Back in business at last!

NUTMEG

NUTMEG

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 Sep 2009
Messages
1,923
Location
Essex
www.theblindsailor.co.uk
Following a long, cold, expensive and difficult refit, the boat is finally back in the water, and she floats!

Had a great sail on Friday, from Maldon to West Mersea and back. Nutmeg sailed better then we had hoped, considering she has an extra side to her sail!

Problem is I found out she will NOT steer astern. Not a bit. Might as well not have a rudder! So unless I can learn how to get her in and out of her berth she may have to be sold and replaced with the Westerly Centaur I should have bought in the first place.

Anyway, new video of our trip on the website/bloggy thing if you waiting for a tide and nothing better to do

Steve
 
What type of boat is Nutmeg?

I have a long keeled Cutlass and she is difficult to get to turn astern and tends to seek the wind, unless the current gets the keel first. I did once this season achieve a neat stern-board when there was absolutely no one watching!!

I frequently have to turn boat on ropes rather than risk damage in a marina.
 
Peter, she is an early Mk1 Crabber 24. Sort of a cross between a bathtub and a mirror dinghy below the waterline. For want of a better phrase I guess she is a shallow long keel, there are a pair of skeg things along the sides but she still sits over on one side about 15 - 20 degrees when dried out. Fairly small spade rudder below. Sails lovely but useless if I can not devise a method!

Very short fingers barely get past the chain plates so springing out not an option. We seriously thinking about a pair of sweeps!
 
Steve, have you tried a big dinghy paddle? If you need to swing the stern around as you're going astern, I have used an oar from a long dis-guarded inflatable; I'm not going to get anywhere with it, but it can be enough just to turn the stern. I got the idea from one of Dylan's video's about getting out of a mud berth by Walton & Frinton YC; he did it over the bow but I found it worked just as well from the stern.
 
Thanks

ianc1200 said:
Steve, have you tried a big dinghy paddle? If you need to swing the stern around as you're going astern, I have used an oar from a long dis-guarded inflatable; I'm not going to get anywhere with it, but it can be enough just to turn the stern. I got the idea from one of Dylan's video's about getting out of a mud berth by Walton & Frinton YC; he did it over the bow but I found it worked just as well from the stern.
Click to expand...

I think that a combination of poling/punting and rowing might be worth a try.

If not, anyone know of anyone who might like to swap Nutmeg for a Colvic Watson 26 or a nice Centaur?

Getting desperate!
 
The astern lottery only adds to the fun. Eventually you will find a way to sort things out from the hand that's dealt every time you try to go backwards, I'm not sure there are any rules to it, you just have to take each situation as being unique and enjoy sorting it out.
 
Steve you need to put an outboard (long shaft seagull) and bracket on the bow, preferrably on the end of the bowsprit for maximum turning effect;):D:)

Watched your vids yesterday very nice Nutmeg looks too.
 
UncleAlbert said:
Steve you need to put an outboard (long shaft seagull) and bracket on the bow, preferrably on the end of the bowsprit for maximum turning effect;):D:)

Watched your vids yesterday very nice Nutmeg looks too.
Click to expand...

You know, that might be a plan. Not on the bow but what about an a removable bracket on the cockpit coaming. Sort of a stern thruster. Dylan Winter will not like it but...

Nutmeg is a very pretty boat. Like a gorgeous mistress (not that I have ever had one mind) lovely to look at but a pain to live with.
 
Congrats on getting her sorted and on the water.

I sailed a bit in an early Crabber (with a Sabb single cylinder engine) and found her quite manageable in astern. Perhaps a bit of practice will help get her under control - you need not too little, but not too much, welly on the motor, I'd suggest. Also try getting her moving with the motor and then dropping into neutral while you steer - in some cases the churning of the prop is disturbing the flow over the rudder. Also try it with the plate down. Don't write her off yet!

Happy voyages!
 
Last edited:
LittleSister said:
Congrats on getting her sorted and on the water.

I sailed a bit in an early Crabber (with a Sabb single cylinder engine) and found her quite manageable in astern. Perhaps a bit of practice will help get her under control - you need not too little, but not too much, welly on the motor, I'd suggest. Also try getting her moving with the motor and then dropping into neutral while you steer - in some cases the churning of the prop is disturbing the flow over the rudder. Also try it with the plate down. Don't write her off yet!

Happy voyages!
Click to expand...

Strangely, today I tried again doing just as you suggest. And I had not read your post. Being a bit more 'proactive' on the throttle, short but powerful bursts then back to neutral and plate half down. Still sluggish to answer the helm BUT we got out and back without any outside help and never hit anything. So, maybe your right, a little more practise and courage is all that's needed!

Thank you

Steve
 
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