I've used a foam collar and a nylon mast boot. Neither was perfect but kept most of the water out. I've now made a vinyl cover that goes over the entire hard top and has an integral boot for the mast. aside from seepage around the mast, waves and spray coming over the bow would hit the front of the cabin and shoot up under the forward lip of the cover. I could never get that perfectly sealed. Glad you enjoy the videos. Hopefully there will be another one next spring.
For artificial reefs if I can cast a 100 lb concrete reef component 5 times a yr and place it in the same place I can construct an artificial reef in 10 yrs of sailing home waters. If we make standardized interlocking pieces and a website map, assuming others participate, cruisers could contribute over the long term as well. Not suitable for these craft though. Be safe next month.
It wouldn't be my choice. There's seems to be a Windrider in each EC, but I can't remember one finishing. A friend who's more fammiliar with them than me says they don't go to windward well (and we're both lugsail sailors and those aren't exactly high pointing craft). I'd hesitate at the 15-inch draft. Two particular problem points. One is CP2 at Chokoloskee. You'll ground out so far from the beach that even at high tide you'll probably had to deal with the infamous mud. At half or low tide, it will be really ugly getting to the beach. Don't necessarily let that dissuade you, just be prepared for a really bad time getting to shore there and be prepared to fall in the boot-deep mud. (I've taken that spill, as have many WaterTribers.) Second problem area could be crossing Flroida Bay, assuming the wind is not easterly. If there's a strong northerly blowing, it will blow a lot of water out of the bay and 15 inches will be too deep even in some of the marked channels. In 2007 we nearly got trapped in a section near Buoy Key at the end of Tin Can Channel; I think there was only about 10 inches there and it kept kicking my leeboard up. We also had trouble at the entrance of manatee Pass. In 2011 Mike Monies and Andy Linn missed Tin Can and got stuck south of there in an area where the chart shows 3 feet of water. The ranger boat that came to help them got stuck in the middle of Tin Can, about the same place I had a problem and I don't think those boats draw more than a foot with their engines up. On the other hand, the last time i went through Florirda Bay in 2013, the wind had been blowing southwesterly and then westerly (quite strong when we got there), and i don't think we had less than 3 feet of water anywhere. The bay is like that. If there's an easterly wind that forces you to go around Florida Bay, you'll have to wait for half tide or higher to take the shortcut through Murray and Clive Key channels. Otherwise you have to backtrack 10 miles to the west to pick upthe ICW south of Cape Sable. Worth noting, the tides at the fringes of Florida Bar are normal, usually in the 2-3 foot range. In the middle of the Bay, they're 3-6 inches. Ultimately, the weather plays a huge role. 2006 and 2013 were largely downwind events and I don't think we tacked a dozen times over the entire course. Other years 2012, 2016, and 2017 come to mind), it seems there were hundreds if not thousands of tacks. Probably more info than you wanted, but if you have other questions, let me know.
Gary Blankenship more info the better. My 16 WR has the wave piercing hull. Not real strong to weather but prob like your luggers. In a blow the unstayed mast deflects and an old sail, the mast reef and the lack of a traveler doesn't help. The chief gave me some similar feedback several yrs ago but left out the details. I'll be there this yr as the past few but only in spirit. I guess I'll have to do a design build but have too many projects waiting for my spare time. Be safe.
at 15:19 craft named elderly care what is that i love it,it's exactly what I've pictured to build in my head any information would be appreciated,ty for the video.
That's Meade Gougeon's (West epoxy) boat. He or Hugh Horton (regular columnist for Small Craft Advisor) should be able to provide information about it.
Yes. It's a Frolic2, unmodified except for adding the small mizzen. Working on the video for this year's EC now; hope i doesn't as long to do as this one!
