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Author
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Topic: Update on my quest for a new boat
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2short S565
Member
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posted October 13, 2004 09:02 PM
  
I sold my Sandpiper thinking that I would upgrade to something like this expensive but fast and fun J24;
Then I started looking at bigger, more family oriented, practical stuff like a Hunter 30 and this Hunter 31; 
Then I thought why not get a boat that I can be proud of well into my future retirement, so I looked at this; 
But then I realized that in my entire lifetime I could not save enough spare money to be able to afford to even charter it for one week ($250,000), let alone buy it!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually this seems to be all that I can really afford at the present time; 
Any suggestions? IP: 67.68.136.106 |
windy island
Member
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posted October 13, 2004 09:25 PM
This is all abour dreaming again right? I think you should consider a Sandpiper and join us next year.IP: 209.195.116.47 |
Eric
Member
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posted October 13, 2004 11:03 PM
LOL Fred!
Was there any word on damage to Mirabella, after her grounding in the Med a few weeks back?Re the J24, here's a link to another forum with some disturbing images of a sinking of a J24! BEWARE THIS WEBSITE IS NOT A FAMILY SITE!! http://www.sailinganarchy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10035
I'm not suggesting by this link that the J is a bad boat. It's a racer, and as such they get pushed to the limit! The last pic looks like one of those little Sanibel's. It's like a soapbox derby sailboat  Eric [This message has been edited by Eric (edited October 13, 2004).] IP: 130.63.85.93 |
Shortstay
Member
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posted October 13, 2004 11:13 PM
That was hilarious, Fred. Thanks!For my money, I like option #2. The last boat my dad had for the two seasons before he passed was a Hunter 18. Every time I step aboard Shortstay, I think about sailing that Hunter with Dad. I have a soft spot for Hunters. However, I like Windy's idea too! BTW - What kind of boat was your "punchline?" [This message has been edited by Shortstay (edited October 13, 2004).] IP: 198.115.167.11 |
CL Staff
Administrator
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posted October 13, 2004 11:50 PM
M5 is in dry dock... being repaired. You could always downgrade from the M5 and get a MORRIS 46 =). Largest daysailor I know of...(except for cup boats).------------------
Cody J. Cote
Sales & Service Manager/Sailing Advisor
CL Sailboats
cody@clsailboats.com
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_/)~~~ IP: 24.150.223.225 |
2short S565
Member
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posted October 14, 2004 01:56 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Eric:
[B]The last pic looks like one of those little Sanibel's.B]
Its an Illusion Mini 12.
http://www.sailingtexas.com/sillusionmini12a.html Fred IP: 67.68.136.106 |
Ken
Member
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posted October 14, 2004 12:49 PM
Re the lesson of the sunken J24.....Lynn and I always made a habit of closing the hatchway slider...in ALL weather conditions. In iffy conditions we fitted the batten boards and latched the hasp. The forehatch was secured and NEVER left open while under way! The large lazarette cover was held down by a bungee cord.
The same holds true for our Niagara 35
No one can fall down an open companionway slide, and sea water and spray will stay mostly on the outside of the boat!I've seen many many pictures here of folks sailing with the companionway slide open.
IP: 141.117.228.250 |
Darcy
Member
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posted October 14, 2004 02:31 PM
The step up in front of the hatch is a great idea on a small boat (as opposed to the Shark that has a short 2" lip into the cabin).You could take on a lot of water into the cockpit before it would flow into the cabin. Another notion: On a calm day at anchor, plug the self bailing drain. Fill the cockpit up with water and have a bath. D'Arcy IP: 67.71.53.19 |
2short S565
Member
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posted October 14, 2004 08:50 PM
I agree with what Ken says. I sail a lot with the fore hatch and companion way open but always close up when it gets rough or looks like it will blow up. But sometimes you get caught if your not real carefull. Once I was sailing from Batchewana Island to Gros Cap, a 30 mile run, when it started to blow when I got into the open.
My furler was jammed so I was stuck with a full 130+% Genoa. I couldn't reef the main or my furler couplings would snap (after this event I increased the size of the shrouds to reduce the stretch that caused the forestay to slack off in a following wind). So I decided to ride it out for the 30 miles on a broad reach under full sail. Soon I realised that I had forgotten to batten the fore hatch but it had been too late by the time I had gotten into open water. In my best estimate the waves built to 6 plus ft. You can figure out the winds that were involved.
In the troughs I could only see water and sky. On each crest I re-pointed the boat. Every wave required a hard push pull on the tiller.
I was in a broad reach chasing that dammed Shark which eventually became a glint against the horizon. I kept thinking about that fore hatch and eventually decided that I had to latch it. Bad decision. I Locked the tiller and at the right moment I dashed below and started fumbling with the latches. Next thing I felt vertigo and then found myself sitting on the port side window thinking holy #%#&! I'm done for.. the boats weather helming and is about to jibe in high winds under full sail !!!!. It did but then the boat righted and I thought well I'm here I might as well finish the job. Another bad mistake. Same thing happened a second time! I gave up and went back to the tiller shaking real bad and feeling real lucky.
I sailed the 30 miles under full sail with no other problems.
Then I tried to start my motor at the harbour approach (running downwind) and lost attention to the tiller just a little too long. The boat weather helmed and I found myself standing on the port gunnel holding onto the starbord lifeline (or I would have fallen face first into the drink) and watching the mast lay right down in the water (I was still under full sail). Jikes. THe main skimmed across the water and as the boat continued its turn, jibed and stood back up like it was a taking a walk in the park. I was impressed. Not a cool way to wash the mainsail though. When I got into the harbour my Shark buddy told me that during the trip he had a wave break over his cockpit flooding it severely. Then a second one did then same and he thought he was done for but he managed to bail.
I had made the run only feeling like a shot glass of water on my shoulder maybe once or twice. Otherwise my cockpit was dry until I got to Gros Cap. I'm not proud of my performance on that trip but had I found out just how well the Sandpiper floats and how forgiving it is. And I learned a lot also.
[This message has been edited by 2short S565 (edited October 14, 2004).] IP: 67.68.136.106 |
Eric
Member
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posted October 14, 2004 09:12 PM
Well I'm one of those guys who sails with the companionway hatch open. Usually when these pics are taken, the weather's looking good.
I never sail with the fore hatch open! For one thing, the lazy jib sheet gets fouled. Also, for safety reasons, I don't like the securing bolts hanging down while underway. They can hurt if you bump your head!
If the weather is bad, strong winds, etc the companionway is closed up, partly, or all the way depending on conditions. After reading about the misfortunes with the J, I'll certainly be cognisant of secureing the hatches in severe conditions. By leaving the top hatch board out (in pic), I've done nothing to prevent water flooding the cabin in a knock down. The bottom drop board would surely fall out of place. The companionway normally gets completely buttoned up during long durations of heavy rain, like I had up in Midland on May 24. My reasons for closing up the companionway the way I did is to prevent rain or splash entering the cabin. Now I've learned another reason to close it up.
I also keep the lazerette cover secured, albeit with the stock bungee. However the design of the Sandpiper, is such that the aft lazerette should be able to be flooded, yet not sink the boat. This area is sealed off from the rest of the cabin, at least mine is. If the bulkhead is breached for wiring or anything, the opening should be securely sealed to prevent flooding the cabin.
Also in any conditions remotely poor, or expected strong winds waves etc, I tether myself to the boat always! Rule number one, I learned, is don't fall out of the boat!! When soloing, this is even more applicable. I see guys all the time, sailing solo untethered, without so much as a PFD on!! I've got too many reasons to live!!
In this pic, (I was solo), you'll see the top slide closed, I also had the bottom drop board in place (I had gone through a T storm), and you'll notice my tether clipped onto the padeye on the port coaming. I was wearing my inflatable Mustang with harness. I have a separate harness, for use with regular PFD's, should it be necessary.
That's quite a story Fred. Thanks for sharing your lessons learned!Eric
 [This message has been edited by Eric (edited October 14, 2004).] IP: 130.63.85.93 |
elmet3
Member
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posted October 18, 2004 07:32 PM
OK Fred, that was a seriously informative tale. I have been wondering how the Sandpiper would tolerate a knockdown. You had the spreaders in the water and it stood back up? Did you take water into the cockpit during this time? Was there risk of water coming into the cabin? Did water come in through the open forehatch?
Also, did you think of dropping the foresail and sailing under main alone? I do it pretty often because I don't sail for excitment. I don't wnat to get caught with too much sail up. The weather helm is not too bad. Actually the Sandpiper sails pretty well under main alone.
The mannual suggests that you try sailing under jib alone (I don't know why) so I tried that once, too. I works. You can make progress in most directions, but I could never come close to the wind and I could not tack, so I jibed to change course. After 15 minutes I had enough of that, but it was interesting to try. IP: 67.107.33.106 |
2short S565
Member
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posted October 18, 2004 09:33 PM
quote:
Originally posted by elmet3:
You had the spreaders in the water and it stood back up?
Yes it did. I believe the first 2 times they were in the water also. Man did I mess up. that was a few years back so I can say that I'm a lot smarter now. Was there risk of water coming into the cabin? Did water come in through the open forehatch? [/QUOTE] The fore hatch was closed but not latched. I was worried about geting into a situation where The bow was diving into waves possibly causing the hatch to pop open and scoop water. I had it open during the night while anchored but forgot to latch it when I pulled anchour. No water came in thru either the fore hatch or the companion way. Amazing. That boat floated like 10 on its side.
Also, did you think of dropping the foresail and sailing under main alone? [/QUOTE]
I mentioned that the foresail furler was jammed. I was stuck with the dam thing full out. I didn't want to go out on deck and mess with it those conditions! Actually the Sandpiper sails pretty well under main alone.
The manual suggests that you try sailing under jib alone (I don't know why) so I tried that once, too. I works. You can make progress in most directions, but I could never come close to the wind and I could not tack, so I jibed to change course.
[/QUOTE] You need to keep up your speed before you tack. Turn slightly downwind for a short time to accelerate, then tack quickly, but stay reasonably off the wind on the opposite tack to build up speed then point a bit higher (but not too high) to resume. Fred IP: 67.68.136.106 |
Eric
Member
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posted October 19, 2004 08:03 AM
I have sailed both main alone, and jib alone. I don't really care for either, but prefer the main only! (Having said that the pic below shows a different tale  I was rafted up with a friend, and we were heading in. It was easier to raise the jib at the time, rather than untie the main and raise it .)Tacking was difficult to learn, until I realized that she needs to power up before tacking, as Fred pointed out! Fred's story makes for an argument against roller furling jibs Jammed furlers is something that can occur, and usually at the worst time. I like a furler's convenience though. I've been sailing with my hank on jibs the last two summers. I don't have the luxury of reefing the jib, so the boat is main driven! If I need to douse the jib, I can do so really quickly. I rigged a downhaul, and it comes down quite simply, and easier than using a furler! Downside, you have to fold the foresail at the end of your day. Eric  [This message has been edited by Eric (edited October 19, 2004).] IP: 130.63.85.93 | |
