should have guessed . . .

Posted By: Brent - N20
Date: 1/1/08 7:30p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: mizzen (Gene Halpern, ex-Nimble 20)

Thanks Gene, I should have guessed that was one of the many features unique to Morgan Truce! As Pooh would say, it was a blustery day with whitecaps in Tampa bay. I was running up the ICW, but had to tie up the sails to go through two bridges. I unfurled the jib, but didn't bother with the mizzen because it wouldn't have helped yet and the channel and traffic were keeping me busy while the wind picked apart the wrapping and started flogging a portion of the sail. I realized the problem when we got out into the bay and could have used the mizzen to balance on the reach. Morgan Truce was still doing four knots or better with just the working jib and the tiller nearly hard over. A little spray in the face from time to time, but not a bad ride at all. Yes, I've been using the the spiffy mizzen cover. I managed to break the zipper and had to rip it out and sew in a new one. Then I realized I'd gotten crossed up and had to rip sixty feet of stitching back out and sew it in going the right direction. I don't know what the heck you used to sew through those stiffening boards at the top, but the guys at the awning shop I showed it to didn't think their machines could go through it! I ended up doing that part by hand with a roping palm (twice). And yes, I'm enjoying the heck out of Morgan Truce. Having to get used to people on other boats taking our picture all the time and I've learned to keep working while talking to the folks who come talk to me at the boat ramp or I'll never get the boat rigged/unrigged. I'm still debugging a few things. The depth gauge goes into random number generator mode (or just stays on 3) at inopportune times and the knot meter frequently fails to notice the boat is moving. The senders are pushed down, but maybe the paddlewheel needs to be oriented? I've had no luck finding a manual (or any other support) for those. The issue most likely to cause mutiny by the cook is an air pocket in the water line that gives a thick stream of water for three strokes and a trickle for the next 30 or so. It likely has something to do with the filter housing. Experimenting with the purge valve seems to make it worse. -Brent (Nimble 20)