Bob Hunkins dot com

Build a better Rudder

Here's an article by Jim Fisher of Fleet 1 written in 1987. Useful information about building a rudder head. Of particular interest to me is "zinc paste"... I've been bothered by corrosion and I need to get some of this stuff.
Download file(86Kb)

This is a good compliment to the article by Dave Misunas.

DSII centerboard control

This article is from the Summer 1975 issue of the Day Sailer Quarterly. It offers some improvements to the manufacturer's systme of raising and lowering the centerboard.
Download file
(770 KB)

Sailing on CLUSTER

I had the chance to sail on a J/80 last Sunday. Until now I've never much been impressed with J/boats, mostly becasue they seemed to have been designed such that the crew has to have armor plated thighs, the ability to move through 6 inch wide spaces and the strength of Hercules. Also, my first experience racing was on a J/24 with a skipper that was not at all about doing frivolous things such as training the crew to sail except by way of screaming at them and stamping his feet. As for helping a first timer to understand what was going to happen? Forget it. Actually, that individual was probably the main reason I went in to a smaller class of boat.

The J/22 I sailed on years later seemed a lot like the J/24 - but smaller. My experience with that boat was neutral; I only spent a few hours on it, but I noticed that blocks and travellers and the like were exactly where I wanted to be.

The J/80 goes a long way toward reconciling me with the brand. Walter and Beverly C. invited me to go sailing in the Houston Yacht Club's Leukemia cup aboard their boat, Cluster.

I'm sorry to say I didn't help their standings; they were tied for 3rd in a fleet of five at the beginning of the day Sunday. By the end of the day we were firmly in 5th.

Nevertheless, the racing was fun. I managed to get a GPS track of the second race. Here it is:

I got to trim the A-sail (asymmetrical spinnaker), which was a lot of fun. I was amazed at how much less work it took to get that sail up and down at the mark roundings compared to a traditional Spinnaker. I was also surprised at how easy it was to grind in the jib and was grateful that the cleats and blocks were placed in location where they would work yet were not constantly bruising one's backside or thighs.

I can understand why the J/80 is a popular boat; perhaps if I ever move to full keel boats and strike it rich...

One project down

We've always disliked the walkway to our house. It is( or was) a gravel walk with stepping stones lined with landscaping timbers. Every time it rains, the stones would become submerged and to get into the house we have to walk through water. I finally got a solution to this problem we both like and I spent Thursday and Friday working on it by myself with help from K. Saturday and Sunday.
I think the wooden boardwalk really adds a lot to the place, and now at least we won't be tracking in wet shoes everytime it rains.

This doesn't happen everyday

Saturday, around lunch time, we were working outside and heard a helicopter. At first, I paid it no mind since they are relatively common. But after a moment it became apparent that this particular aircraft was flying very low, and was going to land. It touched down on the vacant lot across the street from us. The pilot secured his vehicle, was picked up by the golf cart that is over at the Topwater Grill, and they sped off to that eating establishment. About an hour later the pilot returned and took off. I took the opportunity to take a photo.

I searched the tail number on the FAA website. The chopper is owned by Republic Helicopters of Santa Fe Texas. They service the oil rigs and platforms out in this part of the world. I guess he wanted a $9 Shrimp Po Boy.

Ebay item sold

I relisted the item and it sold I set the auction to end on a saturday mid morning, whic hwas betterthan a weekday as I had done originally., I had two people bidding, which was better than none or only one. I shipped it off and I'm hoping the thing will arrive without any problems.