Mr Ants goes to Washington aka skipper Ants does 2022 Salish 100

[AntsUiga]

The Salish 100 is a week long cruise of about 100 miles from Tacoma to Pt Townsend. Although the initial version had onshore camping, the last version required onboard camping. Every time I go to the PNW, I come back with a vessel, so after the trip this year, I was better equipped to camp on board.



I submitted my application for 2022. After being reminded that the support vessels are emergency purposes, not towing in stragglers, I was accepted. I was one of about 10 purists relying on oars. There is a suitable outboard sitting in the garage, but the logistics of a motor mount on a pointy stern / finding space for gas and motor, the oars seem to be a simple solution.

 

[AlanH]

The Deer Isle Koster?

 

[AntsUiga]

Yes sir! I think I will need every inch inside of it.

The rudder gudgeons and pintles are on the way to be on an inline axis. There is a jig to hold the pieces in alignment so everything can fit correctly. The upper fitting in stern gets cut in and the lower fitting gets a block added. Maybe ot needs a pelagic installed also?

 

[sleddog]

The Salish 100 is a week long cruise of about 100 miles from Tacoma to Pt Townsend. Although the initial version had onshore camping, the last version required onboard camping. Every time I go to the PNW, I come back with a vessel, so after the trip this year, I was better equipped to camp on board.

View attachment 7090

I submitted my application for 2022. After being reminded that the support vessels are emergency purposes, not towing in stragglers, I was accepted. I was one of about 10 purists relying on oars. There is a suitable outboard sitting in the garage, but the logistics of a motor mount on a pointy stern / finding space for gas and motor, the oars seem to be a simple solution.

3 knot average over ground required daily for 4-5 hours. Has that been tested?

 

[Philpott]

3 knot average over ground required daily for 4-5 hours. Has that been tested?

Surely if one waited for the appropriate current 2/x daily it could be accomplished? Go, Mr Ants! More photos, please!

 

[AntsUiga]

3 knot average over ground required daily for 4-5 hours. Has that been tested?

No.

The design calls for 10 foot oars, but the boat came with (clever?) 8 foot closet rods with a paddle on the end. I could use my 9 1/2 foot carbon fiber sweeps, but my friend Mark said that traditional oars are needed.

The operator conditioning is ahem, a little overdue.

Ants

 

[AntsUiga]

More sail Mr Christian

The design has two alternate sail plans, a large standing lug or a smaller lug with a jib. The builder opted for the smaller lug without a jib. The furler is ready and the jib is being stitched.

Then, there is the custom sabot spinnaker which just about the right size.

 

[Philpott]

That's a beautiful spinnaker!

 

[AlanH]

Such a pretty design. I'm not sure you're going to need that jib, Ants! That lugsail looks big enough to me.

Good job on the kickup rudder.

 

[AntsUiga]

As for ‘happy’ accommodation on board, here is the situation. The boat came with an oversize cover that is currently shown in keeping the rain and oak leaves out. The cover will be shortened to serve two functions, 1) a secure travel cover, and 2) a camping cover. The camping cover will have the mast up, and the travel cover will have some dedicated means to hold mast / sail / boom and gaff. Details to be sorted out.

As shown in second photo, the interior seems outright spacious with little inside the cover.

 

[AntsUiga]

Such a pretty design. I'm not sure you're going to need that jib, Ants! That lugsail looks big enough to me.

Good job on the kickup rudder.

The lug sail is cut very flat. It get’s its shape from loosening the lines. When tacking, the sail has no immediate drive. So, the instructions for the jib were to add a little shape so it accelerates faster.

The lug sail will eventually pick up speed, but I like a dinghy type sail that responds quickly then flattens out with speed using sail controls. As an example, the sail outhaul was very difficult to adjust while underway, but a multiple purchase will fix that.

Ants

 

[AntsUiga]

Onboard storage is a challenge in small boats. A week of backpacking fit in a single pack that would fit under the front deck. But, that doesn’t include onboard needs while sailing and navigating.

The design was for a stable day sailer with young sailors in mind. Storage spaces were sealed with round ports to provide safety by way of flotation.

Some of the flotation needs better access. Rectangular ports would help under the seats. The flotation under aft deck could be a nice open cuddy for vhf radio, binoculars, and other stuff.

 

[Philpott]

That's a beautiful bronze (?) cleat, Ants! But ... where on earth are you going to sleep? I sure don't see room for anything but a pretzel.

 

[AntsUiga]

That's a beautiful bronze (?) cleat, Ants! But ... where on earth are you going to sleep? I sure don't see room for anything but a pretzel.

The floorboards will move from bilge to seat level. The builder added lead shot to the bilge and had 40 pounds of loose lead, held down by hinged floorboards. All that is under revision.

Bronze cleat from Duckworks in Pt Townsend. Home made wooden cleats are free to whomever wants them.

My pretzel days are behind me.

Ants

 

[AlanH]

A couple of big dry bags thrown under the foredeck would store a lot. I think I'd want something simple to clip them to, so they didn't get away in case of a capsize, though. It could be simple, like a line or two strung between padeyes in the forward semi-bulkhead.

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

Hi Ants,
Do you worry about losing flotation by putting stuff in the flotation tanks?

 

[AntsUiga]

Hi Ants,
Do you worry about losing flotation by putting stuff in the flotation tanks?

Good question.
The flotation is calculated based on the water displaced and weight of the flotation chamber. With chamber empty, maximum flotation would result. The weight of the items in the flotation volume may only weight 5-10 percent ( at most) of water volume.
So, the loss of flotation is not significant to me.

However, loose items that are not secured are easily lost overboard. It is nice to have things stowed safely.

I found some 7 by 14 access hatches that fit just nicely in the available spaces.

Ants

 

[AlanH]

The Salish 100 is on my radar as well, seeing as the Texas 200 is probably farther than I want to drive and the R2Ak, if it reappears (and I hope it does) is a bit much.

 

[AntsUiga]

The Salish 100 is on my radar as well, seeing as the Texas 200 is probably farther than I want to drive and the R2Ak, if it reappears (and I hope it does) is a bit much.

There seem to be numerous small boat options.
The two mentioned are tough to get subscribed, but closer options exist.

The Sacramento TSCA has a varied agenda from SF area waters up to the Humboldt Lagoons. Poke your nose in, and enjoy the surprises.

I have not abandoned the R2AK, but it is definitely paused. There is the challenge of being personally in shape to be ready for the challenges as well as getting a team inspired while geographically in left field.

In addition, with trailering, there are numerous lake options for regattas, as well as scattered lakes and estuaries waiting to be explored. Small and simple sailing seems to be increasing in popularity.

For me, it is just a case of re-thinking what works best under changing conditions.

No tsunami alerts on Lake Isabella, but there is hopes for a good snowpack to raise levels above record lows.

Cheers,
Ants

 

[AntsUiga]

There is a spinnaker to be added, but the pole is problematic.

Lug sail can be shifted backwards or forward relative to the mast, but one side of the mast has sail in the way. The spinnaker has a traditional cut so a pole is needed.

The only solution that came to mind was to reef the main and use full hoost. The boom would move up to the height of the first reef point (black line on photo).

Does anyone have any better ideas?