Alaya under Sail

[kc8pql]

Several people have asked to see a photo of Alaya away from the dock. Someone sent me this one the other day.

http://i34.tinypic.com/33kbzhj.jpg

[Thorne]

Nice! Got enough reefing points?

;0 )

[rooster]

Beauty !! More info? Designer,builder ect. you know the drill,hey I'm new. What's up with the aft chainplate? Rig change? Did it used to have running backs? Can't see how that would work though.Anyway, sweet boat, Thanks for the picture. By the way dodger looks perfect!

[kc8pql]

Rooster,

She's a Buehler Jenny. I built her. She does have running backs but doesn't really need them 'till the wind gets up to 18 or 20 kts. I think it was blowing 12 to 14 the day the pic was taken so I didn't bother to set them up. I like low dodgers that I can see over while standing for docking. I also don't think the dodger should be the first thing you see when you look at a boat, as seems to be the case on so many plastic floating condos. Thanks for the compliment.

Thorne,

Yep, a sailplan for any wind down to storm sails. She has a 450 sq. ft. jib too.

[Concordia...41]

Gorgeous! Wow!

[StevenBauer]

Great picture, kc. It's hard to get good pics while underway. We've had plans with other boats several times this summer but the weather or something has always gotten in the way.

Steven

[Paul Pless]

Thanks kc, she looks great!

[kc8pql]

It's hard to get good pics while underway. We've had plans with other boats several times this summer but the weather or something has always gotten in the way.


That's the truth. It's taken most of two seasons to get just this one, only to see that the jibsheet lead was to far back and my makeshift main outhaul really isn't doing the job. I'll get it right one of these days.

K.

[Dave Thibodeau]

a beautiful boat

[hokiefan]

Rooster,

She's a Buehler Jenny. I built her. She does have running backs but doesn't really need them 'till the wind gets up to 18 or 20 kts. I think it was blowing 12 to 14 the day the pic was taken so I didn't bother to set them up. I like low dodgers that I can see over while standing for docking. I also don't think the dodger should be the first thing you see when you look at a boat, as seems to be the case on so many plastic floating condos. Thanks for the compliment.

Thorne,

Yep, a sailplan for any wind down to storm sails. She has a 450 sq. ft. jib too.

Hey kc8pql, I love the boat. I like Buehler designs, especially sail, and his general philosophy. How did you build her, planked, sheathed ply ??? How does she perform under sail???Cheers,Bobby

[kc8pql]

How did you build her, planked, sheathed ply ??? How does she perform under sail???

Three layers of 3/8" marine ply cold molded over a heavy, Buehler style, stringer frame. Glass/epoxy sheathed outside, epoxy coated inside.

She sails quite nicely, dry, and with an easy motion. I've heard people say that Buehler boats are tender, but I haven't found that to be true with this design.

With the working sails, in 5 kts. of wind you're moving enough to steer, at 10 kts. you can cover some ground. At 12 to 15 we average about 6 kts. and by 18 kts. we're seeing 7 to 7 1/2.
The big jib helps a lot in light air.

The boat tracks like its on rails, and it's heavy enough that even the steep Lake Erie chop doesn't slow it down. The helm is fairly easy to balance and the boat will steer its self when you get it right. Earlier in the season we sailed to windward for well over two hours at 6 kts. without ever touching the tiller. It was almost hypnotic to watch. It can be a handfull around the dock untill you get a feel for it. Planning ahead and prop walk help a lot.

All and all, I'd say it's a good design if you're on big water and want to go somewhere, but probably not the best choice if all you want to do is take an afternoon sail.