Looking for some advice/experience

[bbdave]

I launched my gaffer a year ago and she has sat on her mooring since as I am not confident taking her out, I have very little sailing experience and if she doesn't sail this year the rig will be coming off and I'll just use the motor.
My father and I built the boat (fitted out a grp hull) and we have only test sailed once at Rutland water which we struggled with and have since made ergonomic adjustments. she now resides in Teignmouth harbour so if anyone is at a loose end and fancies helping me out I will be very grateful. I may get the sails on this week as a positive step forward but I would dearly love to sail her well.

This was her launch last year.


Dave

 

[prr]

What was the struggle about during the test sail?

 

[bbdave]

The ballast was to far back which seemed to stop her turning through the wind the other issues were gaff jaws were binding but I've fitted a saddle to solve that and the main sheet was getting hooked up on the outboard bracket which has been removed and I have made a well for the outboard I have two eyes to fit for the foresail sheet to fair there run better. I'm hoping these bits will help and fingers crossed there will be little fettling left to do

Dave

 

[cryan]

Perhaps contact your local RYA sailing school and enquire about courses so as you gain more confidence in your abilities.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I launched my gaffer a year ago and she has sat on her mooring since as I am not confident taking her out, I have very little sailing experience and if she doesn't sail this year the rig will be coming off and I'll just use the motor.
My father and I built the boat (fitted out a grp hull) and we have only test sailed once at Rutland water which we struggled with and have since made ergonomic adjustments. she now resides in Teignmouth harbour so if anyone is at a loose end and fancies helping me out I will be very grateful. I may get the sails on this week as a positive step forward but I would dearly love to sail her well.

This was her launch last year.

Dave

It'd be a shame not to sail her as she looks a beauty... have you got a sailing club local to you?? Might be worth popping down and asking if anyone fancies coming out with you?? Other than that (or as well) - a basic RYA dinghy course will give you the basics...

 

[alant]

Perhaps contact your local RYA sailing school and enquire about courses so as you gain more confidence in your abilities.

You'll have to search high & low to find one still using gaffer's!

 

[PhillM]

Contact the Old Gaffers Assoiciation:

http://oldgaffersassociation.org/

I am sure they will have local members who would be happy to help / advise.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

You'll have to search high & low to find one still using gaffer's!

The gaffer is not the point.

 

[bbdave]

I have asked local clubs but had no joy as yet I am a member of a small club but they offer no training they are only a small club who just race dinghies on a Sunday.
I would do a course but just can't afford it at the moment it's £400 for the 1&2

I have had a PM with a kind offer so fingers crossed this year could be the year I get sailing.

Dave

 

[ianat182]

Your boat looks to be a traditional shape,presumably too she has no centreboard or it is probably a heavy galvanised one;using a block and tackle to hoist and lower, if the former then do not expect to sail her very close to the wind and the boom will not need to be pulled fully in to achieve speed, being a gaff rigged boat. The additon of a furling jib(Dinghy version from Seasure or RWO/Barton) would make handling when approaching your mooring easier since the main spars will take up a fair bit of room, again though, I have assumed the mainsail is not a loose footed one.
Unless the outboard is able to lift clear of the water when not in use I would also consider bringing it inboard the boat for improved performance.
The gaff jaws could be improved with parrel beads that roll up the mast when hoisting or lowering the gaff though a piece of plastic tubing may do the same duty.
An invitation to another club member to try out your boat and gear might be a good way for practical instruction, and the local volunteer you mention also be useful.
An exciting time awaits you!

ianat182

 

[prr]

The ballast was to far back which seemed to stop her turning through the wind the other issues were gaff jaws were binding but I've fitted a saddle to solve that and the main sheet was getting hooked up on the outboard bracket which has been removed and I have made a well for the outboard I have two eyes to fit for the foresail sheet to fair there run better. I'm hoping these bits will help and fingers crossed there will be little fettling left to do

Dave

Good tip for getting a gaff sloop with bowsprite through the wind
Let the fore sail fly BEFORE you put the helm over. Helm over. When the bow is through the wind, back the fore sail.( pull it back to its original position again.) When sufficiently round bring the fore sail over as normal.

 

[alant]

The gaffer is not the point.

Really?
Whole new ballgame compared to the current standard rigs to sail.

 

[alant]

Good tip for getting a gaff sloop with bowsprite through the wind
Let the fore sail fly BEFORE you put the helm over. Helm over. When the bow is through the wind, back the fore sail.( pull it back to its original position again.) When sufficiently round bring the fore sail over as normal.

Why?

If you do that, what is going to push the head thru the wind?
After which, you suggest "backing it", when its not needed since your head is already thru the wind. As well as the risk of being caught in stays, this suggestions means 2 evolutions for no apparent benefits.

 

[prv]

Really?
Whole new ballgame compared to the current standard rigs to sail.

If you barely know how to sail at all, the difference between gaff and bermudan is not that significant compared to the basic skills of steering, sheeting the sails correctly, etc. After all, young kids learn to sail in sprit-sailed Optimists, and we're not training them for Thames barges.

Pete

 

[alant]

If you barely know how to sail at all, the difference between gaff and bermudan is not that significant compared to the basic skills of steering, sheeting the sails correctly, etc. After all, young kids learn to sail in sprit-sailed Optimists, and we're not training them for Thames barges.

Pete

I've skippered a Thames Barge & they're nothing like an Optimist to sail.

 

[bbdave]

I have a galv. centre plate which is winched down the original jaws were oak but they bound so the saddle spreads the load I have parrel beads turned from Asda basics rolling pins as we're the belaying pins. The jib is on a Wykeham martin gear the main is loose footed.

This picture was taken the first time we rigged her full in the front garden after the build.



Dave

 

[maxcampbell]

Good tip for getting a gaff sloop with bowsprite through the wind
Let the fore sail fly BEFORE you put the helm over. Helm over. When the bow is through the wind, back the fore sail.( pull it back to its original position again.) When sufficiently round bring the fore sail over as normal.

As a gaff cutter sailor, I endorse this comment. You want to stop all drive forrard of the CLR at the moment the helm is pushed over. The jib may not always need backing to go from the eye of the wind to the new tack, but if you're having trouble, it will help.

 

[Seajet]

As a gaff cutter sailor, I endorse this comment. You want to stop all drive forrard of the CLR at the moment the helm is pushed over. The jib may not always need backing to go from the eye of the wind to the new tack, but if you're having trouble, it will help.

+1.

The advice to get someone experienced along from your club is the best bet; don't give up on her, I'm sure with a bit of practice you'll have huge fun.

 

[ianat182]

The only item that you could add for a more ergonomic helming position is to either fit a metal 'horse' (or traveller)to straddle the tiller at the stern with a sliding mainsheet block. If fitting this make sure the lead from the block is from the lower block to hand, this will enable you to clamp the mainsheet, with your thumb, on top of the tiller using the free hand to adjust the sail as required and holding that setting allowing a quick dumping of the mainsail if becoming overpressed, also keeping the sheet clear of outboards for instance. The 'horse' can be a length of rope to suit the height above the tiller and secured at each end, however the metal version can have 'stops' that can be adjusted, allowing the lower block to be controlled in its travel to suit the wind conditions - centrally for light airs, and freed off about 6" either side of centre in stronger winds.
A batten or two might improve the shape of the mainsail and get rid of the apparent curl on the leach, though this may not show when actually sailing her.
You've made a good job of the boat, now for the skipper's training !

ianat182

 

[John the kiwi]

Good advice above.
You have yet to experience the magic moment when all the drama of getting underway from mooring or harbour is over.
You have your sails set - and then you turn off the motor and wonder of wonders, the boat keeps moving!
Suddenly a new world is yours. Just the sound of the wind and water under the bow. This is worth a lot of effort.
Persevere and get help and training. We all started somewhere. Ensure your safety stuff (life jackets, bailers, VHF or cell phone in a waterproof bag if in local waters) is in order and make a modest start. Start small and keep your risks manageable. But don't be paralysed by fear of making mistakes.
I can confidently say that everyone who has ever handled a boat has had moments that they hope no one noticed and would rather forget!
Good luck.