Afternoon sail

I took my wife, my friend Jacob, and his wife Lauren on a sail about a week ago in Winyah Bay (so far my only sailing grounds). Just as we left the landing a storm started building behind us. We managed to stay just in front of it, though we caught a bit of a drizzle. Then, as when the storm cleared it took the wind with it. So, we rowed back most of the way, Jacob on one oar and me on the other. My 8 foot oars are at least 6 inches too short, probably an entire foot too short. This makes them perfect for two oarsmen rowing side by side with one oar each.


I have taken the boat out about 5 times thus far and I love it. It really has been fun. I'm looking forward to a day long cruise. I have also decided that I want to build another set of masts out of aluminum. This will save my back when stepping and unstepping the masts. These solid spruce ones
are cumbersome, but they do work.

Launched!!!

wood for next boat

A client gave my dad these cypress beams. They are 10" x 10" and were 22' long. I cut them into 9' lengths and plan to resaw them into 1/2" x 6" planks for my next boat. There won't be enough good wood in them for the entire boat, but it'll get me started.

more delays

I was expecting to get my sails in the next couple of days but it seems the loft made the wrong sails. They made a set for the BRS 15 and my boat is a BRS 17. Hopefully I can get a full set in 4 weeks instead of 6. And, the designer is going to try to come up with a sail for me to use until I can get a full set. This will at least get me on the water and in the mean time I can fix a few minor things and do stuff like finish off my oars.

Out into the sun, masts stepped, exciting!!

It was very exciting to see the boat out in the open with the masts stepped. You can see that the foremast is raked and the aftermast appears not to be. They both should be. Both masts also have some curve to them (unintentional). Another issue was the boat trailer. My friend Ashley and I raised the front of the boat on the trailer and made some other adjustments and hopefully the boat will go on and off without hitting the fenders. Still more work to be done but getting closer to launch every day.

Countdown to launch . . .

My sails SHOULD be arriving in the next couple of days along with a couple more pieces of hardware. I have finished painting the boat and started installing the hardware. I hope I can finish the hardware tonight.

My cleats you can see port and starboard on the stern and centered on the foredeck. I think they look nice unpainted on the turquoise.

So far I installed the gudgeons for the rudder, the cleats and the seat hatches and hinges.

I also installed the oarlock sockets but one of the screws on the port one broke off inside the gunnel so I had to take it off and clean the bedding compound from it so it before it cured. I still have to get the broken screw out which won't be any fun.

Not your typical gay bar

A human interest note:

Some local characters at the marine railway and old fish house.
















They are just buddies from what I understand.