Daysailer II

[DannyHatt]

Well folks, Great site and good to be here. I am now a proud owner of a Daysailer II and the only thing i have to learn is how to sail A great couple in the area asked me if i knew someone who wanted a sailboat as I was doing some landscaping in the yard and i have definately thought it would be a great idea for my godson and I to take her out.The boat is old, not so pretty but is still in good shape. I polished her up a little this morning, gots a long way to go for it to look good, but I m sure I ll get there.Last week i went to a nearby lake and learned a lot about the ropes, that is I need all new ones for sure. Each time I put the sails up i know it will get easier. On this little adventure there was not a drop of wind, not even a touch, so i landed up rowing my way back, i need the exercise anyway..lol...The 2.5 Johnson 2 stroke, 2 cylinder ran for about a minute and went down the tubes, so i just purchased a trolling motor to get me out of trouble, a 44 lb one.Now what i need to know is the boats capibilities and what i can do with her, suggestions would be great. Is salt water fine??? I would love to take er for a spin on the sound, but would seek advise first, for sure. One thing i noticed was the dagger board (spelling bad im sure) is rather tight. I thing by just loosening the bolt a little and some WD will help that problem out.Before i go any more with investing in it, I want to check with everyone here to see if I can save some time and money on her with your experiences. Any help to this rookie would be great. I'm really excited and would love to know if fishing off the coast of fishers island is a possibility...Thank youDanny Hatt

 

[Roger (Ninette Manitoba)]

inspiration

I traded (literaly) a canoe for a daysailer II a few years ago, so you know what shape it was in. It needed a lot of tlc, but nothing major, some cosmetic paint and gelcoat, rplacement of a boweye, etc. Have a look at the link below for pictures of before after and during. Feel free to post or e-mail and we can chat about any specific repairs. I should also direct you to the daysailer website at http://boonedocks.net/daysailer/The site is soon to change to another improved site but it is a very good learning site especially for the do it yourself repair person.Congratulations on your acquisition. It is a very stable boat, yet lively and responsive and forgiving.

 

[Roger (Ninette Manitoba)]

BTW the daggerboard

is actually a centerboard, and if you loosen the nuts water may leak into the inner hull. Before you do that, roll it over on the beach or grass first, by pulling the jib halyard from about twenty feet off one side. It should roll over nicely. Tie the mast down, (I use one of those screw in dog leash anchors) release the centerboard lines, then go to the 'underside' of the boat and inspect both the board and inside of the centerboard trunk. Often the only thing binding in there is sea gunk or one of the up or downhaul lines. Play with the board in this configuration to determine where it binds. This boat is famous (infamous) for having the top back corner of the board square and the inside of the cb trunk round. This is often where it will bind if not sea gunk. Releasing the nuts, removing the board part way, rounding off the corner by a 1/16" may be all that is necessary. You can do this operation, without removing the up and downhaul lines as you only need to access the top of the board. Getting the board back in is a two person job however as one manouvers the board, while the other replaces the pin. Goop up the nuts and seating afterwards as this is a source of leaking into the inner hull, along with the uphaul line... but that's another story!This boat has been called the volkswagen of boats. It has a small but dedicated following.

 

[DannyHatt]

thank you

Excellent information! Thank you... I ll roll her over and see whats up on the centerboard. I was thinking of putting in on 3 saw horses anyway so i can clean it up good on the bottom side, so i ll check out the linkage on the board, sounds easy enough.As far as an electric trolling motor on it, is this fine?

 

[Brian]

trolling motor

I have seen many sailboats of this size using trolling motors instead of outboards. I would say that 44lbs of thrust should be enough for most situations. Just keep the oars handy for the time that you forget to charge the battery. Also before you sail your boat in the sound, make sure that your trolling motor is designed to handle salt water.

 

[HarryP33]

Welcome Aboard

Something I might add regarding salt water sailing... pay attention to the tides if you are not familiar with them. When the wind dies, even a 44# motor may struggle with currents caused by tides, especially an August full moon tide, etc. We almost lost a mast to a low bridge years ago when, suddenly, the wind finally decided to resume. That was close.