19 Jul 24:
Skipper has a new Tilley LTM6 Airflo Sun Hat. She likes it a lot, so we did a review for Small Boats Nation, the article should publish August 1st of this year. The Tilley is the mauve colored hat on Skipper's hat deck.
Friday, July 19, 2024
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Toy Hauler Utility Trailer Winch and Dynamic Dolly Nose Wheel
18 Jul 24:
We like our utility trailer for use as a toy hauler, but found that the ramp can be a little slippery and awkward when pulling a dolly up the ramp. Skipper decreed that we figure out a way where she can load the dolly and boat by herself if she wants, so we added a battery powered winch from Harbor Freight.
The boat and dolly weigh under 200 pounds, so this ought to do. We picked this winch for price, and SPOILER ALERT, while it works, it is noisy and it will tangle the cable if there is not tension on the cable at all times. Even then, we periodically had to guide the cable back or forth when it started to stack up at either end of the spool. Does it work? Yes. Did we have a proper size fiarlead? Yes. Might there be another better designed winch out there? Yes. In the meantime, $69 USD will get you winching.
The tongue box aluminum is functional, light but thin for use as a winch base. So we added a 3/4 inch thick base plate of marine grade plywood and tied it into the trailer frame with trailer axle U bolts.
Here are the specs on the AGM battery we chose.
We considered adding a solar panel to trickle charge, but it was easier/cheaper for now to just use our 155vac battery charger. We'll have to remove the battery to get it to the charger, no problem, and it will also be more secure inside.
Next we turned our attention to the Dynamic Dolly, we wanted it to have a nose wheel so it didn't scrape up the grated metal ramp. I bought a set of Railblaza Dinghy Wheels and made a wooden bracket to adapt a wheel to the tongue of the Dynamic Dolly.
One side has a latch where you can remove the fork and wheel if desired...
...and the other side has the locking lever that locks the fork into the selected position or allow the fork to be repositioned. Turns out this is very useful.
2 wheels = 2 dollies upgraded.
Video: Trailer Winch
Rigging Check...SPOILER ALERT...the boom is too low and I will catch hell for that when Skipper takes MADISON out :)
1981 AMF Sunfish MADISON and 2013 Pelican Icon 10 kayak CLARK ready to roll on HUEY II, towed by SUPER SANDY.
It's almost like we planned this, but we didn't. The fork will swivel forward to clear the tongue box, and the wheel helps keep the dolly snug.
Some folks might be eyeballing the Dynamic Dolly for their Sunfish. It is a fantastic piece of gear, we highly recommend it, so much so that we own seven for the Armada and we are Dealers.
If you are interested in buying one, we can get it to you with free shippin in CONUS. See link below or send us a gmail to lewis dot kent.
Virginia waters, here we come!
Small Boat Dolly
-Sunfish Dolly by Dynamic Dollies and Racks $575 Free Shipping to Lower 48 States
-Sunfish Dolly by Dynamic Dollies and Racks $575 Free Shipping to Lower 48 States
•Dolly style allows bow of boats with a curled gunwale to hang from a specifically shaped handle fitting. Snug-fitting edge trim atop the handle fitting protects the gunwale gelcoat. Type is suitable for Sunfish, Laser 2, JY 15, and more.
• Boat-specific tube and sling lengths provide a custom fit for each boat, enabling a balanced handle load and easy maneuvering.
• All joint fittings are through-bolted and designed for increased torque stability.
• Strong, 3” non-stretch, polyester sling provides wrap-around boat support.
• Adjustable, flexible V-fitting on tongue tube provides boat support forward of the sling and prevents boat and aluminum contact.
• Eyelets on sling and handle fittings facilitate securing boat to dolly in storage, on trailers or in racks. Tie-down with the handle fitting eyelet helps prevent slippage on steep ramps.
• Easy dolly breakdown using the snap buttons on wheel shaft and tongue tube, as well as wing nuts on axle tube cross fitting.
• Pneumatic, non-corrosive, 16” x 4” wheels can be secured on wheel shaft with provided screws for added security. For soft sand conditions, tire pressure can be reduced to increase tire footprint.
• Proudly made in the USA.
How To Sneak Boat Parts Into the House
18 Jul 24:
We were confused by the box when this anchor was delivered....thought "who sent us flowers...and they're heavy..."
We bought a Wilcox & Crittenden Inc anchor, and the seller did not mention the weight, it is an 18 pounder, which might be just a bit big for our day sailing outings.
We do like the patina, and need to get the back story on "PIRATES DEN."
Friday, July 12, 2024
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Skipper's Guide To Rig A Sunfish
09 Jul 24:
We put together a trifold brochure on how to rig the popular Sunfish sailboat. The brochure is printed on waterproof paper so that it can head to the beach with you and your Sunfish.
$5 USD includes shipping via USPS in CONUS.
Bulk orders available, or if you prefer check or money order, send an gmail to lewis dot kent
Sail On!
(Clark) Kent and (Skipper) Audrey
Authors of The Sunfish Owners Manual and Skipper's Guide To Small Boat Knots
Monday, July 8, 2024
Biathlon
08 Jul 24:
Biked an 8K and walked a 5K today. Took the Mustang for a ride. Thought about cutting fiberglass cloth for the Catfish repair...
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Katie's GEM
06 Jul 24:
There are a lot of boats at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, but one catches my eye every time, the little boat named GEM. From the HMM website:
"GEM was Katherine Kilton Herreshoff’s fifteenth birthday present from her father, John Brown Herreshoff. GEM is of unusually light construction and fine craftsmanship. Built in 1885, she is the second oldest surviving Herreshoff boat after SPRITE. Katherine (Katie) Herreshoff accompanied her blind father around the yard and on business trips, and became thoroughly familiar with the workings of the company and its products. She became an ardent and skilled photographer who took scores of pictures, many from the water while rowing in GEM. Those photographs today are a major part of the Herreshoff story. GEM has three rowing positions, a stern backrest with name carved in Old English letters, a boat hook, oars and oarlocks, and rudder with yoke. Katherine kept the rowboat for nearly 70 years, until her death in 1954. Her two daughters then cared for the boat, with Louise bequeathing it to the museum in 1986. GEM is essentially in original condition, having been cared for by a single family for over a century.
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| Katherine (Katie) Herreshoff rowing GEM Image: Off Center Harbor |
A few more image captures from the Off Center Harbor video HERRESHOFF MARINE MUSEUM, PART 6 – IN THE BOAT HALL: THE DINGHIES
Many thanks to Maynard and Eric for taking us along on the tour.
Friday, July 5, 2024
Sunbrella Spars On Deck Cover for Sunfish Sailboat by SLO Sail and Canvas
04 Jul 24:
We invest good money in our boat covers because they keep the hull, blades, spas and sail clean while the boats are in storage. That saves us time when we are ready to go sailing by not having to clean the boat, and prevents damage to expensive components like the sail and wooden blades. SLO Sail and Canvas is our Go To cover maker, we order the "Spars On Deck" cover in Sunbrella Pacific blue with the straps.
The Bridge To Nowhere.
This cover was cleaned a few months back, so all of this gunk would have been on the boat.
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Red, White and Blue 4th
04 Jul 24:
Our 1982 Olympic schemed Sunfish named PHOENIX helped us celebrate the 4th, along with our Pelican Icon kayak named CLARK. The Admiral took out PHOENIX first, to see if my post hurricane bow replacement was still seaworthy. She tried to trick me into going first, but I didn't fall for that.
The locals looked on with disinterest.
Sea Retrials successfully completed, the bow remained attached so the Admiral gave me the tiller and sheet for a bit.
How easy is launch and recovery with the Dynamic Dolly...Super easy, so easy we can do it one handed while filming... https://youtu.be/e5Q4gVWBi2g
If you are interested in ordering a Dynamic Dolly with free shipping in CONUS, we are dealers. Drop us a note to lewis dot kent at gmail
The double paddle we made from spruce and Skipper's Greenland style paddle by Shaw & Tenney.
We were very happy with this "carry on" setup compared to the Malone trailer, fewer straps, no sliding of boat to dolly and back and we didn't have to break down the dolly
Yard decorations.
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