Jason's Blue Goat Island Skiff Launched - North Carolina

**Boatmik** · 13th September 2008, 07:50 PM

Another Launching.

It is funny ... when I think about the GIS I think about a white hull. I do REALLY like white in a shapely boat.

But Jason's gorgeous blue boat has changed my mind big time. I really like white still, but this particular blue ... wow.

Also Jason has only ever done a little sailing. Looks quite the pro ... weight forward sitting on the gunwale.

So here are his emails from the building process and some pics.

Hello Michael,

After shopping around for a small sailboat design for several months, I finally decided on your Goat Island Skiff. Bought the plans from Duckworks in January, started work in late March, and I'll be ready to glue the bottom in place tomorrow.

It's nice to see it finally start to look like a boat.

Anyway, I have a question regarding the sail. I would like to make the sail, but not being a sailmaker, I'm not quite comfortable launching into that project with just the info on the plan sheet. I was wondering if you have any more detailed plans or instructions that show specific reinforcements, seam placement, fabric grain orientation, etc. Then again, I may be biting off more than I can chew. Any advice would be great.

Thanks,
Jason A. Lonon

Note the model!

Hello Michael,
Got a question about the centerboard / center-case fit. I finished the centerboard to 341mm wide as per the plans. I also built the center-case by the plan sheet, which gives a 374mm slot for the centerboard. Is this too much play?

(This is a recurring question ... all the dimensions are right ... it is just that one is at an angle to the other! Boatmik)

By the way, I've been meaning to post some pictures on the Aus. Woodworkers Forum, but can't seem to size them small enough to upload to their site. O well. Here are a few for your enjoyment.
Regards,
Jason Lonon

AKA Tomahawk J

Isn't that pic above so sweet! This guy really knows how to detail a boat to keep it looking really slick and compact.

But most rewarding of all ... sailing reports (hehe)

Hello Mik,

Well, my GIS is finally done.

Had her out about five times so far. These mountain lakes where I live have the most finicky winds. Constantly shifting directions and then dies.

More downhaul required but doesn't that blue look wonderful and the place to sail!!!

One of my colleagues from the college where I teach went out with me a couple of weeks ago when there was a reasonably steady breeze. We fell in behind a 16' sloop rigged day sailor to test our speed. The GIS was hands down faster. As we closed in on them, the teenage helmsman tried in vain to start his outboard! My friend yelled "No fair! If you start that motor, we'll start paddling!"

The mainsail looks very nice here!!

I've attached some Pictures from last Saturday's trip.

Winds 15 mph gusting to nearly 30 mph. What a ride! Took two of us on the gunwales to keep her balanced.

By the way, I am not a sailor, and have absolutely no sailing experience. Unless you count an hour and a half ride on a hobbie cat with a crazy Australian at the helm. That was 9 years ago when I was a summer camp counsellor. So, I'm cutting my teeth on the GIS.

Not having any experience to compare to, my observations may not mean a whole lot, but I am very impressed with the boat. Balance, handling, speed, everything is superb.

Regards,
Jason Lonon
AKA Tomahawk J

And to keep flickr happy jason's GIS set

Also Jason' thread about the frustrations of trying to find the right boat fittings ...
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=73864

**Boatmik** · 13th September 2008, 08:18 PM

And Jasons thread on his sailmaking enquiry.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...039#post789039

MIK

**keyhavenpotter** · 13th September 2008, 09:46 PM

Jason, you say "I am not a sailor".

Don't you believe it, you must be a natural. The picture of the mainsail from starboard aft says it all. Boat's balanced, sail set lovely, you are sailing with the tiller extension and sitting on the rail. Sorry Jason, that picture has to mean " I am not a sailor" no longer applies.

Lovely boat, great pictures, a credit to you and Michael.

Brain.

**Tomahawk J** · 14th September 2008, 11:16 AM

Thanks Guys,

I sort of like the color too. I had planned to go with a blue hull and tanbark sails, but contender had backordered tanbark in the weight I needed and gave no delivery date. So, I went with white, which I think looks pretty good. By the way, I ended up going with a sailrite kit, and it has worked splendidly. I would highly recommend it to anyone. All it takes to complete is a sewing machine and an extra pair of hands.

Regards,
Jason

**m2c1Iw** · 14th September 2008, 11:37 AM

Have to agree with Brian in that you display a natural talent at the helm despite tuition from a crazy Australian (are there any other kind

)

Great boat

Mike

**Maximuss** · 14th September 2008, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Tomahawk J

Thanks Guys,

By the way, I ended up going with a sailrite kit, and it has worked splendidly. I would highly recommend it to anyone. All it takes to complete is a sewing machine and an extra pair of hands.

Regards,
Jason

Can you help me with a link to the kit you have used, i have some problem finding it on there website ?
I have given up on finding something usefull here in Denmark to some reasonable prices

Bjarne

**keyhavenpotter** · 14th September 2008, 06:59 PM

http://quotesys2.sailrite.com/ShowAd...t+Island+Skiff

Brian

**Maximuss** · 14th September 2008, 09:12 PM

I would prefer at kit and then sew it by myself - i dont have enough money to let a sailmaker do it for me. That gonna have to wait a couple of year until im finish as a student

Bjarne

**BobWes** · 15th September 2008, 09:17 AM

Nicely done, Jason! Congratulations on a fine looking boat.

Bob

**Joost** · 16th September 2008, 03:19 AM

Jason,

Congratulations are indeed in order: Fine looking boat!

The sail does look very good, cannot see at all that is was made from a kit by someone without any experience at sail making! You have just convinced me to give sail making a try if I am to build another sailboat.

Best wishes, Joost

**Boatmik** · 16th September 2008, 10:44 AM

Howdy Joost,

This is a really nice attitude you are displaying!

When I was young mid teens, we used to do all our own maintenance on our wooden racing boats ourselves.

From minor repairs, to making centreboards and rudder blades (crappy non templated ones), re-rigging, to major repaints ... most of us did it ourselves.

Learned a lot.

But now racing boats for kids have mostly become so sophisticated and structurally complex this is not possible. You can't even move a fitting much without risking crushing an un-reinforced bit of foam/glass sandwich.

So everyone has become very dependent on professional builders for repairs ... and the costs.

Because anything less than a professional repair will devalue the kid'sr $5000 boat.

The costs are fair ... but why shouldn't a kid be able to fix their own boat????

So if people have the desire to try it ... why not build a sail from a kit too.

The sailrite kit looks rather good ... I don't really think you save much money at all ... but the skills that you pick up are truly satisfying! Also I think once you had built one of their kits it would be quite possible to make the next step to designing and building your own sails.

Best wishes
Michael

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