Reefing.

With my Goat Island Skiff, I can tuck in three different reefs.  Below is full sail vs. "Reef #1" and "Reef #2" and "Handkerchief reef" for the days when it's blowing 30+ and I'm by myself (this hopefully doesn't happen on a regular basis).

On the beach waiting out the fog.

Side-bar scales, Fun Factor and Money Spent are totalled and explained

So on the left of the blog I have the "Fun Factor" and the "Money Spent" list.

I have totaled them up today in a completely unscientific fashion that will mystify some if they attempt to replicate my results, annoy others, or make others feel really really good about themselves.

First up, the Fun Factor.

Out of a possible of 240 points, building the Goat Island Skiff got 175 points, leaving it in the exclamation point (!) zone, but not as high as I would have liked to see it.  Overall the entire process was immensely satisfying, as it was emotional and frustrating.  On the whole since it averaged out in the 7! zone, it was fun.  But not FUN!  That's OK.  Stuff doesn't have to be fun all the time to be rewarding, and the fun I'm going to get out of this boat over the next few years will far overshadow any kind of frustration from the past year.  The learning curve aspect is also not included in the Fun Factor, and this is a shame, because I went into this project knowing absolutely nothing at all about boat building, and came out actually a lot more knowledgeable than I thought I would have.  This is a good thing.  Learning is good.  Look at some of my previous posts like this one to see how far I've really come.  I mean, wow.  So in summary, the boat was fun to build, but it was fun like going to college was fun, the sex and the beer but also the exams and the papers and the thesis, but then feeling good afterwards!  So fun.

Second up, Money Spent.

Ok, this list is fraught with conservatism that does not reflect my situation in the least.  It was my honest attempt to track every penny I spent on this boat, but that went out the window fairly quickly.  I have compiled, therefor, a list of the materials as I mostly originally spent on them.  For instance, I got three deckplates for relatively cheap.  Well, they were cheap.  So they got upgraded to more expensive deckplates.  This upgrade is not reflected in the list.  There are other products like this also in place.

I'm sorry about that, but the list in "Money Spent" is probably, by far, the LOWEST you could possibly spend, buying crappy deckplates and such.  I've already upgraded much of the line in the boat, bought useless line, bought tons of hardware that mysteriously didn't get used, amongst other issues.  Therefor, a more realistic target for me, is the $3500+ number.

I will say:  The glue is accurate, the lumber is accurate, the paint, primer, varnish are accurate, as well as the sail (minus modifications).

So there you have it for comparison purposes on your own Goat Island Skiff project. 

Hazey Summer Daze continues...

There's a double meaning in the title for the intrepid reader...

Rigging woes and possible solutions?

Again, if you're a regular reader or are interested in the handling and rigging characteristics of the Goat Island Skiff, and some problems I have been encountering, I strongly urge you to read this thread.

Also, in order to solve some of my problems I have decided to go loose footed with my sail instead of laced.  I have an album set up with before and after pics for those that would like to peruse them.  They highlight some of the problems I've been having with the rigging, and how I hope loose footed will help.

There are other great threads too, such as this one.

Tomorrow will be the loose footed experiment day, stay tuned!