A Worthy Program

Just helping to bring your attention to a worthy program, Chuck -

Click here: Who We Are | G2g Wood & Boatworks

Pete Leenhouts

Coffee & Duckworks

Hi chuck and Mike

I really have enjoyed the last three months. Every day I start my day with coffee and "Duckworks". My wife calls it my daily boat porn. She know my boats are my other love.

Since I sent my article in March, I have bought a new sail. I took the wife on a road trip down to see David Gray (Polytarp Sail). He fixed me up with two sails:

one for my new "Lady in Red" and my old "Apple Pie". Looking forward to lots of fun.

Chief Redbear Davis

New Sail Rig for My Puddle Duck

I went back to Vallecito Lake to sail my Puddle Duck again this year. My old sail was starting to deteriorate badly so I decided to make a new sail.

My new sail is made from a heavier white polytarp. I used the saildart program I got from Duckworks to make the sail. It's about 62 square feet and works wonderfully. Of course once I made the new sail it was too tall for my old mast, so I got a new mast, yard, and boom. I found some 2inch diameter aluminum tubing at a metal place in their scrap pile for the mast.

It's the structural grade tubing, and 16 feet long. I made a new boom from some 1 x 3s. I wanted to do a loose footed sail so the new boom is 2 inches by 2 inches and hollow in the center. I filled the void with rigid foam strips. I think I needed to make it longer, but it seemed to work well. My new yard is from one and half inch poplar closet rod.

Paul Cook
Las Cruces

Little Tri Pics

Hello Chuck

Here is a photo of the Little Tri from Holland I got yesterday and I find it not only beautiful but it says a lot about the performance of the boat.

When you like it put them on your letter column.

Cheers

Bernd   

Sea Story

Just an anecdote.

As the TX200 fleet crammed itself into the confines of the Padre Island YC, things got a bit hectic—as such things are prone to be.  I had been riding with Chuck on ‘Toon that day, and we grabbed a choice piece of sea wall instead of taking a slip. 

As it turned out, Gene and Tom, on “Norm” were having a spot of trouble beating into the basin and landed at a divert field somewhat down wind.  In process of trying to both get the tow boat over to them, and to secure a place to moor; I latched onto a fellow (from the yacht club) who appeared to be in charge of the mooring arrangements.

I stated my needs, and he responded, “I’m a retired Navy Commander.  And, I’m used to things being organized, and I’m accustomed to being in charge…”  To which I responded, “Well, commander.  I’m a retired chief.  And, we ARE in charge…”

After we got Norm in and moored, there were only a handful of spots still remaining along the wall.  The commander came over and tapped me on the shoulder.  “Hey, chief.  Where do you think I should put this boat?...”

Some traditions do in fact, endure.

Dan

Norm at PIYC

Varnish

Hi Chuck.

I built a Maxi Mac drift boat several years ago and it's time to revarnish. I sent a note to Paul Butler and asked him for a recommendation for the varnish to consider. He said you gets lots of feedback from folks and you would be best to also ask for advice. I was considering Pettit 1015 Captains Varnish but I was on your web site an noticed the System 3 Marine Varnish. Do you have any experience with the Pettit 1015? I like the fact that the System 3 is less expensive and is a light amber but cost is not that big of a factor. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Larry Farlow

Maxi Mac

*****

This is a huge subject, Larry - John Welsford, when asked to recommend a varnish, answers: "White paint" - Chuck

Capsize test of a Jim Michalak Toto

Hey Chuck,

Yesterday I got a chance to do a capsize test on the Jim Michalak Toto I finished this spring. I had always been a little nervous about Jim's statements:

She has a buoyancy/storage chamber aft. It will keep your shoes and stuff dry while you splash around and I believe it has about 180 pounds of buoyancy volume if the hatch cover stays watertight. (But you can't "self rescue" in any boat like this without very special training. It's best to stay within a short swim or wade to shallow water.)

I'm 6' tall and weigh 170 lbs. I decided to go over the side in about 6' of water so I could easily get to shore if needed. When I went over the side the boat barely took on any water at all, so I held the side under to partially swamp the boat. I would guess that there were about 3" of water in the bottom of the boat - a significant number of gallons. Then I swam around the backside of the boat and pulled my chest onto the back. From there I was able to straddle the boat and move forward to regain entrance to the boat. The water was calm - it certainly would have been more difficult in waves, but I'm excited to know that I can regain the boat without having to get to shore even in a partially swamped state. This process was easy enough that I would feel comfortable jumping overboard in the middle of the lake for a swim on a nice summer day. Having a bailer to remove the water before trying to climb back in would have also made it easier as well. I plan to keep a kayak pump handy. 

Cheers
John Buhrmann
Durham, NC

What is your Address?

I made a full size pattern of the foam kayak and I'm going to send it to you then I'm going to tell everyone to order one from you if they want. I can't seem to get away from these things. Everyone who comes wants to see and try one out. I hate to do it but I have another short story about the latest one and there's bound to be questions; I've already told them all they need to know but they keep coming. Dave

Dave Lucas

*****

Ok, Dave, plans coming soon - Chuck