Rudder Problems

Boys Trip 2006 079
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

The next problem we encountered was a rudder problem. We used a canoe paddle as the rudder, which was bolted to the catamaran frame using something that Greg fashioned. This mount broke, and we ended up having to ratchet strap the canoe paddle to the frame. Once this was done, the rudder didnt function quite as efficiently, so I periodically resorted to using two canoe paddles to achieve my objective.

Read More..

Engineering Problems A Plenty

Boys Trip 2006 066
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

As I mentioned yesterday, our first trip was completely uneventful. This is mainly because there was just enough wind to get us from the landing to our campsite, so we cruised to the island, set up camp, ate, and hoped for more wind the following day. Our wish was fulfilled.

After a hearty breakfast of beer and eggs, Greg and I were anxious to continue our experiment and to test our skill as sailors. We did a quick sail in the water immediately next to our camp site, and were soon satisfied that our boat and our skills were solid enough to venture further into the open water.

Being novice sailors, it took us a little bit of time and experimentation to learn the ropes, but we took great pleasure in the new experience... until we heart that first **CRACK**. I dont remember whether it was caused by shallow water, or by actual stress, but our leeboard mount broke. As this picture shows, the leeboard itself held up to the stress, but the frame wasnt quite as strong, flexible, or whatever.

Despite our hobbled watercraft, we were able to limp back to our campsite, which was upwind from us when the malfunction occurred, and fortunately Greg brought plenty of material for repairs. He pulled the leeboard mount and had soon fashioned a repair of glue and screws. On the downside, we had to wait for the glue to cure, so our sailing was finished for the day.

Stay tuned for our continued misadventures.

Read More..

Repaired Leeboard

Boys Trip 2006 086
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

After repairing the leeboard, we again tested our craft for seaworthiness. As you can see in this picture, the repair was fashioned out of a steel brace, hose clamps and a log provided by mother nature. Greg sunk a lag bolt in to the log. We tested things out, and the repair held, but there was yet another problem. By repairing the leeboard in this fashion, the board didnt sit as deeply in the water, effectively eliminating a portion of our ability to tack. We were able to tack one way against the wind, but not the other.

As you can imagine, this necessitated another long arduous paddle back to shore. Fortunately, we were picked up by a pair of boaters who towed our crippled craft back to our campsite for still more repairs.

Read More..

For Clarification

I want to clarify things a bit. From my perspective, theres no tension between Greg and me on this project. We have the same vision for this boat... a high-quality watercraft that we built with our own hands. I know that this is ultimately his baby and Im basically playing "Gilligan" to his "Skipper." Hes a mechanical engineer and has done tons of research every step along the way. Hes got a more developed vision than I do, and more knowledge and insight about how to achieve that vision.

At the same time, hes not autocratic. When I have an idea or disagree with his approach, I tell him whats on my mind and he listens. Sometimes we implement my thoughts, others we dont. When we went into this project, we knew wed occasionally disagree. Since its ultimately his boat, Ive got no problems with doing what he wants and to his satisfaction. We really are doing this as a team; were simply using the fact that its his boat as the tiebreaker.

My frustration is merely that weve been stuck in the sanding and fairing stage for over seven months. Part of this is the pursuit of perfection, and part of this is because were both family men who can only devote a few hours per week to this project. In the end, please dont think that my previous post was designed to imply that Im frustrated with Greg, because thats not true. Mainly Im illustrating, with my own personal experience, that building such a large boat carries its share of challenges and frustrations.

Read More..

Broken Mast Support

Boys Trip 2006 001
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

Take a little too much wind, add a makeshift watercraft, and throw in a couple of inexperienced sailors... what do you get? A recipe for a disastrously humorous adventure.

Our next malfunction was a broken mast support. The mast support consisted of a wooden dowel, a couple of turnbuckles for adjustibility, and more hose clamps and bolts to hold the supports in place.

One particularly strong gust of wind ripped the turnbuckle from the dowel. We repaired the break with glue, but ended up going with another mast support made from a tree branch, lashed in place with ropes and ratchet straps.

Read More..