Wow, I never knew Paul Butler had posted these articles of his. Talk about a tremendous resource. —Eds

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Contributor Captain Howie has made a number of modifications or additions to his Sanibel 18 that should "maximize the years" he's able to use her. The premise: whatever is difficult today will be impossible tomorrow. He call's the process "geezerizing" the boat.

 Click here to see the link. —Eds

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Received a note and interesting photos from small-boat sailor Dayton Altman. Posted here with his permission.—Eds

Craig, Josh,
 
Hope you and your families are well, in this economic tsunami.
 
Here on this side of the country they have really skinned the sheep, to put it nicely, but we're weathering well in this service based economy.
 
Great article in your last issue, the Howard Rice interview. I'm feeling his conflict on sailing offshore in a Typhoon, after sailing about 700 miles in our Typhoon in three years, mostly in Long Bay from Georgetown to Southport with one trip to Beaufort NC.
 
I believe in part three he'll mention the Typhoon with a 14-foot waterline to be too small a platform to be handled safely  when leaving the cockpit, reefing, sail changes etc. I know this to be true especially after installing the dodger and bimini top, to be out of the sun and wind is important otherwise I'll end up like a giant cranberry after three weeks in the ocean.

There are about fifty things that can go wrong with the traditional rig. Carol Hasse suggested the strong track system with a new battened main and lazy jacks, a departure from the standard rig but I'll still be outside the cockpit.
 
This fall and winter I'll be installing a free standing cat ketch rig utilizing twin Hobie Bravo rigs with A-frames. The sails furl around a rotating mast, at 86 square feet each they can be furled from the cockpit in a seated position in about 10 seconds. Small offshore boat rigs tend to be odd looking; egregious is the word and easy furling is the game.
 
I know I'll be giving up windward performance with a twin rig, but with 15 gallons of fuel we'll have a 300 mile range, and by furling from the cockpit the chances of becoming shark doodoo are greatly reduced, compared to Howard's trip. I'll keep in mind, its only Bermuda!  
 
Regards    Dayton Altman    SC

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Just got this question from the new owner of an American Fiberglass 16-foot daysailor...

I am hoping you can help me by answering my question or pointing me in the direction of someone who can. I recently purchased a 16’ 1975 American Fiberglass daysailer that has a water ballast system that I am not sure how to operate. The boat has a hole/plug in the lower transom and two hole/plugs in the cockpit. It would seem to me that I should open the plug in the transom and the plugs in the cockpit until water begins to come in the cockpit holes and then replace the plugs in all of the openings. This would fill the water tank and be certain the air was removed from the tank. The previous owner told me just to leave all of the plugs in place and the water ballast fills itself through some valve. When I leave all of the plugs in place I do get water in the ballast tank however I can not find a valve anywhere unless it is in the centerboard area. I am thinking I have a leak into the water ballast tank which I can not find.

 

I can not find much information about these water ballast systems and the company that made this boat is out of this business. I was hoping that you may provide some insight or point me in the direction of someone who can.

 

Thank You

 

Here is a picture of a sistership...

 

The interesting thing is that I can't find any information about this boat being fitted with water ballast! Bouancy tanks, yes. Water ballast, no.

 Can anyone out there shed any light on this question?

 

Thanks!

 

Capt'n Pauley

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Just a quick to to let you know. for reason known only to them, Josh and Craig have decided to let me post to the Small Craft Advisor blog.

 Many of you know me as the Technical Editor of SCA. I've got a pretty good background with epoxy, polymer lumber and wood. I've a good understanding of the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Coucil) regs and standards and have been acive in restoring and sailing small craft. I still own and sail Ternabout, my 1972 Matilda 20. 

I'm a memeber of SSCA (Seven Seas Cruising Association) and USPS (United States Power Squadrons) with a rank of Past Lieutenant Commander and grade of Advanced Pilot.

 I'm currently based at the head of Chesapeake Bay in a little town called North East, Maryland. It's located on the Northeast River (yes, that's rignt, the town is two words and river is one - go figure).

I'd welcome any maintenance, operation or restoration questions and will do my best to answer them or find the answer.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Capt'n Pauley

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