Is a gaff cutter suitable for this challenge?

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tomdmx

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Hi,
I've a 29 loa (24 lod) classic gaff cutter, wooden, with laid fibreglass to hull. She's traditional in design (circa 1920s) but had her guts replaced a few years ago so pretty solid long keeler so I'm wondering if such a yacht would be suitable for such a challenge...

She handles reasonably well off the coast but I haven't really been anywhere that I lost land for more than 12 hours and so wondering if she would be up to the challenge or would not be advisable...
 
tomdmx said:
Hi,
I've a 29 loa (24 lod) classic gaff cutter, wooden, She's traditional in design (circa 1920s)
Click to expand...


this_thread_is_worthless_without_pics.gif


;)
 
Well only got a couple of pics at the moment so here they are:
https://picasaweb.google.com/114104...key=Gv1sRgCIj7pOKD58uo0wE#5699013335939124002


Will post more after the weekend when I will have a proper camera :)

So my worry is not with her strength, I think she will be able to handle most situations..its to do with current setup..so my questions are around:

1. Headsail, none are roller reefed, so talking to one of the chaps here, lashing them would be sufficient, otherwise a dump hole fwd of the mast on the deck but thats another hole which I dont particularly fancy
2. life lines...will need those installed obviously
3. Life lines are good but you can still go over on one of these and its not that easy to come back onboard in a decent swell..so on a typical yacht one would have storm netting lashed againts guard rails...I need to think of a similar system as I dont have any stantions etc
4. reefing in general...I guess this is work at the mast but thinking of possible back to cockpit arrangements to make it easier for me
5. hatches...the aft of mast hatch looks a treat but not for offshore..it would be the first thing to go I think...companionway entry needs a fix also...way to big if it comes off...
6. steering...well self steering ...wind vane is the solution but needs to be on a decent bracket to clear the boom...will need to think about that one
7. And there are lots more but thats a good start :)
 
She looks a really interesting boat! :)

You've got more work there than me, but the following epithet - overheard at a gathering of 'Jesters' - seems to have resonance....

"If you can keep the ocean on the outside, move her, and steer her, all other problems are manageable."​
There are plenty of solutions, for every problem you identify will have been addressed by many others, some of whom will have good/attractive answers. For example, the saloon hatch that concerns you could be replaced by a Lewmar/Houdini style openng hatch, mounted on/disguised by a shallow timber surround. Or a simple sheet of thick, bronze Macrolon/polycarbonate could be mounted similarly, but non-opening, with a s/s or bronze-coloured mushroom ventilator.

Guardrails and stanchions are not as important as ( almost ) centreline jackstays and multipoint personal tethers.

Arranging the running rigging so that all necessary sail reductions may be accomplished from the cockpit is also VIP, in my opinion. Such arrangements are seamanlike and can still be visually attractive and 'in character'.

All wooden boats' decks leak. All such leaks drip just where your sleeping head lies. In my experience.... I use cheap drybags extensively to keep clothes and sleeping bag dry, and an ex-Forces Goretex sleeping bag cover is a valuable addition to the defences.

If you make her tough again, she's capable of taking you anywhere you really want to go.

IMHO. :)
 
That's just how I feel...first and foremost I'm working on getting her sorted as I found a wee bit of rot but luckily just surface panel stuff on cabin sides which did not penetrate cabin structure...I'm going to sort out the interior first (to allow me to sleep over on weekends) and then work her rigging and topsides...
Besides rigging I will need to install quite a few more anchor points above deck, and sorting the hatch and companion way entry

As to sail reductions, a Wykeham Martin I think for headsail, not sure about the jib yet and defo all lines aft...will need to work on setting that up properly too...well I started a blog as you do for anyone that's interested:

jollyripple.wordpress.com
 
hmm, I shudder to think how many millions of sea miles boats such as yours, in her present configuration, have safely achieved in the last two hundred years.

Modification of the foresail area is relatively simple without roller / WM gear. Two forestays; on approach of bad weather, hank small jib to unused stay and lash down with a long line leading aft. Just before arrival of bad weather, down the big jib, and up the smaller one. Sort out the recovery of sails when she is snugged down.

Certainly arrange mains'l reefing to be done as much as poss from cockpit.


Stanchions and lifelines. There is a school of thought (similar to that in Holland where they are doing away with roundabouts and traffic lights) that if there is no safety kit in place, then you take a lot of extra care, and - importantly you don't rely on a low lifeline which can impede or trip you, or prevent recovery of sail or human.

My own boat has lines round the cockpit, and by the pulp[it, but none along the main body of the deck. Sensible provision of running jackstays, or strong points takes place of that.


Wind-vane ? It looks as if she is well-provided for that already, with stops for the tiller. I bet she tracks like a dream.


If you develop your seamanship and safety-consciousness/risk awareness within the physical envelope of your existing kit, you will be a better sailor than someone surrounded by and relying on all the 'safety' gizmos'. Any additions or changes to her present configuration, e.g. the main hatch and washboards, will therefore be a bonus. You won't need huge changes, just sensible ones.
 
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Hey Sarabande,
I do agree with your comments...I know that I myself was to reliant on all the perks of a typical modern yacht so this is a bit of a back track in terms yacht size/years but will definitely be an advantage in every other sail wise way....
Problem ofcourse is I haven't sailed her yet (or any other gaff cutter that is)..always have admired when I have seen them out :) so not sure how she behaves yet but no doubt she'll be fine...
Back in the older days of no roller reefs (well this was early 90s for me and I could not afford one then lol) I used to run twin forestay setup...guess got used too much to the luxury of roller reefers...
 
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