An easier way to set off? Tricky Launch spot.

[chad]

my GIS has the plywood centreboard/daggerboard. In the interest of stability would I benefit from making the timber one out of the wood left over after the build as it is about 8 inches longer?
My younger boys get a bit panicky as she heels over!
Would sandbags be as effective?
Also, where I launch it is not easy to sail away from the slipway as there is a long jetty to one side and a few metal poles nearby on the other. I row out to a clear space, but every time I try to hoist the sail the boat gets spun around by the current so I can't stay head to wind. What if I raise the sail and row out (hoping the sail wont hit me!) , will the boat be in danger of capsize if the wind blows the sail around to the bow of even the side? Can I row out with the sail up and the wind blowing from stern to bow?
Anys tips?
I am loving sailing my GIS but seem to spend more time struggling than sailing!

[Boatmik]

Howdy Chad,

With some more practice you will find some better ways.

The sandbags would help enormously while you get used to the boat. And like David you will probably stop using them as you work out the best way to do things.

If the wind is from the side (cross shore), or is not too strong from the back of the boat (offshore) there always is the option of hoisting the sail and sailing out, but it depends on the space and on just how much wind you have.

With an offshore wind with some strength it can be hard to reduce speed while cross shore you can control speed very easily. This video might be suggestive, though there is a lot more freedom to steer around where I am launching and the guys in the boat have a bit of weight too - even if they have not sailed before - so don't know how to help me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm6GxO50VYk

We are lucky here because there are beaches usually adjacent to most launching ramps though brass strips on the bottom skids of the GIS can make it Ok to rig on concrete in much the same way (providing it doesn't congest the ramp)

Another way is to tie the bow off to the pier or a pole (wheichever way will allow the boat to point into the wind. Rope tied off to the bow eye around the pole or pier and then around a plastic horn cleat on front seat ahead of the mast. Just uncleat and drop the rope and the boat is disconnected and the rope can be pulled in later.

Another way would be to make the sail hoisting and downhaul a bit easier to use from further back in the boat. Drill holes beside the mast so the ropes can go down to the floor of the boat to a couple of pulleys, then they can run along the floor (probably have to drill a couple of holes low down in bhd 2 (you can buy little plastic linesers for these holes.

And then cleat the downhaul and the halyard on cleats at the bottom back of the centrecase.

My guess is that trying to rig before you go out (wind direction agreeable) or using the sand bags will help. Or if you get the kids to sit each side of the floor behind the mid seat that will help the stability while you fiddle up forward.

Hope this gives some ideas.

Often it takes a while to work out the best way to do these things and then it all becomes very routine.

Best wishes
Michael

[CCBB]

Keep trying Chad. Is it shallow? You could always throw an anchor over and lie head-to-wind. Rigging lines aft would help then you could swing into the wind, raise sail quickly (w/o going forward of the mid-seat) while you have some way and before the current or wind sets you off and have a cam cleat on the daggerboard trunk to quickly make fast the line after the hoist. If another person is aboard, they could use the oars to hold the boat hed-to-wind. We often use an oar for this in a faering I sail in...we also use an oar to tack her though the wind, the keel is that strong. In Maine we have a lot of buoys for lobsters...in a little boat we;ve hung on one of them to take care of things! What is floating in your harbor that you can grab for a minute. It is always nice to not rush things; you and crew will have more fun. Err on the side of doing it the safe way and the most relaxing way. Experiment, but lean towards finding a way of the ones mentioned that keeps it simple. Keep us posted.

Cheers,
Clint

[jmk89]

By the looks, Chad is sailing in a river (is it the Bure?), so there is current where he wants to tie up or anchor which is stronger than the wind, so the boat won't lie head to wind if it is tied up or anchored.

If that is right, wouldn't it be better to find one of those places with a quay along the river (a staithe I think they are called in Norfolk) and moor both by the head and by the stern and then throw the head off using the breeze once you are rigged.

[CCBB]

Jeremy, I was thinking after my last post that he really needs to be lying head-to-current...yep, Chad needs something to grab and hold onto...

Even a mizzen would probably struggle in his situation...

Clint

[chad]

thanx guys for the advice, gratefully received- it gives me quite a few options.
I reckon Mik has it spot on- it'll just take a little time!
By the way, I'm sailing on the River Roach. Miles from any "lake"! but it is quite wide and the slipway goes all the way down to low water mark so I should always be able to get back to shore!
Rigging the halyard to the back seems a good project for the winter....

[Boatmik]

The other thing Chad,

We are the guys givng you advice. But you are the guy doing it.

Promise you one thing.

After a season of sailing into and out of this spot ... YOU will be the guy who is the expert and if any of us try to sail out from a similar spot WE will be the ones looking shaky!

MIK

[b.o.a.t.]

By the way, I'm sailing on the River Roach.

http://www.youtube.com/user/KeepTurningLeft
The last 3 are of the Rivers Crouch & Roach.
The internet is an amazing place - you can look at someone else's sailing grounds half a world away...

cheers
AJ

[Theodor]

http://www.youtube.com/user/KeepTurningLeft
The last 3 are of the Rivers Crouch & Roach.
The internet is an amazing place - you can look at someone else's sailing grounds half a world away...

cheers
AJ

I really like that whole series. It should really appeal to Aussies as Dylan has such dry humour. Nice use of google maps and history too.

[Boatmik]

Maybe my next boat after the RAID41 should be something to do trips like Dylan's in. A bit of accommodation and somewhere to cook and enough capability to get through to the next river system.

Such trips are a great model for boat use ... a camera in hand ... a bit of documentation and it becomes a very inspiring thing (even to oneself)

I am a bit reluctant to draw up plans for bigger boats because they don't seem to sell as well. But ... maybe something with the same function as Dylan's Volksboat ... I love his line about it being dreamt up by "a socialist newspaper".

Maybe I need a sponsor ... are there any good socialist newspapers left?! Maybe the Wall Street Journal will be looking for a different editorial byline ..."Tough day at the Merchant Bank, Dear, I've seen something in the paper ..."?

MIK

[m2c1Iw]

Maybe I need a sponsor ... are there any good socialist newspapers left?! Maybe the Wall Street Journal will be looking for a different editorial byline ..."Tough day at the Merchant Bank, Dear, I've seen something in the paper ..."?

MIK

:D:D:D Congress are handing it out a the moment. I think special circumstance grant (promoting wooden boats) applies in this case.

[b.o.a.t.]

Maybe my next boat after the RAID41 should be something to do trips like Dylan's is. A bit of accommodation and somewhere to cook and enough capability to get through to the next river system.
MIK

G'day MIK
I presume you are thinking of the north & east coasts when you say "the next river system" ?
In which case it needs both shoal draft and some open-water & bar-crossing capability.

Otherwise.... it needs wheels for the Long Walk between inland systems, or serious
ocean-going capability (plus bar-crossing & shallow-draft) for the hops from Port Phillip
west-about to the Kimberleys...

By the way, I got lost somewhere in discussions..... is RAID41 the Raid Boat or the Solo Expedition Boat?

cheers
AJ

[Boatmik]

Sorry AJ

RAID41 = Raid for one.

So it is the expedition boat.

MIK

[keyhavenpotter]

Ha........ now I get it. I was into RAID 41, not RAID for one! How long do I have to stand in the numptie corner as punishment. Just too old for this text language.

MIK, you must have been wondering just how long it would take for the penny to drop. Brian

[Boatmik]

Howdy Brian,

I am looking forward to all the querulous types that look at the design when it is finished and think ...

4.1 ... is that metres for the length ... um .... no
is that inches for the beam ... um .... no
is that square metres for the sail ... um .... no

etc etc etc

at least you won't be able to feel THEIR pain, though I can imagine a wry smile as you watch their cogs click round.

(that's what I'm counting on)

MIK

[arbordg]

Maybe my next boat after the RAID41 should be something to do trips like Dylan's in. A bit of accommodation and somewhere to cook and enough capability to get through to the next river system.

Such trips are a great model for boat use ... a camera in hand ... a bit of documentation and it becomes a very inspiring thing (even to oneself)

I am a bit reluctant to draw up plans for bigger boats because they don't seem to sell as well. But ... maybe something with the same function as Dylan's Volksboat ... I love his line about it being dreamt up by "a socialist newspaper".

Maybe I need a sponsor ... are there any good socialist newspapers left?! Maybe the Wall Street Journal will be looking for a different editorial byline ..."Tough day at the Merchant Bank, Dear, I've seen something in the paper ..."?

MIK

Mik,

I can certainly understand your commercial reluctance, but if you don't get cracking, you might force me to actually own a boat that is not one of your inspirations. :rolleyes: So far, I have: GIS; standard PDR w/OZ style rig & foils. I've been thinking that the next boat will be cruising-capable w/small cabin including a bunk, cooking flat, and room for bucket/porta pottie. Am of two minds whether she'll be a motor-sailor or motor only.

[Maximuss]

Hey Mik.

If you start to design a motor only ship then i'm going "down there" and tell you with big words that you dont even should start thinking about that :U

Bjarne

[Boatmik]

haha ... appreciate that Bjarne!!!