Introduction, and a little background

[Thaddeus]

Hello,

I am a new sailor and new to building boats.

I was bitten by the sailing bug (or rather, the infection became acute) and since then have been getting more and more deeply into it. I've taken sailing lessons, read a lot of books (histories, sailing manuals, design books).

I had a problem when I started: I wanted to sail after I took my lessons but had no boat. And no where to store one.

But I did have 2 canoes. So, after vowing to my wife I would make no permanent modifications, I designed a set of ... prostheses?... that turned the canoe into a sailboat. Mast of plumbing PVC, Sails of blue tarp, outriggers for stability (oak struts, PVC floats), a larboard and rudder.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~austi012/fullsail.jpg

On its maiden voyage it reached and ran downwind well. It would not point at all. I determined the craft had a bad case of lee helm, because the nose of the canoe was rising up and moving the CLR aft too far. I altered the rudder design (deeper), the daggerboard (deeper, canted back) and added ballast to the nose of the canoe on my second try.

It sailed VERY well.
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~austi012/presail.gif

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~austi012/rudderfinal.gif

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~austi012/post1.gif

So now I have a boat, with the attendant satisfacion of having designed many of its components myself. So now I'm going to build another.

I am planning to take a 17' Aluminum canoe, cut off the stern and install a transom, and install a retractable daggerboard with a weighted bulb on the end. I may be bouncing some ideas and questions off of the good folks here.

I look forward to some stimulating conversations.

regards,

Thaddeus
Captain, good ship Eccentricity

[Doug Lord]

Congratulations! You can't learn any better than by having the experiences that you're having.
You might consider-just for reference-letting an experienced sailor -and preferably designer- sail the boat and see what they say-just another way to learn!
Good luck!

[Thaddeus]

Thanks, Doug!

I may take your advice. And if I bring a passenger along, then I won't have to lug the ballast out of the van down to the boat. ;)

[marshmat]

I second Doug's advice. Creativity, fun, playing around, ultra-low-$$. Taking an experienced sailor along will certainly net you some valuable advice. Enjoy!

[Bergalia]

Thaddeus - you're crazy - and a most welcome addition to this forum :D

[Thaddeus]

Thanks, Mr. Bergalia. ;)

On her maiden voyage, I took it out on Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. The local yacht club was doing some around the buoys dinghy races in Venture 420's... I sailed on over and paralleled their course on a broad reach, and was able to pace them in my creation.

The looks on their faces will be one of my fondest memories for all time... utter astonishment.... ROFLMAO...

[Bergalia]

Stop this 'Mr' business Thad (I was a skipper - not a first mate;).
Great story though. But, next time add a spinnaker - and 'moon' as you cruise past them :D That'll be the expression to relish....Yours aye, Bergalia

[Thaddeus]

Aye aye, sir! Very good sir! ;)

[cyclops]

You can buy square sterns. They are called " freighters " by the old Grumann Canoe co. Post some adds on the canoe forums. You could get very lucky. They are a much more rugged boat. Perfect for all the extra weight of a weekend sailer with people. All emergency repairs in a aluminum = 1/4 a roll of good duct tape. I am a expert on that. Enjoy the pride of your own designs.