Thrillsbe

I thought the ring was my original idea! LOL. I wanted to play with it first, though, before mentioning it. That’ll wait until later next month, because I’m off on other adventures at the moment. But my thought was not to use shock cord or any sort of elastic in the system. I was hoping that the weight of the ring and locating the other end of the ring tether would provide a good solution. Let’s compare notes at the Messabout!

Some of you are aware of how I love to sail in the prone position. Two Bits has presented me with a new angle— diagonally! This is a fun little dink. I hope you take her for a sail at this fall’s Messabout.

Congratulations, Pete! Happy sailing!

This is gonna be good!

Good to hear! An out-of-position rudder is all it takes. One of the things I love about these boats is the options you have for sail trim. When I’ve got heavy weather helm, I know that something’s wrong. Keep racing!

I have the same problem, and I’ll bet it is widespread. One solution is to add a boomkin like Graham did on Carlita. I’m not quite to that point. I’ve been sailing with my mizzen blocks on 8” tethers, as shown in the photo (please zoom in). It is not enough— the mizzen sheet still gets fouled on the ‘Zuki. The next step would be to move the sheet attachment off the clew of the sail, and forward 10-12” on the sprit. I don’t want to do this, because it loads the tip of the sprit in a way it wasn’t designed to be loaded. I would expect to have the tip shear off in a blow. That would not be fun. I’m not sure where to head with the problem next. But I wanted you to know that you’re not alone. Maybe as a troubleshooting team we can figure something out.

I agree with Joe. It should not have failed. Besides the punk wood theory, may I ask why you had such a heavy helm? Sail and centerboard trim should reduce the stresses on the tiller in the future. (Please forgive me for asking.)

Congrats on the anniversary. Yeah, you gotta keep Momma happy.

Yes, Paul, it is incredible how easy the parts drop together. Also, I got her out under sail power today. It as pretty calm after a thundercloud went through. Then it piped up. Holy Cow! I need to improve my snotter system, but golly Moses was I honking! I think it was because I relocated the pennant. Again, my video upload failed. Oh well...

I launched Two Bits today, and it was great. I got to row her, and motor her. The winds were gusting over 20, so I chickened out on the sailing bit. The Quick Connect hardware worked great. I can’t wait to sail her, but that will probably have to wait a day or two. This forum doesn’t like the taste of my videos. You’ll find them on Facebook today, and eventually on YouTube. But here are some photos.

Actually, Paul, it’s more of a fishing seat than a rowing seat. But I did bring my favorite set of oars. Hope to launch her on Friday.

She’s loaded up, and ready for our trip to Michigan.

We have a house guest from Japan right now. It’s keeping me from launching. We will leave for Cadillac, MI on Wednesday. She’ll probably get launched first on that camping trip. That would be most appropriate, anyway. That’s her main purpose in life. Here’s a funny story for y’all. My friend Shohei Toyoda comes from Japan every July for a week. We make it a point to go for a sail in my BRS15 every year. July in the Carolina foothills, this usually means light and variable winds. When we get becalmed, as we did yesterday, I hand my crew the paddle. So, yesterday, my boat was not powered by a Suzuki, but by a Toyoda.

By the way, my BRS15 rows like a dream.

The rig is off another boat I made. What do you think— should I cut a few inches off the bottom of the mast? It makes sense, but I’m reluctant to— these spars are made of Sitka Spruce, and are as light as a feather.