If I were to Build Again

[Brent65]

Fellow Scampers,

I would love to get your feedback on an article I just posted to my blog regarding Scamp design and possible improvements or rather refinements. The blog post can be found here:

https://buildingshackelton.wordpress.com

It's a bit long...hopefully you'll find it insightful or maybe just nerdy.

If you have ideas to add, based on your experiences, please post your thoughts and comments here for others to see.

Best,
Brent

[miguelito]

Hi Brent,
I'm once again impressed with the high level of finish you reached on Shak. You make good points on your blog, and I can confirm a few of them: I use a boat trailer with the bunks removed and cross beams of treated 2X8 that support the scamp on its keels very well. I just have a few blocks that help center the boat when it is loaded, and a few UHMW blocks for the stainless skids to slide on, and the system is very simple and stable. There is one roller at the back of the trailer only, and I have guide posts to the sides that help align the boat if there is wind or current. The trailer has also been useful for hauling lumber, etc, since it acts like a long utility trailer when TOR is off on a voyage. I also have a two-hoop tent made of Sunbrella upholstery fabric, which is softer, and was easy to sew. I have set it up to have the sides raised as you mentioned, and it serves as a great sun cover with good ventilation in warm weather. Amazingly, it barely leaks at all, and it has been tested in some serious PNW rain! I'm planning to follow your example this Spring and cut the floor out behind the water tank for more leg room and a lower standing position when sailing. Along with some lightening efforts for the boom, and a simplification of the reefing system, I'm still having great fun "tuning" this little craft to suit my cruising needs, but in Puget Sound, the motor is a must, given the distances we travel and the highly variable wind conditions.
Good luck with your next build, and I look forward to seeing more excellent craftsmanship!
Mike Moore, TOR #170

[Brent65]

Hi Brent,
I'm once again impressed with the high level of finish you reached on Shak. You make good points on your blog, and I can confirm a few of them: I use a boat trailer with the bunks removed and cross beams of treated 2X8 that support the scamp on its keels very well. I just have a few blocks that help center the boat when it is loaded, and a few UHMW blocks for the stainless skids to slide on, and the system is very simple and stable. There is one roller at the back of the trailer only, and I have guide posts to the sides that help align the boat if there is wind or current. The trailer has also been useful for hauling lumber, etc, since it acts like a long utility trailer when TOR is off on a voyage.

Mike, I would love to see a photo of your trailer. This is what I have envisioned as a good, practical simple trailer.

I also have a two-hoop tent made of Sunbrella upholstery fabric, which is softer, and was easy to sew. I have set it up to have the sides raised as you mentioned, and it serves as a great sun cover with good ventilation in warm weather. Amazingly, it barely leaks at all, and it has been tested in some serious PNW rain!

Photo please. Very impressive that you sewed this yourself. What did you use for poles?

I'm planning to follow your example this Spring and cut the floor out behind the water tank for more leg room and a lower standing position when sailing.
You'll love the footwell. It made my boat much more comfortable.

Along with some lightening efforts for the boom, and a simplification of the reefing system

I would love to see and learn what you are doing to your boom and this simplified reefing system. My reefing system never worked well. Now that I'm contemplating another Scamp, I really need to come up with a system I feel is simple and effective.

I'm still having great fun "tuning" this little craft to suit my cruising needs, but in Puget Sound, the motor is a must, given the distances we travel and the highly variable wind conditions.
Good luck with your next build, and I look forward to seeing more excellent craftsmanship!

Thanks for the compliment and thorough response...sorry it took so long for me to see this.

Mike Moore, TOR #170

[miguelito]

HI Brent,
I'd be happy to send some of my photos to this site, but am very unlucky with the internet, and have not figured it out yet. I know there's a reference for how to do it, but even that is not helping me much, so I'll keep at it and post some pics when I can. Almost time to pull the cover and see what has been living in my boat this winter, but the mountains are still calling, so I'll have to wait a little longer before starting to cut a hole in my floor. Thanks for the confirmation that that is actually a good idea. Everyone who had done it seems to agree!
Happy building,
Mike #170, TOR