Thread: More Launch Photos GIS Maine USA - Dana's Boat

It was wonderful to see the Goat on the water for the first time in real life. It was everything I thought it would feel like: stable, handsome, safe feeling. The initial stability was greater than I thought it would be, which is great. I love how the bottom rises quickly out of the water (you could hear this part of the bottom slapping gently on the surface of the water as you row along). The boat sits like a leaf on the water. I rowed it. I found it very easily driven, more so than I expected. The picture shows the transom clearing the water even with me and my long legs in the boat, so it just scooted. There was a gusty 5-12 kt breeze off the land. While she moved quickly under oars, I had to be ready for even the gentlest wind to push the boat and I could quickly correct with one tug on the opposite oar. This is where I think having the rudder in the water a little bit and the tiller lashed would help. She very much would be enjoyable to row behind islands or in calms when sailing afar. I think if the rudder/tiller trick works it would make a great boat for inshore solo cruising.
Dana and I took her for a spin with his 5 HP and it really took off. I have no doubts about the Goat's sailing ability so I did not miss the rig. So today made me even more firm on doing the project for myself and others.
The way the thin, 1/4" bulkheads are arranged with the seat/tank tops to create a large torsion box effect, the stout gunwales, and the frames all combine to make a stiff boat. Mentally, I placed my mizzen in the boat and saw a good fit.
Dana did a good job building the boat...all the glue joints look strong and the boat feels very solid. The floorboards help make the boat feel solid when you step in, and all the water in the boat from the daggerboard trunk (when we motored) was below the floorboards, away from our feet.
If all goes well there may actually be three Goats on Casco Bay by this time next year. Anybody out there reading this from our part of the world, lets get more of these built here.

Thanks for the row today, Dana.

Cheers,
Clint