Are splash comings very necessary.

[Zeroice]

I am thinking about leaving off the splash combings or doing them later. Is there a faster way to do them or should I hold off till later?

[MikeStevenson]

I would say it's entirely possible to go sailing without them, but they do perform a useful function. You will get wetter without them, but that's not a big deal for a sail or two.

Mike

[High C]

...do they primarily function when you have the boat well heeled?

They primarily keep the spray that lands on deck from running down your backside and onto the cockpit seats. :shock: It's not a lot of water, usually, but enough to get your clothes somewhat wet.

[MikeStevenson]

Ray: Both reasons are valid. Most of the time it's for that annoying little dribble which works its way down the decks and evetually down your spine. Which is why we extended our splash coamings back past the cockpit to the transom (just a 3/4" square drip chaser thingy from the end of the laminated coaming). I can't remember if this is in the plans or not, but we got on to it by a note from a builder who (rightly so) was yelling at us for aiming the drip right in the small of his back.

The other reason is as you asked: When you heel way over (the way I like to sail) you can get a splash up along the cabin once in awhile and it's nice to keep it out of the cockpit. Plus they look really good.

Mike

[Arnie Eaton]

I made mine for "Wind Song" by extending the seat backs up above the deck. Then I added to the outside a piece of 1/2" ply to thicken them up to 3/4". They stick up only about an inch and one half, just enough to keep the water out. You can get a lot of spray and wet decks without burying the gunnels soI feel they are a good deal. I also run a 3/4 by 1/4" strip of fir along to top to cover the edge of the plywood, then rounded the edge with a 1/4 round over bit with my router. The coaming also runs across the back edge of the cockpit to help with a following sea, should you get one.

[Barry Pyeatt]

I'll toss my 2 cents worth in as well here. I've had it both ways! No it isn't essential to have, but it sure is nice to have a coaming to divert the water that does get on the deck. It doesn't take much to keep it out of the cockpit once it is intercepted and directed back.

I never found the 3/4" coaming that extended back to be "in the way" when I was sitting on the deck. It actually gave me something to give a little purchase to sitting there.

Can it sail without it, absolutley, but it does add a finishing element to the overal design and is a good off-season project.

I think I would get it in the water, use it and add the coamings later. :wink:

[Zeroice]

Thanks for the insights. I think I may do a combing like one I've saw on some weekenders that has a flat face plate and some small side strips running foward into the plates after I get the boat out on the water, maybe in the off season.

[Knut]

For comfort I would very much recommend to install splash coamings, even if they are certainly not really necessary. It also depends a bit on how often you get waves of some size (open waters or not) and the normal strength of wind.

I installed coamings all the way back to the transom and I am very happy with the solution. Because of the decision to make them full length I also changed the method, using 1/2" plywood set on wooden plugs, kerfed for bending at the front end. Bondo came in handy for filling the kerfs and smoothening the whole thing.

Have a look at the picture on the link below and walk forward 3-4 pictures to see the whole installation.

http://groups.msn.com/WeekenderBoatbuilding/knutsweekenderfreeatlast.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1191

[Andrew]

Very nice lines knut

I looked at lots of your photos and was very impressed. By the by, why do some/all builders put a coin under the mast?

Thanx

Andrew

[Barry Pyeatt]

Good luck! Dates back to early placement of blessings on the boat in its voyages by the builders.

[TexasPhil]

I heard that it must be a silver coin... is that true?

[Barry Pyeatt]

Heavens, I thought it had to be a gold piece. Good, I have an extra genuine silver dollar left from somewhere!

Actually have a silver medallion from the Seattle Worlds Fair that I was thinking of placeing in the base of the mast.