Yeadon and Big Food

[Yeadon]

Big Food ... proprietor of a Balance Lug.

[James McMullen]

I waited up this late just to see those pictures, Tim! Now I can go to sleep and dream some beautiful dreams!

[Yeadon]

And another, courtesy of the Holga app.



... and from earlier, while working.

[PeterSibley]

Eric Hvalsoe was nice enough to let me use his hoist, then helped me roll the boat over. I installed a half inch UHMW skid shoe on the keel. The thing is brilliant, it's slippery and tough.

Here's a photo of one of the world's most talented lapstrake boatbuilders wearing a beret, showing me how to use a flush cut router bit with a bearing. It is amazing the things you don't have to know in order to build your first boat. I did everything the difficult way the first time through. Later, I'd tell Eric about my experience and he'd show me the correct way to do the job.



In the photo below, who knows what sort of devastating mistake I'd just made? They are endless and amusing. For me, you just get used to dreaming up fixes to the things I break.



You can pretty much see the UHMW skid shoe below, along with a couple lap runners I screwed on, as well.

Now that is one Very Good Idea ! I can see it in my future .

BTW ,I think it's marketed it as Ralloy here .I've seen it in black and royal blue for those who prefer colours .Blue might have been good on Big Food as paint doesn't stick to it .

[jsjpd1]

Nice job on the new sail, it looks great on Big Food.

Jim

[Yeadon]

Took her out onto Lake Washington this evening. A general success.



I even tried out a reef.


I still have a little work to figure out the sheeting arrangement, but overall, it worked pretty well.


One more.

I need to figure out how to make the bundle of sail a bit cleaner when reefed.

[perldog007]

So how is the helm with that get-up and how does it compare to the sprit?

[Songololo]

Yeadon - would you share with us some details of how the spar lengths were determined based on the sail's dimensions. Where are the required holes or cleats (if any) located for bending the sail to the spars? How much longer should the ends be beyond the corners of the sail in order to have enough space for some sort of an 'outhaul lashing'.

Lance

[Yeadon]

So how is the helm with that get-up and how does it compare to the sprit?

A touch more weather helm, and she tacks right across the wind ... much easier than before. It's like I have a new boat. Much more powerful, and with a boom, I can backwind when I do get stuck in irons.

Last night, winds were 12-17 from the south ... and I was basically impressed at all points of sail. I especially enjoyed running, with that boom the sail was nice and flat. When I had a sprit, things were tenuous downwind. The belly of the sail would lunge in front of the mast and the occasional death rolls would ensue.

However, in comparison, it's worth noting that I just moved from 65 square feet to 87 square feet, and those are apples and orange for a little boat like this when it comes to playing with the wind.

A better comparison will be when Hvalsoe and I both go sailing in the San Juans this coming weekend. He designed his sprit sail, and it is around 85 square feet.

I do still love sprit sails, don't get me wrong. Sometimes I daydream about those cool racing Oselvers with the giant sprit-sail and jib rigs. Those make my heart flutter. However, for the type of Inside Passage cruising I long to do, I think this lug is the right choice. It has a nice high aspect for lighter air days, and it easily reefed when things pipe up.

For instance, last night I started off with two reefs, shook one out, then another. Much easier and quicker than with the sprit sail.

Yeadon - would you share with us some details of how the spar lengths were determined based on the sail's dimensions. Where are the required holes or cleats (if any) located for bending the sail to the spars? How much longer should the ends be beyond the corners of the sail in order to have enough space for some sort of an 'outhaul lashing'.

Lance

I'll look later when I get back home. My plans are there.

Just as background, I moved from a 65 square foot sprit sail (Catspaw dinghy design) to an 87 square foot balance lug taken from Oughtred's Penny Fee design. I actually forked out a bit of money for the plans so I could have all the spar scantlings, as well as the sail dimensions. And it was helpful when building the partner, and other pieces.

I would have to guess that I have about four extra inches on both the boom and the yard.

James McMullen has some nice photos available showing the required holes for bending the sail to the spars. There is a very simply jiffy-reefing system that is part of the get-up, and I found it pretty easy to mess with last night.

[I, Rowboat]

Tim --
That looks great. Now James can teach you the secret handshake (though I am a bit worried that the news regarding Big Food's new suit may be overshadowed by Al and Tipper's marital troubles).

[Yeadon]

Lance, here are some specs from my sail and spars. This should give you an idea of overhangs, etc.

sail:
head- 8'9 or 2.67 meters
luff - 8' or 2.44 meters
foot - 9'2 or 2.8 meters
leech 14'9 or 4.5 meters

spars:
yard - 9'6 or 2.9 meters
boom - 10' or 3.05 meters
mast - 15'3 or 4.65 meters

[Yeadon]

And because I like my boat a lot, here's more photos.

[Yeadon]

One thing I haven't figured out in the least bit ... the main sheet. I'm thinking about setting up a bit of purchase from a spot just fore of the centerboard trunk. There is a chance that will be too far forward, though when I'm single handing it'll be a great pivot spot to move around.

A second option, through-bolting an eye through the keel aft of the main rowing thwart. Much to consider.

[Eric Hvalsoe]

I have to agree with Tim's overall assesment - the rig looks great and the boat obviously moves nicely. Big Food is evolving into a
really fabulous little cruiser. Certainly has got me thinking about the lug, much as I have tricked out my sprit set up. There is a squirral cage with these two rigs rolling round my head.

I was out in the 16 with Big Food (even took Tim's buddy aboard so the skipper could fiddle with his new rig in peace). I might be about the same wieght all up with a passenger as Tim is solo. Big Food seemed to be moving a little faster, but in my defence, I think I had a little less sail up most of the time (I have only two reefs and they take big bites). Oh boy, that will get him going. Sure looked like Big Food was every bit as weatherly as my rig.

[Yeadon]

A Hvalsoe 16 with a double reef, which appears to make for very comfortable sailing ... in part, I believe, because that huge rolled up mass at the bottom of the sail is giving the sail a bit more form and support along the foot. (That was always my belief.)

One note: This whole question of speed is moot. Big Food is predicated on survival. However, we'll have a much better idea after this weekend.

[James McMullen]

Oh dear, if you survive the weather, that is. A severe risk of getting speedily soggy this weekend! Still, I'm in for at least a daysail across the Straits in company on Saturday if not for the whole weekend. Did you check tides yet? Possible routes?

[Yeadon]

We're a few days out, but here ya go ...

++

Fri
Se wind 20 to 30 kt...becoming SW 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 5 ft.


Sat And Sun
SW wind 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft.

++

For Saturday and Sunday ... temperatures in the 60s. Chance of rain at 40%.

++

Sounds perfect for a Saturday morning get-go, and a Sunday afternoon return. My only lack of info at the moment would be that Fisheries doesn't have any copies of the most recent Washburne Tables for 2010. I do have a copy of Captain Jacks, but it's not quite the same in my mind.

However, if that front lingers or arrives late, I'm not quite ready for open boating at 30 knots. Downwind, one way rowing, perhaps.

As far as possible routes, it would be fun to shoot up to Doe Island, or even just Pelican Beach.

[James McMullen]

SE Wind at 30 kts? That just means our destination is Bellingham. We'd get there by lunchtime.

(We actually could do a one-way and get Kate or Meghan or somebody to drive shuttle for us. . . . .if that was more fun than an out-n-back. B-ham's only an hour away by road from Anacortes)

[Yeadon]

That would be a lot of fun to sail from Anacortes to Bellingham. A short, hard sail followed by a pint at Boundary Bay ...

[Eric Hvalsoe]

You're right it is not about speed. Just girding myself to see Big Food sailing away. Other kinds of sailing parameters will be interesting to compare. Another observation - you able to row out under a bare mast pole, and I had to chose between fighting the windage of a brailed rig or erecting the rig in a strong breeze.

I'll try to get organized for an outing. Yikes, flanked by two double enders.

[perldog007]

There's just something magical to me about a workboat, even if it was built with no intention of every 'working it'.

I still like the looks of the sprit, but have to say that new rig doesn't spoil the looks and if it works all the better.

Being sort of ( read totally ) ignorant on these matters, I have to ask - why is the lug so much easier to reef?

[kenjamin]

Big Food is looking great with the new lug sail. Have you perfected the secret handshake yet?

Hope you don't mind but I PhotoShopped your photo a little bit:

[Yeadon]

There's just something magical to me about a workboat, even if it was built with no intention of every 'working it'.

I still like the looks of the sprit, but have to say that new rig doesn't spoil the looks and if it works all the better.

Being sort of ( read totally ) ignorant on these matters, I have to ask - why is the lug so much easier to reef?

To reef a lug, you release your downhaul, then drop the halyard, and the yard, sail, and boom all come down into the boat where you can pull the jiffy-reef lines to drawn the clew from the first reef down to the boom, then you tie in your nettles along the reef line. While this is happening, you only have a bare pole for windage. (And that calms the situation down appreciably.) Once your reef is tied, you pull the halyard back up, tighten the downhaul, and sail.

To reef a sprit, you drop the halyard down a foot or two, undo and then redo a couple robands to lower the sail past the snotter to the new, correct height ... then you wrestle with your nettles to tie in the reef. You also have to switch your main sheet from your main clew to the clew at the first reef, and you do the same with the downhaul at the tack. After which, you tighten up your halyard, then your snotter.

Reefing a sprit is easiest on shore. It can be done when everything pipes up, but it takes a patience and calm that I'd rather apply to other aspects of my life.

Ummm, anybody want to buy a lightly used sprit sail?

Big Food is looking great with the new lug sail. Have you perfected the secret handshake yet?

Hope you don't mind but I PhotoShopped your photo a little bit:

That's lovely. Thanks.

The secret handshake lesson is pending, I am told.

[Yeadon]

Front row, left to right ...

A balance lug. A sprit rig. A sailing proa with a crabclaw. All tied up at the dock together.

Second row ... a gaff, (behind it, some approximation of a boat. Not sure how it is powered).



Then, when you turn around and look the other way ...



... a lug yawl.

Once again, why it is that people choose to live anywhere other than Seattle is beyond me.

[Yeadon]

I have only one small complaint about Seattle ... we need more checkstands at Fisheries.



Them's boat nerds ... 30 deep.

[jsjpd1]

Once again, why it is that people choose to live anywhere other than Seattle is beyond me.

Ummm... could be because a few million people already live there. Nice to see that you had some decent weather for a change, and nice company too. We were hoping to get out on the boat this weekend and do a little camping, but a big low came in of the gulf and we had 20+ kt winds pretty much all weekend. That still a little out of my comfort zone.

Jim

[Yeadon]

We all got together and did a run from Shilshole in Seattle to Suquamish over on Kitsap County. We had 12-14 knots from the north on the way over, no reefs, everybody just hauled ass. The proa whooped everybody. Pointed higher, ran faster.

I was also surprised how quick my friend's glued-lap Melonseed skiff was on a reach. That Melonseed left Hvalsoe and I well behind, though we had a nice run, too.

Then we had pizza and beer ... followed by a screamer back across the shipping lanes, 18-20-ish knots from the north ... two reefs. Wettest, best ride of all-time. A Top Three Sail.

Round trip, around 10 miles.

In other news, Big Food got to see a Holland America Cruiseliner up close in the lanes. She was not impressed.

[jsjpd1]

Nice!

[I, Rowboat]

Tim --
How did the proa fare on the way back? Did Thomas put the ama to starboard?

[Yeadon]

No, Thomas laid three bamboo poles between the crosspieces and hiked out on those. I think about halfway across, one of the cross pieces blew apart on the proa, so he to jerry-rig/re-lash it back together. He was wearing a dry suit ...

Even with all that adventure, that proa was so fast that he was at the ramp before I landed.

It was pretty lively out there. Fun.

[Yeadon]

... a few more photos. I really don't have that much from the sailing. I was sort of busy. It's much easier when James is along, he does all the photography. (aka ... he's the rapper, I'm the dj.)


Tied up at the dock at Suquamish, which was right outside Agate Pass. Current was popping along through here, maybe 2+ knots? We'd just had an extremely low tide in the morning, and the flood was washing in hard and fast from the straights.

However, it made rafting easy, as the current held us off the lee side of the docks.



Above, Big Food, the Hvalsoe 9000, and a sailing proa.


Getting underway, eastbound.


This seems like a good photo for a caption contest. That's Hvalsoe on the left, and Thomas (proa owner-builder) on the right.

My entry: Frontiersmen love Dry-Fit.

[I, Rowboat]

My entry:
Nothing about that sunny morning suggested Eric and Tom would be the subjects of "first contact" with an alien civilization.

Tim --
It looks like you've color-coded your reef points -- white for 1st, blue for 2nd. Let me guess - red for 3rd?

[Eric Hvalsoe]

I am sorry I missed the eastbound screamer, but I did get to see Bainbridge Island, all the way around. I shooshed down to Blake Island last night with an interesting fight through Rich passage, including a friendly hello from the Coast Gaurd keeping the lane open for a submarine on its way to Bremerton.

Great night for sleeping on board hanging off a mooring bouy at Blake.

About a 4 hr row to Shilshole early this morning. More follies from the shipping lanes. I watched a production cruising sailboat blithely swoop into the lane of an outbound fully loaded containership from Elliot Bay. The containership gave one long, then several blasts, which seemed to have no affect whatsoever on the sailing vessel. The idiot continued to amble right along the obvious lane of the containership, which was forced to come nearly to a dead stop. For those that don't know - besides the obvious lack of common sense, pleasure boats have no rights in the shipping lanes - it's a commercial highway out there.

Where was I? Stuck between the Elliot Bay containership (long before the blasts I backed off to pass her stern from a healthy distance) and another steaming up from the south sound. I'd like to think they were talking to each other.

Shaking reefs on and off a spritsail under way is bloody exhausting.

[Yeadon]

My entry:
Nothing about that sunny morning suggested Eric and Tom would be the subjects of "first contact" with an alien civilization.

Tim --
It looks like you've color-coded your reef points -- white for 1st, blue for 2nd. Let me guess - red for 3rd?

All I did was use blue line for the second row. I thought it would be easier to differentiate the first and second row of nettles underway if they were different colors. By the time you get the sail all bundled up with two rows of nettles tied in, man, it gets confusing. And when things get chaotic, sometimes I need my hand held a bit.

I am sorry I missed the eastbound screamer, but I did get to see Bainbridge Island, all the way around. I shooshed down to Blake Island last night with an interesting fight through Rich passage, including a friendly hello from the Coast Gaurd keeping the lane open for a submarine on its way to Bremerton.

Great night for sleeping on board hanging off a mooring bouy at Blake.

About a 4 hr row to Shilshole early this morning. More follies from the shipping lanes. I watched a production cruising sailboat blithely swoop into the lane of an outbound fully loaded containership from Elliot Bay. The containership gave one long, then several blasts, which seemed to have no affect whatsoever on the sailing vessel. The idiot continued to amble right along the obvious lane of the containership, which was forced to come nearly to a dead stop. For those that don't know - besides the obvious lack of common sense, pleasure boats have no rights in the shipping lanes - it's a commercial highway out there.

Where was I? Stuck between the Elliot Bay containership (long before the blasts I backed off to pass her stern from a healthy distance) and another steaming up from the south sound. I'd like to think they were talking to each other.

Shaking reefs on and off a spritsail under way is bloody exhausting.

You went all the way around. Yeah!

So you were able to ride the flood quite a ways but then it turned around on you in Rich Passage, and you struggled on south through the eddies until hitting Blake? What a great trip.

Maybe I'll do that next week. I'm also considering a Shilshole to Kingston overnight. I would probably camp in I,Rowboat's front yard.

[wizbang 13]

Maybe I'll come up to Kingston in my Kutter and meet you goofballs?

[Eric Hvalsoe]

Still flooding when I hit Rich. Pinch along the first narrow stretch north shore, then pick up a little bit of an eddy effect from the Pleasant Beach and ferry over to the south shore of the passage - this eddy is indicated in the current guide.

Is there a lawn to camp on in Kingston?
Not sure I'll get out again before joining Zulu.

[I, Rowboat]

Is there a lawn to camp on in Kingston?

Yah. Come on up. We've got good holding ground, plus a mooring that's already set up. You'll ground out below +3, but it's silty sand with no rocks as long as you're outside the pilings.

Bigger boats anchor much farther out and to the east - maybe 1000ft or so. There are usually half a dozen out there - take their cue as to location.

PM me when you're heading up and I'll send you details.

[Eric Hvalsoe]

You got it, I'll buy a round at the pub.
Eric

[potomac]

Yeadon-

Do you leave Big Food in the water all the while, as we say down here, during the season? If so, how does she respond to drying out during the off-season or if not, how does she respond to drying out regularly.

I find Big Food quite beautiful and I think this sort of woodwork must be exceptionally gratifying, but one of my hesitations with traditional boatbuilding has been the necessity of keeping the boat on a mooring or dock.

How is she to row? She sounds like a blast to sail, especially if you can hang with Eric and James' boats. But I'm curious as to her rowing characteristics as I've typically thought of the Peapod as an excellent rower that can also sail.

Thanks (and thanks for sharing her and your adventures- I sure love where I am, but every picture or video I see of you guys makes that place look like a wonderland) -Aaron

[James McMullen]

Tim's traveling right now, Aaron, but I can give a few quick answers until Tim has time to check in.

Big Food is generally kept on a trailer, fully packed and ready to go in case of tsunamis. Lapstrake boats made with perfect WRC lumber are pretty forgiving for trailer launching here in our moderate weather. We don't really "dry out" as you call it, all that much up here.

I think trad. lap is the funnest sort of woodworking ever invented. Its well worth trying. But you might need to enlist some local Florida knowledge about how to deal with your frightening climate if you decide to build one for yourself.

Big Food is very pleasant to row. I think she is more enjoyable to row than Rowan for long distances.

[MiddleAgesMan]

Considering the quality of available lumber in these parts I would be scared to death of a lapstrake hull built out of solid timber. In our climate (SE USA) I have full confidence in plywood lapstrake as long as you're talking about the good stuff, like Joubert's okoume.

[Yeadon]

Tim's traveling right now, Aaron, but I can give a few quick answers until Tim has time to check in.

Big Food is generally kept on a trailer, fully packed and ready to go in case of tsunamis. Lapstrake boats made with perfect WRC lumber are pretty forgiving for trailer launching here in our moderate weather. We don't really "dry out" as you call it, all that much up here.

I think trad. lap is the funnest sort of woodworking ever invented. Its well worth trying. But you might need to enlist some local Florida knowledge about how to deal with your frightening climate if you decide to build one for yourself.

Big Food is very pleasant to row. I think she is more enjoyable to row than Rowan for long distances.

For Florida, I'd be tempted to go with glued lap for anything trailerable, as gators hate the taste of epoxy. You'll be safer this way. I'm not sure Florida so hot that you couldn't have a WRC lapstrake boat on a trailer, as long as you kept it under cover and over a nice dirt and gravel driveway. It's pretty humid down there, too, and that has to help a bit.

From what I remember, it was only ugly, gross hot in August. Otherwise, it was just uncomfortable and sweaty. Winter in Florida was fantastic ... a lot like summer in Seattle.

Incidentally, Saturday, June 22 will be Big Food's 5th birthday. I guess this means she'll be off to kindergarten in the fall.


June 22, 2007 ... birth of a superhero.

[potomac]

Happy birthday Big Food!

Yes August is the worst of it. Though I am more troubled by the cold than the heat these days. As you should mention it, I am working on a kind of coast to coast, north to south, catty corner, snowbird plan. I believe an RV may be involved. James mentioned you wouldn't mind at all if I parked it in front of your house (just in the summer months, of course). He was kind enough to give me the address so I can come while you are away. He also offered me an internship with full pay and no discernible woodworking skills required.

[skaraborgcraft]

I was curious to see if the change from sprit to balanced lug was as a success as it was for me and Vrixlos,my vattern snipa. Glad it worked out for you too. I still like the sprit rig,but if theres any chance of fluctuations or signs of impending heavy winds,i take the lug rig everytime. Down wind gybes are ridiculously gentle in comparison,and i no longer have a jib to play with too while single handed. I am considering a wee mizzen though...possibly sharpie sprit style. Cheers

[Bill Perkins]

I was also surprised how quick my friend's glued-lap Melonseed skiff was

What length and rig was the Mellonseed?

[Yeadon]

Check out this page for info on the Melonseed, which is 16' and has a gaff rig that's probably about 80 square feet.

[Bill Perkins]

Thanks for that .A stayed rig is a different group in my mind though .

[Eric Hvalsoe]

For Florida, I'd be tempted to go with glued lap for anything trailerable, as gators hate the taste of epoxy. You'll be safer this way. I'm not sure Florida so hot that you couldn't have a WRC lapstrake boat on a trailer, as long as you kept it under cover and over a nice dirt and gravel driveway. It's pretty humid down there, too, and that has to help a bit.

From what I remember, it was only ugly, gross hot in August. Otherwise, it was just uncomfortable and sweaty. Winter in Florida was fantastic ... a lot like summer in Seattle.

Incidentally, Saturday, June 22 will be Big Food's 5th birthday. I guess this means she'll be off to kindergarten in the fall.


June 22, 2007 ... birth of a superhero.

Happy Birthday Big Food . . .

Plank on frame on a trailer may not be the best bet in Florida. It should be possible - with very good and carefully selected materials, from vendors you absolutely trust, depending on just what sort of boat you are building. Where is the lumber milled and or seasoned vs where it finally rests? I have no first hand experience in the state. A handful of my cedar lapstrake boats are scattered across the continent, including a couple in high, dry, low humidity rocky mountain air. This seems to be the greatest contrast from puget sound where the boats are typically planked in CVG tight grain red cedar. Chosen for its dimensional stability, with durability coming in a close second. With a small bead of Boatlife along the laps, no issues whatsovever on and off the trailer in their native or similar environments. My friend Denis in Stanley Idaho does experience a brief period of 'taking up' at the beginning of the season with his trailer stored 16. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but he seems in no way preturbed or unsettled by it. Apparently humidity is the key element.

Perhaps a relatively simple design is worth investing in less than stellar materials. You can get a lot of enjoyment out of a lot of different sorts of boats. But if you are putting the labor into a round bottom for example, boy, I would source out the very best boatbuilding lumber - or go ply. And good quality ply at that.

[Lewisboater]

Well for easy reefing underway them thar internets have led me to believe that the junk rig is the way to go. Big Food with a junk rig would be so cool I might never lust for a brick or PDR or that pink panther Chugger ever again.....

I'll have to let John know you are lusting after his "Think Pink"...he'll be tickled pink.

[MoMan]

I use a push-pull tiller, and would never go back to a conventional tiller. I think a single-hander has to be able to get up and move around to manage a little boat alone, and this allows me to stay within comfortable distance of my helm.

Can you tell me a little more about the push-pull tiller? I don't think I've seen one close up. What are the advantages you find over traditional? Can you convert any boat plan to a push-pull or are there limitations? Beautiful boat and happy birthday to her.

--Mike