Recent posts

#1

Precision / Re: Boom Brake or Preventer

Last post by Riggerdood - Today at 12:41 AM

Just watched the vid Frank. A very good, comprehensive study of that tragedy. My experience? None with boom brakes, and very little with preventers, as I rarely sail downwind/wing-on-wing, as we just don't sail much in those conditions out here. I can tell you however that I would never sail downwind with an autopilot in command of the steering. They are very good at holding a course upwind, but shite at downwind, whether they are malfunctioning or not. And I would never use a preventer of any kind w/o a very good vang as already mentioned.

#2

TSBB General Talk / Re: Boat Buying

Last post by Captain Kidd - Today at 12:01 AM

I hesitate clicking like on a post like this but I did. Not because I like what's happened but because I read it with empathy. Hopefully your happy day will come. Some nice boats on your list!

#3

TSBB General Talk / Re: Sock Weather

Last post by Doug SC - Nov 23, 2024, 06:59 PM

That reminds me of summer vacations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland on the Choptank River. Nearly plate sized Blue Crabs my uncles caught they were plump and sweet. Fried Softshell is my favorite. I had older girl cousins that work in the crab houses. They could pick a bowl full in no time. Late at night sitting at Grandma's table picking crab meat into a bowel with vinegar and salt and pepper. It has me licking my lips as I type.

#4

TSBB General Talk / Re: Victoria 18 for sale - I n...

Last post by Norm L. - Nov 23, 2024, 05:18 PM

Molded hulls are a bit tippy. The Black Watch was like that with no initial stability (wife did not like that) but quite good with about 6" of freeboard on the lee side. The hard chine Nimble, like other sharpies, had great initial stability.
I remember reviews on the Victoria 18 and cramped cabin was a regular opinion. It does have that great classic look from 80 years ago.

Most commercial workboats are hard chine. Part for the stability but also a big part on the money saved by welded steel and aluminum over dealing with some compound curves in steel and aluminum. I saw good steel trained welders really mess up when the shipyard had to build boats with aluminum compound curved bows. They did get finally get it in the 5th and 6th hull.

#5

TSBB General Talk / Re: Sock Weather

Last post by Norm L. - Nov 23, 2024, 04:52 PM

We hairy chested muscular men had beer. The ladies wine. Starting with a bottle of prosecco.
Everyone agreed that these crabs were the best they have had. They were large/extra-large and the heaviest ever.
Perfectly boiled so the opening and eating was amazing. So many large hunks coming out of bodies and claws. 

#6

TSBB General Talk / Re: Victoria 18 for sale - I n...

Last post by pgandw - Nov 23, 2024, 04:43 PM

The Victoria 18 is a beautiful boat.  I always lusted over the looks.

But it suffers from lack of stability.  It's fine if you are OK with sailing most of the time with the rail within an inch or two of the water.  Small inside is an additional issue.

just my opinion
Fred W

#7

Precision / Re: Boom Brake or Preventer

Last post by pgandw - Nov 23, 2024, 04:38 PM

The ODay/Stuart Mariner has a long boom that will catch on the backstay if the boom rises much during a jibe.  Great way to capsize and/or cause damage in heavy winds.  A decent well-secured boom vang is essential for downwind sailing on the Mariner - and did not come standard from the factory!  My first vang had the V-slot to set the vang.  This did not hold under heavy loads.  I replaced the V-slot with a cam cleat block, and feel much better about my vang.

I see a preventer causing as many problems as just tending to sailing.  In heavy winds, reversing the wind on the main is going to cause the boat to veer and probably roll suddenly.  In heavy winds, give me a good vang and an attentive skipper and crew.

Fred W

#8

Precision / Re: Boom Brake or Preventer

Last post by Brian N. - Nov 23, 2024, 11:27 AM

No experience with boom brake/preventer but did experience more than one accidental jibe. Fortunately, no damage to boat or crew but scary. First one was years ago on a Rhodes 19, but winds were light. More recently on the P165, again winds were light, my son who had the helm was not particularly "in sync" with the small changes in the wind and the boom came over. My nephew who was just getting up from sitting got a few hairs on the top of his head ruffled. Could have been a disaster if his head was an inch higher. Normally, I hold the main sheet in hand, ready to haul in quickly, but a preventer/boom break makes sense.   

#9

Precision / Boom Brake or Preventer

Last post by Quantico Frank - Nov 23, 2024, 10:19 AM

Many have already seen the Practical Sailor YouTube video about SV Platino that they emailed out this morning. If not, you can probably find it. It's about a series of unintentional jibes that killed two people and eventually brought about an open sea rescue and severely damaged (or maybe eventually destroyed) the boat.

It made me think about using a preventer or boom brake— even for my tiny P165. Does anyone have experience with either boom brakes or preventers?

#10

TSBB General Talk / Re: Victoria 18 for sale - I n...

Last post by Riley Smith - Nov 23, 2024, 09:00 AM

I was not successful in my pursuit of a modern boat with the Victoria I owned. It was well used and I did some projects on it. Replaced the sail. But the boat was SMALL inside. Claustrophobic and I am not one prone to such a feeling. And yes, it STILLLL needed work when it left. I sold mine for $200 to further the republic and my pocket, so maybe some good came of the adventure anyway. The sale got rid of some lawn furniture and I never regretted the parting. But yes, I realize that it might just have been the spark to launch someone else's sailing adventure. To each his own. It was most likely a very fast boat but I never achieved that level of functionality except a couple of times. And one was the most thrilling ride I've ever had. But it just didn't fit. SO....if someone wants it I can provide a loose-footed BRAND NEW sail.