Hello Ductwork's fans, I've a new tale to tell!
This tale is about the birth of a Lady in Red. The idea of a Lady in Red began several years ago, while looking for my first set of boat plans. Many hours were spent pouring over mass volumes of available plans. Some power, others sail, with the constant question of," What can I handle? Being a Navy man with 22 years I felt really confident in my ability to handle a power boat with ease. But! Could I evolve into a wind sailor? I've never had the chance to learn. Could this old dog be retrained to do sail?
My new un-met friends of Duckworks were sailing, many were as old and older, than I. So the final answer was shelved and power boats were the primary interest. With the first selections being Paul's "Apple Pie" and Mike Gills "Gill 12' tugboat".
As I said in another tale the "Apple Pie" was to retrain my brain and hands in my old job, at a boat builders shop, of fiberglassing hulls.
The "Apple Pie" was returned to me last week for an overhaul. A detailed inspection revealed that it only needed a fresh coat of paint. That's after three years of use and no maintenance. The house paint showed no pealing or other effects. The epoxy and graphite coating of the bottom had a few scratches from rocks but was intact. A new coat of paint, epoxy and graphite and it's ready for more fun.
Last summer I took and passed (Yea) the "Power Squadron" sailing class. That included a three hour on water class in a 16' boat. Well that seems to answer one question. The old dog can be retrained! We went out, didn't turnover, sink or drown and sailed back to the dock. So we logged another fine day in boats.
Now back to the Lady in Red. While looking at plans I felt that the "Stevenson’s Project" plans for"Triad" would be a good first sail boat project. If you haven’t looked at their plans take a look. I'll wait right here for your return.
Your back! Great, now hopefully you saw what I saw. Six sheets of ply some 2x3 and 1x10 sticks and the next thing "Bobs your Uncle", you have a sail boat. I like the concept of setting the bottom on the keel. Adding the two frames then placing the top on that. The skinning was a bit of a problem, but the concept works. Yes this old dog made some mistakes but it does come together quickly into a serviceable boat. I'm ready to build another one. With what I learned from the first. The next will be better.
We took it out on a nice sunny day. The winds were 2 to 6 kts. With tarp homemade sails. I also made a make shift jib and used it at first to sail away from the launch. It worked after a fashion, but was not properly rigged, so we stored it. Another lesion learned.
It sailed nicely but this old dog has still got to learn more of the skill of sail. Several times we caught the wind just right and clipped along quite fast. My new wife was a little concerned with the conditions and my ability. But she didn't jump in and swim to shore. We had another "good day messing about in boats".
I asked Jean what she thought I should paint this boat. She said the tug was blue so that was out. She would like red, so a quart of Val Spar exterior and it's done.
 |
"Lady in Red" |
 |
Hull finished |
 |
Stern view |
 |
Flower planter from cast offs |
 |
The new Mrs Jean Davis and Mr Ed Davis |
Ed (chiefredbear) Davis USN RET
|
