I have no desire to limit either positive or negative comments here (as long as the comments have to do with the site topic and do not lead to an obviously unrelated page), but I just discovered that some of the (vague but sincere sounding) comments with web addresses are simple spam, leading to pages touting Viagra, etc. I will try to approve comments daily and I apologize for the delay, but I had no idea spam came in so blatantly. Such is the world of the internet.
Rudder modification to reduce tiller force
- Sketch of Rudder Modification
One of my more successful modifications has been to add an area ahead of the pivot line defined by the hinges. Unmodified, the helmsperson has to provide all the force to opppose the water running past the rudder surface. Admittedly the length of the tiller arm helps, but I was finding it taking more force than I wanted to come about for a tack.
Since the rudder was built out of fiberglass-covered plywood, it was a simple matter to add some area ahead of the pivot to have the water push the forward area of the rudder in the direction of the tiller, getting the water to aid the effort. Continue reading “Rudder modification to reduce tiller force”
What to do in cold weather
It is too cold at home to really get going on the new season’s boat modifications. Every year I make a list of the things to do before the spring/summer launch. Here in Eastern Canada the cold season, while not as intense, is much longer lasting than in the US. Aside from cold feet and scraping snow off, the big problem is the curing of epoxy. I always get the “fast” hardener, but that simply means at 50F or 60F it takes 4 hours instead of two days to set (as best I can tell, even at temperatures around 40F, it eventually sets, but that slows work down. Using heat lamps or fitting the 26′ long x 15′ wide x 12′ high trimaran into a shelter is difficult and, in any case the extra labor is easily avoided by simply waiting for warmer weather. Continue reading “What to do in cold weather”
Mast Raising
When I first bought my boat the sea trial entailed setting the mast. I wasn’t in charge but it scared me to have about 6 guys standing around discussing possible ways to get it up. In those days it rested (was stepped) on the deck. Ideas ranged from using the small hoist fastened around the middle to having several men push it up. There was no consensus. The mast was about 35′ long and heavier than one person could lift. I don’t recall what was finally done, but I remember a halyard got stuck at the top and someone used an extension ladder to get up there. Continue reading “Mast Raising”
Boat Launching
When I discovered that it would cost me a good $600 per year to get my boat from my yard to the harbour and back each year, I decided a trailer (costing $1000) would be a good idea. Unfortunately to legally put a 15′ wide trimaran on the road would require special permits, etc. but where I live fishing boats of about the same width are routinely trailered by a commercial carrier (legally) and it is only 2 miles to the harbour. Drivers here are used to encountering wide boats on the highway and, as long as I avoid peak traffic times, things are OK. Continue reading “Boat Launching”
Sailing on PEI
A true account: I herewith endeavour to give a true account of my sailing experiences on Prince Edward Island interspersed with bits of advice and warnings, often derived from the writings of others. These experiences arose out of acquiring, and then modifying, a small used sailboat for coastal sailing. When Luke, the author of two Bible books, began writing, he pointed out that, while many others had already written about the same topic, he was going to write an orderly account resulting from careful investigation.[1] In the realm of sailing, this is beyond my grasp! Much of the technical information presented here echoes the writings of others who have come before me. Instead, it is my goal to give a personal account of my journey on the path to becoming a sailor. Continue reading “Sailing on PEI”