Manie's Microcruiser

I don't think that's expensive for all the building materials you used to build a 5.05 m (16½ ft) seaworthy sailboat incl the rig, and all the extras you summed up there...

122 k ZAR in EUR = € 8,388.71 - - - 122 k ZAR in USD = US $ 11,628.43 - - - (at present)​

‘‘ a hell lot of money with ZERO ZIP ZILTCH RESALE VALUE ’’ - - 5 years sitting in a bar would have been more expensive, and now you have the boat . .

However the cheaper and quicker alternative is converting an old worn out GRP boat into a seaworthy craft suitable for all seasons in all oceans like Roger Taylor does . . :idea:

P.S. - (info about Roger's new boat is linked in post #923 & #924)

 

Angelique - you are absolutely correct (sitting in a bar)

Anyway, my advice to people is always to first look what available used to fix up. Here is South Africa we have so little choice that you might as well build, and having said that trailer-sailers are non - existent.

I'm a huge fan of Roger Taylor and cant wait to see his next adventure!

 

Well my mast "aid" is ok
still a lot of work to do but the basics is there

Now I have also designed an adjustable 3 point pulley and rope system to hold it vertical so that I can lift the mast in and out of it's socket manually
Those pics should be out next weekend ??

It is very easy to pick the mast up AND it is very easy to lift it up and down once it is in the vertical position - you just need some form of "assistance" to stabilise it. That's next !!

 

Tell your wife boat building is actually a money saving project . .

=============================================

Smart mast rise and lowering system

Can the backside of the tabernacle not be closed with a plank to the height just below the tilted mast, this for more lateral rigidity + stability of the tabernacle during lowering and rising of the mast when the boat is in the water and might be wobbling.

 

good point - and yes it could

for more lateral stability I'm working on my next "invention"

= a yoke that slides freely up and down the mast
it is pulled up by a rope from the bow to the top of the mast and then down to the yoke
and the yoke is attached on it's sides to fixed ropes attached to the hull

so when you pull the yoke up you also tighten the "side stays"
this means the mast is upright when you lift it out of it's socket
thus one rope to pull to keep every thing upright

all sounds very weird
but will post pics soon

to get the mast up is EASY
I'm worried about getting it down ??
"Tell your wife boat building is actually a money saving project"

I had to promise wife and children that I will finally repaint the inside of the house before I start the next boat
So the next boat is going to be flippen expensive

 

sorry here is the pic of the yoke

 

Well folks so far so good.

Everything works well so far and there are a couple of things that I will change at a later stage BUT I need to get to the water first to try the rig out in a real world environment. The plan is just to cruise around at first in light winds to test the concept and to get the "feel" for what is good and what is not.

There are more questions than answers at the moment but a shake down cruise will answer most of that.

It all works. It all seems ok. The mast went up AND down easily.
The joke system works easily and I will take many more pics next weekend when I raise it again for another test run.

Launch day is the long weekend coming up 14 to 16 June !!

 

Hard to believe that it's been 5 years.
Jeez where does the time go to
First cuts 13 June 2009

 

When I look at the pics of the trips over the past 2 years it seems crazy the nonsense that I have been getting up to
Anyway really looking forward to some sailing adventures
I had some good times far away from the mad crowds !!!

 

Awesome stuff! Looking forward to your first sailing trip report.
Appreciated if you could explain the sail control arrangement.
Is that sailcloth the final one? Looks pretty thin when rolled up.
Performance to windward will be interesting, and if there will be a noticeable difference on the "bad" vs the "good" tack.

 

Hi Manie, My boat "cno" was sold and is undergoing a major refit (the new owner is talking carbon mast - figures he can build cheaper than Au$17000 for an alloy stick - - and solid wing sails?) I am keen to borrow it for a week of test sailing next year.... We will see... CNO is based at Cairns...

 

Hi Mas,
Happy / Sad to hear the boat is sold, obviously a crazy time in your life.
From the friends and family that we have in OZ we know the economy is down and money very tight.
Anyway good luck with your life and next time build a small one man boat
Take care and look after yourself.

 

MoeJoe the sail is controlled by an uphaul (halyard) attached to the Yard,
a downhaul attached to the boom, (with these two you can pull the sail tight or loose as they oppose each other)
a roller reefer on top of the boom to furl the sail
and a standard mainsheet to let the boom out

then there are 2 "lazyjacks" of sorts attached to the front and rear of the boom to hold the boom up when you lower the sail to roll it up

the Yard and boom has parrels to hold it against the mast.

I'm not sure if my terminology is correct but that is basically it.

The mast lifting yoke and ropes I will show in photos next weekend because that will explain that easily.

The sail cloth is 220 gm Dacron so hopefully it is strong enough but time will tell.
Measuring the different speeds on different tacks is going to be VERY interesting.

 

Good News

Well folks "Fargo" is finished !!!

It is a joyous moment because now I can spend the next week getting her ready for the "sailing" launch next Saturday 14 June.

A lesson to be learned for all prospective boat builders out there :-
The little jobs that we all see as "quick" jobs, are never small or quick.
I simply cannot believe how much time I have spent over the past FOUR MONTHS doing these so called "small" jobs. You wake up in the morning and it looks like you haven't done a thing the previous day, it is soooo frustrating. My answer was basically just too shut the mind off and just carry on regardless, some days are fun but other days are just plain boring and frustrating. Bottom line is you just have to get the head down and the "backside" up

But the feeling of accomplishment that you feel when you wake up on a day like this, is priceless. It puts a spring in your step and a feeling of well being that makes you feel 20 again

So for all the Saffas the plan is now to leave Fargo at Bayshore Marina (Vaaldam) permanently. If you see me on the water please stop by and come and say hello. If you want to come and sail with me you are more than welcome. We will obviously do the "Around the Island" race next year February but you will see me often enough with some of the other regattas.
I will still do my long distance trips to Villiers and Frankfort because that is really what I live for and enjoy. My plan is to go down to the boat regularly because now I have my own "cottage" on the water, and spend most weekends there. I will post new videos on Youtube and keep the Blog and Facebook updated regularly.

I say "most" weekends BECAUSE........

I have officially started my "TEN"
basic drawings are done
materials are on order
and the first cuts should happen before end of this June

 

manies microcruiser

Manie

Have followed your build with interest over the last few years and is fantastic to see you are at the finish line. As you said there some tough times when building your own boat and gøød on you for pushing through. What made you decide to moore at bayshore as opposed to dick mantens on other side of dam ? Can't wait to see her on water with wind *?? sails

Cheers