An of topic question. What do you think of a on the boom reefing method? Take boom off the mast and roll the mainsail onto the boom. Is this possible on a small boat? In wind 15knts or less.? I not trying to go fast just to get on the water and sail.
As long as you’re mainsheet is only coming off the end of the boom this might work but your sail will want to creep towards the mast over time which will make the sail shape too full.
Bruce-as a DS-I sailor you’ve been seriously inspiring me to do far more with my boat. I always felt it had loads of untapped ability! I wonder if someday you might make a video of how you have yours set up-type of sheeting, barber haulers, one-man spinnaker use, floatation improvements, etc. It would also be interesting to discuss differences between your boat and the typical setup in North America. For instance-my combings are a bit taller and I have wooden floor boards. I also have a two door compartment under the cuddy on top of the floatation tank. Did you simply cut down the combings, reinforce the floor, and get rid of the upper compartments? Thanks again for the videos!!
Hi Sean,thank you for your message. My boat was built here in Australia and as there are hardly any around to compare with I don’t class my self as an expert to be able to compare with US built boats.My boat didn’t have any combings when I got it so I added these myself. The cuddy is as I got it also just having the one flotation compartment which forms the bunk base.There were no floorboards either so I haven’t added any,finding the hull strong enough as it is.My hull may be thicker than the US built boats which again I am not really able to comment as to whether you could remove yours.My barber haulers I put on myself from looking at photos of American boats.Also my spinnaker setup is self made as nothing was done when I purchased the boat from the previous owner.You are probably right that I should do a video of my overall setup and will put some thought into it. Cheers Bruce
How would you describe the Daysailer's sailing characteristics? I'm interested in a camp cruiser that is good for non-athletic singlehanding. Seems like they are beamy enough to give some stability but I was wondering what your experience is in open water? Have you ever tipped her over?
The Daysailer is a great boat to sail,fast and responsive.For non athletic single handing Im not sure this is the best choice but if you sail with a reefed mainsail that would tame things down a bit as they were designed to be handled by 2 people.You have to sail the design fairly upright as they have a low freeboard and once the gunwhale is in the water you are very close to capsizing. I have been over 3 times now.Once was a trial to make sure I could self recover the other 2 times were for real.These both happened close to large hills where it was very gusty and hard to predict.If you watch my solo island adventure video you can see the aftermath of this. The Daysailer has good initial stability with a person being able to stand on the gunwhale without mishap but once the gunwhale goes under it is very hard to stop a capsize. I hope this helps in your decision making process.Funny enough I have never gone close to capsize in open water.
Catching that first wave was a stroke of genius to keep ahead of that F 18 fighter that was closing in on you. I thought you were planning an attack on a submarine for a moment, but you pulled out at the last second. May I commend you on your decision making. I was crew on a Lazy E many years ago. We attempted an attack on a submarine in a 25+ knot breeze with me on wire. That resulted in a loss of rig, a half mile or so paddle to shore and about a three mile walk back to get the car. Both the skipper and I agreed that it was a once in a lifetime surf. We don't know what happened to the sub. I suspect that the depth charger that I dropped as I swung forward of the bow, with the rig following me, might have sunk it. God knows, I was three pounds lighter.
Bruce. You are not just an intrepid sailor, but wanting to surf as line in water in true isolation? This man has no fear. I loved the sail back with the setting sun and darkness approaching. Huge adventure can be had right in our backyard with an intrepid spirit like yours. Thanks for the video Bruce.
“He’s motoring, don’t know why”. How often I’ve had that thought. Actually near every time I sail, since I almost always go on unpowered boats. But it’s incredible how many power boats have masts, right?
Yes it happens a lot but in this case I know the boat as it turns out and it is sailed usually. The owner is elderly and was just coming out for a fishing trip.
Excellent trip n film 🎥 Bruce. Sorry about the skeeters. Not had them sailing ⛵️ yet in Puget Sound but fought plenty up backpacking in our Olympic n Cascade Range over the last 60 plus yrs. No FUN ! Wasn’t familiar with your Port Stephens region so got Googles Maps n saw the Island was a bit N by NÈ a few up the coast. Liked the experience cruising along with ya. Looking 👀 forward to another in the future. Fairwinds n good following seas, Nick
What another epic adventure Bruce! Thanks, I really enjoyed watching that. It brought back a lot of memories. I was surprised how bad the mozzies were there, being off shore, though probably shouldn’t have been as they were terrible at Mungo Brush two weeks ago I’ve done Broughton Island three times in Hobie Island kayak trimarans. In your video at around 12:30 the “two rocks” show Conspicuous (Cons) Cleft which splits Looking Glass Island in two and the hole in the rock is actually the “Looking Glass” the island is named for. On our last trip there in the Tandem Island we had such calm conditions that we were able to pedal through Cons Cleft after stripping the trimaran down to a kayak. I was talking to your sailing mate John about it around the campfire at the epic 27 boat Pulbah Island raid. If you’d like to know what that was like some video here at the 2min mark: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bFyGXNGYeDY.html Also here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1lsHdOrxqA8.html Maybe you could paddle your surfboard through next time!
The Sunny Boys, remember seeing them in Adelaide at the Norwood Town Hall back in the early 80s. I'll tell you we were blessed to have been born in the 60s and in Australia, we had the best of everything, a great lifestyle
And here I thought this was about the Broughton Island where I live just off Vancouver Island. When I was a kid we lived there on a floating logging camp. There were many floating logging camps in the area. It was a way of life that now only exists in the memories of us old people.
Right , I wonder if they are both named after the same family.Ours was named after Captain Broughton of the HMS Providence in 1795. Thanks for the interesting story of the floating logging camps.
Nice Work Bruce - brilliant sailing, location and cinematography - even that big mama dolphin thought you were worth a closer look! Really appreciate the narration as gives a good sense of how you need to constantly assess the environment to figure out what you need to do.
Thanks for the video, I've anchored overnight a few times at Broughton Island over the years, a great spot, albeit in something larger than a O'Day Day Sailer! A great video showing what a great place it is, but sometimes nature gets the better of us.
Thanks yes I have been going there for a long time also but always on keel boats. I am enjoying it more in a dinghy I think as it allows closer access to the Island.Except for the mozzies!
I watch that couple times Bruce just to see if i missed something ha. Very good thanks for that. Dolphins always give a kinda homely feeling I find. Those mozzies sound terrific if you couldn't face another night. Mozzie net ... always something. Need a list and even then something is missed. Perfect sailing both ways. I like night sailing a lot.
Thanks Ross,yes with the short days now it’s a long night with the little buggers. You fellas have been doing a bit of raid work these days. I am envious of all the nooks and crannies you guys have to explore in NZ.
