Looking for some advice/experience

My experience of the Old Gaffers Association is that they are just as keen to convert people as the Jehovah's Witnesses. I would have thought that they would be a source of help/inspiration and friendship and maybe tuition aboard your own boat.
 
I went to a couple of OGA social meetings but even though they were a friendly chatty bunch there was no offer of help I mentioned crewing but again no offers I was considering joining but after messaging my area group oboist what I'd get from my £30 and what the OGA could do for me I never got a reply so they didn't get my money.

Dave
 
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Dave, generally with your type of sail plan (gaff sloop + bowsprite) its important that you DONT ease the mainsheet when heeled over in a large gust . Just let go the fore sail sheet. This way the pressure on the main sail will turn you safely into wind. Then if still heeled over you can ease the main sheet. If you ease the main sheet first the pressure in the fore sail will turn you down wind, fill the main sail again & you'll go charging off down wind (could be messy) Hope this helps.
 
prr said:
Dave, generally with your type of sail plan (gaff sloop + bowsprite) its important that you DONT ease the mainsheet when heeled over in a large gust . Just let go the fore sail sheet. This way the pressure on the main sail will turn you safely into wind. Then if still heeled over you can ease the main sheet. If you ease the main sheet first the pressure in the fore sail will turn you down wind, fill the main sail again & you'll go charging off down wind (could be messy) Hope this helps.
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Thanks that will come in handy i know when we test sailed and the foresail sheet went walkabout we sat dead into wind we couldn't move til I'd untangled it hence the bullseye to be fitted before the cleats but I may move those further back to allow easier access from the helm. Here's some you tube vids the only ones of a Sou'wester 18 I've found

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OBCyDVJAz_s

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=56vX18D6f80

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnry0adwtKs

What is the double jamming block called on the horse in the second vid? Also why is a horse better than two fixed points on the stern?


Dave
 
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bbdave said:
Thanks that will come in handy i know when we test sailed and the foresail sheet went walkabout we sat dead into wind we couldn't move til I'd untangled it hence the bullseye to be fitted before the cleats but I may move those further back to allow easier access from the helm. Here's some you tube vids the only ones of a Sou'wester 18 I've found

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OBCyDVJAz_s

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=56vX18D6f80

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnry0adwtKs

What is the double jamming block called on the horse in the second vid? Also why is a horse better than two fixed points on the stern?


Dave
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Its called a fiddle block with a cam cleat.
I like to be able to bowse the boom down hard. It stops it thrashing its self loose when motoring in choppy seas. this can be difficult with a longish horse.
 
Well I have heard back from TCSC and will be visiting the club on Wednesday evening they have a cruising and dinghy section and offer training so it could be a goer.

Dave
 
What he needs is someone with experience to offer to go out with him. They will be able to see his rig suggest any corrections and give an opinion on his ability. By the end of the day he will know if the boat needs adjusting, he needs adjusting or if his expectations are too high.

So I think he needs a volunteer from here who really knows their stuff. It's not me I know nothing about gaff rigged boats.
 
This week I visited the sailing club watched the cruiser racing and chatted a lot and it looks like I'll be joining I have had a couple of offers to take me out and give the rig a shake down in a couple or three weeks time, and some cruiser crewing on offer to learn the local coastline etc.

yesterday I got the main on and hopefully the sprit and foresail rigged this weekend so fingers crossed for some sailing adventures this year.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Dave
 
bbdave said:
This week I visited the sailing club watched the cruiser racing and chatted a lot and it looks like I'll be joining I have had a couple of offers to take me out and give the rig a shake down in a couple or three weeks time, and some cruiser crewing on offer to learn the local coastline etc.
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Fantastic, I'll wave if I see you out on the water :)
 
John the kiwi said:
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.
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Really good comment John, excellent encouragement & I too agree it is worth the effort, it can be life changing to some!.

Is the mast further forward on a gaffer than a Bermudan rig?...I sometimes simply "gybe" around(& always allowing enough space to do so), excepting that a "tack" may sometimes not happen for my rig. Although I believe gaffers should take as well as a Bermudan rig, hope some experienced onboard helps, im sure it will.
Best of luck, cheers.
 
Yes I am a little more exited than daunted at the moment and looking forward to the good settled weather getting here I am in contact with Eric Frenks who runs a Sou'wester website he reckons I'll only be moving bits and bobs to where I need them for around 3-5 years,So no rush.

Whilst I have been down there this week scraping the bottom (no anti foul) I have quite a lot of admirers asking questions about the boat what she is and how pretty she looks which is very encouraging and making me want to do her justice.

Dave
 
alant said:
Why?:confused:

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.
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Isn't this just how you would tack a boat without using the rudder? Ease the jib and the wind in the main will push her round to about head-to-wind. Back the jib briefly if necessary to get through the wind. Sheet in the jib on the new side and ease the main to get on the new course then balance using both sheets.
 
Well yesterday morning it all came together we got on board 2 hours before high water, it was hot the sea flat and a little breeze blowing so perfect the main was set and engine started we slipped the mooring and made our way out of the estuary. Once out and clear of the channel marks the jib was put out and the engine cut and HEY PRESTO! We were sailing.

My mentor was the sailing club secretary he went through the basics MOB type manoeuvres tacking gybe etc. pointed out a few improvements to fair leads cleats etc. but all in all no real problems. The jib did need backing to help the tack but I guess with a little more breeze and more way this might not be needed.

We then came back into the harbour and spent an hour motoring round practicing picking up moorings boat handling plate up and down to get the feel of her again no real problems.

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Thanks to all on here that have given words of encouragement by my reckoning it has taken 11 years from bare hull to this I have some time to make up!

Dave
 
davidfox said:
She does look great, now what about putting a topsail on her! .. or is that next year?
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I do have a topsail the maker had made one to many so offered it to me half price but I think that will be another season or two as there will need to be an extra block or two up the mast so until that's dropped for maintainance nothing can happen

Dave
 
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