Morningstar figurehead

[smoolie671]

Man this figurehead had to have been made for this boat!! It's perfect. My friend Tony and I were roaming the net looking for figureheads when he spotted this one. I wasn't sure, but thought I would give it a try. When it showed up, I was amazed! Then we took it to the shop today and there was no arguing about it. It works! It cost about $145.00 with shipping. The guy even cast it with a harder foam just for me. I will be doing business with him more often. Also notice how the front of the normal Weekender keel/bow was cut off? Well we didn't let it go to waste. I trimmed it, turned it around, and bolted it on top of the keel. the trail boards will be attached to it, and the anchor post knees.

[capt jake]

I really can't wait to see this in person. It gets more amazing with every post.

[Mark Gudschinsky]

Cheater Pants! :wink: You're supposed to make em not fake em!

I'm going to try to carve my own and I'm only 9.

But yours still looks cool.

[Greg Luckett]

That is so COOL!!! A real figure head.

One question though, while looking at the pics, is your boat going to be top heavy and/or unstable due to the large surfaces above the water line? I vaguely recall discussing ballast with you a while ago, so sorry if this is redundant. That boat is so pretty I hate to think she might roll over when in the water.

[smoolie671]

Oh yes! She will have ballest. However I'm not sure if I'll be attaching it to the keel. I'm a bit concerned that keel bulbs might start to crack the wood while bouncing down the road over time. So I might just place it in wooden powder barrels on the floor in the cabin. It should work well enough with the right amount. Not to mention the fact that I'll be running a two battery system. Thats at least 100 lbs right there.

[kydocfrog]

This has got to be more fun than is legal. I'll bet there is a Coast Guard "fun per pound as a function of waterline length limitation forumla" that is part of getting a hull number.

DocFrog

[kydocfrog]

This has got to be more fun than is legal. I'll bet there is a Coast Guard "fun per pound as a function of waterline length limitation forumla" that is part of getting a hull number.

DocFrog

[Mike Pennington]

Through bolting the lead bulbs should work, but some flat weights, like railroad tie plates might work as well right above the keel.

After sailing with Laura's dad, Mark and his Weekender the Flyer, I think you may eventually decide to go with the keel mounted ballast like Ray's.

One thing I know for sure is, you have my vote for just plain gumption. I love that boat of yours, and my hat is off to you.

Keep on creating,

Mike

[Andrew_Butchart]

For ballast I've melted down some lead using my soldering torch into 15 and 30 pound weights with eye-bolts embedded in them.

The plan is to install a ballast box in the forepeak for them. The eyebolts should allow me to bolt them into place (not sure how yet) or to use them as a "lunch hook".

Personally I wouldn't want to add the weight to the keel. Not only would it add stress to that joint, but it would change the keel profile. I also want the option of "not" having ballast in - especially when moving the boat around by myself.

[smoolie671]

I'm in agreement that the lead attached to the keel would stress the joint between the keel and the bottom. I just don't want any water sneeking through to the wood. Yes, if the keel rested on the rollers of the trailer that would be better, but I'm still a bit cautious. I'll be making the keel deeper before she gets dunked. I figure if I can slice off the keel at the level of the stern part, then take some good 2x4s and "stack" them till I get the depth that I want. This should help keep the boat from rolling so much. I think I'll be giving up the "weather helm" ability, but I can live with that.

[smoolie671]

I had at one time kicked around the the idea of using surplus fork lift forks cut down to the right length as ballast. Those buggers are heavy! All that would be requiered is to cut to length, drill the holes and bolt in place.