Duckworks Scout

[Adrian Valley]

Re: Duckworks Scout

I think this design looks really neat and would add my vote for plans to be made available.
How did the boom work out?

[dauwhe]

Re: Duckworks Scout

Has anyone else built one? An intriguing little boat!

[Dinghy Pipedreams]

Re: Duckworks Scout

Could you describe how the reefing works and if it's easy underway in less than smooth water? I looked at the site/sail package and the video but it sounded like rolling 'round the mast kind of spritsail style? Thanks. 65lbs sounds very attractive. Your boat's looking good!

[dbp1]

Could you describe how the reefing works and if it's easy underway in less than smooth water? I looked at the site/sail package and the video but it sounded like rolling 'round the mast kind of spritsail style? Thanks. 65lbs sounds very attractive. Your boat's looking good!

I don't think it's rolling around the mast -- the sail has full battens, so won't be wrapping around anything! Looks like typical standing lugsail: a set of reef points up a bit, so you retie the downhaul, switch where the sheet attaches to, and tie up the rest of the sail. And of course lots of that could be made faster with hardware / lines!

[Dinghy Pipedreams]

Re: Duckworks Scout

Oops-yes. that was silly of me! Battens don' roll... Chris's comment, confused me:
"We got a preview of the new reelable sailing rig over the weekend, and it just looks amazing." That's what I was specifically asking about.

Looking back at the pics on Duckwork's, I see the "cut out" at the bottom of the mast sleeve and missed the reef points (I think they were devoid of ties/gaskets in the photos). I see them now. (clear(er) in the drawing). One of the perils of looking on a tiny phone screen! But... Chris, what did you mean by "reelable"?

[WI-Tom]

Re: Duckworks Scout

But... Chris, what did you mean by "reelable"?

Probably "reefable"?

Tom

[Dinghy Pipedreams]

Re: Duckworks Scout

Yes, Tom, that just occurred to me, so I popped back on here. Heavy Duty Marine quality spell check... ;-) I was just about to post that when I saw your post.

I looked at the Portage Pram rig when I stopped by Duckworks a few months back (great folks!) but didn't like the lack of reefing. Maybe the Scout rig would be something for me to check out. Ductworks didn't have a Scout sail/rig on site when I stopped by with my dinghy on trailer.
Formite Jack Louden was kind enough to send me dimensions for the Pram.

If anyone has videos of their own Scouts sailing in a stiff breeze and especially reefing underway I'm sure they'd be of interest here.
It's a cool rig and I wish that Ductworks would show a better video than the only one I know of "Rigging the Portage Pram". I think they could sell a lot more of them that way! That ghosting action at the end of the rigging video is a bit frustrating!

[JOBBER]

Re: Duckworks Scout

I guess I missed the particulars (other than weight) of the Scout.
The Duckworks and Turnpoint Design websites have nothing, that i could find.
Other than "kits" do actual planes exist? at least study?

[dbp1]

I guess I missed the particulars (other than weight) of the Scout.
The Duckworks and Turnpoint Design websites have nothing, that i could find.
Other than "kits" do actual planes exist? at least study?

No. It's kind of confusing -- like they aren't actually trying to get people to build them. I wonder if the change in ownership has delayed things?

I emailed them asking some (relatively basic) questions about dimensions (freeboard, etc), and they had to go to Turnpoint to get the answers.

[Dinghy Pipedreams]

Re: Duckworks Scout

When I was at Duckworks I asked (last Spring when I brought my dinghy over on the ferry to check the Pram's rig out) if they had any contacts for Scout owners/builders for feedback on the rig, etc. and they didn't know of any. I expressed interest in seeing how the reefing worked under way and seeing a video under sail.

Wondered if this rig is attractive to current balance lug sailors, esp. fully battened lug owners.

[stromborg]

Re: Duckworks Scout

I looked at the Portage Pram rig when I stopped by Duckworks a few months back (great folks!) but didn't like the lack of reefing.

I built my PP as rowing only, while a capable little boat (emphasis on little) taking it out in conditions calling for a reef would not be IMO the best decision a sailor could make.

[dbp1]

Re: Duckworks Scout

When I was at Duckworks I asked (last Spring when I brought my dinghy over on the ferry to check the Pram's rig out) if they had any contacts for Scout owners/builders for feedback on the rig, etc. and they didn't know of any. I expressed interest in seeing how the reefing worked under way and seeing a video under sail.

Wondered if this rig is attractive to current balance lug sailors, esp. fully battened lug owners.

There was some report (maybe on the Duckworks facebook group) of one builder, and I don't think they loved the rig, but it was one person and I have no idea of their experience. The complaint they had, if I remember correctly, was that it was hard to control the sail downwind, and were thinking about putting a boom on it (I think). But again, one person of unknown experience -- and it's sort of hard to imagine the full battens aren't a nicer system than standing lug, which plenty of people like!

[Dinghy Pipedreams]

Re: Duckworks Scout

Steve, In an older thread I was considering the pram rig for a larger (10.5') dinghy so wanted the ability to reef. The Scout rig is the same/similar but offers "some" ability to reef but seeing that in action would be worth a thousand words in a video.

With my boomless sprit main, I sometimes wonder if the battens on the Scout sail would allow more weather cocking dead downwind (sort of like a boom might) to keep the dreaded "death roll" away or at least minimize it. I lean towards "tacking" downwind 99% of the time now...

[Jack Loudon]

Re: Duckworks Scout

The Scout rig is on my 9.5 ft pram. The first photo below shows how the luff sleeve stops about two ft from the bottom, and also the reef grommets at tack & clew and 2 more at mid point. To reef the sail, I release the halyard and lower the sail completely in the boat, then tie in the reef and re-hoist the sail. Easier said than done in rough water but doable. It sets beautifully and sails great on most points, but the boomless rig even with full-length battens must be tacked downwind to keep the sails full. It's likely due to my inexperience but downwind sailing is challenging. I am used to bigger boats and still have lots to learn on this little dinghy. Second photo shows the rig as purchased from Duckworks before the boom (discussed below) was added.

The homemade boom (just a closet rod) shown in the photo is intended for better control of the sail downwind. It also simplifies sheet leads and will make tacking easier, as currently the sheets need to be handled like a jib. It also should make reefing easier if install a cheek block on the boom and set up jiffy reefing like on a bigger boat. The entire reefing process could then be done while seated near the mast, so no moving around in the boat in choppy windy conditions. I just finished the boom and test-fit rig on the boat at home but unfortunately didn't take a photo. It hasn't yet been tested it on the water.



IMG_3326.jpg


IMG_3019 (1).jpg

[Dinghy Pipedreams]

Re: Duckworks Scout

..." but the boomless rig even with full-length battens must be tacked downwind to keep the sails full."

Thanks Jack for your details! A few more questions, please...

l. Could you clarify what you mean about difficulty in keeping the sail full downwind?

I have the opposite problem with my nonbattened boomless sail. It bellows out mightily forward and once the sprit goes forward of the mast at all it gets exciting very quickly!

2 Could you reef without bringing the sail all the way down into the boat? Just to the reef points? Is the halyard able to function if lead back to the helmsman without going forward to the mast?

3 Do your battens do the same if they go forward of the mast causing the "death roll" or does the sail simply stall out like a Junk rig can slowing the boat too much?

4. Do you think the bendy c.f. mast as opposed to a wood stick effects keeping the sail full downwind? Or the square top?

5. Would a single sheet to a single pulley/ rope horse at the stern (traditional) work with this sail? I've seen the double sheeting technique on the Ductwork's video which is what I assume you're referring to when you say yours is sheeted jib like?

There seems to be a fair amount of interest in the rig (and the Scout design itself) here. Greatly appreciate the pics and review!

Thanks again.
Cheers, DP