new picnic cat 14 owner

[bruce]

No, as I've described, the water backs up the drains routinely. If the boat is on its lines, as it will probably be on a mooring or slip unless you've got a lot of extra weight somewhere, it will be fine. An oversized motor on the transom will upset the trim. But, step on the boat and head aft, and the drains will likely submerge.  It's a design flaw, but easily dealt with. I still like the boat.

The problem is the boat only displaces 500 lb., so is very sensitive to live ballast. Having the cockpit sole higher, with more slope in the drain, would solve the issue. Or, embrace the cockpit live well and foot wash.

[Roger]

from the pic of the board lanyard you sent it appears that you just drilled a hole in the board and put a stainless bolt and washer through it or the lanyard to attache to?

[bruce]

I used a small bow shackle. Gives you something to attach to the board and tie on to. I got one from West Marine with a 5/32" pin, part #5253539. The pin is tight, and won't vibrate lose, so I didn't bother mousing it (seizing the pin with wire to prevent it from unscrewing).

Chafe won't really be a problem unless it's under load, i.e. pulling out the CB, so lots of ways to do it. There is a slight chance of something catching on the shackle and lanyard as it streams through the water, and I'm sure it generates a little turbulence. You could tie a line directly to the board to mitigate that even further. No need to tie a loop or stopper knot on the end until you're sure you need it to get a grip. You're just looking for some way to grab the the board as you splash about. I hope to never use it!

[Finbar Beagle]

Bruce,

Do all picnic cats have an anode on the centerboard, or did you add your later.

I keep mine in the trailer, or at best 1 week in brackish salt water.  I never thought about it before.
( and don't want to climb under if I don't have too.)

Thanks,
Brian

[Finbar Beagle]

Roger,

Just a quick note, Barnegate bay is relatively shallow.  The chance of going turtle is low.  You mast will get stuck in our famous mud before you go full over.

I have gone turtle before when I was a kid on a snark wildflower, and luckily a retired couple came up in their cat boat, threw us a line, and with their motor theey gave us a quick pull, to break the suction.

On Barnegate bay, help is usually close.  I fear hypothermia more than turtle-ing.

Bruce really knows his stuff, but I did not add the lanyard to my centerboard.  I am not sure I could even pull up the board weight while standing on an upside down wet hull. 

I do wear life jacket when sailing alone.  I have a good waterproof marine hand radio, and waterproof case foe cell phone, and 6 optimist floatations bags.  Sea tow (aka "sea vultures") are a common sight.

Also, I have learned not to drill holes in a boat if it can be avoided. 

Hope to see you out on the bay.  I am trailer launching my picnic cat next weekend.  Spent this beautiful weekend getting boat, and myself ready.

Again, Bruce really knows his stuff, and I have been very pleased with his help over the years. 

Regards,
Brian

[bruce]

Hey Brian, no, not all PCs have zincs on the CB. Mine came with them in 2011, but I didn't request them. I would have thought your boat, built later, and known to be going to NYC, would also have been so equipped. I don't need them, I dry sail!

Roger, Brian is an experienced sailor, also owns a CP 19, and sails your waters. I would encourage you to meet up with as many Barnegate Bay sailors as you can, before you plan too many mods. Local knowledge is invaluable!

Also, I'm guessing at this point, that your Boston Whaler experience is on powerboats and not a Harpoon, Supercat, or Squall. That's great! The better we know your background, the better we can field your questions!

[Finbar Beagle]

I did have a Boston Whaler Harpoon 5.2, for 2 seasons.  She was fast, and very tender, but was too worn out, and hard to maintain/repair. 

I guess "race horse" may be best that I can say.

[bruce]

I haven't sailed one, but that's what I figured.

There's a chance they'll open the state ramps around here this week. What that will look like as far as traffic is anyone's guess, probably crazy for a while.

[Roger]

Thanks to both of you.Most  helpful indeed.
Yes my BW experience has been on powerboats. So its mainly the weather watching in the area that I am familiar with. Years ago I did sail a hobie 16 and later a 17ft Slipper. Fall and Spring the sailing will be in Pittsburgh on Lake Arthur

[Roger]

One more thing. I am picking the boat up in Fort Worth this week. How sturdy is that boat top cover that goes over the  boom?
Should I remove it when highway traveling or will it shred?

[bruce]

We trailer a lot, but only a few miles to the ramp.

Lots of folks here have logged serious miles and I'm sure will chime in about how to prepare for a long trip like this, the trailer and the boat.

Com-Pac ships the boat with the sail rigged, and sail cover in place. They wrap the whole bundle tight with stretch wrap. Any loose fabric or line will flog away smartly, as you expect. The boat cover should definitely be stowed in a locker, IMHO.

[Floridagent]

I towed my new Sunday Cat from Lake Lanier, GA down to Eustis, FL.  The sail, rigging, and sail cover were all wrapped in stretch wrap reinforced with duct tape in some places where it touched hard rigging.  Both are available at big box lumber stores or maybe Ace hardware.  All survived with no damage!  Good luck and congratulations!
//Bob

[Finbar Beagle]

Roger,

The boat cover should be stowed while trailering.  It is not aerodynamic, and too expensive to risk.

Make sure mainsail cover on, and wrapped tight.  I use elastic sail ties with the balls in the end, and also a few short old lines.

Make sure you put up the mast and take her down again.  This will let you see that lines and stays are clear.  These should all remain attached for the trailering, except the forestay.  Always make sure all is free before raising the mast.  So if previous owner is willing, probably good to have him raise the mast.  My side stays always need to have the turnbuckle pre-positioned, otherwise they will jam when you raise the mast, and you end up an inch or two too short to pin the mast.

On long hauls, I try to stop once an hour to check that the boat is OK, and to feel the temperature of the wheel bearings.

Always make sure the boom and gaff are below the mast hinge, before lowering the mast.  Many of us forgot and you can easily damage the sail slug track.  It happens so often, Hutchins can supply a plate for the repair, if needed. 

[bruce]

Roger,

Given the discussion so far, I'd be most concerned that the trailer was up to the trip. You'll likely be focused in issues with the boat, but the trailer can leave you on the side of the road.

Unless I felt confident that I could evaluate the trailer's condition, I would want independent confirmation before I headed out for a long haul. A few minutes at a trailer shop could be invaluable. Certainly I'd check the wheel temps frequently, as Brian suggests, I'd use a hands-free IR thermometer, but what if they are elevated, what do you do then? I'd check before I started out, even if it meant an extra night.

BoatUS has trailer insurance that might be worth considering. Like AAA, it will take them a while to get there, but they have the network to help you out no matter where you are. Lots on boats make long trips without issue, but we've all seen some poor guy in the breakdown lane and thought, "man, am I glad that's not me."

Good luck! I sent you a PM, check My Messages.

[Finbar Beagle]

 Bruce,

Great point.  When I bought my CP-19, the trailer looked ok, form what I could see with the boat on top.  Wheels good, axles ok.  After moving boat 30 miles and having it lifted, I was shocked at how rusted the frame was.  My next stop twitch trailer was the junkyard.  I never did get another trailer for the 19, which explains why I have a PC now.  The ultimate easy tow and launch sailboat...