beach over by the launch, instead of the long sail to the beach we used this weekend?
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Finally, I got some action photos of my Garelick EZ-in boarding ladder. It works great. You just need to be careful where you place it, so it clears both the seat top and seat side. (I continue to have problems posting iPhone photos taken in the Portrait orientation. Sorry!)
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I used PAR's mod's on my BRS15 build. I love it! It clears the area nicely. Sure, the original set-up is simple, but it clutters up the crew's area.
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Sorry to hear about your rudder, Action Tiger. We'll post photos, and hope you can come next year.
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I'm a sucker for a blue boat. She is gorgeous! Take lots of photos at the messabout next weekend. You should have at least three Mk III's to look over.
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My wife and I will be there starting Wednesday and leaving on Monday. I have multiple trips to make-- one for the boat and one for the trailer. But we should be settled in nicely by Friday.
I suggest that we all bring our VHF marine radios. That might be the easiest way to keep in contact with one another. I'll turn mine on Friday afternoon, ch 16.
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Happy to help!
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I think Steve W wants to use it as a diving board! LOL.
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How 'bout a fly-in messabout, Robert? I'll pick you up at the airport. (GSP) We'll be messin' about from 10:00-5:00, EDT on Saturday, and who knows what on Sunday. (Don't forget the time difference!)
Epoxy creep
in B & B Yachts Forum
Posted
Bill, I don't know about you, but when they call me an Epoxy Creep, I wear it with a badge of honor.