I'm no sailor, so forgive me if this seems like a stupid question - Could you have tacked upwind on your return trip? I know it would have taken longer. Just wondering if there is a limitation of the design that prevents this.
Great question. For lack of a deeper keel (retracting dagger board or centerboard), this pram can't sail close enough to make progress to windward. It can sail downwind or across the wind. Even if it was equipped to do so, beating upwind for any significant distance (in any boat), is not very practical. In my experience the time required is usually 3-4 times the trip downwind. Recreational sailors have become kind of obsessed with sailing into the wind. I have mostly let go of this notion. I almost always use the oars to get upwind. My little boats are all relatively easy to row. This pram is the slowest rower of the bunch, but still tolerable.
I really enjoy your videos; and now with your pram, I can learn (and be encouraged by) your skills at sailing a craft about the same dimensions as my fold-up Seahopper Lighter. In particular, the narrow geography of where you sail offers the same land- waterscape as where I do so, here in northern Japan. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
If your tiller doesn't feel heavy when you are having to apply lots of imput to keep a straight course, I might suggest experimenting with a rudder that has a larger wetted surface.
Recently found your channel as I start up my first boat build! It isn't too dissimilar from your newest boat, so these 2 videos have been very inspirational! Thanks!
If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend a pair of custom oars. I followed the 7ft plans from Michalak's "Boatbuilding for Beginners (and Beyond)" and they're really fun to row with.
Small boats and simple sails - delightful. And I do envy you that vast expanse of open water. When we lived in NW Ontario we were spoiled for choice, now relocated back to the UK not so much. WRT your sheeting arrangement - do you prefer the sheet coming off of the boom mid way along the foot rather than back at the clew?
Whenever i see videos of people going away from the camera i think about how there is a clip of them going "ok i think that gets the point across" and then coming back to retrieve the camera. Here's to all the cut out clips of someone getting a camera thats rolling so that we can have nice videos like this one
Interesting that you experienced weather helm. Not what you'd expect from just a skeg at the back! However if you are on a broad reach or run, the centre of effort of the sail is way out to leeward and that alone can give weather helm. A standard solution on some boats is to deliberately heel the boat to windward to neutralise the helm. Re the mast partners, even on deeper boats they are commonly at gunnel/deck level. And/or you could consider adding a partner bracket to the back of the forward thwart, which would give better 'planting' depth to the mast? But if the weather helm is real, to windward, you won't want the mast further back.
I wonder if the rudder may just be a bit small. If the tiller doesn't have much weight on it that far over, it may just be looking like a lot of weather helm due to the small rudder not having the right amount of size to effectively turn the boat. Just comparing it to other similar sized sailboats, that rudder looks tiny.
Yeah and look into weight distribution. I build little boats and most of the time that's the issue. Mast rake and rudder are for sure to look into. Great channel!
A dagger board trunk under the seat would be an option for sure. I have a mind to experiment with a single lee board as used on the Sabot dinghy. Tacking is not great without some sort of board.
It may not have the best hull for sailing and it might be somewhat small as boats go. It does seem to be ideal for exploring shallow waters under sail or oars. On days you might explore, avoid high wind days. All in all a fun project.
I've been enjoying your videos for a couple weeks now, really makes me wanna try lake sailing. PS. The camera angles at minute 16:29 is really weird for about twenty + so seconds, look like a commando searching for enemies or something 😂. I'm guessing you didn't have as many options for camera mounts on this small craft.
A small boat on a small lake is some of the most fun sailing if you ask me. That shot was a sailor searching for the right passage in a maze of islands and narrow creeks!
I'm no sailor, so forgive me if this seems like a stupid question - Could you have tacked upwind on your return trip? I know it would have taken longer. Just wondering if there is a limitation of the design that prevents this.
Great question. For lack of a deeper keel (retracting dagger board or centerboard), this pram can't sail close enough to make progress to windward. It can sail downwind or across the wind. Even if it was equipped to do so, beating upwind for any significant distance (in any boat), is not very practical. In my experience the time required is usually 3-4 times the trip downwind. Recreational sailors have become kind of obsessed with sailing into the wind. I have mostly let go of this notion. I almost always use the oars to get upwind. My little boats are all relatively easy to row. This pram is the slowest rower of the bunch, but still tolerable.
The fin on your pram is a little dagger, as you know
I really enjoy your videos; and now with your pram, I can learn (and be encouraged by) your skills at sailing a craft about the same dimensions as my fold-up Seahopper Lighter. In particular, the narrow geography of where you sail offers the same land- waterscape as where I do so, here in northern Japan. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
If your tiller doesn't feel heavy when you are having to apply lots of imput to keep a straight course, I might suggest experimenting with a rudder that has a larger wetted surface.
Recently found your channel as I start up my first boat build! It isn't too dissimilar from your newest boat, so these 2 videos have been very inspirational! Thanks!
If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend a pair of custom oars. I followed the 7ft plans from Michalak's "Boatbuilding for Beginners (and Beyond)" and they're really fun to row with.
Small boats and simple sails - delightful. And I do envy you that vast expanse of open water. When we lived in NW Ontario we were spoiled for choice, now relocated back to the UK not so much.
WRT your sheeting arrangement - do you prefer the sheet coming off of the boom mid way along the foot rather than back at the clew?
Whenever i see videos of people going away from the camera i think about how there is a clip of them going "ok i think that gets the point across" and then coming back to retrieve the camera. Here's to all the cut out clips of someone getting a camera thats rolling so that we can have nice videos like this one
Interesting that you experienced weather helm. Not what you'd expect from just a skeg at the back! However if you are on a broad reach or run, the centre of effort of the sail is way out to leeward and that alone can give weather helm. A standard solution on some boats is to deliberately heel the boat to windward to neutralise the helm.
Re the mast partners, even on deeper boats they are commonly at gunnel/deck level. And/or you could consider adding a partner bracket to the back of the forward thwart, which would give better 'planting' depth to the mast? But if the weather helm is real, to windward, you won't want the mast further back.
Its cat rigged so I'd agree on the center of effort.
I wonder if the rudder may just be a bit small. If the tiller doesn't have much weight on it that far over, it may just be looking like a lot of weather helm due to the small rudder not having the right amount of size to effectively turn the boat.
Just comparing it to other similar sized sailboats, that rudder looks tiny.
A man of many talents
Second view, first comment! 5 more years to retire then Knoxville here I come. I will have to visit when I am in the neighborhood.
That moves along nice in the water especially not having a dagger board . Beautiful boat.
The best people happen to have pintles and gudgeons just "laying around" :)
Not unless you have broken up a boat.
Yeah and look into weight distribution. I build little boats and most of the time that's the issue. Mast rake and rudder are for sure to look into. Great channel!
Great to see your little skiff/punt sailing so well. Think I d put a dagger board on it but with just a skeg it sails well. What is it like tacking?
A dagger board trunk under the seat would be an option for sure. I have a mind to experiment with a single lee board as used on the Sabot dinghy. Tacking is not great without some sort of board.
Nice addition to the fleet admiral. Goes to prove the point anyone with a couple of bucks in his pocket a d the desire can get pit and explore nature
Absolutely! That is my attitude and something I seek to demonstrate. Boating doesn't have to be expensive by any means.
It may not have the best hull for sailing and it might be somewhat small as boats go. It does seem to be ideal for exploring shallow waters under sail or oars. On days you might explore, avoid high wind days. All in all a fun project.
Love it! Looks great, color is perfect. Can she point to windward at all?
Found your channel a few months ago and love the content. Wondering if you have more detail video on your sail setup and rigging it.
I've been enjoying your videos for a couple weeks now, really makes me wanna try lake sailing.
PS. The camera angles at minute 16:29 is really weird for about twenty + so seconds, look like a commando searching for enemies or something 😂.
I'm guessing you didn't have as many options for camera mounts on this small craft.
A small boat on a small lake is some of the most fun sailing if you ask me.
That shot was a sailor searching for the right passage in a maze of islands and narrow creeks!
are there plans?
As you know,all fixes are temporary some are more
Is that your song in the intro
it’s the “Wellerman” a sea shanty.
That's cool I never heard it
It's my version of Wellerman, and me singing and playing
@@cumberlandrover hell yeah thats badass sounds good too