More ropes

[Craig]

Ray, Barry, Mike, others,

Today

[Mike Pennington]

I made two furlers, the larger last year. I couldn't get it to wrap properly, was to bulky, so gave up on it. However, I converted it to Mike's Whopper, I suppose it could be called a spiniker. I will raise it with an attached down haul to make life a little easier. A sock my help too. :wink:

The added ballast to the bottom was a great help on the last brisk sail, and I had three crew. Only used the stock sails because the wind was a bit lively. Managed to break the rudder, but thats fixed bigger, better, and much stonger.

I suppose their is a limit to the gail force winds these boats will take :shock: I haven't reached that point, but I think I am getting closer.

With a third sail, running down wind I have been keeping an eye on the clamps of the back stays. No movement so far or wear, but you do have a thought about that being a potential weak spot.

More sail tends to put a strain on the rigging, but I think it is safe to say the Vacationer will take some more sail without much change to the rigging.

With the added plywood on the bottom I did notice she doesn't scoot along as well in the light air, so I wouldn't mind that top sail. I am looking forward to the design.

I have not bought the new mast timber yet, but I still plan to build the counter weighted mast step.

I have been concentrating on Mike's Landing, I traded for the use of some land on Harding Lake. Lots of work ahead, setting up the dock and clearing a lot of dead fall. Not to mention cleaning out the three cabins.

But I finally have a place to keep my boats on the water for short stays, the drift boat can stay there all summer for fishing.

Keep the ol' brain box working Craig. My boat wouldn't even exist if it weren't for you and that over active thinker.

Mike

[Craig]

Thanks for the kind works Mike. Congratulations on your camp find. It sounds like fun. There is a marina about a mile from the house. This year when the boys come home I am going to leave the boat in the water over there. That way there is minimum time spent cleaning and trailering and more time sailing. I will share the design as always. Bob Smalser inspired me to make the sprit extension mostly by hand with old time tools. Well now I have that out of my system... Actually the planes, drawknife, and spokeshave are fun to use and relaxing. It is just that that 100 degree garage takes the edge off the fun. I suspect the way to use the lapper is to set her flying and use the sheets as the downhaul. I am leaning that way on the topsail as well. Hank it to the halyard and use the downhaul for tension. Fine adjustment with the outhaul on the gaff. Whada ya think?

[Craig]

You are so right Ray. what ever don't kill ya...... NO if I could just get out of this office and back to the boat yard!

[Barry Pyeatt]

I wouldn't have any second thoughts about the extension of the bowsprit a bit and adding a roller furled lapper. I would draw the line though at going larger than that for a headsail like a Genoa that would require rigging outside the stays. Genoas work much better with stays that are rigged inboard rather than out at the rail. I would also rig for the standard jib and a smaller jib as a stormsail if you plan on getting away from protected waters during your cruising in those waters.

Topsail should be fun and interesting to do. I recommend that you go to the local library and order a copy of The Sailmakers Apprentice. They will get it for you on Interlibrary loan if they don't have it in their system. In particular study the sections on gaff rigged mains and topsails. They have some very interesting and clear illustrations on rigging one and the variations on the theme.

If you haven't switched over to a loose footed main, you might consider it as well. The ability to shape the main with clew adjustments and the ability to bag up the main for light air will make a substantial difference in performance in lighter air. With a couple sets of reef points you shouldn't have any challenges with heavy air. Particularly if you can roll up the jib and raise a smaller storm sail.

With the lapper, you might also consider rigging a whisker pole to allow you to play it out to capture more of the lighter air when going downwind.

I just got back from some fine cruising in tropical watters of the Southern Carib.

I Spent some time on several different boats with dramatically different rigs including one 26' gaffer with a modified dory hull and a weighted centerboard. I was impressed with his rig, Low aspect main, huge lapper with a long bowsprit (roller furled). He had rigged a topsail, but seldom used it as even in lmedium/light air, he couldn't gain anything with it flying. But the boat would fly with a loose footed main, some excellent ability to trim both the lapper and main. He had two small winches for the lapper and they were a joy to work with. He had back stays rigged, but we didn't have any need to use them in winds up to about 20 knots.

I don't think you would benefit in any way by changing the rigging, it is plenty strong enough for what you are intending to do. My concern is the potential to change the helm balance with too much headsail. It will shift the center of effort forward a bit, and may adversely affect the helm. But that can be corrected by changing the rake of the mast a little most likely.

I don't think you are going to over power the Vacationer by the changes though. Just be certain that you can pull it down and reef easily when the wind comes up. I also don't see any need for any changes in ballast, although Ray will probably disagree . The Vacationer is quite a bit wider and more stable than the Weekender.

[Craig]

Mike I am really looking forward to seeing you mast redesign. Mine is getting a bit heavy for an old man. I think I told you that I made the staves

[Stump]

Ray,

It wasn't 'till just now that I "got" your signiture line :oops: ...Took me a while but got me rolling