San Juans Solo

[mustangermatt]

I took another trip through the islands last week, 4 days with just me and the peace and quite and four thousand high speed diesel motoryachts and drunks. Oh well. Actually the early mornings were great because the powerboaters wouldn't get up that early (hangovers?) And I usually wanted to catch the morning ebb anyway.

I stayed at remote parks, anchored in front of cozy resorts, and even in the big town (Friday Harbor) and took in a movie. I also learned that I can average ten miles a day under oars and made one stint of eighteen. Wind wasn't great. But a good time was had by all (me).

[Gordy Hill]

Matt,

Why did you choose to rig your sprits like booms?

[P Doug (WA)]

Thanks for the pictures. I think that area is one of the most beautiful on planet earth..

[Kidd]

I too am curious about your rig. Looks like wood masts and booms. The trip looks like a grand adventure.

[mustangermatt]

I rigged the sprits that way because they're booms, not sprits... he he he

But really they are rigged that way partly because I used Penguin sails that are designed to be flown from loose footed booms, partly because I am familiar with booms, not sprits. Partly because I use this boat to teach my kids to sail and I wanted them to be able to move on to other boats more easily. And mostly because I like them :-)

Don't get me wrong, I agree 100% with Grahams design and his views on sprits. I just had different needs and materials.

The masts and booms are solid spruce from a 4"x10"x20' plank that I got from Harbor Marine Lumber in Anacortes before they closed two years ago. They were worked down to an octagon with my grandfathers hand plane and lovingly varnished by my wife and daughters :-)

[Kidd]

They are beautiful. I really like the look of the wood masts.

[mustangermatt]

Thanks, so do I :-)

[Tom Lathrop]

Matt,

Looks like you wrapped the masts for the boom crutches. What did you use to do this? The rig looks great even though I have become partial to sprit boom rigs.

[mustangermatt]

That is cow hide laced in place. Works great.