Below are three photos of some PVC+T fittings+rope and a 9′x9′ drawstring edged tarp configured to make a shady spot for the long afternoons and evenings on the Florida 120. No time for refinement-that will happen(if at all) on the actual trip.  Should give us some adjustable shade on the boat.  It could even be set up off the boat using 3 ropes to tie the “T” ends at 6′ apart and set up on the beach with a couple fo stakes for end stabilization.

Bow view-mast will replace center tie-down rope and others will slip a loop over bow cleat.  Currently “T” ends are simply held by spring tension of PVC pipe. Wind may dictate using spring clamps/rope loops to stabilize set=up.

Sides can be totally closed or adjusted for angle of sun and any breeze. Those 3 ropes go straight through from bow to stern and each hoop of PVC is tied off to it.

Boom/yard will be tied up as for night time tent setup using halyard and mizzen mast tie-off. Probably needs a lot of “tuning”, but we will have time for that each day I think.

Un Abrazo,

Bill

Sean has been sailing several times since the launch (see below) and has had 5 plus knots on the GPS many times! He has mostly sailed with 2 on board (college buddies want to sail with him). But the second time he went out he concluded with a capsize test in deep enough water to not stand.  Here are some photos.

Over she goes!

Bottom shot shows how high Patocks floats.

Note hatch to water clearence-Sean made proper hatch covers with drains, so little will be able to get in…

Water left inside upon uprighting. A fair bit in there…

Stern Mount… no wait,- Getting on board from the rear…  wait, Coming aboard from the Backside…..  there is no good way to phrase this-see picture!

Success!

Beginning to bail.  Bigger bucket in the works… Note boat still floats with some free board.

Much was gleaned from this exercise.  Sean will make changes as needed and be more confident as a result.

Scroll down to next 2 posts to see Saturday Prep, and Launch Day posts.

Bill

On the water- christened Patocks (Pronounced Patox.)

Rigging on the water.  Winds were 5 mph on the lake. Even less in the launch bay. Not ideal…

Trying to make headway- and he is.  I think Sean was disappointed at this point, but that would change later…

Finally sail starts to draw a bit.

Interesting contrast!

Lack of wind did allow this nice shot though.

Returning after first outing.  Sean was much happier with his efforts at this point.

Sharing the lake…

I drove back to Atlanta in his Contour and left Sean the truck for the boat. He was able to get a space at the club on the lake at a good price and left the boat there so he could launch and sail off the bank in 10 minutes.

Keep scrolling down to see yesterday’s prep for today’s launch.

Bill

Wow! I am way late on this . I went to Warren-Wilson in NC to help Sean put finishing touches on hie Piccup and launch her. We spent Saturday doing the following;

Starting in shop

Flexible Hinges got scrapped for now as epoxy seeped into the webbing and stiffened up. SO emergency fix was initiated. Not pretty, but functional.

Moved outside now and a better angle!

All basic components mounted!

Row locks/leeboard detail.

Sail up!

Hatches with one of two bungee hold downs installed.

Mast Mount detail…

On the truck, ready to go to the lake. But that is for tomorrow!  Scroll up!

Sean finally sent a couple of photos.  Now painting…

Proposed launch/sail date in weekend of March 20th…

Bill

Sean sent some great photos this evening!  Though I do wish he would send a higher resolution; I can’t see his mistakes on these…Initial shape of the mast. Octagonal shape is at top tip only-lower portion is square.  Hope the cross section is enough for the 70 sqft sail…

.

Inside of hull primed. Looks like a boat more and more.

.

He gets along with a little help from his friends,,,   Bottom and sides primed.

.

Bottom shot complete…

.

Showing off primed parts.

.

I will try to get Sean to weigh all this to get a hull weight for reference.  Good work Sean!

Un Abrazo,

Bill

Sean has been busy.  He sent these 4 photos.

He added the skids before he glassed the bottom-a little out of order…

He made the mast per plan, but 3′ too short as he intended to use the larger sail, not the one shown. So he did a 3 layered, staggered splice at the top end.  Hope it holds.  I believe it will…

Another view of splice.

And finally a shot of the mast in the hull.  Looks like a boat!

BIll and Sean

It is too cold to do much on his boat, but Sean did get a couple of things done.  Below are a couple of shots of the double-tapered vee fitted which will eventually carry the rudder.

.

.

And here is the tiller roughed out and trial fitted…

Un Abrazo,

Bill and Sean

The main sail is done except for grommets!

Applying second band of corner tape.

Sewing up the borders…

Yard Sail!

Three corner details…

I am having surgery tomorrow on my wrist so Sean will finish up the grommets by himself.

Un Abrazo,

BIll and Sean

At last something new to report!

Sean got a Polysails kit from Dave Grey (paid for by Santa Claus…) and we started today, Saturday.  Six hours later we have the sail with darts in, rope taped around edges, and dacron corner gussets and reef cringles cut and ready to sew. Tomorrow will see Sean sewing a lot!

Almost forgot to take pictures, but here are a few.

Laying out with a shaping dart detail.

Final stage of layout; trying to beat the rain coming in fast!

Tape on all-around and Sean cutting along outside ot tape.

Folding in the bolt rope. Dry-erase marker will be removed later…

Sunday we will sew…

Un Abrazo,

Bill and Sean