Julie K's Old Sails, Charlie Girl II

[kydocfrog]

Dave, the new sails look great. And here are the old ones.

Update from here. This evening Charlie Girl II went through her first successful full dress lift of all spars and halyards. New lines, twist shackles, and some rework and everything went right up.I'm not confident in my gaff yet, but along with Julie K's old sails, I now have her old gaff if the jaws on mine don't work out. I don't know if it shows on the picture, but I put a small spreader on the mast to lift the shrouds slightly to clear the gaff jaws. I think I misfigured the location of the shroud eyebolt. Also, you may be able to see the line for the "Gerr Downhaul." As someone noted, it isn't quite as neat as the drawings, but I'm really trying to make things work from the cockpit or cabin. The twist in the lines of the peak halyard has been corrected. What you can't see really clearly is the field expedient mast hoops. The tablernacle kind of played hob with lacing and mast hoops cost a lot, so was thinking about rope grommets. That will come along or else mast hoops will, but the interim fix is big, wide nylon cable ties. Strong as all get out and no slip.

I'm going without the club foot for the moment. I may change my mind. We'll see. Still need to make some jam cleats.

Also, in the non-skid debate, I found these strips (in several widths) at one of our local Lowe's. Someday, like the next paint touch up, they might turn out to be the same color as the deck...

There is a very good chance that she might get a test launch tomorrow afternoon; not a full christening, but at least enough to see if anything falls off and the water sort of stays on its side of the hull. (And where do you put th jib and forestay when trailering...?)

Thanks to all who have contributed ideas and help and to Dave for the great deal on the sails and the gaff.

DocA, much encouraged, in Kentucky

[adla]

Oh she lOoks gOod.

i put a spreader on my mast as well - just for a little elbow room up there. Also - i am getting rid of the club foot for sailstice...i will report on a newby experience without one after the 17th.

When is the launch?

a.

[Dave R1]

Doc, it looks great. 8) I'll bet you're getting excited for launch day. You should be very proud of Charlie Girl II.

I'm glad those sails worked out for you.

[Guest Oyster]

Great story and glad that its worked out for you, Charlie. Things have a way of working itself out, in most cases, when you think you have hit a brick wall.

[kydocfrog]

Plan right now is for a test launch to see in anything falls off on Friday afternoon with a more formal launch and sail on Saturday at a nearby lake. Looks like other things, including stuff at college on Sunday, will keep me from making Rend Lake again....

But heading for the water

DocA

[Dave R1]

I hope you've lined up a photographer for both days. Best wishes and fair winds.

Dave

[kydocfrog]

Yup, but I reserve the right to edit so as not to terrify small children or otherwise create undue alarm and consternation...

DocA

[Dave R1]

Well, ok.

Before launching Julie K, when people asked when she'd get wet, I told them I was going to wait until 2:00 on a night with no moon in the middle of the week. I'd quietly slip her off the trailer, let her slide into the water and I'd listen. If I heard gurgling, I'd slip the bowline off her, push her out as far as she'd go and let her settle to the bottom. The next day there'd be a boat trailer for sale in my yard.

As it was, my entire family was there along with a gazillion other folks. It must have been blowing 30 kts straight in toward the ramp. Two guys held the dock lines like they were both pulling on mules while I put up the sails. I said, "let's go." They tossed the lines on deck and we shot out between the boats straining at their moorings. :shock: :shock:

Everything was fine until the steering broke but we won't go there.

[kydocfrog]

You know, it's the steering stories that make me nervous. You just can't load test that on the trailer. Winter modification may well include tiller and plugging that big water intake in the transom. I'm going to be interested in seeing Alda's mods for tiller. She does nice work. Tim D. did a nice one too.

Love the 30 knot story though.

DocA.