SUKIE Posted July 21, 2009 Posted July 21, 2009 And what a beautiful moment it was! Even though I was in such a rush that I didn't finish a few key elements (jam cleats for mizzen sheet, downhaul for CB, downhaul for mizzen), and I was missing the block for main downhaul, I made do and we all had a terriffic sail. By the way, in a pinch one can use a wedge to keep the CB down. Now I have just a little work to really finish her. Ray, stop reading here. Has anyone build a motor mount of wood? I have a 30lb thrust electric motor which I was encouraged to get and now feel I may as well be ready to use it. I was thinking of a simple vertical board that slides into a wooden bracket. Only thing on the boat when not in use would be the wooden bracket, 3/4" lumber. OK, I'll try to attach photos. Last one, we're looking skyward for the champagne cork!! Quote
Jeff MacDonald Posted July 21, 2009 Posted July 21, 2009 Congratulations! I really like your color scheme, too. Very classic. Quick question: is the sail number incorrect on the mizzen? Or, is it just the way it's folded? She's a beauty. Quote
SUKIE Posted July 21, 2009 Author Posted July 21, 2009 Ray, You weren't supposed to read that part! I have aft deck, which does make it a little trickier. Jeff, Wow, what an eye for detail. Yup, I have #218 on the main, and #281 on the mizzen. Graham's sending me new numbers for the mizzen! I hope I don't have to register for a race before then. Quote
Ken_Potts Posted July 22, 2009 Posted July 22, 2009 Congratulations Sukie, 218 looks great! I've got a vertical board on the transom for my 2hp motor and it has worked fine so far. I've towed other sailboats whose skippers weren't wise enough to bring a motor and I've used the motor to help right a capsized catamaran and I haven't had the motor fall off (yet). I arranged the motor mount board so that it bolts onto the transom and can be removed if I decide to become a purist-in-need-of-assistance ;D The motor mount is a piece of 4/4 ash that is wide enough to clamp the motor onto. It is secured to the transom via bolts engaging nuts that are buried in the structure of the transom (I have a matching board on the inside of the aft compartment). If you need pictures I'll try to find my camera - I haven't seen it in quite a while, but I need to find it soon for my UK adventure. I've followed your build from the very beginning and I'm happy to see that you're reaping the reward of all your hard work! Quote
wkisting Posted July 22, 2009 Posted July 22, 2009 Beautiful work, Sukie! Congrats on your launch! Quote
SUKIE Posted July 22, 2009 Author Posted July 22, 2009 Ray, Did you notice how many boats at the Regatta had motor brackets? Well, there were about 5 that I saw, but they were very low profile and hardly noticable at all. I've looked at some commercial ones but they cost waaaaay to much, which is why I'll make mine of wood (I hope). After all, when on comes up against an island, and the wind is stacking up, what's a person to do? So, my answer is, those parallelogram shaped brackets are much too obtrusive (not to mention just plain ugly). Quote
Richard Whitney CS#70 Posted July 22, 2009 Posted July 22, 2009 Well done!! Great to see another CS17 hit the water. Looks like you did a great job. Quote
Hirilonde Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 Motors on sailboats have been discussed everywhere over and again. There are lots of reasons to and not to have one. I do not think having one as a safety feature for when sailing skills are not sufficient is a good reason in the slightest. I would not ever feel comfortable if I were approaching a situation where I might have to rely on an engine to get me out of trouble. Nothing will ever replace planning ahead and developing skills. If having one is convenient for you, and you can live with how it looks for this convenience, then go for it. But if you (not directed at anyone in particular) are considering it a necessary safety device, then you are probably already in trouble, you just don't know it yet. Oh, and she looks great Sukie! Congratulations on your build. You will probably never stop having thoughts about upgrades or changes, but for now: [move]Go Sailing! Go Sailing! Go Sailing![/move] Quote
Joe Anderson Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 Sukie, I have really enjoyed watching your build, and now sharing in the thrill of her launch. Well done. Joe Quote
Rod Thompson Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 Great looking boat Sukie. I thought you were all looking to the sky to pray for fair winds. You are an inspiration to those of us still working towards launch day. Will be interested in what you build for a motor-mount bracket. Quote
SUKIE Posted July 23, 2009 Author Posted July 23, 2009 Thank you all for your gracious comments, they mean alot to me. And, as for the motor dilema. . . Hirlilonde, I grew up sailing on our familys 32' cutter, built in 1920. I think the motor was from the same year, and never could be depended on. We frequently sailed into harbors, tacking between closely moored boats to drop anchor (throwing the lead line for depth as we went). One time we attempted to tack through Woods Hole, at the base of Cape Cod, a ledgendary place for watching boats get swept onto the rocks. We finally had to back off and wait for the tide to change, but that was after an hour of sailing to and fro against wind and tide. I totally agree with you about not depending on a motor to save your neck. I was thinking more about when I'm 15 miles up one of those wonderful Maine lakes, not a breath of air, and darkness setting in. Yes, I could row, but would I want to...? and Ray, thanks for the compliment on my rowing. I've been doing it for a l-o-n-g time! and, I'm going to try the vertical board, and I'll build a wood bracket into which it will slide effortlessly when needed. hahahahaha I can always dream. Quote
Dale Niemann Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 Beautiful work, Sukie! I have enjoyed seeing your progress reports. You can be very proud on your successful launch. Hopefully you found the cork and can keep if for memory sake. Congrats on your beautiful boat! PS: Go for the motor for convenience sake not for safety. Dale Quote
JeffM Posted July 31, 2009 Posted July 31, 2009 Congratulations!!! Sukie, a board would be the simplest solution, but I found my ancient gas motor (short shaft) and my little trolling motor needed to ride pretty low on the transom to stay submerged. I got one of the tripod mounts from Duckworks. (They look pricey until you price the alternatives.) It goes on and off pretty easily and I'm moderately satisfied with it. Quote
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