Cavan is supposed to have one lake for each day of the year, if you look at a map, it could well be true. There is a nice spot near Gowna where you can launch into either of two lakes. I've been there a couple of times and it's easy to launch and retrieve.
I nearly called it quits, there was no wind as I set up, but I don't often get the boat out, so I'd motor if I had to.
This was the first time setting up the mast without pulleys and A frames. The mast is not all that heavy, however if you walk back to the back of the boat, the trailer will tip, and you can't lift a 22 foot mast 4 feet from the pivot.
I built a simple wooden support for under the back of the boat, so now I can walk to the stern, lift the mast and walk forward hand over hand and it's a done deal.
It worked so well that I raised the mast twice. (This had nothing at all to do with me forgetting to reeve the halyards before I raised the mast the first time. Sigh!)
The wind did pick up and by the time the family came down to join me I was sailing along nicely. A quick trip back to shore and I had three little passengers. The jib came down as there's too much to do to tend the jib and keep an eye on the passengers. At least too much until I get to sail more than twice a year.
(I have now sailed the boat at least once for each year spent building her!)
This was my first trip with my newly added Huntingford Helm Impeder. Every small boat should have one. It's not an autopilot, but it does allow you to take your hands off the tiller for a few moments.You can let go of the tiller for a few moments and it stays put. Very handy. Not quite an autopilot, but very handy.
The wind picked up a little and the occasional gusts unnerved my middle daughter, and reminded me to not cleat the main sheet, a small ratchet block is a nice luxury on a 14" sail boat.
At one point we seemed to stop making much progress, then I noticed the out haul had come uncleated, and the sail was getting pretty baggy. My out haul comes back in along the boom, via a line doubled through an eye, and passed through a captive clam cleat. This gives a 2:1 advantage, and the ability to sort it out from the mast end of the boom. One sharp tug and we were sorted.
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2 comments:
Hello Dave!
I have been paying attention to your blog for a few years now, because I have started to build the Glen-L 14 myself and this blog gives a really good overview of the build. If you have interest in my build, i'm also keeping a simple blog here: www.theboatproject.tumblr.com
I just started with the build so there is not much to see yet, but your posts have sure made it a lot easier to understand the plans.
However, I would like to ask more about the self bailers you seem to be using on your boat. The thing is, I don't now much about them and there isn't much information about them on the web. I'm taking your advice and I will probably make storage compartments for extra flotation, but if there is a way of getting rid of water in the boat, I would like to learn about it.
Could you maybe upload a few pictures of your boat's selfbailers and write a few words about how they work and how efficient they are or aren't?
Best regards
Mait Rätsep
(maitratsep@gmail.com)
I've done surprisingly little sailing, kids came along.
So I can't really say how well they work in the water. They work very well for letting water out of the boat. It's covered by a tarp, but rain still gets in.
If you do add them, think about how you will reach them. Mine are hard to get at under the floorboards.
They will let a small amount of water in when closed, maybe a liter of water over an hour of sailing.
I'm adding a bilge pump at the moment.
I think in hindsight I'd have just put in some sort of drain plug, but since the bottom is 6mm thick, I could not find an adequate plug at the time.
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