MikeStevenson

Yep, a lot of nice and helpful folks. Where abouts in SoCal (roughly)? I'm down in San Diego this week, and will be down this way more often as we're moving stuff yet again. I'm looking for more local sailing partners now that I'll have a boat again (two, actually, as a friend wants a SuperSkipjack too, so I'm going to do two at once.) It'd be nice to build up a California group of boats, or at least try and actually join in with the intriguingly active Southwest group... Mike

Sorry to hear you had a rough day of it. I second Tim's post: These are light-air, dinghy/dory-type boats and need to be sailed as such. I had a wake-up sail two weeks ago in the new Super SkipJack prototype: the wind went from a fun 9-15 knots to steady 22 with gusts (checked the local wind records later...) in about 30 min. Suddenly it was all I could do to keep ahead of it. By myself, no reef points, no room to tack, rail under, etc. I was running on jib mostly, with the main as spilled as needed, and very happy to slam back into the ramp area having stayed mostly dry. A good lesson for setting my own rig up with a quick reefing arrangement if possible, and better sheet routing. Stay in light airs until you've accumulated some sailing time! I was too rusty to be trying that...and if you're new to this, work your way up in sailing conditions slowly. I'll certainly be a little more respectful next time, especially with the extra sail (comparatively) that this new boat has. Mike

Hi, Yeah, it is pretty much a scaled-down Weekender without the cabin. However: We've lightened things and come up with a MUCH lighter composite rig arrangement (25 lbs, about, with sails.) The new Super Skipjack is really light; Peter and I did a test and he and I can lift the ready-to-sail boat off the trailer with one of us at each end. (rig, lifejackets, tools, paddles, the whole bit!!) I don't have a hanging scale handy, but it has to weigh in around 250 or so WITH GEAR! So: I would suggest getting the plans and joining the fun! I am really looking forward to setting up some races with this boat soon. I have two or three boats lined up to build in the SF Bay Area and Monterey Bay (close enough to be the same region, really.) I may go ahead and start on a second one for a friend in my area when I get this one I'm doing now out from Texas. I hope to start driving west in about a week and a half. By the way, Peter and I have really been fine-tuning the plans (having the prototype sitting next to this one is a real boon!) and have adjusted dimensions, come up with new methods, and we think this set of plans should be very clean and easy to follow. I hope this helps clarify things a little. Mike

Certainly, as before with the tapes. I believe the difference in price between plans alone and the DVD package is $42, with postage. I'll add an ordering button on the Ordering Info Page. Thanks for reminding me... Mike

Hello all, I thought I'd let anyone who's been waiting that DVD pre-orders are now on. Various bits of StevProj news on the intro page at www.stevproj.com Thanks! Mike

Hi, Sorry we're so slow lately, but I have actually been working on the Weekender DVDs and the new Super Skipjack plans. I am, in fact, working on it this very morning! The DVD's are finished, editing-wise, and now I'm just learning how to use DVDStudio to set up the menus and such. My target is to have both discs finished by the end of next week. I've shot transitional material, added new chapters, etc. So we're getting close. There's a very strong possibility we may have to move Stevenson Projects again in July or so. I will wait to do the next move until after I've fiished the Super Skipjack plans and DVD. The Weekender DVD will be ready to roll out before the end of March, probably mid-month. The SuperSkip plans are cleaned up and the copy is finished. HOWEVER: I won't assemble the whole set of plans and commit to the dimensions until I build a test boat. As soon as I finish the Weekender DVD (mid-March), I'll drive out to Texas and build one out there with Peter. This way we'll have a test of the dimensions, I can film the next DVD, and I will end up with a Super Skipjack to sail also! But it means another 5000 miles of driving...I need to go out there anyway, I guess. So: We haven't fallen all the way off the planet yet, but we are pretty busy... Mike

Hi, I tried returning your call, but with no luck. I agree: the whole thing will make more sense once the deck's in place. At that point you can make any adjustments tot he bow gusset angles you might feel are needed also. Mike

Great stuff! Is that Tube Tape?? Nice job with the whole page o' pics as well! It makes me wish I'd been there... Mike

Thanks very much

A great thread. I am glad there are so many knowledgeable and friendly people to help guide the newcomers to boat building and sailing in general. This is EXACTLY what we'd hoped the bulletin boards would grow into over the years, and they have! OK, enough gushing. I agree with the general concensus: the Weekender's great for two or three adults, but four people are going to be cramped. The Weekender sails ok with four people, but it's not as nimble-feeling and sprightly. Keep in mind how often you will really be taking four people out. If it's just a couple of times, and most of the time you'll be either one or two people, then stick with the Weekender. Try stuff out though, if you can, to get a better feel for what you like. Mike

Peter's up near Kerrville and thinking of an expedition down to the coast to test the new boat more thoroughly. Mike

Yep, I'll post a couple next week probably.

I will certainly be gettting back to doing more frequent updates to the site in September. August is already shot with stuff I have to do and things planned, but it should get more sane soon... I'd love to start putting up more builder shots. I had a chance to try out the new boat's seating and such, but it was only on the trailer. It feels great so far and I'm still excited to try it out in the water...It was not the right weekend this past visit to Texas, so I guess it'll have to be next time. Mike

I had the prototype when I was around 12. It's still one of my more fond sailing memories. Mike

Well, he's busy restoring the barns, building a new CycleKart (and tracks to drive them all on. Boy! Tractors are REALLY FUN...I guess people already knew that...), and building the new Super-Skipjack-type boat. Certainly keeping busy. And trying to keep cool; he doesn't have much in the way of air conditioning, but that is sort of his style anyway...Mostly having fun! Mike

Yep, Shannon's been doing a lot of painting and photography in the past years, but is a bit burned out and wants to work on more profitable stuff for awhile and is sharing the space with me for her projects. Peter's near Kerrville, TX. Pretty much in the center of the state. Mike

Hello All, We leased a space in South San Francisco today, in preparation for the move of Stevenson Projects to SF. The space is big enough fo rus to get some work done (for a change), so the first building project I do will be a test of the new 14' boat Peter's working on. I fly back to Texas on Saturday to check it out (and the new CycleKart...can't forget those!) As Peter's in Texas now, and my projects and interests have shifted to San Francisco more, it seemed like a good time to combine space with my sister Shannon Stevenson. I think this new space will see a lot more projects than we've managed here in Carmel; the DVD re-edit has already begun! The sailing opportunities in SF Bay are wildly more interesting than Monterey Bay, and I'm chomping at the bit to get started on a boat. That's about it for now. I'll keep everyone posted as things move along. Mike

The eel sushi I've had has been barbecued. Uuuummmm good.

I agree with Charlie: No screw eyes. And setting a bolt in epoxy (especially with a nut and washer in a hole bored through from the sides, with plugs set back in afterwards: no visible nuts, tons of strength (maybe literally, depending on the bolt size.) Done properly, one can hang the boat from the stem eye! (But I haven't tried it with our boats...anyone care to volunteer? It would make a great pic...) Mike

Eel is so good on sushi...But whale was one thing I wasn't too fond of. Like eating tire rubber (or what i expect tire rubber is like to eat, as I haven't tried that.)

A very good friend of mine is converting the clearance lights on his airplane to LED's. He's on a VERY limited electrical system, so ever amp counts. It's working nicely so far.

Sounds like a cool sail. And it sounds also like you took reasonable precautions too. Nice images of ghosting along int he fog...

Hello all, I was driving back from Texas on Saturday and saw a boat being towed east out of AZ. Normally I'd be able to spot a Weekender somewhat less than a mile away, but this boat was wrapped in a sort of shrink-wrap stuff so I couldn't see it as easily. Anyhow, if that was you, Hi. Mike

So if I gather correctly, this boat (which is interesting in a whole bunch of ways for me) is made from popsickle sticks over some structural foam? Interesting indeed. Mike

I'm glad I could help a little. Isn't a bit of chaos a great thing?!? I know what you mean about being blocked: I certainly was for the past fifteen years or more. Once one pushes the plunger and the dynamite lights, it's a whole new deal. Who knows what great hands one might get dealt... Best of luck on the new boat! Mike