Ready for her first sail!!!

[Florin {VACATIONER}]

Looks like we may dunk her in today if the weather cooperates (we're expecting severe thunderstorms this late afternoon or evening).

I've got to go out and buy some stuff to wire the trailer and install the safety chain. Other than that we're ready to go.

Yesterday we managed to finish the last bits on rigging and modified the trailer. We've balanced the boat on the trailer and we now have about 100# tongue weight. I've had to cut the draw bar back (I've left it longer during the construction for balancing purposes). We've had to cut off 3'. We've also had to move the winch mount closer to the bow of the boat. We installed the fenders as well last night.

The uprights which support the bunks are about 5" taller than they should be, this was done intentionally again for moving the boat on the trailer for balancing, I now have to cut them shorter. We'll have to dunk the boat in the lake on the weekend, I'll leave the admiral and the kids at the lake to enjoy the rays and I'll bring the trailer in the garage to perform the necessary modifications.

I've posted a couple of pics in my gallery, but they are now pending approval.

Cheers

Florin

[Craig]

Way to go Florin. Best of luck with the launch...

[Dave R1]

Best wishes for your launch. Congratulations on the completion of a long journey, too. Ya done good.

[tomstock]

Take lots of pictures! We love launch pics!

[Craig]

There should be abn hour of daylight left in Calgary. It's getting dark in NW Florida. Of course Florin will checkin soon with the launch report and photos.

Florin???

[Mike Pennington]

Yeah, Florin!

You wouldn't be still sailing, or tired from to much fun, no thats not possible

Come on, every man has his moment, lets here the facts, if someone wants to call it bragging, to dang bad :wink:

Mike

[Dave Ruedel]

Way to gol Can't wait to hear how the maiden went.

[Craig]

Ahoy Florin...... Alright Hoser, it is full dark up there and time you were home reporting in. I will bet it went so well that he is still out on that lake having fun. That or Barb is still trying to get that wide grin off his face and get him into the truck.....

[Mike Pennington]

HarHarHar!

Hey, nothing wrong with night sailing :wink: That down below can come in handy.

[Florin {VACATIONER}]

Thanks guys!!

Unfortunately we couldn't go yesterday due to the weather turning on us just as we finished wiring the trailer. It stormed for 1/2hr and then stopped. It remained very cloudy for a couple of hours and then it turned sunny. I know.... only if we knew...

So..... we may go today after I come back from work, again depending on the weather. We've had 3 tornadoes touch down within 1/2hr of eachother in the surrounding areas... This is abnormal here.

Yesterday while checking the rig I've noticed the hoops getting stuck on the mast when almost at the top... I think I have to make them larger.

Also, the jib sheet is getting jammed in the block on the deck. I think I'll throw away the clobfoot idea and stick to 2 jib sheets arrangement.

Cheers!

FLorin

[Craig]

Wx cancel. Damn. Ok we will be looking....

[Mike Pennington]

Florin,

You might try a small guage line tied to the forward side of the hoops to keep them level.

We'll be waiting to here from you.

[Florin {VACATIONER}]

I did that Mike, but I think we made the hoops too tight. I will make some more this weekend which are larger. I stole someone's great idea and made the ones out of beads and aircraft wire-rope. They look really nice, but they don't work very well. I'm sure it's because they're too tight.

Thanks

Florin