Slightly Barbaric's first sail!

My dot needs to change colors!

Just under a year after construction began, Slightly Barbaric goes for its first sail! On friday, I dragged my roommates and girlfriend out on the water with winds blowing in the upper teens and gusting to the mid twenties. After getting everything rigged at the dock we seeked shelter from the wind behind an island and raised the jib. Spent a few mintues getting everything under control and settled in and then we raised the main. There was plenty of power reaching back and forth and quickly learned that the boat is very tender. It sure was a blast!

There is still some work that needs to be done (recutting the main and possibly the jib, figuring out better leads, adjusting the tiller, and attaching the keel to the boat more firmly) but it feels great to get out on the water! The boat feels more like a dingy than a keel boat and was very quick as expected. I can't wait to get everything figured out and get the boat tuned up. More pictures to follow!

Taking a Break

Well the Navy has sent me to New London, CT for a couple months and I decided to leave the boat and her parts down in Charleston. Before I left, I finished glassing, priming and painting the exterior. I still have a little reinforcement glassing as well as installation of the hardware and fittings to go on the hull. My next task when I return to Charleston will be to pour the bulb and finish the mast and rigging. If anyone is in the New England area and needs any help with their project I would be willing to help when I can.

Getting Closer

Well I figured I would try to list the projects that I have left before the boat is sailable.

The biggest and item to go is the keel. I have just about finished shaping the wood and hope to begin the glassing process this weekend. The biggest dilemma that I am facing is the keel bulb. Tim R. has offered to pour a bulb for me but I might have to wait longer than I would like. If anyone wants to pour a bulb with me (I have never done anything like this) near the Charleston area or if anyone has a bulb they might be willing to part with let me know.

The keel box has somewhat been waiting on the keel to progress as well. Instead of a sleeve, I am creating a box and will have fittings on the keel that will slide into the box when the keel is down. This was suggested to me, instead of the sleeve, b/c of the ability to adjust the cant or twist after installation. As well as the ease of construction and manufacturing.

The mast is probably the next project that I need to start tackling. I have a DM-4 section from Dwyer. Thank you Joe from totalxs for sharing your notes and drawings of your rig with me. I still need to order hardware for the mast (chain plates, stem fitting, spreaders, sheaves, ect.) Does anyone know of a good place to buy some of those pieces? I am also looking for the rudder gudeons.

I still have several little glassing and cleaning up jobs to go as well but I can knock a couple of those out every couple of weeks I will be happy.

Once I am about finished with the keel and rudder I plan to prime the deck, install the deck hardware and sail the boat. I figure once I get sailing I can change things and try to optimize the boat. I just want to get it out on the water sooner than later.

Paul

Its Been a While

Progress certainly did slow down but I have been chipping away small projects slowly over the past couple of months (even though I have been off the radar). My actual goal was to have the fewest blog posting to make the project appear to be quick and simple. Its hard for me to work on it where I live so I usually take it to various friend's driveways on the weekend.

I have just about finished all the glassing topside and the deck is about ready to be primed and painted. I need to finish the keel and keel box so I can install that and finish up that task. The rudder is pretty much complete except for primer, paint, and hardware installation. I have not really had any progress with the mast besides having a blank section.

I am thinking about splashing the boat and checking to ensure that there are no leaks and that the glass/epoxy has sealed the wood in the up coming weekend. Its a bitter sweet joy beginning to reach the end of the project. I will be glad to be done with the construction and time commitment but I am sure I will miss working with the epoxy and fiberglass.