New Boat

I am currently on a quest to figure out what the next build will be.  Requirements are:

1.  It is to be a sailboat to replace the 1969 Enterprise Sailing Dinghy that is too tough on my back and knees. 

2.  Able to carry a few guests but not too many!

3.  Can be built in a single car garage.

4.  Sails well and can handle Buzzards Bay and Nantucket Sound.

5.  Easily launched and rigged in 15 minutes so as to encourage using the boat. 

6.  Not too expensive. 

Some options:

Richard Woods Strike 18 - dont know much about upwind performance, total cost of build, and ability in choppy conditions.  (Buzzards Bay rivals San Francisco most summer afternoons). 

Michalak - Blobster (but dont know enough about sailing in chop and wind).  Like the ease of build and the simple, yet effective lug sail.
 

Welsford Navigator -  This boat seems to be the best fit, but need to finish research on the others.  rig options are endless.














Core Sound 17 (or 20) - Very promising. 

• stitch and glue
• handle wide range of wind
• can take 3-4 for a ride
• easy to rig
• easy to sail. 

The 17.

The 20

will the 20 fit in the garage
How easy is it to lift these spars into place? 
How difficult to build is the rig? 

A lot going for this design as either boat will perform acceptably well!




Welsford Houdini - had to throw this in as a Blobster rival.  No cabin, but need to state that I have rarely used the cabin on any cabin boat I have owned! 

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Updating the Blog

Over the next several days (or weeks if Im pressed for time), I will be moving some of my older pictures and videos to a new host. As a result, if you are an RSS subscriber to this blog, some of my posts may not be in chronological order. You are, however, still welcome to read these older posts... think of them as "best of" episodes.

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New Bottom Paint

We laid the first coat of the graphite-infused, epoxy-based bottom paint, and Ive got to say Im really pleased with the results. It went pretty quickly, and I like the black better than the red. Unfortunately, I didnt bring my camera, so no pics this time.

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new photos milestone reached

After a couple of days of glueing upside down inside the ladder frame.  I read the next step in the directions more carefully.  apparently I have been working upside down for quite a while.  No matter, the result is a very nice boat. 

I took it off the ladder and removed the forms tonight.  I have to say I am please with the results so far. 

Next will be to glass over the points the frames were at and fair and sand the exterior.  I have decided to glass the entire outside with 6 oz cloth.  the boat is incredibly light right now and can stand the couple of pounds this will add.  Most probably will glass the interior with 4 oz on the bottom panels.  and epoxy the sides prior to painting. 


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forms removed to access the seams.  The boat is easily lifted with one hand at this point in time.  will glass at least the bottom inside and out for durablility.  My life was once saved by a 6 oz layer of glass on wood so will not omit here. 

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Nice lines for rowing.  I cant wait!

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A bit of trimming to do on the bow.  But it came out nicely.

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Transom ready for tape and layer of cloth.

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new coat of paint

I could not stand the look of the latex house paint.  It just did not have the gloss that makes a first class job stand out, and it was very subject to abrasion.  So, today I stripped off the latex and repainted with Hi-Gloss White enamel by Benjamin Moore.  Using a roller, and tipping of with a nice brush yielded an excellent finish that I am sure will give this boat the attention it deserves.  Some wet sanding with 600 grit should yield a first class finish. 

One more coat to go with the varnish, and finishing the interior with a coat of the Kirbys battleship grey should give me a finish that is easy to sweep out or wash off.  Also need to finish sealing the seats. 

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