Sculling with the CP16

[arw-16]

Many of the old salts may think this not worth mentioning, but those of you who are new to sailing like me may find this helpful.  In some of my reading, I have seen sculling with the rudder mentioned as a means of limited propulsion.  I guess I must have discounted the technique because there was not much explanation given in the book I was reading and I really didn't see how it could be very practical.  This past weekend there was a beautiful moonlit night on the lake so I thought I would give night sailing a try.  Though there was little wind, I couldn't resist the tranquil setting.  After motoring out only a short distance I put up the sails and was able to move around some.  Shortly thereafter the wind almost stopped and I was essentially dead in the water with only an occasional puff.  No problem though, I had the trusty 3.5 hp Johnson that had saved me so many times before.  But there seemed to be something irreverent about cranking a noisy motor; so I determined to patiently make my way back under sail.  The problem however was getting the boat pointed in the right direction with so little wind.  Then I remembered the sculling technique.  I practiced pushing the tiller rapidly from side to side then holding it hard to port.  I watched as the distant lights on the shore over the bow showed the boat was responding by turning to starboard.  I repeated this until I had tacked around and found some air in my sails.  Now slowly progressing back home I enjoyed the peace and quite of the calm night.  Suddenly, from somewhere behind me I heard a huge BOOM!!!  Very startled, I turned quickly but there was nothing there???  I wondered if it could be someone cutting up with a shotgun.  I thought maybe I should reconsider not starting the motor.  Then I saw a stream of ascending light that ended in a cascading umbrella of beautiful sparks.  They were fireworks!  The distance was great enough that the BOOM was a second or two behind the visible explosion which explained why I could not see anything after the first explosion.  I watched the brief show and was thankful I had not been running my motor and missed it all.  Now inspired to be a real sailor and not start my motor at all that night I began experimenting with sculling.  Eventually I found that the rudder works more efficiently as a sculling oar when it is pulled almost all the way up.  This extends the reach of the rudder (sculling oar) and makes the propelling end move faster through the water.  (Think of a prop working better the faster it turns.)  Success!  With the combined efforts of the sails and the sculling rudder I was able to maneuver all the way in without disturbing the tranquility of the night.  Not worth all that much, but I was pleased.

Happy sailing.

Ricky

[Bob23]

Ricky:
   Thanks for the unconventional tip. I agree, on a quiet, moonlit night like you descibed, it does seem irreverant to disturb such peace. I'll give it a try on my 23 and post back when I do. Maybe wednesday night I'll get out.
   Bob in "Koinonia" 

[Rick Klages]

Sounds tough on the gudgeon's.   Motor or sail. rowing, paddling or sculling is inefficient on most real sailboats.

ick

[B.Hart]

I used the sculling method just yesterday when trying to sail out from behind a island and came apon a dead spot. It does work!  BILL

[Rick Klages]

I'd still light off the motor!  Save your gudgeons.

ick

[Bob23]

   It seems that the force on the gudgeons would be no more, probably less than we experience while under sail in strong winds. I do agree, though, about the value of having an auxillary. My Nissan 8 treats me just fine and has gotten my through some strong wind situations where tacking in a narrow, shallow channel would have been unsafe in a 23.
   I've yet to try sculling. As far as rowing, I have the need for speed and rowing a 23 just won't cut it. For rowing, I have a Chesapeake Light Craft "Annapolis Wherry". She'll row a 4.5 to 5 knots with straight 6 1/2 foot spruce oars and faster with the Piantedosi and 9 1/2 foot carbon fiber oars.
   Fair winds to all! Bob23

[Rick Klages]

For rowing, I have a Chesapeake Light Craft "Annapolis Wherry". She'll row a 4.5 to 5 knots with straight 6 1/2 foot spruce oars and faster with the Piantedosi and 9 1/2 foot carbon fiber oars.

Beautiful!

ick

[Bob23]

Hey, Ick: Is that your Annapolis Wherry? She's a beauty! Mine's in a lot rougher shape-has a few miles on her.  I'm gettin' ready to sell her. Having a bit o' trouble with my right rotator cuff...might need surgery.
Bob23

[Rick Klages]

Not mine, It's from thier website.  Whatever else, you do have good taste in boats! I'd make you an offer but I'm too big for her, Id need the Chester Yawl.  I wanted to give other readers a clue, because thats no clunky rowboat there Bob! If you get the cuff fixed your Wherry might be excellent rehab.

ick

[Bob23]

Ick:
   I also like the Chester Yawl. She's quite a bit beefier with much higher freeboard. The AW is really designed for single rowing (despite what CLC says) with either fixed oars or sliding seat. She doesn't like waves above 2 feet.
   The wherry is excellent rehad. I had my left repaired last October 30, and in May, the Doc gave me the ok to row, so row I did. And found out that it aggravated the right. Can't be old age, can it? Nah!!
   In any event, there's a time to buy a boat and a time to sell. I'll probably sell her...I'd love to own an Adirondack Guideboat. Been looking at 'em for a long time and they are fast, versatile, beautiful. And can be sailed, too!
   Well, off to work! See you! Bob23 

[Rick Klages]

I couldn't recall the lines of the "AG" so I had to take a look . Lovely but a bit too "canoeish" for me. I think the Whitehall is my favorite still.

ick

[Bob23]

Ick:
   Interesting, the Whitehall and AG share some of the same qualities. Both being originally designed as workboats, they acually become more stable as they are loaded. I'd have to agree with you, the Whitehall is a bit more sexy. The canoe-ish lines of the AG are what contributes to it's speed- she has quite a long waterline. Each year, there's a guy who enters a Guideboat in the Blachburn Challenge and wins his class. True, he is a rowing animal/athelete, but having the right boat sure doesn't hurt.
   The Wherry has been described (by me) as a boat with an identity crisis. It wants to be a rowing shell but has some whitehall looks!
   So many boats...so little time!
   Bob23