GP14 Dingy

[Chiara’s slave]

So here’s a question.

I still have some faffing to do on the mast and sails but would quite like to test the motor and check the hull does not leak or any other issues. Once I have fitted the Rowlocks so I can also row it. Could I plop the boat in on the Deben without the mast on the boat as a test of the motor and oars. And motor say up to the Rocks If I do this would she be stable and would I need the centre board in the boat as it is out at the moment. Some one told me these need the mast up to be stable but that don’t make much sense to me ?

It might tend to roll a bit without the mast. Low moment of inertia in the rolling plane. But you might well be used to that with motor boats. The centreboard would improve that, personally I’d put it in. But no reason why you can’t try it out without the mast.

Re the motor mount, perfect in smooth water. You might lift the prop out if it’s bumpy, but that’s an almost universal sail boat issue with stern mounted outboards. For your proposed use I can’t see you suffering much. In any case, waves mean wind, and you’ll have sails.

 

[Bigplumbs]

It might tend to roll a bit without the mast. Low moment of inertia in the rolling plane. But you might well be used to that with motor boats. The centreboard would improve that, personally I’d put it in. But no reason why you can’t try it out without the mast.

Re the motor mount, perfect in smooth water. You might lift the prop out if it’s bumpy, but that’s an almost universal sail boat issue with stern mounted outboards. For your proposed use I can’t see you suffering much. In any case, waves mean wind, and you’ll have sails.

Many thanks. If I get time I want to just test the boat, outboard and oars rowing while we have this good weather before I sort the sails and mast (not that there is much to do) I will put the centre board in but I have a few other projects on and Housing developers keep wanting me to authorize their money requests .

Got to drive to Devon from Suffolk for a 30 min site meeting this weekend and now off to the smoke. Don’t forget ULEZ or it will cost you £90. Using an Electric car will cost your you dignity lol

 

[Chiara’s slave]

That sounds like a colossal waste of boating time. My sympathies. I am fortunate to have left all that behind.

My jag is very dignified And could do that trip, provided you could leave it on a fast charger near the meeting. I’ll admit that is a potential problem for those at work. You might need a second stop, which is another waste of boating time.

 

[Egret]

For using outboard, put the centreboard in and put it down about a third for directional stability. Put a cord on the tiller tied to something on the starboard side so it cant swing far enough to hit outboard propellor. Should work well. I would expect it to be more stable without the mast - I'm sure many people use GP14's without masts in.

Gaffer tape around the flaps in the transom and the self bailers in the floor

 

[ylop]

Beware that your greatest risk of significant leaks is probably through the big scuppers/drains at the back. Probably fine when rowing out but when you move to use the O/B you may have a leak. So make sure you work that out before going too far to row back.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I daresay Mr plumbs is familiar with leaks. It won’t be anything a bucket and a sponge cannot deal with.

 

[SaltIre]

I daresay Mr plumbs is familiar with leaks. It won’t be anything a bucket and a sponge cannot deal with.

Yup.

Look for cracks/leaks where the front of the centreboard casing joins the hull. Might need repair - or more likely a sponge since it's a high stress area.

 

[Bigplumbs]

For using outboard, put the centreboard in and put it down about a third for directional stability. Put a cord on the tiller tied to something on the starboard side so it cant swing far enough to hit outboard propellor. Should work well. I would expect it to be more stable without the mast - I'm sure many people use GP14's without masts in.

Gaffer tape around the flaps in the transom and the self bailers in the floor

Good and very simple idea on the tiller limiter................. Now got to test a new SUP with her indoors tomorrow

 

[Bigplumbs]

For using outboard, put the centreboard in and put it down about a third for directional stability. Put a cord on the tiller tied to something on the starboard side so it cant swing far enough to hit outboard propellor. Should work well. I would expect it to be more stable without the mast - I'm sure many people use GP14's without masts in.

Gaffer tape around the flaps in the transom and the self bailers in the floor

I am fairly sure the rear flaps in the transom are sealed up. I have messed witth the single self bailer in the floor and have sealed around the edges with CT1. Do you think I should also seal up the whole thing with tape.... Are these known to leak...... They seem quite expensive

 

[Egret]

The rear flaps are to clear water if you were to capsize so ideally need to work in that situation. in pictures some GP14's seem to have them and some don't. If they have been sealed perhaps the previous owner found he didn't need them on the Deben-

The self bailers in the bottom to drain the water that splashes over from fast sailing in lumpy water.

 

[wombat88]

You can replace the seals on a self bailer but it is fiddly and the seals cost a bit. I think a little bit of Gorilla (or other primate) tape might be in order.

 

[Egret]

Are you thinking about putting the Gorrilla tape around the inside of the self bailer or on the outside?

 

[wombat88]

Are you thinking about putting the Gorrilla tape around the inside of the self bailer or on the outside?

If it is a normal Andersen type bailer I'd shut it and simply tape the outside. Anyway, from what I have read on this thread I doubt they will be going fast enough to make a self bailer work...at least at the beginning.

 

[SaltIre]

If it is a normal Andersen type bailer I'd shut it and simply tape the outside. Anyway, from what I have read on this thread I doubt they will be going fast enough to make a self bailer work...at least at the beginning.

Indeed; and don't destroy it for future use. They just might get the sailing bug and start whizzing about.

 

[Bigplumbs]

If it is a normal Andersen type bailer I'd shut it and simply tape the outside. Anyway, from what I have read on this thread I doubt they will be going fast enough to make a self bailer work...at least at the beginning.

Fast no I aint going fast in the GP14. I have a Zapcat for that which goes just under 48 knots

 

[oldbloke]

I am fairly sure the rear flaps in the transom are sealed up. I have messed witth the single self bailer in the floor and have sealed around the edges with CT1. Do you think I should also seal up the whole thing with tape.... Are these known to leak...... They seem quite expensive

Why not wait and see. They are unlikely to leak when closed. The usual problem with bent ones or ones with perished seals is they leak when down. Not a problem if going fast enough but when in good nick they are supposed to not leak, much, to cope with the tendency of sailing boats to slow down. No point in ruining them unnecessarily

 

[Bigplumbs]

Why not wait and see. They are unlikely to leak when closed. The usual problem with bent ones or ones with perished seals is they leak when down. Not a problem if going fast enough but when in good nick they are supposed to not leak, much, to cope with the tendency of sailing boats to slow down. No point in ruining them unnecessarily

If you look at the pics in this thread you will see they are bunged up with big round pieces of wood and stainless screws

 

[Bigplumbs]

Why not wait and see. They are unlikely to leak when closed. The usual problem with bent ones or ones with perished seals is they leak when down. Not a problem if going fast enough but when in good nick they are supposed to not leak, much, to cope with the tendency of sailing boats to slow down. No point in ruining them unnecessarily

I only have 1 so will just put some tape over it that wont ruin too much me thinks

 

[Bigplumbs]

Sometimes you need a bit of Luck. Of on a trip with the Rib and Kayak Boat and Kayak and Paddle Board lol and suddenly I realised how to solve an issue that has been bugging me for sometime. This could also be useful on the little GP14 outboard..... Video speaks for itself