Chris Potts

Knut, I have heard some people recommend that you put properly mixed epoxy on both pieces before clapping them together and allow it to dry (you could probably just wait until the epoxy was green). Then apply thickened epoxy resin on the joint and clap it together. That way the end grain does not absorb the epoxy from the joint and leave it to dry. Chris

Just looked and noticed that there are almost 150 members. When I registered there was less than 100. That was only a couple of months ago. Nice to see so many new members. Chris

Mr. Brynes, I remember reading in a post a while ago that you were thinking about working up some plans for a 30' catketch with standing headroom. It will be a long time before I am reading to undertake something on that scale. But I was wondering if you had given it much more consideration. Chris

I was on the wooden boat forum looking at some slightly older post when I can across a link to this website Blue Lightning. It seems that his claims about the speed of the boat are almost to crazy. Of course I don't really have any sailing experience, but from what I have read the numbers seemed seriously impressive. I just thought that you guys might have some opinions about the boat. The design is a little to modern looking for my liking. But if it was really as fast as he claims I would still be pretty tempted to build one.

Thanks again Frank for your help. I could see the pictures on your website. I think that maybe I did not phrase my problem clearly. It is not the gallery on this site that I am having trouble seeing. The pictures that I cannot view are the ones that are posted in the forums. For example I can see the picture that you put in this topic put the pictures that Capt Jake put in the topic "finished pics" on the main forum will not load for some reason. Sorry for the confusion. Looking at my original question I can see that it was pretty vague. Chris

Thanks for the quick response Frank. I forgot to mention that I am using microsoft internet explorer. I remembered you saying that you had had some trouble with netscape, I assumed that meant that you were not having too much trouble with microsoft. That is kind of why I thought that it was unusual that I was having trouble. Chris

Frank, I was wondering if you might know why I can't see many of the pictures that are posted. I think that it is something wrong with the network that I am using. I am using computers that are set up through my schools systems. I think that they are using T1's. I don't think that it is anything on your end because everyone else seems to be able to see the pictures. I realize that this is not your problem but I was hoping that you might have some idea if there is some settings or something that I can change to make the pictures load. Thanks for all the time you spend on this forum. I really enjoy it. Chris

Hey GreenHorn, Where in central kentucky are you from. I am going to be going up toward lexington tomorrow. Don't worry I don't have time to stop in though I would love to see the boat. I am hoping to start a boat this summer. Chris

The cabin was what drew me to this plan too. I wanted something that would make overnight stuff easier than in the core sound. Plus I am going to build a Spindrift first so I will have something small if I just want to get out on the water for a couple hours.

Have any of you used interlux and awl grip (both two-part poly). I was wondering if you have any opinion as to there being an advantage to using one or the other. Also who sells awl grip. I am more familiar with interlux because Jamestown sells it. Thanks for your help. Chris

Frank just out of curiousity where did you find 1/4" okume plywood for $26 per sheet Chris

Thanks, I figured that 10 knots had to be at about max for the core sound. I guess I am wondering what is a more reasonable speed that you would say is "average" for the core sounds and how much slower should the belhaven be? Chris

Frank is there a list that shows the progression of the ranks? I know that I am still the lowest rank but I was curious just how many ranks there are and how many post you have to have to get each one. Thanks Chris

Does anyone know if there are any completed pictures of the Belhaven? I would really like to see some if anyone one has any. Also Does anyone know what would be a reasonable speed for this boat? I have heard that the core sounds can make 10 knots. I would imagine that the Belhaven is a little slower, but I was wondering how much you would expect.

Gordy, That sounds even better than I had imagined. I have always wanted to go to Isle Royale, and I figure what better way to get there than to sail there on a boat that I built. It will probably still be a little while before those plans ever culminate, but it is definitely something to look forward to. Thanks for your help. Chris

I realize that there are not too many Belhavens out there yet, but I thought some of you more experienced sailors might still be able to give me your informed opinions. I was just wondering how the Belhaven would handle on the Great Lakes. Someday I would like to have a boat that I could sail across the lakes in, maybe sail to Isle Royale. I was wondering if this boat would be up to the tasks assuming that I am. Thanks for your input. Chris

Stuart, Thanks for the link to the sailing club. I was wondering where I would be able to get some instruction on sailing. I don't know anyone who sails so I will definitely have to look into getting some lessons at U of M. Chris

Graham, Thanks for the reply and the offer to come try out a Spindrift. I might just take you up on that offer. A good friend of mine from college lives on Harker

Craig sounds like you had a little too much Wild Turkey if you saw Toms that were as big as deer. :wink:

Thanks Frank for the suggestion about the weight advantages of the Spindrift 10. I was thinking that the 12 would be better for me because of my height (6'4"). I read on another thread (http://www.messing-about.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26) where Graham said that larger people found the 10 to be a cramped. I thought that getting a small trailer for the 12 would be a good all around solution. Does anyone have any pictures of the Spindrift 10 or 12 that they would like to share? I would really like to see some more pictures of these boats. Chris

I have researched things a little more and think I am going to build the Spindrift 12 (the cat). It will take less time to build so I can get out on the water sooner. I would really like to have my own boat to practice in. I will likely want to go out more than anyone is going to want to take me. I am also really looking forward to building a boat so even if I decide I would like a different style boat it won't be a total loss. Thanks again for all of your responses. Chris They say that you can cartop a Spindrift. Can this really be done? It seems like it would require several people. I am thinking that it would be best to get a small trailer. What do you guys think?

So which direction should the scrim go in a properly made sail

I have always been interested in sailing but never really had the time to get into it. In a couple of months I am going to graduate from college (hopefully) and I thought that now is as good of a time as any. I was thinking that it would be fun to build my first boat. I have woodworking experience so that is not really the problem. My primary concern is what boat to build. I was wondering whether one of the core sounds woud be a good first boat. If you think they would be fine for a novice, which one would you recommend? Since I live in Michigan (near Detroit) I was wondering how the core sounds would do in the great lakes (wondering if the boat could handle it if I was experienced). Finally how would you recommend that I learn how to sail. I don't have any experience, and I would imagine that this in not something that I would want to learn by trail and error. Thanks for all of your help Chris