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This time we have the following boats:

 

Navigator Surfbird

Just a note to let you know that I have launched my Navigator. She was launched on 15th of July. My grand daughter Adryan christened her

Surfbird. I didn't sail her that day as it was quite windy outside the breakwater. I wanted a relatively light wind day to sort out the sails and rig. I did row around a little with Adryan as crew. Enclosed is a photo.


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I did go sailing last Wednesday. I wanted a light wind day and boy, did I get it. Most of the time it was dead calm. I did manage to sail across the Channel, about a mile. It was mostly ghosting, with just a few gusts to make it interesting. I had to resort to oars a few times as there is quite a current here and I wanted to avoid being swept too far away with out wind to get back. I waited to write as I was hoping to get some photos of her under sail, but, that didn't work out so here is one of the launch day row.

I am really looking to get to know her ways. I have to work out some rigging issues, the jib hangs up on the sprit boom, I haven't got a topping lift yet and hopefully that will help. I also have a big wrinkle in the sail from forward on the yard to the aft end of the boom. I'll experiment with different positions for the halyard on the yard.

Thanks to John for a great design.
Steve Hales, Ketchikan, Alaska

Hope

Chuck.. Greetings from Hermitage Tennessee. Wow what a year.. New Knee, First Sailing Trip to Cedarkey That was Great! New Transmission in the s 10, new Starter,new Tires,new windshield,and a new ugly Brace that will float go figure.

The Brace is hot but I am able to walk better.. The knee surgery took a big bite out of my life but the pain is gone - knee still sucks.

Stacy Smith Built me a Great little boat to fit my fat body and let me move around without using a centerboard. I made the spars out of Tennessee red cedar - it worked and makes a great cheep good strong mast.

The Sail Stacy got from you works GREAT even in 30mph winds, only problem was I was using a cheep! plastic step stool for a rowing seat - it broke - the sails were furled and a boat passed and gave me a big wake then I went over with HOPE following me only loss was my cell phone and a few scratches on the perfect bottom of HOPE.

Thanks for reading and responding I hope to send you some writing very soon.

Ron Thweatt Heart Harbor. Chain Link-a Islands. Hermitage Tennessee

Pathfinder

Thought I would send you a few pictures of the newest Pathfinder to hit the water, launched on August 1st on Lake Champlain in Vermont. Had a small leak that was traced to a seam near the bow, I suspect it was caused by trailer loads. It has been sealed, and the boat sailed for 2 days on Lake Champlain with great result. I attached a few pictures, which you are welcome to use on your website if they are appealing.

Tom Williamson

Hartland, VT, USA

The Raft

Hi Chuck,


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Here's a picture of a boat along the lines of the "Poor Man's Pontoon Boat" in last month's splash.

My son and a friend each had a canoe. They bought some plywood and 2x4s and came up with what they call "The Raft".

It's turned out to be a good boat to carry friends out onto the flat waters of the Connecticut River above the Wilder VT dam.

All the best,

Tim Ferguson
Thetford, V

Rebel Cat


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Attached is a pic of my cat fully rigged at the upper end of Grand Lake in Oklahoma. This was only the second time it's been in the water. Little wind, but at least I got to test it without breaking it.

Be well,

Martin Adams
Rebelcat.com

 

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