Launched!

[merrimange]

Thanks to all on this forum. I couldn't have got here without you. Boy it feels good to sail her, makes it all worthwhile. What a project to take on. But, really really gratifying.

I didn't do the fancy woodwork stuff for finishing, chose strength and paint in most cases and used the fiberglass cloth and resin as per plans. She's bright yellow and white, the good thick oil base paint covered most blemishes I was concerned about before - looks pretty good if I do say so. I'll send closeups when I get my better camera.

Test sail went absolutely great. Sailed for about an hour and a half. Had 5-10mph winds, very swift response in light winds. Most if all tacks went find except in very very light wind - my fault. It has a good "feel" when you catch a good puff.

Still have some cosmetic things and inside cabin to complete but that'll be winter now that she sails. Gonna call her Sol Rayo.

Tiller was a good call, great response and I must have shaped the rudder good. The boat has a slightly stronger weather helm than I'm used to but felt fine if you set the sails correct (as in most boats, but particularly important with that big main)- seems to be in her sweet spot when you let the main out closer to the sidestays where it handled well and took the pressure of the rudder (I think that's the sail "shaping" of the gaff I haven't been exposed to before). She loves the beam and broad reach. Close hauled just fine though.

Thanks to Frank for the main sheet set up given the tiller.

Don't love the club foot, but works for now, would prefer two sheet controls which I'm used to.

Had a slight seep of water in the cabin - wouldn't even call it a puddle and I think I know where it came from as I had a few fiberglass troublespots on the hull plyboard edge, though small seeps can be big I suspect. So I'll try to find a good outside seal gel or something for that.

Again, thanks all!

[capt jake]

Congratulations! Looks good from that shot, surely won't miss her.

Where are you located at?

The only place I ever had water migrate into the cabin was around the mast box, as I left limber holes there in case. Sealed it up and no more leaks.

I have a tiller and am seriously considering going to a wheel, simply for the additional room I would gain in the cockpit. Thoughts??

Keep us informed of your sailing adventures!. :)

[merrimange]

was already picking up admirers and "unbelievers" when I told them I built it. (1st picture)

[merrimange]

I'm in Nashville, TN.

seep might have been from the mast box, and "rolled" back, not sure very slight though.

I really have only one sample, but my rudder is from a 2X2 poplar at home depot which I trimmed, routed, and belt sanded for hand comfort at "just the right" spot. It measures 36 inches, say 32 from the rear of transom. I haven't had it in heavy winds, but feels really solid as I beefed up the cheeks and used 1/2 inch threaded rod for connection. Felt very solid. I really like the feel of the tiller and don't think it sticks out that far to be honest as it relates for space. I built my per plans, so I really think you only want about two in the cockpit anyways.

From what I've read on the boards, I was very fearful of how it would tack, but it was really no big deal.

I absolutely can't wait until a 15 mph wind day. Oh boy.

[Stump]

Congratulations!!!!!

Isn't it the best feeling in the world? 8) 8)

[Guest]

Oh what a feeling, and its too funny when you tell people that you built it!!!

I have always gotten that blank look, for that splite second, as if I have performed a feat that has never been done by folks. Its just hard for people to think that stuff like building a boat is taking place in all sections of the world, and that they turn out, in most cases, better than some of the junk being produced and sold by mass production. You will be required to tell your story over and over again, so understand that thats part of the process too. And by all means keep a straight face, while sticking out your chest a bit farther each time you are asked about it.

And you can keep that photo album handy, in the back seat of your tow vehicle for those really dumb looking folks and their wives.

[Florin {VACATIONER}]

Looks real good! Now get out there and enjoy her!!!

[Frank Hagan]

Congratulations! There's not too many things in life as satisfying as launching a boat you built.

The water seep could be from a seam along the sides ... if you didn't goop up the stringers along there with the 3M 5200, you might consider doing that. It will work fine (unless you leave the boat in the water all the time; in that case, you would want to locate the leak and really fix it!)

If the weather helm bothers you, and you have room to shim the mast angle forward a bit in your mast box, you might try that. I used "mast partners" to shim my round mast in the mast box, so I have a bit of adjustment available to me.

I liked switching my Weekender to use two jib sheets instead of the clubfoot, as it did help a bit when tacking. Or, it could be my imagination because I like the feeling of "more control" having separate jib sheets gave me.

If you have sailed bigger boats, you'll enjoy the amount of tweaking you can do with sail shape ... including how tight you have the peak halyard on the gaff! Its amazing how much the mainsail shape affects the Weekender, but when you think about it, it makes sense ... it is a small, light boat with respectable sail area.

[merrimange]

Thanks again Frank - your work on this site and dedication is fantastic.

My winter to do minimums are as follows:

1) finish the inside, may put a net hammock in there, still debating the portholes, I kind of like it without them so far.

2) install my fuse panel and battery and light kit

3) have a plug in for the trolling motor and mount the motor itself. It really only needs a little bit of wind to move her though. Our sail marina is small and only a short distance to wind.

4) install a downhaul for comfort - clean up my spaghetti using a mast canvas and tarp, maybe put all controls to the cockpit.

5) optimize the rigging, use harkin blocks. That peak halyard is intriguing me on how to get it "right". The hardware store blocks work but definitely not the greatest "feel"

6) Maybe trade for a smaller trailer meant more for my boat as opposed to what I've "designed" from a larger one.

As you might could tell, I chose the fastest route to get her water ready and sailable, but maybe that's typical. IF I ever build another one, I'll go for the salty look and use the patience thereon, but I really wanted to sail more than build. She's fine now and once you sail her, you get over all those uncertainties you had building.

But, boy I suddenly feel bored all the sudden on not having to "do" something. Boredom will be good for a while. Guess I to a degree know what Oyster's been saying now.

My wife was about ready to kill me if kept on at my pace.

I'm gonna try to take her out again today, if we can get some wind here in the Music City.

[Guest]

Bored? Never!!!!! not till the last piece of wood on Earth, close to my fingers have been formed into something that floats!!! :wink: Maybe since you live in the Tenn. state, that you can join the group in the end of Sept, for a get together. I think Ed Jones or the Wilson fellow posted a link to the time frame. Now have fun tweaking it and finding out what the next one needs that is missing from this one!!!! So much wood, so little time.

[Guest]

http://www.messing-about.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3729

Fall messabout thread.

[Bud_Wilson]

merrimauge OK you goter dun looks great, try to make plans to come to the Nickajack Messeaout if you can, it is 100 mi. east on I-24 last day of sept. first day oct. Y'ALL COME Cap'N Bud.

[Stump]

Oyster,

Are you going to plank the stern or use ply? Wow, what a challange, did you steam that?

[merrimange]

Had 20 mph gusts today. Consistently 10 to 15 - really solid feel, without the heel I was expecting in that kind of wind.

EXCEPT, 1/2 into the sail, the cheek mounting spacer tore. My oh my it was fun before that happened. Had considerable weather helm. This baby sails good, except without a rudder.

I knew I should have used hard wood on that.

Got a friendly tow. Tough on the pride - But I will fix it better, now that I know the weak spots.

I am gonna ditch the club foot, It is just not responsive to tacking that fast, I'm used to yanking the sheet over quick to help my tack, this club foot works but it is not quick enough to grab air and help the tack like I'd prefer.

Bud - I'll send you some contact info - Sounds like a good time. I work in Chattanooga quite a bit - so no biggie on the miles.

[merrimange]

Replaced the cheek face plate and used steel straps to secure the problems I had with the rudder housing. Tacks fine and Sails great. Winds at 5 to 8, loving every minute of it.

For folks having trouble with tacks, I tried the "kegging" I think that is what it is called where you whip the rudder back and forth with the tiller to gain, sort of a prop effect, to encourage the tack on through. Works fine.