My American Sail - Sailing Page

That white line you see going from the boom to the top of the mast is the topping lift.

And while the factory concept of using a towel at the back of the boat to rest the mast on works, I wanted something better. So I built a “Mast Crutch” which is very much a work in progress. I currently am on design # three. If I come up with something better, I will post it here.

I started experimenting using a pulley and a rope. And I also tried creating my own jib boards and poles as well. Nothing I tried works well. One bit of good news, the more often you do it the easiler it becomes. Its still arkward however. (. PS: The same problem exists with all sailboats).

Still I am experimenting. If I come across something better you will see it here. As I found out, you need to keep an oar or paddle with you. If you have the outboard quit on you, or if you have to “Fend Off” to keep from a collision with another boat, well it comes in handy. Also a tow line. Where I sail is thankfully well traveled. But you can not count on the kindness of strangers to rescue you if you get stranded.

I joined BoatUS as twice now the outboard let me down and I needed a tow and was not in a position to use the sails. The Long Island Sound is a big body of water that can get quite nasty. I have been on the Sound (while on the Ferry) during Lightning Storms. Even Smithtown Bay can be dangerous. So you got to know that I wear my PDF (: Life Vest).

As you can see, the 14.6 is not exactly a small boat.

The American Sail is proving to be a very robust boat, and I like the fact that it will float in as little as 4inches of water. A few times last year I was one of the few boats getting in and out of the local inlet at low tide. The motor on my boat is a Tohatsu 3 ½ hp, short shaft which I bought used (supposedly it was about 8 months old and used less than a dozen times when I got it). Last year it ran like a champ, but I have had my share of trouble with it this year. All of which can be attributed to my lack of experience, I try not to make the same mistake twice.

This motor seams like a good pick for someone like me who is just starting out. Not too complicated and easy to operate. During this past winter I have picked up a Nordica 16 boat as well, so be sure to check it out on the net, and if you like flying check out my adventures on  http://the.quest.for.wings.tripod.com/ .

Note: This web page moved from prior location due to web site close out. 

Have you ever wanted to learn to sail? Well that was me. And it still is. While I am learning I have no claims to being knowledgeable or skilled. This is my second summer a float. Last year I purchased my first sailboat and took two days of lessons before heading out into the long island sound.

While I am sure that any boat can be capsized every one I have spoken or corresponded with (on the subject) tells that the American Sail is hard to capsize and easy to up right if there was a problem. At the end of summer last year, I picked up a Midland (two way, water resistant) hand held radio. I didn’t do it so I could yak with other boats, but so I could call for help if I get into trouble and for weather updates.

This past week, we went out fishing on the South shore. There was lots of chop and boats under 14 feet were not allowed. Most of the boats there were powerboats. A few weeks ago we checked out Lake Ronkomia and the states public boat ramp there. We saw one boat, but there were a few trailers so most have been more we didn’t see. No gas motors allowed there.

Life goes on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8xDpUgilw8&feature=related

I have come across a few notes and postings here and there about the American Sail 14.6. If your reading this you have no doubt discovered the same thing. The only user group I have found so far for this boat has nothing to do with sailing. Big let down.

To date I have tried my hand at inventing solutions to problems as I see them. One was the Toping Lift. Thankfully I found a great article on the net for that. Another was for a Boom Crutch. I hate to say it as I don’t like the way it looks, but the factory idea of using a towel is hard to beat.

One of my home built Mast Crutch’s.

Now here’s one found on the net that is very nice. (Photo Credit unknown, but from what I have been told it might be the folks at "Fleet130.Org).

Now this is one is called the Gudgeon and I like the looks of it, but no one I have come across knows who makes it or if its even available. Too bad.

Another area I have been experimenting with is putting up and taking down the mast. A better way is needed. If I come up with something I’ll post it here. Like I said before this problem is common to all trailerable sailboats, not just the American Sail 14.6.

The Ritchie Angler surface mount compass.

I have also experimented with the Ritchie Angler compass. The dam thing is large, but with my eye sight I figured I mite need some thing that is easy to read at a glance. Because I am not in a hurry to start punching holes in the boat (, to mount equipment), I have been using heavy duty water proof Velcro tabs to mount stuff (like the compass).

 

This past winter I put my boat up on an improvised stand so I could clean up and paint the trailer, but not long after getting started winter came charging back along with heavy winds and rains, knocking the boat down.

There was some damage which looked worse than it really was, but I had it looked at. All of the boat repair services I talked to wanted a hell of a lot of money for something relatively minor. So I decided when the weather got better roll up my sleeves and fix it myself. Its been about 30 years since I have done any kind of work with fiberglass.

When Carter was the president, most of us in the military became experts at maintaining and repairing equipment with what ever materials were at hand. When ever some one went back to the states on leave we would load him down with buy lists for parts (mostly Radio Shack) to keep our RF4-C recon birds flying and our PRC 77 Back Pack Radios Working .

There are so many good web sights and so much information out there that I have nothing new to pass on when it comes to repairing fiberglass-gel coats. One of my first stops on the net is always BoatUS.

Below are a few pictures. If I keep the boat beyond this year I might paint it, but for now what I have is fine, as you can see below.

Sunday, 15 November 2009 

 November 2009, the boats put to bed just before the North Easter Hit us

For a while now I have been thinking about starting a Users Group for the American Sail sailboats. A web resource of some kind would be a great help. You know what I mean, a place to learn, share knowledge and swap stories related to this subject.

From what I have heard others say I guess I was not the only one to have expressed that same thought. You can check it out at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMERICAN_SAIL/

Over the past year I have been sharing my discovery’s, and ideas on the web. Recently I had corresponded with Mr. Dave Stanton, the President (of American Sail, Inc.) and designer of the A-14.6 Over a 30 minute phone call he was kind enough to answer some of my questions and share his ideas on that boat as well as their product line. My hats off to Mr. Stanton.

While I have nothing against the hard working people at our large corporations, we need more people like Mr. Stanton, who are producing products that are made here, at home, employing our fellow citizens and paying taxes that support our communities, not to mention producing some of the best products used on the water today.

Mr. Stanton had responded to my comments on the difficulty I have raising the mast on sail boats. I currently have two, one is an American Sail, and one a Nordica 16. I have sailed on a few others as well. I have yet to find a system that a single person can use to raise and lower the mast by themselves that I care for.

In the back of my mind I am always concerned that I will drop the mast and bean some poor person nearby or their property. Its awkward and maybe a bit on the dangerous side.

The main issue here is the (long) mast which can be difficult to handle, then securing it to the “Stern Head”. American Sail on their 14.6 and 18 foot sailboats have simplified the process a lot, but I find I don’t have the best of backs and so, for me raising the mast on most boats can be a little daunting. I have tried home made “Gin Poles” and used various different arrangements with ropes and pulleys. In fact I am developing a new Gin Pole idea now, but it is not ready for prime time yet.

Apparently the folks at American Sail have been looking at the issue as well and have promised to send me some information and perhaps a unit to test on some thing new that they have been working on. They have also looked at the issue of “Mast/Boom Crutches” and may have something coming out in the future there too.