Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

[Don Scott]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

OK Jim, I will try that when I go for another sail in the front garden. I am still not sure if my single fixed position halyard block on the gaff spar is the right way to go or if it needs to be moved nearer to, or further away from the yoke. I gave up trying to operate a two fixture Span. I suppose I will just have to experiment with it. The whole rig is near identical to the Barto Melonseed I built in 2007- 2009 as I don't have the sail plan for "Lorelei" which I suspect carried a lot of sail area.

You may have noticed that I added a Topping Lift but it is just a simple single line affair. However, it seems to work fine...on dry land!

[Jim Ledger]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

Try it, Don, it's a simple thing but it makes a lot of difference. Once the throat is set you can peak up until you get a wrinkle in the sail and then back off a bit.

A lot of topping lifts are single, you'll be in good company.

Good luck!

Jim

[Tokamecotom]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

OK Jim, I will try that when I go for another sail in the front garden. I am still not sure if my single fixed position halyard block on the gaff spar is the right way to go or if it needs to be moved nearer to, or further away from the yoke. I gave up trying to operate a two fixture Span. I suppose I will just have to experiment with it. The whole rig is near identical to the Barto Melonseed I built in 2007- 2009 as I don't have the sail plan for "Lorelei" which I suspect carried a lot of sail area. [ATTACH=CONFIG]115559[/ATTACH]
They did carry some sail, note the three reef points.
You may have noticed that I added a Topping Lift but it is just a simple single line affair. However, it seems to work fine...on dry land!

Sailing off LIMM.

[Jim Ledger]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

No topping lift on that boat, Tom? She sure is purty!

Jim

[Don Scott]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

Jim,

I have been tinkering around with the sail hoisting problem and combined your advice about hauling the Throat Halyard first along with fitting a block to the gaff spar yoke with extended line back up the mast and tied off just above the top block. What a difference! Thank you again for your advice.

Tom,

That’s a great photograph with LIMM for a backdrop…what a fabulous place to sail.

Just looking at the spar projections beyond the sails on both boom and gaff of that boat. It makes me think that I could reduce those projections on my boat by at least half. i.e. saw a few inches off the ends of each spar. What do you think?

Don

[Jim Ledger]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

That's great, Tom, I'm glad it helped.

Here's another tip along the same lines. When you drop the sail don't let the gaff go level, keep it peaked and let out both halyards together. The theory is that the weight of the gaff pushes the throat down. This might not be such a big deal on a light rig but it makes a big difference with a heavy gaff. And the gaff is reined in, without so much slack in the peak halyard that it can whip around. When the throat is down then you slack off the peak.

[Don Scott]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

At last, on Wednesday, 24 May, my catboat was launched and tested at Rother Valley Country Park, South Yorks, and the results were very pleasing. Now I can fulfil my promise and show some photographs taken on the day to round off this thread. Thanks to all those who watched the build, gave lots of tips and especially to Tom, without whom this build could never have started. Thank You All.

IMG_0241.jpgIMG_0244.jpg0438.jpg0437.jpg0439.jpg

[Rich Jones]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

A wonderful sight to see! Congratulations on all your fine week!

[John Meachen]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

That simply has to be a very special day.Thanks for sharing it.

[johnw]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

She's such a beauty!

[gray duck]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

Thank you for posting the photos of her in action - Gil must have enjoyed looking down seeing her floating like a leaf, heeling over with sail full and gently parting the waters. Huge Congrats!

[Jim Ledger]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

She's a beauty, Don, congratulations on the launch! Imagine that... a Gil Smith boat on a Yorkshire lake, you must get some wonderful comments.

Best of luck,

Jim

[willin woodworks]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

Hoo-Ah! What a thrill!

[Tokamecotom]

Re: Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei"

Congratulations Don, she looks great!