Willow in Sea Oats

Dropped Willow in the Bay and we went for a little cruise. While we were out the oil light came on, indicating it was time for the 20 hour oil change. So back on the trailer Willow went and off to Lou's Marine to spend a few days with Gary. While Willow is there Gary will add power ports for accessories and USB ports to charge our phone. Also getting a new stern light that can be easily removed when we cover the boat, a float switch for the bilge pump and longer wires to the battery so we can move it as needed during bilge cleaning.

Sunfish Generation 2 Rudder and Tiller

We are fixing this 2nd generation rudder to use on our 1953 Sunfish, which originally had the elephant ear rudder (Gen 1). The wooden Sunfish uses the smaller vertical plate (4 inches) like the Sailfish and Super Sailfish used, because of its shorter transom. Zip will perform better with the bigger 1960s era rudder blade. We will also use a Barrington board, as the original centerboard only measured 31 inches on those short keel wooden Sunfish.

2nd generation tiller from the 60s used on wooden Sunfish, Sailfish, Super Sailfish, and Super Sailfish MKII.

We like Pettit Captains Z-Spar, satin finish. Here it is being applied over the mahogany tiller.

O'Day Daysailer Rudder Uphaul

We want to be able to raise the Cyane's rudder for launching, beaching and navigating the shallows. So I added an uphaul. I put the eyestrap about halfway down the rudder, it seemed optimum as far as the angle to lift the blade. Then added a jam cleat with a fairlead on the tiller. It works great!

Drascombe Lugger Rudder Rest

We wanted to be able to ship the rudder on the Lugger without completely removing it, for launchig and beaching. So we gathered information on a rudder rest form the Drascombe facebook page and Pettigrew website. I made the rest out of cypress and treated it with teak oil. It works great!