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Steve W

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Posts posted by Steve W

  1. I really enjoyed working with Carla when I built my Spindrift 11N, and the tech support from Graham was just fun. We are so lucky to have such great designs and also deal with such good folky people. I hope all goes really well.

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

    • Like 1
  2. I wouldn't try to push you one way or another, but here are a few additional drawbacks.

     

    - Flotation. I'm convinced the nesting version has much less.

    - That bulk head in the middle means two places to bail when the going gets rough. I've actually thought about putting an elevated floor in the Suzy J forward so water shipping over the bow would just run into the aft compartment, and I would have more flotation.

    - Longer build time- I spent a lot of time futzing with the bulkheads and then cutting it apart, etc., compared to the time I spent on the rear seats.  

    - I don't take mine apart much. I thought handling the individual halves would be easier than I thought, but I made a little clamp on set of wheel that lets me walk the boat around upside down. I do love the fact it sits in my basement nested against a wall all winter.

     

    All that said, the Suzy J is a witch sailing. Points well, and has great manners.

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

    • Like 1
  3. If you need to take an inch off the stern section, then you will need to take an inch off the bow so it still nests. I'd almost bet that this could be done without much fanfare, but I'd check with Graham first. It would be simple to subtract 2" off the bottom and sides, and move the bulkheads forward and inch, and make some adjustments. This type of boatbuilding is not quite as "precise" as traditional, and with a bit of thought, I think its surely possible. I can't think that moving the centerboard in essence an inch forward would have serious ill effects on trim.

     

    Have you given any thought to building the non-nested version and just leave the bow hanging out the back? 

     

    Take Care,

    Steve  

  4. Doug, that looks awesome. I can't wait to see it in person, which might not be for awhile. I have a question. Are you planning on adding anything to the top of the gunnel to prevent damage during docking? I like the clean look, but I think it would be prone to damage. Maybe you are smother around the docks than I am!

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

  5. I had a Snipe with a boom mounted cleat that was excellent. I'm going to try that out this summer. I normally acted just like a regular mainsheet, but if you pulled the sheet at a backward angle, a cam cleat would activate. The beauty was that as long as the sheet stayed in your hand, it could be un-cleated in a second and worked hiked out. The weather hasn't really broke here in NY, so it will be awhile, but I'll keep you posted if it works.

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

  6. Awesome Doug. If you can get there on Thursday, there is a really fun overnight sail to Wye Island. This past year there wasn't any wind, so I didn't make it, but the year before was just one of the best sails ever, and a great group of people. Your CS would be a nice addition.

     

    Take Care,

    Steve 

  7. Doug, this narrative is really awesome. I'm currently working on a couple of Nymph strip canoes to ply the Adirondacks with, but next winter I want to build a CS20 MKIII. I can't wait to see the finished product, hopefully in person. Any chance you will bring it to the MASCF in October?

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

  8. This whole thread is really impressive and I've enjoyed it.

     

    I do want to comment on the "I have given up on trying to make the finish perfect" comment. I remember being at that phase when I built my nesting Spindrift 11. What I failed to take into account was that in some ways its a bit like drywall finishing. When you are staring at just the drywall, every little imperfection is way to obvious. But later, when you paint the room and ad the furnishings and accessories, the imperfections fade into the background. I was such a perfectionist that I got a bit paralyzed at the stage of paint prep, but after I got over myself I finished and things turned out great and all the imperfections faded away. Everybody that sees the Suzy J sees all the other stuff.

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

  9. Its an interesting problem. Unlike a Skiff America, this opening during sailing would be best if it was closed normally. But watching that video of the CS recovery, perhaps in its normal coastal sailing environment, its not super important. I'd be thinking along a  long hatch that flipped over to the side with regular drop boards in the bulkhead. Simple, easy to make waterproof and weigh supporting. If the width of the opening meant the hatch would interfere with the sail/boom, it could open from both sides. I don't like this saloon door style idea as much, because it would require a way to have a center lap that was waterproof and much more complicated, but it would be the easiest that I can think of.

     

    A second idea would be to make a regular hatch to gain access, with a forward hatch to pop out of for reefing.

     

    Both ideas are not ideal for inclement weather as the cabin is going to get wet, but that's about the time I'd be holed up in some creek reading a book.

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

  10. Steve,

     

    I learned a few things building my 11N. One surprise was how long it took to build all the stuff after the boat itself, like the rudder, centerboard and case, mast and boom, oars, etc. If I was on a tight budget and had time on my hands, I would devote some of my time towards these items. The amount of materials in them weren't much, but the time was significant. I also wouldn't scrimp on materials. You will love this boat!

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

  11. Doug, that looks awesome. I'm glad you are Niel Armstrong-ing this for me. A few questions.

     

    • It looks like you took the cabin down in the last picture. What's up?
       
    • I had a good look at a SkiffAmerica and the hatch is just covered with canvas. Any decisions?
       
    • Is that baffeled area in the middle the water ballast area?

    Thanks,

    Steve

  12. Charlie, I think my dislike of pumps come from the coolness of my shop. I had a pump stop pumping in the middle of a job when I was mixing small batches to keep working and hated to disrupt my work. If you've ever tried to clean crystalized epoxy out of a pump it is no fun. I have three gallons of epoxy that are totally crystalized sitting in my shop that I need to heat up to reuse. Thank goodness they don't have a pump in them. My guess is you living down south in a warm climate contributes to your success. I will say that before I bought 2:1 epoxy, I'd used West System for years with no crystallization, but I like the 2:1 stuff better and its less expensive.

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

  13. Doug, that is great news. I have plenty of room to build her in my basement, but the doors out are 58" wide. I don't want to be that basement boat guy!

     

    I'm going to be really excited to watch the rest of your build and hopefully see it at some point. I think about the time my wife settles down and I can bring up "boat building" again, you will be finished. This boat is like a dream come true. I was looking over the Welsford Sweat Pea, a Bolger Chebbaco, and many others. But I have a Sea Pearl and a huge fan of Cat-Ketch boats. The big cockpit and minimal sleeping arrangement look perfect, plus my familiarity with the smaller Spindrift 11N gives me confidence that I could finish her.

     

    I do like the idea of buying her as a kit as you did to save a bit of time.

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

  14. Thank you for the updated pictures. I really love this boat and think it may be my next build in a year or two. It seems to have the things I covet. A decent sized cockpit for day sailing and room for two for an overnighter. Is it possible for a person 6' to sit against the bulkheads below? 

     

    It seems as if the idea to have a walk through cabin (birdwatcher) makes the step down into the entry look kind of big. Is the center part of the hull part of where the water ballast will be?

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

  15. My favorite trick is to get rid of the pumps and measure the ratio with a scale. I don't remember where I got it, but I have a 2:1 epoxy weight chart next to my cheap harbor freight gram scale. It is so easy to mix without those silly pumps. Put about 2/3rds of what you think you need and get the weight, look at the chart and squirt enough of part b until the weigh adds to the total and mix it. Done. I replace my caps with mustard style caps and you can meter out a single drop if you need to. I cover the scale with a piece of waxed paper and it works great.

     

    One other thing. I do all my epoxying in a basement that is about 58 degrees F year round. I think because of that, the first gallons of Epoxy I bought from B & B crystalized within a month, including the epoxy in the pumps. What a mess! I though maybe it was something in B & B's mix. Heating it was a pain and didn't score many points with my wife when I did it in the kitchen! I bought the next couple of gallons from Duckworks. Same thing! I now keep the epoxy nicely snuggled up next to my hot water tank and my infrared thermometer says it all stays around 75 degrees and hasn't crystalized again. Of course when I'm ready to buy again I will buy the Epoxy from B & B. It wasn't their fault.

     

    Take Care,

    Steve 

  16. I'm with Alex. I have an 11N, and the rig is powerful and it sails really well in light breezes. It has slab reefing an reduces the sail a lot. I'm not sure if the S has stays (usually sloop rigs have them), but even if they didn't, I wouldn't want another halyard and sheets.

     

    Take Care,

    Steve

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