Launching day of FreeAtLast, with capsize

[Barry Pyeatt]

11) Exhale and try to breathe normally.

[capt jake]

Exhale and try to breathe normally.

Sounds like a drill I went through the other day..

Don't panic, breathe deeply.... :D Anyway :D

[Knut]

Thanks for all the useful hints and discussions received since last time I was checking this string. A couple of reflections from my side:

I have posted separately today about how to make a light-weight mast. This is one sure thing I am going to do as a first priority modification to my boat for the reasons already described. Another reason would be that if a knowck-down has happened then the righting of the boat would be quite a bit easier. After it has been righted it is also important and not so easy to keep it level if the intention is to bail it on the spot. A heavy mast sticking up over the water (after righting) is pushing the hull down. A lightweight mast + floatation is what is needed for a successful bailing and every inch of freeboard will count.

The sailing of a Weekender in 30 knots+ sounds very interesting. Some more details about sail configuration, how much reefing etc. would be most welcome. Dis you sail down wind, beating against, broad reach or all of them? How did the boat behave etc??

[Tim Diebert]

...now I remember where I read about the heavy mast thing, it was Knut's excellent account of the 'Maiden Voyage Knockdown'....also a new tune by Homer Noodleman and The Barn Owls recorded on their recently released CD, "Viking Sailing Tunes for Floridians"...on Blind Pig Records.

I think you are onto something there Knut. A first hand account and a valuable lesson indeed. The masts on these boats (like so many things on these boats) was designed for appearance not practicality or performance.

Personally, I tend to be a little hard....in a critical sense....on these little ships as I did not build my boat. I do not have the 'emotional' investment that all you other folks have.

It will be fun to see if a lighter mast will make any difference. It will also be fun to see what happens when Professor Ray does the Ballast Bulb Thing.....and Barry gets his Extendo Sprit Roller Furling Thing done....and whatever else is in the works. Like my new dagger board and dagger board case that will be in use this summer. (Man, I am just Jonesin to saw off that silly keel that resides under this boat)

Thanks for the input Knut.

[Tim Diebert]

Great idea Professor...a 150lb bulb on the end of a 36" dagger board.

Could be interesting...specially mixed with that whole 'old timey' friendship sloop plywood sharpie thing. Hey Capn Fire Escape...there's yer boat description! Hope I am not too late.

What I did was a whole lotta cypherin and ass scratchin there Prof...you woulda been proud of me. I also did not want to lose any (or very much) interior space. My plan was to have enough space remaining for one human to sleep aboard...after the dagger board case was installed.

It sits 11 inches to strbd of the centerline. Still leaves enough room to sleep, enough room to get in and out and leaves enough room for a person to sit just inside the cabin area with their head out the hatchway. (Something a good many of my ballast humans would do)

The tricky part was designing the thing so I could get a good long length of DB into the water, and get it into into and out of the case without chainsawing a slot in the coach roof. I did not want a drop board or hinged unit...I have found them to be a bit of a pain. I am a KISS principal kind of guy.

The case is 12" high, the board is a total length of 48" including a handle and stuff at one end. The effective part of the board, under the hull is 32" long and 12" wide. Solid Oak with the coolest ratio wing taper. I got these figures (I think you found these Prof...) in a magazine. I will look it up if anyone is interested. It goes in down through the open hatch on an angle angle once inside, all straighten up.

The fun part of this project is that I made the case longer than really necessary....30". Partly to be able to get the board in the case and also so I can play around with the CLR...the board can move fore and aft for fine tuning and general mischeif. ((Although I made sure the actual CLR point was covered)

All this stuff is made and fitted and am in the Varnushing stages right now.

And just in case you wanted to know...yes, I am going to be wacking off some of the silly keelson if I have time. If not...next year for sure. Main thing is to get back in the water. The Canadian sailing season is upon us and I feel the need.