The larger aft transom cap is no issue for the rower. I am very glad I built the transom cap, which serves numerous purposes.
There are many modifications on my boat and almost all of them were conceived of long before I started the build. I knew what I was going to do from first seeing the SCAMP design before hull #1 was built. In fact I was so confident in the design I purchased two kits 6 weeks before #1 was launched and am glad I went that way, although I ended up building only #2. #3 was meant to be a stock boat I built to learn from but I have had many other opportunities. My plan was to build #3 and then make final modification decisions for #2.
The best of the modification lot is the footwell. I was hesitant to advocate for it or other mods along the way as other builders were completing boats and showed interest in my ideas but I have to say the footwell is one of the best modifications of the lot, if not the best.
John Welsford has now seen and been aboard my boat and he is one happy designer and is incorporating many of the modifications I have made in his new Long Steps design. I wouldn't build another SCAMP without a footwell. If I don't want it for some reason I can just lay in the two drop boards used for sleeping but I am not sure when I would do that for general sailing.
I am penning this from the Strait of Magellan. My boat is about to hit the water for a sail south after completion of final preparations and a mast build. Yes I broke the mizzen mast before shipping, the only glitch so far, pure pilot error on my part and a major lump. The new mast was built largely in the shipping crate (Thank you Marty Worline and Dave Chase!!!!!)
Each time I work on the boat it's hard to believe a SCAMP is way down here but it's true. Her payload will be unprecedented in weight, stores for three months and safety gear plus! Simeon and I talked about my painting the waterline a bit higher, never did it, oh well. In two days time she will drop in the water by crane fully loaded.
Happy New year to all and to Keith THANKS!! My boat is safer because of you. Simeon and all who pitched in with a hand I am humbled by your friendship and kindness!
Just for fun:
SC under sail and the dry floor system I designed. I carry two of these so I will have a shot at always having a dry cockpit as living space regardless of weather or a wet cockpit from spray. The material is amazing stuff and the photos show the dry floor open and unopened (yes that is Simeon in the photo). Opened allows me to put my wet feet into the footwell as I lay in a dry floor. Boots come off, drop boards go in and I am dry. These dry floors, tents, line bags, re-entry sling systems, seat cushions and other SCAMP specific sewn items of my design are now being manufactured and are available if anyone is interested. Let me know and I will put you in touch with the guy making them. Simeon has already ordered up items including the tent.
I have two tent models one for living large in light conditions and one low and streamlined yet really comfortable for high wind conditions. The low tent can serve triple duty as tent, half tent and sides up sun shade and its bone dry even in driving rain and wind due the gasket system I had installed.
Brent..................just do it, build another SCAMP!
Brent65 wrote:Keith,
Thanks for your thoughts and insights. Sounds like the best move is to leave the water ballast in place and simply row with a slow cadence. Howard built a longer transom cap (running further forward than the stock boat) on Southern Cross. This would bring the second person's seat further forward and possibly help with the trim. Do you think with a longer transom cap there would still be enough room for the rower to reach forward to initiate the stroke?
I really appreciate your thoughts Keith. Everyone's experience is very helpful.
Brent