Monday, May 26, 2014

Islands 17 Mast step

On my list of things to clean up is the mast step. Looks like a simple matter of replacing the screws, and possibly rebedding it after I clean off the rust stains.

Raising the mast isn't so bad for me single handed. I keep the shrouds rigged  and only the fore stay is loose. I simply slide it back at the ramp until I can drop the base down to the mast step. Then I pin through the aft holes. Before I lift up the mast I rig the jib halyard to the bow where the tack of the jib will be fastened. When that is done, I check to make sure my halyard, stay and shrouds are clear and no one is messing around too close behind me.

After the check I lift, usually standing further back in the cockpit for leverage (I put a small stepstool under the stern just incase the trailer comes off the ball with my tubby butt way back there). From there it hinges up easily, though I typically pause when I get it up high enough to rest on my shoulder and take up the slack on the jib halyard. At this point I can either walk it up to vertical, or press it with my right arm and haul on the halyard. Either way, once it is up I secure the halyard and can take my time getting down and moving to the bow to secure the fore stay. I haven't timed it, but I'd guess I'm about 10-12 minutes from pulling up to being rigged. The next thing I do is to make sure the plug is in (this is probably the 2nd or 3rd time I've checked the plug :)

Depending on how busy the ramp is, and what the conditions are of the launch site I may bend the sails on at this point or wait until I've launched.


Sunday, May 18, 2014

Baby Tender for my Nephew

This is a project I did about 12 years ago now. Lost my website that it was on, and haven't taken the time to restore that site. So, this is easy enough to post and I don't have to maintain it.

I got the plans from Jordan Wood Boats, it is a Baby Tender 2. My first wooden boat






Friday, May 16, 2014

Islands 17

Craigs List is very tempting at times. That is what I tell myself when I look at the small sailboat now parked next to my house. I've had her out a few times, including an inaugural camping trip. Lots of fun, better now that she has a new mainsail and jib. The 30 year old rags that came with it had put in good service, but it was time. The new sails cost almost as much as the boat, but bring a lot of safety and enjoyment.

The Islands 17 is pretty much a replica of the Tanzer 16. I am taking a number of queues from that class and associated sites. When I ordered new sails from JSI, I just sent them the measurements from the Tanzer 16 class. They fit and fill perfectly.

Most of the projects for this boat will be focused on the trailer so it can be moved safely.



The current must have list for the boat includes:
Rebuild kickup rudder head
refinish/replace teak centerboard cover
refinish/replace stern hatch
mount and wire battery for trolling motor
add cleats for docking
paint (pure vanity but would look nice)
new running rigging

This boat may be a good choice for an Everglades Challenge in the future.  These things aren't needed for casual day sailing, in fact they would just add to setup time. For the EC though I think they are key.
Reefing rigging
Topping lift
mast slide gate
lazy jacks
running lights
oar locks? or scull?
lifting floorboard or similar in forward section around centerboard for storage/sleeping platform



Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Camping Feb 2014

Love St Joseph's Sound. We'v been camping on the spoil island there for years. We call it Drock Island after a buddy of ours who passed, I'm sure there are plenty of other names for it, maybe even an official one. But to me it will always be Drock.

I was so rushed I didn't have time to pack, so I just grabbed both my camping plastic containers with everything and tossed them in the back of the truck. We had WAAAAAY more than enough stuff for an overnight.




Some detail work on the manu




Life is pretty grand, but busy. Snuck out into the shop to try out my new toy, a sanding drum bit chucked into my drill press. Worked nicely for the sweeping curve.

Next step, shape and mount the stern piece, and add some sapele trim to cover the ply endgrain to finish the cockpit.