SmallCraftAdvisor.com

OK Folks, after 15 months of hard work, I'm in the water. See full story here:

https://buildingshackelton.wordpress.com

Thanks to all for your help and suggestions...hard to believe this day has actually come.

Brent from Idaho

excellent! great job Brent. enjoy getting to know her!

Brent
Beautiful job the joy of finally sailing is a moment to be treasured even in its imperfection. Think about how much more you will understand your boat when it is all worked out. It is a bit like dating, there is a lot of learning before the wedding. I had the same thoughts about fixed ballast, but opted for water ballast almost on a coin toss. The wing nut hold down worry's me a bit, are you sure the studs will hold in the wood under stress? I would like to see twice as many hold downs, a lot of redundancy will be comforting in the event if a capsize. Do a lot of driveway sailing, problems are a lot easier to solve with all your tools right at hand. Setting up the rig, reefing, shaking out the reef, are all a lot less stressful when there is no lee shore, and the only people watching are your neighbors who probably don't know enough about boats to know that you just screwed up. I have been able to move my trailer so the wind is coming from the direction I wanted, it helps a lot when dry sailing.
Many lakes are too small.

Bent I am also a fan of dry sailing. I also like a anchor to put out on the bow end. Makes making small adjustments easier. not fighting the wind.

When I put my neddles in I used needle and dental floss to hold them, that seemed to work well.

When you get every thing worked out sailing can be very relaxing. (or on the edge of panic )

Pete

Brent, that is a truly beautiful boat, the first I have seen with the bright work which REALLY shows her off. Of course I like bright work. You did a lovely job, so do not feel imperfection! It all comes together and I doubt there is a single builder who has not made his share of mistakes.

Love, Jackie Monies Cowboy Cookies Scamp

Wow! Bright and beautiful!! Congrats, Brent… now comes the fun part!

Well done Brent! Sounds like normal launching, sea trials issues. I'm still working on mine almost two years later

Yes Brent well documented in your posting. Seems you let no stones unturned. That is great for new builders to refer too.

Congratulations, finally wet is a great feeling.
I know what you had with eastern Idaho winds; I hauled Little Tramp to American Falls, Blackfoot and then home without launching because of windfear! I was then off to Lake Lowell the next weekend. My daughter did her open water certification in Rigby Lake. I was diving with her, but she didn't dive again for three years....

I just changed out my nettles to a setup suggested by John: eyesplice on one end and a knot on the other and will post pix if I can.

See you at Red Lantern Rally?
Or perhaps friday 7/3 a small eastern idaho scamp attack somewhere

Phil

Thanks everyone for your support and advise, I can't wait to meet many of you in person and learn from you.

Phil, I think a S.E. Idaho Scamp sail on 7.3.15 would be awesome. Let me know your thoughts, let's do it!!!!!

Brent from Idaho