Dete Hasse and his boys finished building their Goat Island Skiff and have a sailing review and found that a sailboat that can reef is a revelation.
Hi Michael,
Its years ago since I spoke to you (via Email). I may be repeating some info but we (my boys and I) completed the GIS early in 2010 and intended to take it to the Geelong wooden boat festival but when I enquired they seemed only interested in Historic boats. We attended anyway without the boat but it was a bit disappointing.
Since then we have only sailed occasionally on Port Phillip Bay ($16/day Launch fees and poor access otherwise) but after the heavy winter spring rain here (floods) Lake Eppalock and and others are full, so our local water is back!
The pictures show a calm day in January at lake Eppalock, where I took 2 of my boys (Andy and Scott) and a friend (Ben) out for some sailing lessons. In fair weather they are quite self sufficient now and having a ball. Now they can’t get enough sailing.
I’ve just come back from the Hobart Wooden Boat Festival, where we had a great time. The crowds of people there must have stunned the Hobartians, as my wife (Judy) and I were somewhat overwhelmed also. So many beautiful wooden boats. What to build next? Such a lovely place to sail and live?
Last weekend I took Judy and Derek’s (1st son and boat builder) family out sailing. The wind was about 20 Knots and gusty with well developed white caps.
Derek (100kg +) and I (70kg) were both up on the gunnel using the toe straps to lean out. It was fun for me and a little hairy for him, especially when we shipped a bucket or two of water over the rail on a couple of occasions.
We came in to shore bailed out the boat and decided to try the sail reefed to the first row of eyelets.
What a pleasant change that made. I have never had the ability to reef a sail before. Obviously there was less power in the sail and it was easily managed, perhaps still to lively for single handed sailing but more pleasant. I don’t think the boat speed suffered much at all, with the reefed sail, and this was a pleasant surprise. Even the wives came out for a sail and no more water came over the side. In conclusion everyone had a great day.
This is a pic from the calm day on the lake
Many thanks for a great design. The more I sail her the more I appreciate what she is capable of.
I added a Ratchet Block on the main sheet which helps alot to negate the hand strain. I still need a jam cleat near the main for single handed sailing.
The toe straps are almost essential as they add to security and confidence (of not going out backwards)
I’m considering a non slip finish on the floor. High gloss varnish here was a mistake! I’ve got the bruise to prove it.
Cheers Dete
PS I have many construction pics but very few sailing pics. I can send some more if are interested.
(a pic of how simple a trailer can be for a flat bottomed boat.
