Craig Posted August 20, 2004 Posted August 20, 2004 Good point Russ. I launch at the Eglin Yacht Club so the Air Force, Jackson Guard, DNR, Marine Patrol, and the County Sheriff's department would all want a part of me. Then there are the federal agencies to contend with. Did Docie Bass and his mud puddle make the papers down there? Quote
Mike Henderson (Oregon) Posted August 20, 2004 Posted August 20, 2004 Well, here's a picture before I completed the set up of he trailer. I had to pull it back on the trailer about two feet to bring the tongue weight down to 90 lbs. It now sits with about 4+ feet hanging over the back. That seems like a lot to me. Legal? I'll likely need to tweek the trailer set up after completing the rigging. Also, as Barry suggested above, I used Kevlar on the bottom of the keel/stem and also along the chine. In my opinion, it has already paid-off with the abuse the boat took while mounting it on the trailer. (Peace of Mind) Thanks Barry. Quote
Guest Posted August 20, 2004 Posted August 20, 2004 Gosh, you guys keep bringing quality work out of the wood work, so to speak. 8) 8) 8) What will tommorrow bring here? The suspense is growing by the day. Quote
warthog5 Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 Mike Henderson Sounds like you need to move the axle to get the weight right on the hitch and move the boat back to give it support. Of corse I don't have a clue as to what it looks like and if it is supported well now. Quote
Craig Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 He is right Mike. That axel is set up for a power boat. Your weight is centered behind the mast somewhere. Pull the boat back up where you had it well supported, loosen the axel U-bolts and slide the axel forward. ( Slightly lifting the trailer weight and pulling the axel ahead with the winch helps a lot with this. Ease each side up about 3-4" per pull.) This is trial and error until you achieve the balance you want. If the U-bolts are stopped by a frame member just remove the bolt slide the axel up and reinstall the bolt. You may want to cover the keel box with some carpet too. Quote
Mike Henderson (Oregon) Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 OK - Thanks for the help. Now I see what I need to do with the axel. The keel carpet is another matter. I made the channel way too tight. There is no room for carpet. Some day, I'll build another. Maybe sooner if it becomes a problem. Quote
Craig Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 Mike my boat only really uses the first 2/3rd of the keel box any way and you will hit is every time you load the boat. I would make the base board wider now and put on the carpet. Just jack the boat and crib her up on the bunks, then slide out the box. Here is a photo... http://members.cox.net/loveylou/fix.jpg Quote
Andrew Posted August 24, 2004 Posted August 24, 2004 Its great to be back (finally) I spent a lot of time 'worrying' when my deck was 4 inches short - I fixed it, but then there seemed to be a distinct W shape when the deck was viewed side on. Time passed... I worried more, more time passed, more worrying. Then thankfully Fintan launched and that was enough for me to get the itch again. It'd been soooo long since I'd done any boatbuilding that I had 'first cut fever' all over again! Found out that my W was caused by me not allowing for the extra cabin height I'd added (but not measured on the cabin bulkhead!!). So a quick trim to that and BINGO - she started to look like the pictures again. Now the cabin sides are on and the roof should be on this week. Even the kids can see its a boat - but they still want to know where the TV is going!??! Good to see the piccys of the kiwi launch this week -- more itching needing to be scratched. So here's to hoping for a summer launch around Christmas. Gee it's good to be back. Not that I ever went away - I was just 'lost' for a while Andrew Quote
Tim Diebert Posted August 24, 2004 Posted August 24, 2004 Wow. I was not following this thread....but glad I had a read this morning. Oyster, you pulled some winners out here lad! Looks like we have lots of launch pics and adventures to look forward to. Excellent. Great report from Knut on his new Balboa. Got your picture for my desktop right now. Sounds like you are having a riot. Good on you. Barry, your project sound like a real gem. Lots of interesting mods and changes. In your post you mentioned writing.....funny, I always wondered if you did some paying writing. You certainly have the skills. Adla...scuppers....man do I need scuppers. If I was to give any advice to a WE builder...it would be to put scuppers in, lots of scuppers. Funny thing, a catch 22 situation. If you put the seat back extensions on, you won't get water in the cockpit from the side decks, but if you have the extensions on you can't sit your ass comfy on the side deck. I choose to keep the side deck/seat back flush for sitting out further when needed...though a good seat back would be wonderful. Now without scuppers, whenever I dip the rail/side decks (all the time), when I tack I end up with water in the cockpit seat or in the cockpit. Ok on hot days....gotta get me some scuppers. Using a sponge is part of my tacking routine on windy days. Great colors on Mikes boat. Good thread. Quote
Steve Downs Posted August 24, 2004 Posted August 24, 2004 The "Black Falcon" is coming along nicely. The figurehead has been carved. I'm just about ready to turn it over and do the bottom but I've been making the seat frames, getting them ready for caning. I want to glass the cockpit and get the seat cleats in place before I turn it over. It's been slow going so far, summertime demands a lot of my time but it's coming along. I'm in no hurry. Thinking maybe Springtime for a launch date. I don't have any recent pictures yet. Still in the camera. Quote
Guest Posted August 26, 2004 Posted August 26, 2004 This is pretty neat. I, for one, seemed to have missed a couple of project here. Okay, now for the real shy ones. What ever happened to Robert Cox in Miami? Anyone heard from him lately? Quote
capt jake Posted August 26, 2004 Posted August 26, 2004 I have landscaping and construction projects under way; does that count? I have sailed Fire Escape several times, planning on a few more this year. :) Quote
Mark Hughes Posted August 31, 2004 Posted August 31, 2004 Well, I have been on hold with my boatbuilding for awhile now too, struggling with transportation issues. Looks like my '88 Ranger has finally passed the point of nursing along and will need a full rebuild, not really worth it for the condition it is in. My '76 Spitfire is much faster and simpler to rebuild, but then I discovered that a machineable crank is next to impossible to come by. This after taking Friday off from work to remove the engine and tear it all down. So, on Sunday I bought a '97 Mercury Cougar (with my father-in-law's assistance) and solved the transportation problem. Not sure I can get used to all this luxury, like air conditioning, power anything, etc. So, now I can get back to the boat. It is upside down, faired and sanded and ready for the glass. Spars are built and shaped, just need final sanding and finishing. Rudder and box are done, just needs to be glassed and assembled. I believe I have all the materials needed to finish except the lines for the running rigging. Quote
adla Posted August 31, 2004 Posted August 31, 2004 my first car was a 76 spitfire....oooooo love hate relationship..i had the old Zenith dashpot carb and a little itty bitty tit of a radiator in Las Vegas....love hate relationship like no other since....i would love hate to have another....i always look in the paper for one....to love hate....mine was yellow...and i chained a stereo under the driver seat...what a car! a. Quote
Craig Posted September 1, 2004 Posted September 1, 2004 Finally! The keel is fixed. Trailer lights replaced, salt ate them, U-bolts replaced, salt ate them, springs replaced, salt ate them, Two pair work shorts shot, driveway ate them! Started to reinstall the keel box, pouring down rain. Started to reinstall keel box, wife wanted closets painted. Closets painted. Minature poodle has another lump, dog fixed, ate $525. For that kind of money I could have bought a new dog. Dog had better get right on that keel box! Gas tax rebate ends at midnight, refueled MH. Might get to sail this weekend, hurricane comming?? Nuff update for tonight. Quote
Fintan Murphy Posted September 1, 2004 Posted September 1, 2004 Cripes, just back from holidays and find this post It's good to know that there's a lot of work going on. I feel as if I'm a link in the chain of Stevensons boat builders, that's moving along a timeline from buying the lumber, to finished and sailing. I'ts a good feeling. I haven't sailed since the second time, as I was on holidays. Work is up the walls this week, but I will try and get a chance to go out for an afternoon next week. Since I am not allowed (yet - I'm working on it ) to sail on the weekends, this leaves me after work during the week. This can start at about 3pm, but the nights will start closing in soon. In November it starts getting dark about 5pm, so I'd better have a plan hatched for weekend sailing then. Quote
Mark Hughes Posted September 1, 2004 Posted September 1, 2004 Well, adla, as it just so happens, I have a second one- a '74 in Carmine Red. We get these boats done and in the water, and have time for the next project, I may be able to work something out with you on one of them. Of course, if I can't find a good crank, I might just install a mast box and have a gaff-rigged spitfire. Would probably be more relieable! Quote
Tom Holder Posted September 1, 2004 Posted September 1, 2004 Mark - You probably are aware of this already but just in case; the 1500 engine in the MG Midget Mk IV is identical to the 1500 in your Spit (different part numbers of course just to make you crazy). You may find it less painful to cut up a Midget than a Spit If you really want to get silly, a 1.8 from a Austin Marina will bolt right up to your tranny with no mods. Well, the mounting block will have to be reworked but hey, it's all good fun. Cheers Quote
Mark Hughes Posted September 1, 2004 Posted September 1, 2004 Yep, I did know that, but they are as hard to come by. I have a 2.3 Turbo SVO Mustang engine and a Mazda 5 speed from a Ranger that I have been considering putting into it. Long project though. Takes up too much boatbuilding/sailing time. I'm also working on a daggerboard set-up for a one sheet dinghy I built with my son to get some better sailing performance out of it. Too much leeway slip as it is. Quote
adla Posted September 6, 2004 Posted September 6, 2004 mark- a lot of people tried to get me to consider another motor in my spit..i didn't do it...it stopped running and well, while i was away my sister (deep sigh) sold it to someone...for $50 bucks. Family relationships can be complicated, i was mad...my parents went into a "love one another" thing and the spit is gone.... :cry: it was a long time ago....i really like the 76. UPDATE on my boat...I glued up the wheel partially today and laminated some doug fir for the jib club foot and then used to table saw to rip it to an octagon and then rounded it by hand...i wish i had gotten more done but i didn't and after a frustrating day with the gaff jaws...i quit...pick it up again tomorrow. Adla Quote
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