Gdnuff Got Wet

 FINALLY! I splashed Gdnuff. She was built on the back porch of my mother's house, which sits next to a park with water. They call it a "lake", but really it's a big pond. Anyway, I splashed the boat there so my mother could see her sailing. The wind was about 13 mph this morning, but shadowed by the houses and trees nearby. Once I got out in the open, the wind was better. She was scooting right along, I was pleased with her. I do feel like I will be in the drink, if I don't pay close attention. My next outing will be a capsize test. 

PROGRESS

When I received the plans for the boat, I didn't pay much attention to the sail. And when it was time to build the sail, I just sent the sail page to Sailrite and they made a kit for me. This sail has a sleeve for the mast, and a zipper in the sleeve. I didn't pay must attention to that... until I had already sewn the sail. Not a problem, I ordered the 10 foot zipper and installed it.

NOW the sail is finished, complete with battens and telltales. And of course, the sail needs a proper bag!

I moved Gdnuff out from under the patio so I could step the mast. The mast is 16', and looks really tall, but it is light and I had no trouble holding it upright and sliding into the mast partner and down to the step. The boom has all the hardware attached now, and I attached it to the mast. The wind was too high to add the sail today. 

Sail Loft

 The weather turned cold and wet, so I turned my living room into a sail loft. I wanted to use dacron for the sail. I sent Sailrite the sail plan and they made a kit for me. It's going together pretty easy.

This is the second sail kit I have ordered from them. The paradox I built flew a sail I made from a Sailrite kit. I recommend them.

The panels are well marked, and the instructions are easy to follow.

Gdnuff's Mast

The plans for the Spindrift call for an aluminum mast. I have always liked the wooden mast and have made them for the other boats I have built. However, I decided to use an aluminum mast this time. On the B&B Yacht website, one can purchase a mast kit. This kit includes the three piece mast and starboard plugs for both ends. I took the easy way out and purchased the kit along with the mast step. Yes, instead of making the mast step... I bought their beautifully machined step. 

I have added to my tools collection. That was kind of an expensive hole, but if I ever need another 2 inch hole cut... I have the tool to do it.

My brother got real excited when I told him I bought a table saw. Because I will store it at his house.

SHE HAS A NAME

Every time I've worked on this boat, I heard myself say, "That's good enough." So, that's her name now... Gdnuff.

All the seams have fiberglass tape on the inside. Gunwales are on, and the temporary bulkhead is out. This week, I'll be working on the centerboard trunk, and shopping for aluminum for the mast.

3D

My Spindrift went 3D this weekend. It feels good! I do have to say, the plans are not as easy as my previous builds. I am confident this is not for a newbie in the boat building world. My son was my extra pair of hands. He was a big help with the unfolding and getting that forward bulkhead in place. I think I may have cut that bulkhead wrong, but I made it work.

The cradle where she will live for a little bit.

With both sides and both bottoms stacked, you are able to have both side exactly the same.

This seemed backwards to me. Glass the sides to the bottoms for the first 8 inches, wire the bow and two bottom pieces together, and then open her up and work your way back wiring the sides to the bottom. It was very difficult getting that forward bulkhead in place.

Clamping the longitudinal bulkheads together, I was able to make sure they were the same for the seat.

And there she is. I do like her shape. All my other boats have had flat bottoms, so I'm sure this will sail a little different than I'm used to. But, I just had to share my progress! Yay!

LET THE BUILDING BEGIN

Since I sold my Mayfly, I am now ready to start another boat. I did a lot of looking around, and decided the Spindrift was the perfect boat for my needs. The plans arrived and I have started making sawdust again. There are a lot of firsts for me with this boat. Spindrift is a stitch and glue, has a centerboard instead of a swing leeboard, and the sail is not a balanced lug.

All of the pieces have been cut out and, the bottom and side pieces have a couple coats of epoxy. If my plan works out right, she will be 3D this weekend. There will be another post with pictures when that happens.