Speed Trials

July 23, 2019

Currently at my mother-in-law's summer home on the shores of beautiful Kootenay Lake and Fib is fully rigged and tied up to her dock.  This makes it so easy to just jump in and go for a little jaunt. 

Using my trusty old Garmin eTrex GPS I have been recording some observations of speed and being on the lake need not worry about tidal currents interference.

Here is what I have recorded:

Paddle
With tiller harder over to correct for turning due to paddling on one side - 1.0 to 1.5 knots

Oars
Rudder and motor up and alone - 2.0 to 2.5 knots

Motor
Just above idle to engage prop clutch - 1.0 knots
1/4 throttle - 3.5 knots
1/2 throttle - 4.3 knots
Full throttle - 4.4 knots

Sail
So far when out with Peter we've reached 4.8 knots!

Stroke, stroke, stroke....faster!

Beautiful flat calm - prefect for tootling along under 1/4 throttle

4.0+ knots under sail - 'flat out like a lizard drinkin'

Port Moody Inlet 'Sail with Dale'

July 15, 2019

Dale Simonson lives not far from me and is, to my knowledge, the only other SCAMP owner in the Metro Vancouver area.  Dale started the built of his SCAMP (Luna) and the first 'SCAMP Camp' held in Port Townsend, Washington.  He launched around five years ago and has been a very active SCAMPer and booster for these little boats.

I invited Dale out for a morning sail on Port Moody Inlet and was thrilled when he agreed to join me.  He just got home for the Sucia Small Boat Rendezvous the night before.

It was just great to spend a couple of hours with Dale as he is a very experienced SCAMP sailor and generously shared numerous tips and stories.

Some of Dale's tips....

• When raising the yard haul it as high as it will go - 'block to block'.  I was setting too low and we moved the yard block strop forward about 12" to achieve this added lift.  The boom now sets nice and high - above head level and allows for excellent forward visibility.

• Use the sail outhaul and boom downhaul to achieve best sail shape.  Loosen the outhaul to get about 8-10 inches of gap between boom and sail foot in light airs but firm it up in heavier winds.

• For tacking the sweet spot is to have the boom just over the stern quarter and then use the tiller to point the whole boat up as high as possible.

• Practice raising and lowering the centreboard for maximum sailing efficiency.

• A small dry bag is very handy for radio, phone, wallet, etc.  I will get one.

• The SCAMP tends to point nicely into the wind when reefing at sea.  Good to know.

• The first reef point is a very useful reef for the kinds of winds we experience.  Worth having this set to go as smoothly as possible.  I currently have only the third, deep reef set up but will set the first as well.

Dale has met many other SCAMP owners and sailed in a variety of their boats but he had never been aboard one with a motor before.  I think he found it an interesting experience.

Thanks Dale for a great day out!

Not a lot of wind but a great opportunity to bob along and have a chat.  Note - boom nice and high 

Looking west, towards Vancouver

Some of the only ocean front properties in Metro Vancouver

 

Rocking Point boat launch - $22 per day to launch and park

SCAMP #434 Build - June Progress Report

Back from our walking vacation and back to SCAMP!

In the driveway I stepped the mast and raised the sail for the first time.  Spent time sorting out and shortening some of the lines.

Topping lift - the plastic upper locator on the Gig Harbor aluminum mast has 1/4 holes that are used for the halyards on their boats.  I re-purposed these holes to run forward and aft topping lift lines.  The bitter ends are run through jam cleats on the bulkhead under the veranda.  Slick sham wystem.

In the spirit of keeping things simple I decided to start with just one set of reefing lines to the third (deep) reef points.  Figure I can always modify on the go to use for other two reef points.

Nephew Graham paid us a visit for the Canada Day weekend and he was happy to lend a hand for the first sea trials under sail.  We launched in the morning at Gibsons Marina and motored out to Soames Channel.  We raised the sail and did not have a lot of wind in the beginning but that soon changed and before long we were sailing smartly along!

Later we parked Fib in a berth at the marina and went for a celebratory lunch in Grandma's Pub.  Later in the day Graham, Lisa, Farley the dog and I went for another sail.  Lisa and \I took her out again the next day.

Start by laying boom/yard/sail bundle across midship and attach forward/aft topping lifts and halyard

Full sail

Deep reef - still needs tweeking

Topping lifts under the veranda

Sheet cleat on removable thwart

Anchor system - reversible ss carabiner to quickly attach anchor chain to rode

June 30th - Sailing!

Our route including the drive home

Happy times!

Graham and me

Our berth for the next couple of nights

Tied up for the night.  Pipe insulation to cushion the boom against mast until I get the leather sewn ou.

Motoring back to the marina, sail furled

Farley crashes on a boat cushion - too much excitement

Back on trailer.  Mast back to two parts and along with boom/yard/sail stowed in boat.

Thus ends the monthly SCAMP build progress reports.  

We have a boat.  

Now onto the adventures!