Dave R1 Posted March 20, 2006 Posted March 20, 2006 Just thought I'd make a little post about what I've been working on. I decided that since Julie K is going to have a new suit of sails this year, I'd make a new gaff as well. I might make a new boom, too but that's for later. I never liked the jaws I made although there was nothing wrong with the way they worked. I decided to make some jaws with a bit of an upward curve to them. I've got them roughed out of laminated red oak and a bit of maple because I had it on hand. Spar itself is made in the birdsmouth method of pine. I found that I could get clear and straight pine if I bought it from the trim department at the local Menard's. It worked great for me. I know that a birdsmouth spar is probably more work than it is worth for no bigger than it is but it is a great learning opportunity for me. It is a manageable size for my shop and I don't have a lot of money tied up in materials if it doesn't work. Besides, I can't be sailing right now so I might as well build something. I don't think this gaff will be any lighter than the first one which was made from a piece of closet rod . It won't be any heavier either. Sorry, no pictures yet but I'll take some one of these days. Quote
Guest Oyster Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 I think I read somewhere that there was the right angle of turn up for them to work right. Did I hear this or imagine it? Quote
Dave R1 Posted March 21, 2006 Author Posted March 21, 2006 You've got a lot more experience than I do. I couldn't find anything specific about how much of an upturn there should be so I guessed and made it about equal to the angle of the sail between luff and head. We'll see, it might not work right but I can always revert back to the old one which has no angle to it. Quote
Guest Oyster Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 Not really, Dave, I know less than nothing when it comes to that style rigging. But I do remember some comments, I think, when either Chad of Adla was in that phase of building. Maybe there will be some other comments on this in the near future. Night. Quote
Phil Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 Dave Throw in an updated shot of your steering, if you don't mind. That sounds & looks(from your gallery) really 8) Phil Quote
adla Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 borrowing from OYsTEr: Pictures for those that can't read DAvE!!! Grin - can't wait to see the new gaff! You do nice work. Adla Quote
Dave R1 Posted March 21, 2006 Author Posted March 21, 2006 Well Oyster, I'll have to look around and see if I can find something about that. I can modify the angle a little bit on the jaws I've made but there's not a lot of room for change on it. Phil, I haven't any photos but I have a couple of drawings I can post. Adla, I'm blushing. thank you. Quote
Guest Oyster Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 I don't know if any of these links have the tidbit of information in it, or not. But if you have some idle time, look through them. I did find a link that had some standard hardware in it. It maybe that there are other sites in the states that has some but have not had the reason up to now to seek them out. A few days ago, there was a conversation with another member about goosenecks, Charlie. :wink: http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/specpages/gaff.htm http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/Articles/Reference%20start.htm http://users2.ev1.net/~fshagan/weekender.htm http://www.messing-about.com/gaffrig/ http://www.messing-about.com/gaffrig/gaffover.htm Quote
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