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#61
TSBB General Talk / Re: Power Port Install on the ...
Last post by Charles Brennan - Aug 10, 2026, 09:24 AMSpot, Way to make a guy feel like a PIKER!! 
Seriously?!?
A full-blown CAD drawing and a template, for a block of wood with two holes in it?!?
Yer making me feel bad, Dude!!
My SCAMP radiuses (radii?) were largely predicated on using either the cap from a can of WD-40 for the smaller curves, or the bottom of a quart can of paint, for the larger curves.
Once, I got Fancy and used a spray-paint can for an intermediate curve.
Yes, I made numerous templates, but I never ONCE walked into the house and fired up a CAD program!!
They were pretty much sketched onto a piece of cardboard or scrap ply, and recursively cut and shaped, until I was reasonably satisfied with the fit.
Guess that's the difference, between a guy who's building a boat because he's a builder and a guy who's building a boat, because he wants to go sailing.
Good job,
Charles Brennan
Seriously?!?
A full-blown CAD drawing and a template, for a block of wood with two holes in it?!?
Yer making me feel bad, Dude!!
My SCAMP radiuses (radii?) were largely predicated on using either the cap from a can of WD-40 for the smaller curves, or the bottom of a quart can of paint, for the larger curves.
Once, I got Fancy and used a spray-paint can for an intermediate curve.
Yes, I made numerous templates, but I never ONCE walked into the house and fired up a CAD program!!
They were pretty much sketched onto a piece of cardboard or scrap ply, and recursively cut and shaped, until I was reasonably satisfied with the fit.
Guess that's the difference, between a guy who's building a boat because he's a builder and a guy who's building a boat, because he wants to go sailing.
Good job,
Charles Brennan
#62
TSBB General Talk / Re: The things you have done, ...
Last post by Riley Smith - Aug 10, 2026, 07:53 AMI'll have to admit that fellow that launched when I was pulling my boat out awhile back sort of got under my skin. He didn't tend his boat well and the POS skewed and tried to hit my boat just before I climbed on the pier. And it was a bona fide POS; the greasiest, trashiest, NASTIEST thing man has ever tried to traverse the brine with. I fended it off and realized dude was an idiot and I was above all that. Just barely. I will say there was scorn written all over my face, but no words passed.
(You have to consider this is a concealed carry state and you BETTER act nice).
(You have to consider this is a concealed carry state and you BETTER act nice).
#63
TSBB General Talk / Re: The things you have done, ...
Last post by Doug SC - Aug 09, 2026, 07:24 PMPublic boat ramps!
One very hot day midsummer I meet three fellow trailer Sailors (they didn't make the change over to here) at Lake Wylie. We had a good day sailing. We enjoyed a really good day sailing. One spent the night on the lake and two left before me; while I kept sailing. Sailing into the ramp a fast speed boat pulled in front of me when I was close to the dock and I had to veer off and sailed away. The launch has two ramps, but the other side of the dock had a guy working on his outboard with the boat on the trailer backed down into the water. So, I dropped sail and started my small outboard doing small circles to hold my place. When the dock was free, I headed back to the dock, but a girl was siting where I needed to go with her legs hanging into the water and a boy was fishing there. I had to ask them to move, and they didn't pay me any attention. The second time I said if you don't move, I might run into you. They reluctantly moved giving me the look as did the parents. By the time I pulled the boat out dropped the mast and was ready to travel I had finished off all my water and was lightheaded from the sun and heat. It was like everyone at the dock thought they had priority over a boat needing to take out.
The speed boat that cut in front of me put me in a bad mood and the rest conspired to keep it there. My mood might not have deteriorated as much if it hadn't been so dang hot. I'm sure what I was mumbling shouldn't be repeated. It is great to have the two ramps at the club where I do most of my sailing these days. Being able to keep the mast up and not having to trailer the boat home is a big plus.
One very hot day midsummer I meet three fellow trailer Sailors (they didn't make the change over to here) at Lake Wylie. We had a good day sailing. We enjoyed a really good day sailing. One spent the night on the lake and two left before me; while I kept sailing. Sailing into the ramp a fast speed boat pulled in front of me when I was close to the dock and I had to veer off and sailed away. The launch has two ramps, but the other side of the dock had a guy working on his outboard with the boat on the trailer backed down into the water. So, I dropped sail and started my small outboard doing small circles to hold my place. When the dock was free, I headed back to the dock, but a girl was siting where I needed to go with her legs hanging into the water and a boy was fishing there. I had to ask them to move, and they didn't pay me any attention. The second time I said if you don't move, I might run into you. They reluctantly moved giving me the look as did the parents. By the time I pulled the boat out dropped the mast and was ready to travel I had finished off all my water and was lightheaded from the sun and heat. It was like everyone at the dock thought they had priority over a boat needing to take out.
The speed boat that cut in front of me put me in a bad mood and the rest conspired to keep it there. My mood might not have deteriorated as much if it hadn't been so dang hot. I'm sure what I was mumbling shouldn't be repeated. It is great to have the two ramps at the club where I do most of my sailing these days. Being able to keep the mast up and not having to trailer the boat home is a big plus.
#64
Precision / Precision Sailors' Happy Hour,...
Last post by Riggerdood - Aug 09, 2026, 07:22 PMHi All,
Back by popular demand, I'm setting up another Zoom meeting for this coming Friday, August 14th, at 5 PM PST/8 PM EST.
Any and all who wish to join in, simply reply here to that effect, and I will PM you the Zoom info. Note: I use the PM function of this forum to send the Zoom info - no need to post your email address in a reply here, just keep an eye on your PMs.
Those who have participated in previous happy hours will automatically get the invite, so no need to reply here.
Thanks, and hope to see a few new faces this Friday, as well as all "the regulars" in this joint!
- Tim
Back by popular demand, I'm setting up another Zoom meeting for this coming Friday, August 14th, at 5 PM PST/8 PM EST.
Any and all who wish to join in, simply reply here to that effect, and I will PM you the Zoom info. Note: I use the PM function of this forum to send the Zoom info - no need to post your email address in a reply here, just keep an eye on your PMs.
Those who have participated in previous happy hours will automatically get the invite, so no need to reply here.
Thanks, and hope to see a few new faces this Friday, as well as all "the regulars" in this joint!
- Tim
#65
TSBB General Talk / Power Port Install on the Sout...
Last post by Spot - Aug 09, 2026, 05:27 PMAfter getting 2 quiet(er) fans to replaces the quite noisy truck stop specials, and only having (1) accessory 'cigarette' style outlet, I bit the bulltet and ordered (2) outlets w/ a socket and a charger/voltmeter. I located them midship, forward end of the side berths adjacent to the galley cabinets.
I made a wire harness from 14/2 tinned marine duplex, heat shrink crimp connectors, and selected bits of the supplied harness (fuse holder and the locking connectors for the appliance end).
Noodled with mounting ideas and just decided to hang it from some 1x3 pine under the berths. Contemplated designing them in 3D to make via CNC and just decided to just cut and Forstner bit drill and sand and finish. The hole centers were marked center punching the wood through the printed paper template and letting the center of the Forstner bit find the indentation..
In retrospect and practice the ports are closer to 1+1/8" (centered on the 2 +1/4" dimension) as I managed to make one tall on top and the other taller on the bottom. The solution was to slide the bezel as close to center as practical and keep going as time is at a premium.
Once I get through a couple more wiring projects, I will be clipping the wires more neatly to the hull. Work stops on 8/22 and sailing on 8/23 barring the unforeseen.
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I made a wire harness from 14/2 tinned marine duplex, heat shrink crimp connectors, and selected bits of the supplied harness (fuse holder and the locking connectors for the appliance end).
Noodled with mounting ideas and just decided to hang it from some 1x3 pine under the berths. Contemplated designing them in 3D to make via CNC and just decided to just cut and Forstner bit drill and sand and finish. The hole centers were marked center punching the wood through the printed paper template and letting the center of the Forstner bit find the indentation..
In retrospect and practice the ports are closer to 1+1/8" (centered on the 2 +1/4" dimension) as I managed to make one tall on top and the other taller on the bottom. The solution was to slide the bezel as close to center as practical and keep going as time is at a premium.
Once I get through a couple more wiring projects, I will be clipping the wires more neatly to the hull. Work stops on 8/22 and sailing on 8/23 barring the unforeseen.
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#66
TSBB General Talk / Re: Time for a new jib?
Last post by Spot - Aug 09, 2026, 04:43 PMSounds like it may be time for a new one.
If it were just the luff perhaps a trim and new luff tape, if it were just the belly holes...but both at the same time might indicate cloth in general is wearing out.
Sounds like you have used it well both years and miles.
Don't beat yourself up over mis-hoist or two.
Is Tim 'his own man' so to speak or is he associated with a national/international loft?
The loft in Edina, MN and in Sturgeon Bay, WI are both are part of UK Sailmakers if I recall correctly.
If it were just the luff perhaps a trim and new luff tape, if it were just the belly holes...but both at the same time might indicate cloth in general is wearing out.
Sounds like you have used it well both years and miles.
Don't beat yourself up over mis-hoist or two.
Is Tim 'his own man' so to speak or is he associated with a national/international loft?
The loft in Edina, MN and in Sturgeon Bay, WI are both are part of UK Sailmakers if I recall correctly.
#67
TSBB General Talk / Time for a new jib?
Last post by noelH - Aug 09, 2026, 01:07 PMMe bad. A couple or so years ago had the jib repaired. Tim's sail loft in Bayfield did the repair. He is also my go to person for repairing windsurfing sails. He did comment about me needing to tension the jib luff line. Which I've done just once when the sail was new and was a contributing factor to the tear that developed at the junction of luff tape and body.
Couple sailing sessions ago I messed up attaching the jib clew to the sheet. Hoisting the jib in F4 winds sent it flying and flapping like a flag until down hauled. Of course in my rush I messed up attaching the soft shackle a 2nd time. Dolt!!
Inspecting the jib after a fine day of sailing I discovered two tear developing along the luff edge tape again. And a couple of 2-3mm holes on the belly area of the jib. Not open holes. You can see intact threads running across the holes. Then I also noticed some crease like not yet cracks when inspecting the sail and prepping it for some dacron sail tape repair.
Guessing the jib is at a point of needing replacement? I dacron sail taped the damaged areas and "holes". Considering taking it to Tim's shop after the season is over and his Autumn rush is over. But also thinking maybe better to replace at this point. Few thousand miles under sail and 9 years old. Opinions?
Couple sailing sessions ago I messed up attaching the jib clew to the sheet. Hoisting the jib in F4 winds sent it flying and flapping like a flag until down hauled. Of course in my rush I messed up attaching the soft shackle a 2nd time. Dolt!!
Inspecting the jib after a fine day of sailing I discovered two tear developing along the luff edge tape again. And a couple of 2-3mm holes on the belly area of the jib. Not open holes. You can see intact threads running across the holes. Then I also noticed some crease like not yet cracks when inspecting the sail and prepping it for some dacron sail tape repair.
Guessing the jib is at a point of needing replacement? I dacron sail taped the damaged areas and "holes". Considering taking it to Tim's shop after the season is over and his Autumn rush is over. But also thinking maybe better to replace at this point. Few thousand miles under sail and 9 years old. Opinions?
#68
TSBB General Talk / Re: On the Beach #29
Last post by Riley Smith - Aug 09, 2026, 12:46 PMThe air has become the still that only August knows, with a scalding sun beaming in the sky. There is little escape from the heat and humidity and a prime reason that swimming activities are well favored during this time. The thunderstorm that I drove through pretty much started with those clouds in the picture, that built right over the city, and moved ever so slowly north. Cooling the earth with the rain as it did. It only moved about 50 miles north all day long.
Yesterday, after a fight with a lawnmower pulley, there was another thunderstorm way off in the north as I headed home. Riding the state line and not moving very much. The crown, that anvil head as some people call it, was symmetrical too, a giant cloud mushroom cooling the land and air up to the east of Hattiesburg, 50-60 miles away. Indicating that those "steering currents" and "shear" have diminished to almost nothing, with no whisp of ice crystals ejected into the upper atmosphere pointing to movement.
Yesterday, after a fight with a lawnmower pulley, there was another thunderstorm way off in the north as I headed home. Riding the state line and not moving very much. The crown, that anvil head as some people call it, was symmetrical too, a giant cloud mushroom cooling the land and air up to the east of Hattiesburg, 50-60 miles away. Indicating that those "steering currents" and "shear" have diminished to almost nothing, with no whisp of ice crystals ejected into the upper atmosphere pointing to movement.
#69
TSBB General Talk / The things you have done, but ...
Last post by noelH - Aug 09, 2026, 12:40 PMUsually don't sail much in August. Over the past few seasons the winds have been light to absent. Guessing heat domes and the effects of western forest fires might be influencing the frontals.
The trend continues. So far, only two days sailing this August. Missed one F3-4 day. Went windsurf foiling with a windsurfing friend and wing foiling friend. Could be the only day to wind foil this month based on recent trends.
Day one. Improper attachment of the jib clew soft shackle. Hard to do. But I did it. Not once, but twice. Hoisted the main with one reef in. Hoisted the jib. What the heck. Boogers. Walking up to the foredeck on Vela in lumpy seas is not fun. Twice. Rest of the day was uneventful. Typical August winds. Gusty. Waves of upper F4 to low F5 winds, but the lulls were weak F3 in lumpy seas. Keeps you awake at the helm.
Day two. Was yesterday. Ugggg weekend line up at the ramp. Hoisted sail around 1100, after waiting in the ramp line up for ? minutes. Life on a nice weekend day at the Marina. Nice solid F3 with sustained gusts to mid F4 WSW veering NW once out of the Bay. Five sails in the Bay. Couple white blips S. of Basswood Is. Many power boats. Deep broad reach across the Bay then a reach to the mouth of the Bay. Few more boats hoisting sails out of Pikes, Port Superior, Bayfield, and Madeline Is marinas. ~1230 reached the mouth of the Bay. Too many sails to count. Nice.
Everyone must have seen the recent wind forecast. For whatever it's worth or not worth. Dismal winds forecasted for the next 10 days. Like single digit "breeze".
Back at the marina ~1700. Buggers. Line up to pull out. Doesn't help that a powerboat did not pull up on the long ramp pier. Assumed it was pulling out. Nope. They started unloading gear. Dufus. Pull up to at least allow another boat to dock. After hovering around for an extended time I pulled out of the line up to allow couple large power boats in. Didn't feel comfortable sandwiched between the ramp piers and couple monster boats. Some not so nice words came out of my mouth when they questioned me whats going on at the ramp. One of power boats did have a loud horn. Hour later. Loading Vela onto the trailer. Still evil thoughts drifting through my thoughts.
Last day sailed in July I forgot to drop the rudder. Made for an interesting moment or two as I shoved off from the pier. Motor is locked to straight only. Luckily I had my boat hook out just in case.
The trend continues. So far, only two days sailing this August. Missed one F3-4 day. Went windsurf foiling with a windsurfing friend and wing foiling friend. Could be the only day to wind foil this month based on recent trends.
Day one. Improper attachment of the jib clew soft shackle. Hard to do. But I did it. Not once, but twice. Hoisted the main with one reef in. Hoisted the jib. What the heck. Boogers. Walking up to the foredeck on Vela in lumpy seas is not fun. Twice. Rest of the day was uneventful. Typical August winds. Gusty. Waves of upper F4 to low F5 winds, but the lulls were weak F3 in lumpy seas. Keeps you awake at the helm.
Day two. Was yesterday. Ugggg weekend line up at the ramp. Hoisted sail around 1100, after waiting in the ramp line up for ? minutes. Life on a nice weekend day at the Marina. Nice solid F3 with sustained gusts to mid F4 WSW veering NW once out of the Bay. Five sails in the Bay. Couple white blips S. of Basswood Is. Many power boats. Deep broad reach across the Bay then a reach to the mouth of the Bay. Few more boats hoisting sails out of Pikes, Port Superior, Bayfield, and Madeline Is marinas. ~1230 reached the mouth of the Bay. Too many sails to count. Nice.
Everyone must have seen the recent wind forecast. For whatever it's worth or not worth. Dismal winds forecasted for the next 10 days. Like single digit "breeze".
Back at the marina ~1700. Buggers. Line up to pull out. Doesn't help that a powerboat did not pull up on the long ramp pier. Assumed it was pulling out. Nope. They started unloading gear. Dufus. Pull up to at least allow another boat to dock. After hovering around for an extended time I pulled out of the line up to allow couple large power boats in. Didn't feel comfortable sandwiched between the ramp piers and couple monster boats. Some not so nice words came out of my mouth when they questioned me whats going on at the ramp. One of power boats did have a loud horn. Hour later. Loading Vela onto the trailer. Still evil thoughts drifting through my thoughts.
Last day sailed in July I forgot to drop the rudder. Made for an interesting moment or two as I shoved off from the pier. Motor is locked to straight only. Luckily I had my boat hook out just in case.
#70
TSBB General Talk / Re: New Boat
Last post by Riley Smith - Aug 09, 2026, 11:16 AMCongrats on the "new" boat Ed! Some shoes don't fit some folks. I always LIKED cowboy boots, but I could NEVER wear them. They made me hurt all over. Fallen arches and all. I hope to at least make an appearance at the 120. Maybe we'll get to lay eyes on each other!