Charles, you make excellent sailing videos. There are a lot of people who have big cruisers and make videos professionally, and then there are many more people who just make recreational sailing videos. You are in that latter category, but the quality of your videos rivals anything the big players are doing. You know how to capture the magic of sailing. I hope you get a few more days like this before foul weather sets in.
Hey Charles! Great videos and curious to pull you in on an effort we are starting in the Bucc class. Please let me know if you have any spare time for a chat. Thanks!
Thanks for watching, much appreciated! For security reasons, I cannot post any email address, or phone numbers online. Its a shame but its just too risky. You will need to just ask in this format and I will get back to you in this same way. Thanks again, Charles Bronaugh
I love your videos, I'm a newer sailor with a Buc like yours. I would love to see some videos of the camera facing you. Maybe get some sort of mount for the deck that faces toward the cockpit? I assume you are recoridng on your phone? Maybe a GoPro for a wider field of view? Being a newer sailor I'd love to watch you tack and jibe and control the sheets while sailing (you seem to never show this because I assume you obviously need to put the camera down in order to safely do so). Just my $0.02, otherwise, love the content!
Thanks Corey, I appreciate input! At this time I've just got my i-phone that is on a zipper reel like a fly fisherman uses. That's so it does not slip away and go for a dive! And yes when I'm tacking and jibing no way to run footage. My crewman Kliff gets head-mounted Go Pro on some races see "Buccaneer 18 Daysailing Hood River July 19th 2024". My beef on that is the fish eye distortion I like the lens and quality of the i-phone. I'd like to find a GoPro with a more normal lens! Sailing season is about over here now I hope to get a few fall sails in before the chill really hits! I'll work on it in spring! Enjoy your fall season!
@@charlesbronaugh8996 the more current GoPros have standard field of view as well as the superview/fisheye. Or you could just mount your phone up there!
Another excellent video, Charles. Perfect wind, indeed. I am well off my sailing pace from last year due to a combination of a lot of family obligations and not a lot of good sailing days. I have finally begun sailing the Thistle. Once in June with my oldest son, and twice solo in early September. (I can now die a contented man.) I bought an old Oday 22 a few weeks ago. Left it down on the coast at my parent's home. It needs some sorting out, which I hope to get done before spring arrives, and then do some coastal cruising in May and June next year. At the moment hurricane Helene is drenching western NC. 50 mph gusts are forecast for later in the morning. I hope none of the big trees that surround my home come down on me. They all still have their leaves, so the wind will be dangerous.
This one sure is packing a punch. I hope your property is spared and you stay safe. I have a niece further West over in Ocean Springs, MS I am hoping they don't get flooding that far over. Take care Gordon!
I've never seen wind and rain like this. The center of the storm tracked just to the west of my home, which put me into the right-front quadrant and the worst conditions. Winds were out of the east moving to the south over time. The big white oak tree just behind my house stood strong. No damage to anything. Power is out all over the region and probably will be for days. So far just some good ol boys in pickups with chainsaws clearing the roads here. Trees across the roads and power lines everywhere. Amazing this much wind and rain this far inland. Operating on a generator now.
No power for the past week. Getting by on a generator. I hope that will change soon. I have to wonder about Lake James, where I go sailing, and how much debris there might be in the water after this. Not sure when I will get out again. There is a good video on RU-vid of massive water flows down the spillway from the lake, something that had never happened in the history of the lake, which was created about a hundred years ago.
Our boat doesn't have a spinnaker tube or spinnaker, and no boomvang yet also the furler drum was missing but the swivels are still there Ive never use a furling jib but im considering getting one it seems like thats how most of these boats are setup.
When I bought my Buc it came with the original furling jib, but it was in awful condition, probably unusable, so I went with a hank-on sail. It has worked well. I have acquired a Harken furler and a jib for it that I may adapt to my boat. For racing you would need the furler; otherwise, not.
Im in the PNW also ,I just got a Bucaneer and Ive been following your vids and planning some rigging upgrades similar to yours , I do have some questions for you if you are ok with getting ahold of me . That looks like Chelan to me looked like a great day sailing. We sail in the Puget sound good sailing most of the time.
Hello this is Charles, glad to hear you are in PNW and have gotten a boat. On contact for questions-I have this often have this problem. Its not good to put your phone number contacts online for security reasons or email address. Its a shame. Just ask in the comment lines and I will answer back beat I can. Thanks for watching! Charles Bronaugh
I believe Chrysler supplied one but the stock hardware was pretty lightweight and not great quality. They were trying to keep the boat package with trailer affordable. By the time I got mine it was gone or never had one. I used Harken blocks and my own control lines-I made mine from scratch. Check this link, you cannot go wrong getting a good vang setup on your boat: www.harken.com/en/support/one-design-deck-layouts/buccaneer-18/
I had a /bucaneer back in early 1980 s and had a hard time strpping the mast as it had no way of pinning =bottom in place.I just had to put it in the area, lift mast and hope it slid don to the metal square on bottom of mast trough. Is there a newer bwttter way of securing the mast prior to raing it? I am looking for ANOTHER /Bucaneer but no luck so far.
Hello, Here is a link: books.google.com/books/about/Rigging_and_Handling_Guide_for_Buccaneer.html?id=YGuWGwAACAAJ This is the best guide to all things Buccaneer written by Harry Sindle former class boat builder. I have this on my own Google Drive for download free but you would have to post your e-mail address to me somehow and RU-vid is not a good place to do that. I explain in my alt. mast step setup video how I do mine and it works for me. Best is to hinge/pivot your mast, all explained in Harry's Guide. Well worth the investment it covers everything on the Bucc. There is a Bucc available in the Portland, OR area a friend of mine is aging out may want to sell his.
HI - im 54 now, and i havent sailed in 20 years due to priorities. recently, i found a buccaneer 18 really close. watching all your videos convinced me to get the boat. thanks for all your videos, commentary, and sharing. I really appreciated them. i keep re-watching to get all the little nuggets of gold - like running a mutineer main in high weather. thanks again!
This is great and its honestly what keeps me doing these videos on Bucc sailing! Thanks for watching. I don't ask anyone to subscribe and I am not selling anything other than on the idea to "get out and go sailing"! These are my takes on how to fix something or handle the boat I've had to do so you can "get out and go sailing" sooner or better! I really enjoy hearing back from fellow sailors! Chuck
Well done. You inspire me! I've had my bucc out only a couple times this year. I'm hoping for another spirited run before the season ends here in WNY. Thank you for sharing this!
Just stumbled on your videos, I have a Mutineer that I bought about 3 years ago in pretty good shape. Sailing in Colorado is difficult so I don’t get out as often as I’d like. It’s cool to see you working with much of the same gear.
At 5:50, I don't think you are hove-to, you are just luffing the sails. To heave to the wind, just tack back through the wind, and let the main come across, but don't adjust the headsail. Just let the headsail stay on the "wrong" side. Then it will be backed, while the main is in its normal position. The headsail and main work against each other and basically stop you. To execute the heave-to, just tack by bringing the tiller to the leeward side, and once the bow come through the wind, with the headsail on the "wrong" side, just bring the tiller back all the way to the opposite side. You can lash it in place, if needed. In this position (hove-to), both sails remain full, and don't luff. The little movement the boat experiences will be to slide slightly downwind sideways. If you are still moving forward (or backward) just ease/trim the mainsheet until the wind is right on your beam, pushing only sideways--usually at around a half knot or less. You'll be amazed how calm and stable it is when you are really hove-to. Heaving to is also great for man overboard exercises when sailing upwind. Practice by tossing out a float, bring the bow through the wind, then reverse the tiller. By the time you grab the boat hook, you'll be sliding right back to the cushion. And you don't need anyone on the helm when you are hove-to, so you can do what you need to do to get your buddy out of the water and back into the boat.
Thank-you for another excellent video, Charles, where you share your considerable experience with the Buccaneer 18 with us. Well done. The Mutineer is a smaller version of the Buc, but I'll bet it's still considered a two-many dinghy. I have a set of Snipe sails that work on my Buc and Thistle for one-man sailing on blustery days. I think their sail are is 125 sq ft; the Mutineer is 150; the Buc is 175; and the Thistle is 191, but it is considered a 3-man boat for racing. I have a brand new Rolly Tasker main sail for my Buc made of thicker material with one set of reef points; however, I've never taken it out of the bag. The main sail that came with my boat is in pretty good shape. Like you I think using a smaller main sail is just neater, and since the boat is a daysailer and not a cruiser, there is not much reason to go with the sail with reef points.
Hi Brett, Please see link to a .PDF you can download from my Google Drive. Harry Sindel's guide on mods, upgrades, fixes on ll things Buccs and Mutts. This is the base knowledge for this boat. And he class standard built them for a while as well. He is the authority. I got a lot of ideas from this guide. Nickels Boatworks sells parts check their site too. drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xdQEuadjz85AhZK8UR5rJgbi8maJcQoK
Here is Harry Sindle's Tuning guide with the most details including practical upgrading the Buccs peculiar quirks for speed and safety! Its on my Google drive you should be able to download it. Chuck drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xdQEuadjz85AhZK8UR5rJgbi8maJcQoK
@@JeffTarlton Learn sailing, first. Go to a sailing club. Not for Olympic level regatta sailing, everybody has learned the basics first. You really do not learn such things from a video. My honest advise is, find a club that is large enough for helping you out. Or find another Buccaneer sailor, one who can sail with you, and learn you.
Try and find the Harry Sindle's Tuning Guide on the Bucc Class website I think you can download all pages its excellent he was an official class boat builder buccaneer18.org/ www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2020/07/30/why-i-prefer-the-buccaneer/
Another great video! Thanks for sharing your adventures! I must admit that I keep pausing your videos as I’m studying all the upgrades that I want to do to my ‘77 Buccaneer
Shoot me any questions you have I will try and answer back. Like I have said I've reworked, fixed, updated, upgraded about everything possible on my 1975.
@@charlesbronaugh8996 Thank you I appreciate that, the project I hope to tackle this weekend is updating the Jib Furling System to a Wire Luff System. I want to make the old Furling Drum work, but not sure if I can. What furling drum did you go with? Thanks
@@andym7496 I use Harken's small boat furler which includes the top swivel you use at the head of the jib sail. I wuld not advise you lose your furler system. Its very valuable when sailing solo to roll your jib as you come into the dock as well as some sail aea reduction in higher winds...second one shows the Harken part numbers. Check these links www.sailingworld.com/buccaneer-18/ AND www.harken.com/en/support/one-design-deck-layouts/buccaneer-18/
Here is Harry Sindle's Tuning guide with the most details including practical upgrading the Buccs peculiar quirks for speed and safety! Its on my Google drive you should be able to download it. Chuck drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xdQEuadjz85AhZK8UR5rJgbi8maJcQoK @gordonipock9385
This is awesome! I love single-hand sailing a sloop rig. I remember renting a Buccaneer back in the 70’s while I was learning. We ended up buying a Sidewinder
Tropical storm, sometimes hurricane, Debby is a welcome break in the summer weather here. I went out Tuesday and enjoyed a steady breeze from the NE. Tomorrow will be steady rain for 24 hours, but Friday will be good sailing with NW winds as the storm leaves NC. Should be some strong gusts, so I may take the Cyclone Friday. Earlier you asked about my jib, which has been a hank-on. I bought a 1985 International 14 about 18 months ago for almost nothing. I have yet to put it on the water. I was rigging it in the yard recently. It has a Harkin roller furler setup with a very good jib whose dimensions match up almost perfectly to my Buc jib. I'm sure I could make it work.
@@gordonipock9385 Hey Gordon, The BUcc class site has expanded their fixes and modification, repairs segments with some on the centerboard trunks fix check this link out: s3.amazonaws.com/ClubExpressClubFiles/405653/documents/mainSheetBlock_844743811.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA6MYUE6DNNNCCDT4J&Expires=1723219422&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DmainSheetBlock.pdf&Signature=juPk4tAnNThFmofJG5rZZk1RtYQ%3D
Here's more rigging info click button for all boats to see Chrysler fixes this is pretty good. buccaneer18.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=405653&module_id=537006
Nice vid and boat but what really freaked me out was your name, Charles Bronaugh, which happens to be my father's name too. Never knew of any Bronaughs on the left coast.
Actually the Buccs are affordable compared to most sailboats. Finding an older boat in good shape is not real easy but they usually sell for 3,500 to 5,000. A new basic laser sailboat is about 10K, race version 12K now. I remember when they were about 3 thousand new. A nice used sunfish or Lido is always a good choice for general sailing. Hope this helps.
@@charlesbronaugh8996 Did your boat originally have a hanked on jib? My forestay is too long to terminate properly on a chainstay just inside the cuddy, right side. Had to make a crude new one which is shorter. Any ideas?
yes and I have reworked an upgrade to use a Harken jib furler. So that rig requires hardware, secure mounting and sail with a sewn-in stainless jib stay. A good sail maker will do that for a Bucc class sized jib sail. What ever you do that jib stay holds your entire rig up. Your main, mast and all comes down right at you if something gives heaven forbid. Its smart to run a second, security line from the bow up to the top of the mast, if you have any doubts about your jib stay attachment!
@@charlesbronaugh8996 and when you moved the jib tracks, did you gain access to the underside to put nuts on screws, or just use wood screws from above?
@@brettputney5016 I just put in a pop rivet at the front hole and back holes and yes then screws in between. It has held down really well both sides. Do small pilot holes so your threads really grip!
Hey there, like the videos. Have a question. What size and brand motor are you using? I picked a Mutineer and it came with a trolling motor but I'm looking to possible upgrade to a gas motor.
Good to see you on Yale Lake again. Looked like ideal conditions for solo. June was nice here in western NC, but July has been either hot and dry or humid with thunderstorms. I did catch an unusual day this past Friday, July 12. A low pressure system was running up the Atlantic coast and passing off the NC coast. I'm inland about 350 miles. The forecast was no rain here with a breeze from 5-10 mph. So I took my Buc. Seemed perfect. But the forecast was off a lot. The wind was blowing about ten when I left the dock, main only., out of the E-NE. Solo. Mid-afternoon. The wind began shifting to the NE and eventually N and building. Across the big open areas of the lake it was howling. Made it all the way down the Linville part of Lake James and decided to head back as the wind had turned into one prolonged gust out of the N. Lucky I had my jib down, or I would have gone over. As it was I dipped by opposite rail a bit underwater three times. I would bail when conditions would permit. By 7 pm the wind had lost some intensity and I hoisted the jib. Probably 12 mph steady breeze made for fabulous sailing until I finally docked at 8:30 with the wind still steady. I came in on a close reach and just released the sheets as I approached the dock. On days when the wind is behind me, as you had it here, I also employ the button-hook maneuver. My previous outing was in the Daysailer 1 that was gifted to me. Also on a day with good wind. Interesting comparison. The Buc is a livelier and more responsive boat. And faster.
Love hearing your updates Gordon! Yes 10-12 breeze for the Buccaneer is just fantastic sailing, even solo after you get "time in the boat", which you have. You have quite a fleet at your disposal! Every one of them sounds like a kick to sail! The DS is a classic and I bet that Thistle is fun in breeze I hear 2-3 crew starts full hiking in about 6-8 knots! I don't think I could solo one in much wind...Keep it up I am sailing the Columbia tomorrow and all weekend! The West wind is stellar here right now.
It sounds like summer is the best sailing in the NW. So have a great time. Here the nearby mountains produce thunderstorms every afternoon, usually between 3 and 6. September and October are our best sailing months. No thunderstorms, milder temperatures and yet the lake water is still warm. Summer sailing in NC is much better on the coast.
I recall you giving a brief description of your elevated post for your main sheet block. I know you said you used a cup to form it. So exactly how did you attach it to the center trunk?
@@gordonipock9385 Oh it was pretty involved. With all the pull forces on it I laid up the wall of the riser about 1/4" or more thick cloth layers. Then I used about a 3/8" stainless bolt with two ny-lock nuts really tight. It runs from the main sheet Harken block's base top all the way down to the centerboard trunk's base! Anchored where I could get a hex wrench in to torque it down! Not sure it was worth it all. It has stayed tight whole time (years). Purpose it it raises it up higher when hiking....
You gave me the good advice after I got my boat to get out and start sailing it. Don't wait until you have the boat perfect. I did some essential upgrades initially, but there is more that needs doing. First I need a better rig tensioning system, and second I need to replace my mainsheet block. It binds and doesn't want to swivel under load. And the pulley wheels are worn and don't track well. The thing could easily get you into trouble. So your raised platform isn't fiberglassed onto the centerboard trunk. It's held with a throughbolt? So that means you had to pull the upper half of the centerboard trunk off to get inside it? How difficult was that? And mostly, did you have any problems re-attaching the top of the trunk? Mine appears to be held on with just pop rivets.
Good to see you on a small dinghy. I got a Capri Cyclone before my Buccaneer, and I still sail it often, usually when I only have a few hours or I think it's too windy for me to solo the Buc. It sets up in minutes and is easy to launch. Like the Sunfish, it's small, lightweight and a hoot in a good breeze. My oldest son came to spend a week with me for Fathers Day. We took out the Thistle on a day with a moderate breeze. That is a fast boat. It will move decently in almost no wind. I have a friend who has a Sunfish along with a Daysailer. I shared your video with him. So far this has been a good summer in western NC. Not so many thunderstorms and a lot of days with decent wind.
Glad to hear you are out sailing in good summer weather Gordon! And yes the fast setup of a simple, single sail dinghy can fit the day or its conditions really well. I have not gotten to crew on or helm a Thistle but I've seen them at some small boat regattas including Memorial Day here in spring. I have never seen one in the gorge here, but have up on some local lakes. I'm hosting a big family reunion here at our new place later this week (over the forth). I will be back out on the water next weekend-its just great weather and wind here now.
Fine sailing! Thanks for posting. The wrap around the lower mast is a good idea. I typically have problems with those hangups of the jib sheet whenever I have a crew member aboard and I let them handle the jib sheets. They will be slow with the sheets during a tack, and then something grabs. Solo I don't have the problem as often. Just give the sheet a little flick and everything pops to the other side. But you are certainly right about the trouble a caught jib sheet can cause you during a tack with stronger winds. Disaster can happen fast.
Good for you, Charles, for going to a regatta like this. Looks like it was a lot of fun. I would think with you sailing solo you would have been comparatively fast in lighter wind. I took my Buc out on a day that had 8-15 mph breeze recently. I had two other adult men with me (I have almost always been solo in the past. My conclusion is the Buc is a two-man boat. The third man would be an asset only if winds got above 20. Under that and the third man is just in the way.
The Bucc moves well in light air. I usually need just 3-4 knots of breeze to move and steer well without much current flow running. When I am soloing for day sailing I like 10-12 knots. I also like 12-15 and even 15 gusts to 20 depending on water temps wave and wind direction and how I feel that day. I fly the kite solo in 6-10 knots max. usually. With crew I like 20 and up if we want a workout and to go fast! I sailed with crew in 20-25 about 4 days ago full sails no reefing...I would say when I first started out sailing the Bucc I only felt comfortable in about half the wind levels I list above. I am 6'-2" and 186 lbs. The Bucc official spec. is for a for a total crew weight of 285 lbs. which I think is on the light side. So for me this means a light crew person up front. I think in heavy air 300-320 is fine. Its got lots of power in breeze....
Thanks for sharing. Where is your home base? I grew up at EYC, Fern Ridge, known to us kids as The Lake😂 great family place. 4th generation now in Our Sailing School. ❤ Love looking at boats n hearing your comments. Thanks again, Lynnie Batchelor
Hi Charles, I just acquired a Buccaneer over the winter and am fixing it up! Would love to meet up some time and check out your boat! I am in Pullman, WA but can travel a bit to meet you for sure! I am cleaning off the hull presently and stictching a new jib. I hope to get it sailing by July 4 if not sooner.
Hi Brett, I thought I had sent a replay: I'm going to be up at Lake Chelan, WA that weekend after Labor Day camping and I'll have my boat. The Lake Chelan Sailing club may do a distance sail up the lake some overnight thing I'm not sure yet. I'll keep you posted....check back
Welcome to EYC and Fern Ridge. Thanks for traveling down. EYC hosts a great regatta and it is odd you were placed with the Wavelengths. A side note, K Falls announced their firecracker regatta this year. I think the NOR is out. Bit of a haul for you, though.
@@charlesbronaugh8996 I think this is the first time in a long time EYC posted a Day Sailor fleet. I am going to throw a link to your video on Fernsail groups , might be a few Buccaneer's lurking, The white Eugene City boat is either a wavelength or j/24. I don't think the city has an Olsen. Applegate trail follows the old native Am and trapper paths. Mostly west side of the valley to get out of the winter mud. They came north out of CA and NV and made their way to about Salem.
Great video, as all of yours are! Looking for your advice on motorization, I see you run an outboard. Was thinking of a high thrust trolling motor, but wanted your thoughts on my decision. Can you provide me some thoughts on the best route to take outboard or trolling? 99% saltwater sailing if that’s makes a difference. Thanks Charles, really enjoy your videos!!
Hi Jeff, Its personal preference really. I like my little Honda 2HP and at about 28 lbs. its the smallest 4-stroke made. I use it as little as possible b/c I want to sail not motor! That said I like having it sailing the river here when I need it I do need it...I think if I was on a lake (even fairly large) an electric would do just fine. Hope this helps. Gas stinks but dealing with batteries does some too I think!
@@charlesbronaugh8996 I only ask because most, 99%, will be saltwater and want something strong enough to 1) get out of the channel against an incoming tide, 2)battle any wind without sail until I reach CB depth, and 3) maneuver and power boaters incoming or outgoing. Maybe I’m worrying too much, but feel like legitimate concerns! Thanks!
@@jeffhayes6741 A couple points; 1.If you go gas I would have a good, reliable outboard. You want it to start. Mine only failed me once where it was problem. And a guy sailing who had a Torqueedo came and got me. He nearly exhausted his doing so but he towed me in before getting dark. 2. That said, I honestly like the power and distance the outboard can provide. I have a full tank and carry an extra small flask of fuel just in case. But with an electric you are pretty much 100% to start provided you have juice.... Saltwater seems to favor an outboard (in my own mind). Hope this helps.
