GIS beginners build in Concord, NH

**alzuger** · 19th October 2010, 01:55 AM

Christophe and I had a wonderful time this weekend. I finally bought a wetsuit for our October Atlantic sailing and I'm sure glad I did. I drove up on Saturday morning, we met up in New Hampshire, drove to Portland ME, and put into the harbor by late afternoon. We were a bit back and forth about the conditions because it was REALLY windy, and I'm less experienced but we decided to go out and assess the situation once we were underway.

I am Zinea, Pterodactylus took off like a rocket through a tornado! We had 2 reefs in the sail, and were both hiked out on the rail and were blasting through the waves. I think we covered about 6 and a half miles in a bit over an hour. We would have been quicker, but punching through every wave slowed us down some. It was a wild ride, and I am now much more comfortable with the boat and her capabilities.

Also Christophe is a very enthusiastic and capable sailor and I learned a lot. Once we decided that we were properly prepared and fully commited to enjoying being cold and wet it was nonstop fun and excitement. By the time we got to the campsite our wetsuits were soaked in and out from taking waves over the bow and across the back and shoulders while hiked out on the rail trying to keep her upright. The next day was a great deal calmer and I got to take the tiller for much of our return. Our destination was directly into the wind, so we spent a leisurely afternoon tacking back and forth across Casco bay and playing with sail trim and pointing so I could get a better feel for the boat.

It was a blast in every way and I am in love with the Maine coast. I cant wait for next season when I will return with my own boat and do more exploring. I hope this was the first of more rockin' cruises with the burgeoning northeastern Goat Island Skiff fleet.

-Al

**MiddleAgesMan** · 20th October 2010, 09:41 AM

Sounds like the perfect young man's game. Enjoy!

**BobWes** · 20th October 2010, 04:17 PM

Ha! That's why I plan to join them for the fun!

Perhaps I can earn a spot as an honorary member of the burgeoning northeastern GIS fleet?

**alzuger** · 21st October 2010, 12:30 AM

Bring it Bob!
Can 4 boats be an armada?
-Al

**davlafont** · 21st October 2010, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by alzuger

I hope this was the first of more rockin' cruises with the burgeoning northeastern Goat Island Skiff fleet.

The B.Ne.G.I.S.F. should consider gathering at the WoodenBoat Show in Mystic next summer...

**callsign222** · 21st October 2010, 06:02 AM

How much $$$ would that be? Isn't Mystic prohibitive?

**davlafont** · 21st October 2010, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by callsign222

How much $$$ would that be? Isn't Mystic prohibitive?

I have no clue. But it's somewhat centrally located for the Northeast, unlike the WOOD Regatta in the Chesapeake that the B.NE.G.I.S.F. might consider converging upon in the spring...

**callsign222** · 21st October 2010, 10:17 AM

Well, no fun if you don't have a GIS Dave.

Hint Hint.

Maybe it should be a Burgeoning North East Storer Fleet instead-- Peteloaf will have Eureka, I will have a GIS and a QC, throw in some PDR's like that really nice one in Boston, the GIS collection...

Maybe we should put together a Storer Messabout? Is there any real interest in this?

**davlafont** · 21st October 2010, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by callsign222

Well, no fun if you don't have a GIS Dave.

Hint Hint.

I'm moving in that direction. I bought the plans. I have a binder with important tips, posts, pics. I've been playing with SailCut and have input MIK's lug dimensions. I've been clearing my garage (but it can't seem to stay that way). I just need to convince the boss. Which means I have to finish a few home improvement projects first.

BTW, my new theory: if I build a GIS and get my son interested in the process and the sailing, maybe he'll want to build an OZRacer of his own. I've been collecting various sailing YouTube videos (including the one you linked on death rolls) to show him how exciting it can be. But I've also showed him PDR videos and pics to show that a brick can float and race (against other bricks) and be fun. We'll see how my diabolical plan unfolds...

**callsign222** · 21st October 2010, 11:52 AM

Yessss... Yesssss... it's all coming together now! Muhwahahahaha!

**BobWes** · 21st October 2010, 11:55 AM

Maybe we should put together a Storer Messabout? Is there any real interest in this?

You bet! Any time after January - but the dance card is filling so the sooner someone picks a place and time the sooner I can put it on the calendar!

**alzuger** · 21st October 2010, 12:59 PM

I'm all for it, but in the interest of safety and comfort, I might suggest it be held a bit further into the spring than January. It's a touch cold in this part of the world till at least March or April.

Either that or we all fly to Australia and have it in the January summer heat!
-Al

**BobWes** · 21st October 2010, 01:30 PM

Ha!

Upon further review... I won't really be ready for a messabout in January. I have some finishing up to do on my GIS and central Michigan isn't the best place for boat work in January or February.

Late spring or summer work for me.

**woodeneye** · 21st October 2010, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by alzuger

I'm all for it, but in the interest of safety and comfort, I might suggest it be held a bit further into the spring than January. It's a touch cold in this part of the world till at least March or April.

Either that or we all fly to Australia and have it in the January summer heat!
-Al

Listen to Al, listen to Al!

**callsign222** · 12th March 2011, 02:54 PM

Spring is coming!

I would like to get rid of the wrinkles along the yard on the head of the sail, as illustrated by this picture below:

So, the wrinkles here are exaggerated because the light is low in the sky, but the definition is wonderful. I have fiddled with this to no end this year, and I am more than willing to make a new spar.

What are your opinions? Spar too bendy? Spar OK but lashings too tight? Not enough tension along the head? What do we think?

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