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Donald, try an email to > tugs@smalltugs.com <

Epoxy is a thermoset plastic that will deform, doesn't melt and eventually will burn. Around 150 degrees it will lose substantial grip with it's substrate. If your laminate survived the steaming...

I redid a '57 White of the same configuration yours is, last summer and once stripped of the windshield, engine and other easily unscrewable pieces (put in some cross braces or leave the seating and...

Having done several plank jobs on lap hulls in the last few years, I'd recommend you spend the effort on the skills necessary to get out the planks. They may seem daunting at first, but aren't that...

Being very alkaline, epoxy will have difficulty finishing it's crosslink, resulting in an incomplete reaction on any acidic material. Vinegar, being quite acidic, cleans up epoxy for the same reason,...

Life offers people like Norm, to remind us of what a good man can do. My sincerest regards to his wife, family and friends. A very large whole has opened here and will likely not get filled.

Some time ago I designed a trolling motor to mount on a kick up rudder. As designed it swings down and hangs just aft of the blade when in use and swings up out of the water when not or can be...

A schooner is a cutter with a mast in the middle of the fore triangle according to Bolger, and he's quite correct.

The lumber schooners used on the west coast were boomless fore arrangements. I...

You know what sucks, driving 200 plus miles with a 25' Lyman hardtop and have the bottom planks and frames burst within 5 miles of my shop.

This was my day today. 230 miles on the trailer to get...

Your thickness seems heavy, but not by much, my numbers show 1.162" stave at 3" with a .669" wall using the asymmetrical layout shown in the photos. A symmetrical layout would require a 1.243" stave...

That's exactly what I was wondering Ian, thanks. I've held onto tillers for dear life on occasion, it and a little butt friction being the only things keeping me in the boat. Good thing gravity...

Okay, that sounds better. That hanky has to come in well below the top, a 3/4 rig, I like the 1 3/8" now, though the newest information produces figures requiring over 1 3/8" at the top, but not by...

I've built quite a few sticks over the years and 20% is the standard. 15% is used for the brave and racing, though in this case he's using solid stick dimensions for a hollow mast and Doug fur...

I've always thought it was a good idea, but what about trying to steer a hard mouthed cat when you've got a good blow on and you've not tucked in a reef or other heavy helm situations?

I ran some numbers quickly for a hollow bird's mouth w/ 20% wall thickness in Doug fir and typical taper on a mast head stayed rig. Your taper seems very dramatic, but the stick should weigh between...

This is from a prior post, but seems appropriate

Grown masts are living, breathing beings. They have personalities, mood swings and days they don't look as good as others. Think of the checks as...

About 10 years ago, I had a discussion with Mike O'Brien (Senior Editor WB) about a mistake while testing a different set of rigs on the same model hull form.

This was a home spun test conducted...

I have to take exception to the last comments by Nicholas Carey and the point of "high fatality rates . . ." Until very recently, most craft were designed my men who took their notes from the boards...

Roller furling gear is the worst invention I've seen on modern yachts. I've never seen a sail partly furled that any good shape to it. We furl to decrease sail area when the wind picks up. We need a...

There is a book that most every library has, Architectural Graphic Standards. This is designed as a guild for land based construction, but the human interface is the same. It shows min and max...

To answer the original question, most of the beam in modern sail is around 55% of the waterline aft of the bow, just behind midship. This is dragged aft for sail carrying power and to flatten out the...

I've done a little looking and it seems there are a few choices available.

Marine carbs have some requirements necessary for the USCG as well as general use in a water environment, including,...

John, I think you hit it right on the head or stern depending how you look at it. Broad, flat hull forms took to prominence when building in materials we weren't to sure about in strength. They got...

I have yet to find a rebuild kit that has shafts, let alone floats. You get the gaskets, needle and seat and maybe some other parts like an accelerator spring or diaphragm. Replacing shafts will not...

The lower your butt is to the floor, the deeper the seat needs to be. A 3 degree back rake for the seat with 100 degrees to the seat back is normal. Settee seats serve as berths in most cases and are...

The Carter on your Chris is just like the one on the '60 Sea Skiff (27' w/ single 283) I'm just starting a re-do on. It's not an AFB, but a purpose built marine carb from Carter for Chris Craft,...

I would not use the shelf, but rather use the frame method he suggests. I built my frames in a similar way, though not near as heavy as 2 by stock he recommends. My frames where made with the deck...

Grown masts are living, breathing beings. They have personalities, mood swings and days they don't look as good as others. Think of the checks as character lines in the face and body of your friend...

I grew up in the area, and have seen both typical and not so typical 'jacks. The few that seem to break the rules have more form stability than the earlier types. The additional deadrise is followed...

This is a classic example of why good wood and good repairs in the techniques used for the original construction should be held firmly, instead of the "cheaper" way to go.

Cold molding around a...

I had a 1966 Choy Lee - Robb 35, sold her some years ago. Fast, close winded & fun to sail. Most of the Lion class sloops where converted to yawl for the rule advantages under CCA, as was mine.
...

I had a problem with bow light and anchor light lens that have had their flanges broken off. I tried something that seems to work this morning and wondered if anyone else tried this.

I made and...

In 24 hours your epoxy will be dry, even sandable, but not cured. This is the crux of their problem, wanting their products to be cured before the next steps. The epoxy may move a bit during this...

I've been using the heavy weight (7-9 mils) silver tarps you can get anywhere, for temporary storage. They will shed water and keep UV from doing it's worst. Here in Florida, I'm replacing them every...

All building methods/techniques can be designed to endure the difficulties of off shore work. Steel, aluminum, ferro cement, 'glass and wooden designs can go off shore, if the design has the meat for...

Thanks, ya all. The owner (my friend) was out today taking pictures with one of those new fangled digital camera thingies. Hope to post some pictures soon. Damn expensive thing for a camera, but it's...

What's "peoples choice"? mean? I've never gotten this award before. Just got back from the N. Carolina show and brought home a "People's Choice" award. What's that? 'Can't give you a real award, so...

Oars? Oars are for young people who row with the current and down hill, who can I drink a beer and row at the same time? How about a concentric gear rig on the weed eater to run the sculling oar? How...

I just bent a roof top to a small outboard utility, I used good 7/16" 5 ply from some middle eastern country. The curves were compound and great requiring a 7' crown across 68" plus the "sheered"...

Diver, I tried to cut down a MK prop for their 18 pound thrust motors. It was cut down to a hub and 1 1/2" to 2" blade length. It stalled most every time it got dunked. Every once and a while I'd get...

I've found the yawl rig provides better bite going to wind in shallow draft boats. This is more true as the wind picks up and they look a lot better then sloops.

In larger sizes I don't have...

Being the tinker'er I am, tried it years ago, it don't work. You can't start the darn thing under load (in the water) maybe with bigger springs on the weights in the centrifugal clutch. So you try...

Interesting posts about laser levels. I've noted some large inaccurate variances in the advertising for them. It does seem the cheaper ones are rather less precise then the contractor grades.

I...

Okay, I figured it out. I was moving the tube without checking the known mark each time. As I moved the hose up I decreased the tubing available for the water and it appeared higher, or lowered the...

Dave, I don't understand the need for the petcocks. The wait process I sort of understand, though an hour seems a long wait for the water level to settle down.

The way I've been trying it has been...

20' and have used it before. I have a few loops, no kinks, open ends and a rather soft breeze. This should be no problem, but I can't for the life of me figure what's wrong . . .

Water level for LWL, has anyone ever had problems with this technique? I'm using the same 3/8" ID clear hose I've used before, checked for air bubbles, but am have accuracy problems. I've got areas...

Pick a reasonability narrow "V" bottom with flattish stern hull form. You'll get offshore with your fillings intact, enjoy the softer ride inshore and use little extra power to move her to speed. Not...

3/8" is the smallest line I'd be willing to grab, but not if often. 7/16" or 1/2" is a better choice for your hands, regardless of loading requirements wishing for lighter stuff.

Martin, what part of this "new to boating thing " have you missed with the never ending rants here? I don't care what your back ground in engineering is (some of us have it too) THE VAST MAJORITY OF...