Bow Sprit on a Dinghy

[Tom Hoffman]

Just got a dinghy in trade for a 12' Landau Jon Boat. It is a sailing dinghy. Made by MFG model: Challenger 12'. It came with all the parts needed to sail including a trailer. I got the Jon boat a year ago for free when I bought a trolling motor on Craig's list. Had to spend $80 to get all the leaking rivets spot welded.

Now my question. The boat has a raked back mast/sail plan with a boom. Sail area is approx 75 sq ft. It doesn't appear to have a fore stay. Not sure as I really haven't had time to look at it as I am house bound this winter after a complete hip replacement.

I have been speculating about the advisability of righting the mast to a vertical mast and adding a fore stay to a bow sprit and putting on a hank on jib to give the little boat more sail area. I enjoy experimenting with this kind of thing. Since most of the modifications would be fairly simple to make and cost very little on an almost free boat.

Here is a pic of the boat.

Of course mine doesn't look so nice, quite dirty and needs a lot of clean up and a nice coat of paint. It does have very hard chines, resulting in a look like the old tri hulled power boats of yore. My sailing friend Dave tells me that it would resist turning turtle well, but when it did it would do it with a bang. I would add 280 lbs of internal movable ballast. With SWAMBO on board, we would have about 500 lbs.

Any speculation, or advice or just old raspberries would be welcome.

Tom...

 

[dscribner]

Tom,

Would that be Cepheus Dave?

I'd guess that a dinghy that's been designed by a competent manufacturer was probably designed to and test with the correct sail plan. To alter it and add 25% more torque to the top of the mast might be an invitation to swim. If Lake Pepin waters are warm and snake free, I'd go for it. Wear your PDF and file a float plan. What's the worst that could happen?

Don

 

[Joe]

That boat is cat rigged.... the mast is placed well forward... adding another sail foward of the current mast location will create some challenging balance issues. I would consider moving the mast back to allow a more equalized sail plan, if the extra sail makes the boat unsailable.

You might study the differences between the Laser and the Laser II for a better understanding of the changes you are considering.

That said...... I highly suggest you actually sail the boat before you start making changes. You may find other areas of improvement you hadn't previously considered.

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Upp, That is Cepheus Dave,

Yeah, I will sail it before I mess around too much. I will look at the laser and the Laser II which suspect have done what I am envisioning, right?

First things first is to clean it up and paint it a pleasing shade of bright white high gloss, easypoxy. Also needs a small leak by the center board box repaired with some epoxy and some chopped fiberglass in a nice fillet. Grease the bearings, check the tires and paint the trailer as well.

I probably won't try to take her to lake Pepin, that water seems to be unreasonably cold even in the summer.

I will sail it around some small public lakes close to home and too small for our American.

Thanks for the responses. All are helpful.

Tom...

 

[Ray Bowles]

Tom, In the last 2 years I picked up 2 small 14 foot boats made by Catalina. One has a standard main/jib sail plan and one is a catboat rigged boat like yours. They both have the ability to plane and are almost more than my old body can keep up with.
After you sail yours I'd be real surprised if you added more sail.
Enjoy your prize, Ray

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Ray,

Thanks for the kind thoughts. I have read the Literature that the guy I got the boat from was kind enough to mail me and it seems to indicate that the boat is quite happy with most loads (movable ballast) up to the specified load (600 lbs) and that she responds readily in easy winds as well as brisk. Any way, I know what your are talking about with an old body. I just had a total hip replacement done in Nov. and I am going to get the other one done soon so I can actually function and not be relegated to an observer on my own boat (My American) this summer. I will probably not be able to use the small boat much other than to go out with my son and ride while I teach him how to sail it.

Shifting back and forth across the boat to windward side will not be easy for awhile.

Regards,

Tom...

 

[MrBill_FLL]

make sure the mast / rig is tied to the boat. if it flips, often the rig goes to the bottom.

and you could attach a float to the top of the mast, or fill it with pool noodles (closed cell foam).

-looks like a fun little boat.