Introductions / How did you find sailFar.net?

[Joe Pyrat]

CapnK,

It would be my pleasure to stop by for a visit.  Albergs are hard to beat.  The first time I saw the Triton, it was love at first sight.  I remember reading somewhere that you should always take a look back at your boat when you are leaving her.  Not because you forgot something, but just because the sight of her takes your breath away.  The Triton does that for me.

[Rockdoctor]

Thanks for the welcome Capt, glad to be aboard. Wasn't sure your take on home build skippers. Did I hear "wooden boat show"?

[CharlieJ]

Howdy Rockdoctor.

I built a Weekender for a customer a few years ago. It was shown at Strictly Sail in Chi in 2002 IIR. The owner then took it to a classic boat show in Sturgeon Bay Wisc and the boat took first place in the under 20 foot category. The plaque is hanging in my shop :D

I assume you know about the Messing-about site?
http://www.messing-about.com/forum/

Many there on the Main forum are building or are sailing Weekenders.

[Coastal Cruiser]

Thanks for the welcome Capt, glad to be aboard. Wasn't sure your take on home build skippers. Did I hear "wooden boat show"?

Yep, still testing the waters here, but there are some others that suffer from that affliction.  ;D

[Adam]

good lord, I had a NASTY case of the wooden boat disease last year... I spent a month up in "Down East" Maine.... saw some BEAUTIFUL boats...

thank god I got out of there before it became permanent... Maintaining a wooden boat down here in the Keys and Bahamas would be a nightmare!

[Dougcan]

I had a 1909 42' wooden trawler.

That cured me of any desires to ever have a wood hull ever again!

[Rockdoctor]

Ahoy CharlieJ. congrats on the award, it really is a beautiful boat design.
     I do visit that site often, as well as byyb.org, which is made entirely of weekend builders. We have mess abouts a few times each year. I want to broaden my horizons a bit. And from what I understand, you need a few wood boat builders around for "atmosphere" anyways. I found that building is a great family activity, and stress reliever, and if I had production boat, I would never know if they did a bad job, but doing it myself.. I know ;)
     

[Coastal Cruiser]

I do not think that your statement pertaining to owning a 1909 wooden trawler, is a fair statement of labeling a complete industry that is actually thriving on the rebirth of wooden hulls, most if not all one-offs, or even knock offs of basically extinct hull designs.

New technologies and methods, are also keeping alive many of those 1909 hulls, with much less maitainance than ever before, eliminating many of the processes that used to be required in the upkeep fo those hulls.

Whether or not, the costs are more or less, is not as much of an issue in my reply, as much as some of  the issues of owning a fiberglass hull, are real and costly when it comes to the repainting of the hulls, and the blister problems that exist, a very serious issue for the whole fiberglass industry.

Now I do agree that the fiberglass hulls can do a lot without additional care short term, but still is limited to long term neglect,  that is required for the traditional hulls in the water, but alterntive methods of cold mould building of one offs, are being implored to create multi million dollar vessels, many being purchased by pretty smart and successfull folks, a long ways from dummies on the water.

Most will average over ten years of boating experience before they have turned back to wood or composite hulls, and will lay out some serious funds for something with wood in it.

[CharlieJ]

Dougcan- I'll have to agree with Coastal. There are wooden boats and then there are wooden boats. You have to be specific.

The 35 foot (cold molded of Western red cedar) trimaran I built and launched back in the early 80s  is still going strong and passing insurance surveys with flying colors 30 some years later.. It should , with normal maintenance, continue to do so for years.

Travis's boat, Pilgrim is a composite boat- you've seen pics. That boat should out live both Travis and I. His sons or grandsons will be sailing her years from now, PROVIDED they repair dings and nicks when needed.


But I also have to agree that bringing one back from years of neglect is far easier with a glass boat than with a wooden one, particularly an older one constructed plank on frame. Coastal will tell you that THAT is no simple task, once they've been badly neglected.

The big killer no matter WHAT material,  is neglect.

[Coastal Cruiser]

There is a lot to be said for a hull that you owned that dates back to the turn of last century, in 1909. Heck take a look around us all at the many ten year old cabin cruisers, under 30 feet, and look at the condition of them after people get totally disgusted with them and sit them out to pasture. And take a look at the value and the amount of work involved to bring them back to like new condition. Heck take a scroll through the listing prices of these hulls, most under 10 grand, fully rigged and in top shape. For me personally, I like something that no one else has, and like to tinker with it.

The steps are pretty much the same, just the actual type of work for a ten year old neglected cabin cruiser is a bit different. BUt that does not make them any better, IMHOP.  its just that most people are more familiar with waxing or placing a coat of paint on the neglected gelcoat, but the steps are the same with both materials.

One thing for sure, even thought it may take a bit longer, a repair on a wooden or composite wooden hull can be done and never know it, with less work than a repair or patch on any fiberglass hull, unless you do redo the entire surface finish, as that patch will show up in six months.

But at the end of the day, its no different than what most folks are familiar with, and fill comfortable with.

And really at the end of the day, being on the water in what any of us enjoy, is what counts. Most of these comments would be  the topic of discussion over cheese and wine at the anchorages for me, anyway, or margaritas at the pubs. But then again, most of us are ashore, land bound, so we must discuss it through cyberspace.  ;)

[wildman]

Hi all --

I've been enjoying the new site and reading your introductions.  I haven't sailed far but look forward to learning from those who  have.  My biggest adventure, so far, was an aborted attempt at Bimini from Ponce Inlet via Homestead that was turned back at Port Canaveral due to weather. 

Lazy Susan is a 1987 Nimble 20 kept on a trailer at my house in Deland, FL.  She's a canoe yawl with 7'9" beam and a sharpie hull drawing 11 inches with the board up and 4'7" down.  I've owned her for three  years, now, and she's my first boat.

Paul

[Adam]

Welcome Wildman!

Why didn't you trailer down to Homestead or the Keys to start your trip?

What time of year was that? I'll probably only cross again in small boat (under 30') in the summer... somehow, all of my crossings have been between November and February...

Adam

[Frank]

welcome Paul  ..The Nimble 20 is a fine lil boat...would be an exellent Bahamas boat to explore all the shoal draft spots....and there are TONS of them over there!! Wait for the right window...have a good VHF so ya can keep up with the weather while there..take as big an anchor as ya can and have fun !! It's not majic...simply use your head.The Abacos are great. What model Nimble 20 do ya have??

[s/v Faith]

Welcome Wildman & Rockdoctor.....  ;D

[wildman]

Frank/Adam - At the time, my tow vehicle was a fairly radical woods truck (73 International Scout) which towed at 40 mph with white knuckles :o    I'm convinced that the odds were better for making it there in one piece in the boat.  The attempt was in April and the plan was to meet up with a group of trailer sailors in Homestead for the crossing.  Spent three days at anchor on the ICW just south of the locks with 30+ winds causing us to miss the rendezvous.   It was still an adventure, but we took the ICW back home.

[sailorman]

I am Ed(sailorman)and the admiral is Connie.  We sail a Catalina 250 (wb) on Lake Lanier, Ga. (near Atlanta.) Our prior boats: Siren 17.5, Columbia 29 Defender. We bought the 250 to trailer to the coast and to the Florida keys.  We spend our vacations in  the Ft. lauderdale area and in Key West.  My dream is to haul the boat to Key West and spend a week sailing Key West and visiting the bars. Oh, I am a home brewer; award winning porter (Tri-state Brew-off).  I do like good beer.  We have not made the sailing trip yet as work and family issues have come up all at once.  We plan, save our money and get the boat ready. It will happen. 

[kregar]

Hifolks!

My name is Kregar.  I work in Tallahassee, Florida, but live on Ochlockonee Bay (about an hour commute).

I am currently boat shopping..  I have found a beautiful 1970 Irwin 32 Classic that is in pristine condition..  Only four owners!  Fully documented from the original purchase!  Also, I was expecting a headroom down below of 6' 1"...  Instead I can actually stand up!  I am 6 ' 5", so I am shocked!  She has really been taken care of.  She is ready to sail today!  I can buy and learn to sail at once..  A few things to do in the salon..  But, I will hopefully learn my fate over the next 30 days..

I love reading all of the postings on this site and hope to be able to contribute in the near future!

Kregar

[Dory Man]

While waiting out a snow storm, I came across this Forum that sure looks interesting so I joined. I have a Cape Dory 25D and I sail out of Noank, CT. I've already seen some posts by Didereaux, a regular on our Cape Dory board. Don't listen to him tell you the 25s are better than the 25D!! ;D Dick

[s/v Faith]

Welcome Aboard Dory man!

  Both are great boats, I was made up to a CD 25 once and they are an awful lot like my Ariel.  Sure would appreciate some pics of your 25D in the gallery, would be nice to compare.

  Thanks, and again, Welcome Aboard!

[CapnK]

Ditto that, Craig. :)

Welcome aboard, Dick! Leave the snow outside when you come in though, please, as I'm allergic to it... ;D