Dave,

As a lover of traditional small craft, I really enjoyed  the online
duckworks mag as well as the fine websites for the Cortez Small Craft
Festival and the Florida Gulf Coast TSCA.
(See: http://cortezvillage.org/smallcraft.aspx and
http://www.tsca.net/FGCTSCA/Projects/Projects.html
)

I plan to visit Cortez sometime soon and dream about taking my
melonseed to Cedar Keys one day.

I have great admiration and respect for those with the skill and
determination to build their own boats in wood or whatever.

(I once owned a wooden boat, an object of great love/hate resulting
from my inability to deal with the constant maintenance issues. I was
overjoyed when it finally left my driveway with its new owner.)

One sentence in the duckworth melonseed review jarred me: "They have a
gaff rig and are made of wood so they count."

Since many wooden boats these days are infused/slathered with epoxy, I
would hope y'all can find room in the small craft brotherhood for us
fiberglass melonseeders.
We too should count toward the goal of  keeping the love of
traditional small craft alive.

Hoping you'll still be willing to talk to me if I show up at your shop,

John Farnham
"Nipper ", Crawford MS 313

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On Nov 30, 2009, at 10:54 PM, David wrote:

> Some beautiful melonseeds are shown in this issue of Duckworks, some
> of you will hate it cause they came out of my shop,(I can't imagine
> why) the rest will enjoy the beauty of these hulls. Dave
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/09/reports/dec/index.htm
>
>

check out the SailingTexas website - there is one in SC, a 1999 model #206 I
believe. Latest price update was 11/15/2009. I passed on this one when I bought
#197 from SC myself. Dean (in NC)

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, kjolsen1 <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone know of any used Crawford Boat Building Melonseed Skiffs for sale?
Interested in acquiring one.
>
> Thank you.
>

Some beautiful melonseeds are shown in this issue of Duckworks, some of you will
hate it cause they came out of my shop,(I can't imagine why) the rest will enjoy
the beauty of these hulls.   Dave                 
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/09/reports/dec/index.htm

Roger,  may be interested in this boat.  Left a message for you at your shop.  
Really would like a later model center board.  Haven't ruled out buying new, but
would prefer something slightly used.

I can be reached at 860-874-6262

Regards,

Karl Olsen

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, roger_d_crawford <no_reply@...>
wrote:
>
> Portland, Maine.  Mid $5000's.
>
> RC
>
> --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "tommyuke" <tom.pritchard@>
wrote:
> >
> >
> > How much do you think it will be and location?
> >
> > Thanks
> > --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, roger_d_crawford
<no_reply@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I  got the word today that one of the older Melonseeds from the
daggerboard era needs a new home.  She's in really good shape for her age, and a
great chance to get a Melonseed at a reasonable price.  A two year old trailer
with almost no use goes along with her.
> > >
> > > I have not received the details of price yet, but should know in a day or
two.
> > >
> > > If anybody out there has an interest in this boat, email me directly and I
will keep you in the information loop as soon as the details emerge.
> > >
> > > Roger C.
> > >
> >
>

Does anyone know of any used Crawford Boat Building Melonseed Skiffs for sale?  
Interested in acquiring one.

Thank you.

I've posted five pictures for your enjoyment of a melonseed built by one of the
worlds foremost traditional builders, Roger Allen. This one is the most
incredible piece of craftsmanship I've ever seen anywhere. The only complaint I
have is that he covered up all of this inside art work. This design is his
Cortez melonseed #1.  Dave

I set up my sail to reef if needed, which involves lowering it a bit on the
mast, which is why it is not overly tight against the mast at the top.  The
Crawford boat is heavier than mine, I think, and my sail is larger, so I wanted
to have that reefing option.

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, msmelodie36 <no_reply@...>
wrote:
>
> Steve,
>
> I look at your picture and i notice that the sail is hold on the mast with a
long line passing each grommets on it. if you look at the top of the mast a lot
of stress is put by the sprit and the line can't keep the sail near the mast. I
think that you can gain a bit on the crease by having smalls lines for each
grommets, you will ensure this way that the sail is kept in line with the mast.
>
> I'm jealous of you, sailing this time of the year...
>
> Marc
> MS #319
> Melodie
>
>
> --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "duckworksevents"
<slansdowne@> wrote:
> >
> > I'd like to eliminate the crease in my sail that runs from the luff at the
top of the mast to the clew (see the photo on the cover of the "Barto 13.5 foot
centerboard" album).  I think that further adjustment of the sprit and boom and
downhaul will do the trick, but thus far I've not figured out exactly how best
to eliminate the crease.  Adjusting the sail once underway is difficult, so I'm
thinking about running the snotter lines from the sprit and boom to the cockpit
so this can be done while I'm on the water.  I made progress by tightening the
downhaul, but I also realize that my goal should be not only to eliminate the
crease but also to be able to have the sail loose for light winds and tight for
stronger ones, which at the moment is a secondary concern.  Another photo in the
album shows how bad the crease is before I tightened the downhaul.
> >
> > This sail design is vertical cut as recommended by the designer (which
differs from the cross cut configuration that Roger likes) but I haven't yet
used the battens.  I built a boom like Roger's boats have (rather than the one
in the plans that has jaws and runs along the foot).  I wonder if the front of
the boom sets too high on the mast, and if lowering it would change the boom
angle with respect to the deck and help get rid of the crease.
> >
> > Boy, I love this boat!  (Yes, I know my oarlock risers are not installed in
the photo.  I need to raise them up to keep my oars from hitting the tops of the
cockpit coamings when I row.)
> >
> > Suggestions appreciated.  My condolences to all you east coast folks who can
no longer sail due to cold weather.  This photo was taken last Sunday in Austin.
> >
> > Steve Lansdowne
> >
>

The pictures of the boats on their side is to show that they float dry on their
sides when capsized so flipping is a non event. If you're really good you can
right one without even getting wet. It's fun to do just to play. The masts are
hollow Douglas fir or spruce and are light enough to just pick up and stick in.
We tried to break the first one of these boats to be completed by putting in
four really big guys (over a thousand pounds) and going out in a blow of about
25. Can't believe we didn't sink but we could hold her flat and nothing broke,
the bend at the top relieves some of the pressure.  I run a non commercial
development boat shop up the road a ways from you near Bradenton. We have about
12,000 feet of misc shop space with three full time master builders here six
days a week and three part timers. I'm the ringmaster of this circus. We build
all kinds of boats and experiment thinking outside the box, really fun. There's
never any hesitation about changing, modifying or cutting it up and starting
over. Lots of boats come out of the shops, some good, some great and some crap.
Never know till you try, that's what we do. We're really lucky to have on the
other side of town the Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez where they make
traditional boats using traditional methods under the direction of Bob Pitt and
Roger Allen, the Michelangelo of wooden boat builders.  If you'd like to come up
and take a look at the shops contact me and I'll show you around.   Dave

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, John Farnham <djfarnham@...>
wrote:
>
> David,
>
> All flames aside, I find the gaff rig a very interesting concept for
> light air,
> though I'm so lazy that I'll likely to stay with the simple and easily
> stowable standard Crawford rig.
> Why so many photos of Cortez 15 seeds in the water on their sides?
> Is this the way you rig them? With the gaff, the sail and the boom all
> on the deck, how do you get the mast up?
> In heavier air have you had any mast failures? The pics show some
> pretty impressive leeward bend at the masthead.
>
> John
> A Wisconsin melonhead, wintering in Punta Gorda
>
>  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> On Nov 25, 2009, at 9:32 PM, David wrote:
>
> > Easy, to get better performance, easy adjustments and way better
> > look just lengthen your mast a little, change to POS sprit into a
> > gaff and then you'll have a peak halyard and a throat halyard for
> > perfect trim in all wind conditions, adjustable from the cockpit. Dave
> >
> > --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "duckworksevents"
> > <slansdowne@> wrote:
>

David,

All flames aside, I find the gaff rig a very interesting concept for
light air,
though I'm so lazy that I'll likely to stay with the simple and easily
stowable standard Crawford rig.
Why so many photos of Cortez 15 seeds in the water on their sides?
Is this the way you rig them? With the gaff, the sail and the boom all
on the deck, how do you get the mast up?
In heavier air have you had any mast failures? The pics show some
pretty impressive leeward bend at the masthead.

John
A Wisconsin melonhead, wintering in Punta Gorda

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On Nov 25, 2009, at 9:32 PM, David wrote:

> Easy, to get better performance, easy adjustments and way better
> look just lengthen your mast a little, change to POS sprit into a
> gaff and then you'll have a peak halyard and a throat halyard for
> perfect trim in all wind conditions, adjustable from the cockpit. Dave
>
> --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "duckworksevents"
> <slansdowne@...> wrote:

Thanks to all for taking time away from that pumpkin pie and turkey to share
your ideas.  I'll try tightening up the sprit snotter more and then venture
forward on other ideas if that doesn't do the trick.

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, msmelodie36 <no_reply@...>
wrote:
>
> Steve,
>
> I look at your picture and i notice that the sail is hold on the mast with a
long line passing each grommets on it. if you look at the top of the mast a lot
of stress is put by the sprit and the line can't keep the sail near the mast. I
think that you can gain a bit on the crease by having smalls lines for each
grommets, you will ensure this way that the sail is kept in line with the mast.
>
> I'm jealous of you, sailing this time of the year...
>
> Marc
> MS #319
> Melodie
>
>
> --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "duckworksevents"
<slansdowne@> wrote:
> >
> > I'd like to eliminate the crease in my sail that runs from the luff at the
top of the mast to the clew (see the photo on the cover of the "Barto 13.5 foot
centerboard" album).  I think that further adjustment of the sprit and boom and
downhaul will do the trick, but thus far I've not figured out exactly how best
to eliminate the crease.  Adjusting the sail once underway is difficult, so I'm
thinking about running the snotter lines from the sprit and boom to the cockpit
so this can be done while I'm on the water.  I made progress by tightening the
downhaul, but I also realize that my goal should be not only to eliminate the
crease but also to be able to have the sail loose for light winds and tight for
stronger ones, which at the moment is a secondary concern.  Another photo in the
album shows how bad the crease is before I tightened the downhaul.
> >
> > This sail design is vertical cut as recommended by the designer (which
differs from the cross cut configuration that Roger likes) but I haven't yet
used the battens.  I built a boom like Roger's boats have (rather than the one
in the plans that has jaws and runs along the foot).  I wonder if the front of
the boom sets too high on the mast, and if lowering it would change the boom
angle with respect to the deck and help get rid of the crease.
> >
> > Boy, I love this boat!  (Yes, I know my oarlock risers are not installed in
the photo.  I need to raise them up to keep my oars from hitting the tops of the
cockpit coamings when I row.)
> >
> > Suggestions appreciated.  My condolences to all you east coast folks who can
no longer sail due to cold weather.  This photo was taken last Sunday in Austin.
> >
> > Steve Lansdowne
> >
>

Steve, I don't think you were on line when I showed the comparison of different
sail rigs on the 13's. The picture I posted next to yours is a centerboard
Crawford melon with a gaff rig that was designed and built by the Florida Gulf
Coast Maritime Museum for an owner who wanted better performance in light winds.
With this rig, "Sugar Baby" was unbeatable in a 5kt breeze. Those of us out with
her that day could not believe how Capt. Long (how's that Barry?)could walk away
from us "bigger and faster" boats. Your boat looks great, by the way.   Dave

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "duckworksevents"
<slansdowne@...> wrote:
>
> Dave - what the heck is a POS.  Also, I assume if I lengthened the LOA to 15
feet you'd be happy also.  Any tips on how to do that?
>
> Karen - I emailed you with some sightseeing tips.
>
> Steve
>

Glad to hear from you Karen. Every pot needs to be stirred once in a while to
keep things interesting. And since all of us are sailors salty language and rum
drinking should be expected, no required. And,,,,Steve did ask how to get the
crease out of his sail and I did tell him one way to do it, even posted a
picture. I guess getting burned at the stake for expressing differing views
didn't go out with Joan of Arc after all :0)  No need to get defensive about
your boats, they are the most beautiful things on the water. I can spot a
Crawford hull from a mile away and just love to stand and look at it's curves,
uh oh, that sounds like another mental quirk that lots of us have.   I hope to
meet all of you at Cedar Key on May 1.  Dave

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "kpautz" <kpautz@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Dave, Dave, Dave. I can only guess that you make these passive-agressive posts
because you crave attention, and therefore, by responding, I'm actually just
feeding the troll. I should ignore your post, or perhaps simply point you to
some of the late-night infomercials that try to assist with particular, um,
insecurities.
>
> But really? POS? Just 'cause you're uncomfortable using a sprit doesn't mean
it's a POS. Oh, and in your post, it should be "the" POS, not "to" POS. If
you're going to flame a group that really doesn't get into that kind of stuff,
at least do it with some grammatical flair.
>
> Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm thankful to have a sweet little boat that
sails well and keeps me out of trouble even when it has a crease in the sail.
:-)
>
> Hey Steve! I'll be in Austin for a convention in a couple weeks. I'll mostly
be stuck inside the convention hall, but what's one thing I should see while I'm
there? I've got tickets for Esther's Follies. :-)
>
> Karen
> MS #267, the lovely Folderol, who in just a couple of weeks will be heading to
sunny (please please PLEASE be sunny!) Florida
> SH #113, Dressage Queen, all buttoned up for the winter
>
>
>
>
> --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "David" <skipjack@> wrote:
> >
> > Easy, to get better performance, easy adjustments and way better look just
lengthen your mast a little, change to POS sprit into a gaff and then you'll
have a peak halyard and a throat halyard for perfect trim in all wind
conditions, adjustable from the cockpit.   Dave
> >
> >
>

Steve,

I look at your picture and i notice that the sail is hold on the mast with a
long line passing each grommets on it. if you look at the top of the mast a lot
of stress is put by the sprit and the line can't keep the sail near the mast. I
think that you can gain a bit on the crease by having smalls lines for each
grommets, you will ensure this way that the sail is kept in line with the mast.

I'm jealous of you, sailing this time of the year...

Marc
MS #319
Melodie


--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "duckworksevents"
<slansdowne@...> wrote:
>
> I'd like to eliminate the crease in my sail that runs from the luff at the top
of the mast to the clew (see the photo on the cover of the "Barto 13.5 foot
centerboard" album).  I think that further adjustment of the sprit and boom and
downhaul will do the trick, but thus far I've not figured out exactly how best
to eliminate the crease.  Adjusting the sail once underway is difficult, so I'm
thinking about running the snotter lines from the sprit and boom to the cockpit
so this can be done while I'm on the water.  I made progress by tightening the
downhaul, but I also realize that my goal should be not only to eliminate the
crease but also to be able to have the sail loose for light winds and tight for
stronger ones, which at the moment is a secondary concern.  Another photo in the
album shows how bad the crease is before I tightened the downhaul.
>
> This sail design is vertical cut as recommended by the designer (which differs
from the cross cut configuration that Roger likes) but I haven't yet used the
battens.  I built a boom like Roger's boats have (rather than the one in the
plans that has jaws and runs along the foot).  I wonder if the front of the boom
sets too high on the mast, and if lowering it would change the boom angle with
respect to the deck and help get rid of the crease.
>
> Boy, I love this boat!  (Yes, I know my oarlock risers are not installed in
the photo.  I need to raise them up to keep my oars from hitting the tops of the
cockpit coamings when I row.)
>
> Suggestions appreciated.  My condolences to all you east coast folks who can
no longer sail due to cold weather.  This photo was taken last Sunday in Austin.
>
> Steve Lansdowne
>

Steve,

Obviously your sail is cut differently, and your sprits are set differently,
than is the case for those of us on Crawford boats. That said, it certainly
looks as though your spirt can go way up from where it's set in the photographs.
You've got to get good tension on that sprite, and bear in mind that it'll
usually slacken off as you go, so being a bit heavier than you think is
necessary is often best.

From the pictures it looks as though you can set it properly, but if it doesn't
happen, talk to your sailmaker. The sail may not have been cut perfectly. That
happens.

Trevor
MS #408, Otter
The boat is where she's gotter be for the winter.

My apologies, Steve. I should have changed the subject line on my response to
Don and Carol.

Anyway, I've always found when setting my sail before I head away from the
dock/beach, I set the sprit first. I have to crank the sprit snotter a lot
tighter than I would think appropriate. Then I attach the boom tight enough to
remove any wayward creases. Then I hop in and only worry about any creases in
the sail if someone's trying to take a photograph. :-)

Thanks for the Austin recommendations.

Karen
MS #267, the lovely Folderol



--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "duckworksevents"
<slansdowne@...> wrote:
>
>
> HELP. My thread's been hijacked/led off topic.  Melonhead pirates?
>
>
> --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "kpautz" <kpautz@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Don and Carol.
> >
> > My brother and sister-in-law live in Punta Gorda (on Charlotte Harbor). I do
most of my sailing there, but would love to meet up with any fellow melonheads
within a couple hours' drive of PG. I have a bunch of horsey friends in Ocala
that want me to visit, too.
> >
> > I head down on approximately the 14th of Dec., and return in time to go back
to work on Jan. 11. It's my annual moochfest-and-vitamin-D-replenishment trip.
:-)
> >
> > Karen
> >
> >
> > --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, Don Pigeon <donpigeon@>
wrote:
> > >
> > >  Ahoy Karen!
> > >  What part of sunny (and it will be sunny), Florida are you headed for?
There are a few of us Melonheads down this way on the West coast.
> > >
> > >   Don and Carol Pigeon
> > >   MS #45
> > >   the Carol Ann
> > >
> > >
> >
>

HELP. My thread's been hijacked/led off topic.  Melonhead pirates?


--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "kpautz" <kpautz@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Don and Carol.
>
> My brother and sister-in-law live in Punta Gorda (on Charlotte Harbor). I do
most of my sailing there, but would love to meet up with any fellow melonheads
within a couple hours' drive of PG. I have a bunch of horsey friends in Ocala
that want me to visit, too.
>
> I head down on approximately the 14th of Dec., and return in time to go back
to work on Jan. 11. It's my annual moochfest-and-vitamin-D-replenishment trip.
:-)
>
> Karen
>
>
> --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, Don Pigeon <donpigeon@>
wrote:
> >
> >  Ahoy Karen!
> >  What part of sunny (and it will be sunny), Florida are you headed for?
There are a few of us Melonheads down this way on the West coast.
> >
> >   Don and Carol Pigeon
> >   MS #45
> >   the Carol Ann
> >
> >
>

Hi Don and Carol.

My brother and sister-in-law live in Punta Gorda (on Charlotte Harbor). I do
most of my sailing there, but would love to meet up with any fellow melonheads
within a couple hours' drive of PG. I have a bunch of horsey friends in Ocala
that want me to visit, too.

I head down on approximately the 14th of Dec., and return in time to go back to
work on Jan. 11. It's my annual moochfest-and-vitamin-D-replenishment trip. :-)

Karen


--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, Don Pigeon <donpigeon@...>
wrote:
>
>  Ahoy Karen!
>  What part of sunny (and it will be sunny), Florida are you headed for? There
are a few of us Melonheads down this way on the West coast.
>
>   Don and Carol Pigeon
>   MS #45
>   the Carol Ann
>
>

Dave - what the heck is a POS.  Also, I assume if I lengthened the LOA to 15
feet you'd be happy also.  Any tips on how to do that?

Karen - I emailed you with some sightseeing tips.

Steve

Dave, Dave, Dave. I can only guess that you make these passive-agressive posts
because you crave attention, and therefore, by responding, I'm actually just
feeding the troll. I should ignore your post, or perhaps simply point you to
some of the late-night infomercials that try to assist with particular, um,
insecurities.

But really? POS? Just 'cause you're uncomfortable using a sprit doesn't mean
it's a POS. Oh, and in your post, it should be "the" POS, not "to" POS. If
you're going to flame a group that really doesn't get into that kind of stuff,
at least do it with some grammatical flair.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm thankful to have a sweet little boat that
sails well and keeps me out of trouble even when it has a crease in the sail.
:-)

Hey Steve! I'll be in Austin for a convention in a couple weeks. I'll mostly be
stuck inside the convention hall, but what's one thing I should see while I'm
there? I've got tickets for Esther's Follies. :-)

Karen
MS #267, the lovely Folderol, who in just a couple of weeks will be heading to
sunny (please please PLEASE be sunny!) Florida
SH #113, Dressage Queen, all buttoned up for the winter




--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "David" <skipjack@...> wrote:
>
> Easy, to get better performance, easy adjustments and way better look just
lengthen your mast a little, change to POS sprit into a gaff and then you'll
have a peak halyard and a throat halyard for perfect trim in all wind
conditions, adjustable from the cockpit.   Dave
>
>

Easy, to get better performance, easy adjustments and way better look just
lengthen your mast a little, change to POS sprit into a gaff and then you'll
have a peak halyard and a throat halyard for perfect trim in all wind
conditions, adjustable from the cockpit.   Dave



--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "duckworksevents"
<slansdowne@...> wrote:
>
> I'd like to eliminate the crease in my sail that runs from the luff at the top
of the mast to the clew (see the photo on the cover of the "Barto 13.5 foot
centerboard" album).  I think that further adjustment of the sprit and boom and
downhaul will do the trick, but thus far I've not figured out exactly how best
to eliminate the crease.  Adjusting the sail once underway is difficult, so I'm
thinking about running the snotter lines from the sprit and boom to the cockpit
so this can be done while I'm on the water.  I made progress by tightening the
downhaul, but I also realize that my goal should be not only to eliminate the
crease but also to be able to have the sail loose for light winds and tight for
stronger ones, which at the moment is a secondary concern.  Another photo in the
album shows how bad the crease is before I tightened the downhaul.
>
> This sail design is vertical cut as recommended by the designer (which differs
from the cross cut configuration that Roger likes) but I haven't yet used the
battens.  I built a boom like Roger's boats have (rather than the one in the
plans that has jaws and runs along the foot).  I wonder if the front of the boom
sets too high on the mast, and if lowering it would change the boom angle with
respect to the deck and help get rid of the crease.
>
> Boy, I love this boat!  (Yes, I know my oarlock risers are not installed in
the photo.  I need to raise them up to keep my oars from hitting the tops of the
cockpit coamings when I row.)
>
> Suggestions appreciated.  My condolences to all you east coast folks who can
no longer sail due to cold weather.  This photo was taken last Sunday in Austin.
>
> Steve Lansdowne
>

Try tightening the snotter on the sprit first and then adjusting the downhaul.
(jealous in Massachesetts)
--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "duckworksevents"
<slansdowne@...> wrote:
>
> I'd like to eliminate the crease in my sail that runs from the luff at the top
of the mast to the clew (see the photo on the cover of the "Barto 13.5 foot
centerboard" album).  I think that further adjustment of the sprit and boom and
downhaul will do the trick, but thus far I've not figured out exactly how best
to eliminate the crease.  Adjusting the sail once underway is difficult, so I'm
thinking about running the snotter lines from the sprit and boom to the cockpit
so this can be done while I'm on the water.  I made progress by tightening the
downhaul, but I also realize that my goal should be not only to eliminate the
crease but also to be able to have the sail loose for light winds and tight for
stronger ones, which at the moment is a secondary concern.  Another photo in the
album shows how bad the crease is before I tightened the downhaul.
>
> This sail design is vertical cut as recommended by the designer (which differs
from the cross cut configuration that Roger likes) but I haven't yet used the
battens.  I built a boom like Roger's boats have (rather than the one in the
plans that has jaws and runs along the foot).  I wonder if the front of the boom
sets too high on the mast, and if lowering it would change the boom angle with
respect to the deck and help get rid of the crease.
>
> Boy, I love this boat!  (Yes, I know my oarlock risers are not installed in
the photo.  I need to raise them up to keep my oars from hitting the tops of the
cockpit coamings when I row.)
>
> Suggestions appreciated.  My condolences to all you east coast folks who can
no longer sail due to cold weather.  This photo was taken last Sunday in Austin.
>
> Steve Lansdowne
>

I'd like to eliminate the crease in my sail that runs from the luff at the top
of the mast to the clew (see the photo on the cover of the "Barto 13.5 foot
centerboard" album).  I think that further adjustment of the sprit and boom and
downhaul will do the trick, but thus far I've not figured out exactly how best
to eliminate the crease.  Adjusting the sail once underway is difficult, so I'm
thinking about running the snotter lines from the sprit and boom to the cockpit
so this can be done while I'm on the water.  I made progress by tightening the
downhaul, but I also realize that my goal should be not only to eliminate the
crease but also to be able to have the sail loose for light winds and tight for
stronger ones, which at the moment is a secondary concern.  Another photo in the
album shows how bad the crease is before I tightened the downhaul.

This sail design is vertical cut as recommended by the designer (which differs
from the cross cut configuration that Roger likes) but I haven't yet used the
battens.  I built a boom like Roger's boats have (rather than the one in the
plans that has jaws and runs along the foot).  I wonder if the front of the boom
sets too high on the mast, and if lowering it would change the boom angle with
respect to the deck and help get rid of the crease.

Boy, I love this boat!  (Yes, I know my oarlock risers are not installed in the
photo.  I need to raise them up to keep my oars from hitting the tops of the
cockpit coamings when I row.)

Suggestions appreciated.  My condolences to all you east coast folks who can no
longer sail due to cold weather.  This photo was taken last Sunday in Austin.

Steve Lansdowne

REDUCED PRICE on this boat. $4750 !  Good boat, good caring original owner (one
of the real original Melonheads), good deal.

RC

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, roger_d_crawford <no_reply@...>
wrote:
>
> Portland, Maine.  Mid $5000's.
>
> RC
>
> --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "tommyuke" <tom.pritchard@>
wrote:
> >
> >
> > How much do you think it will be and location?
> >
> > Thanks
> > --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, roger_d_crawford
<no_reply@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I  got the word today that one of the older Melonseeds from the
daggerboard era needs a new home.  She's in really good shape for her age, and a
great chance to get a Melonseed at a reasonable price.  A two year old trailer
with almost no use goes along with her.
> > >
> > > I have not received the details of price yet, but should know in a day or
two.
> > >
> > > If anybody out there has an interest in this boat, email me directly and I
will keep you in the information loop as soon as the details emerge.
> > >
> > > Roger C.
> > >
> >
>

Hi Frederick
Welcome aboard. I also have a sailing dory, though not a Crawford. She's 18'8",
beamy (6'6") and sprit rigged. I'm across the Sound, maybe we'll get the boats
together someday.        -John

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "FREDERICK"
<frederick.yale@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Thanks for letting me become a group member.
>
> I do not have a Melonseed, but do have a Crawford 16' Dory from late 1986
which is currently undergoing restoration.
>
> Thanks for admittance, and I am especially interested in the sailing reports
that appear from time to time.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Fred Yale
>
> Guilford, CT
>
> http://tinyurl.com/yh84yky
>

Portland, Maine.  Mid $5000's.

RC

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "tommyuke" <tom.pritchard@...>
wrote:
>
>
> How much do you think it will be and location?
>
> Thanks
> --- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, roger_d_crawford <no_reply@>
wrote:
> >
> > I  got the word today that one of the older Melonseeds from the daggerboard
era needs a new home.  She's in really good shape for her age, and a great
chance to get a Melonseed at a reasonable price.  A two year old trailer with
almost no use goes along with her.
> >
> > I have not received the details of price yet, but should know in a day or
two.
> >
> > If anybody out there has an interest in this boat, email me directly and I
will keep you in the information loop as soon as the details emerge.
> >
> > Roger C.
> >
>

How much do you think it will be and location?

Thanks
--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, roger_d_crawford <no_reply@...>
wrote:
>
> I  got the word today that one of the older Melonseeds from the daggerboard
era needs a new home.  She's in really good shape for her age, and a great
chance to get a Melonseed at a reasonable price.  A two year old trailer with
almost no use goes along with her.
>
> I have not received the details of price yet, but should know in a day or two.
>
> If anybody out there has an interest in this boat, email me directly and I
will keep you in the information loop as soon as the details emerge.
>
> Roger C.
>

Of course I'm replying to you Steve. I'm always interested in homemade boats. Us
home builders are a special breed, nuts. It's always fun to look at the series
of pictures of a boat coming together and reading the description of each step.
To the non builders it appears that you know exactly what you were going to do
and it was easy and fast. We know better, you have no idea what you're doing and
have to figure everything out like you were the first person ever to do it. and
it takes forever and you use foul language and drink a little to help. And when
you're all done you look back and have no idea how you did it, or maybe that's
just me. Now that you know how, it's time to step up to the next level, a 16
footer, that extra three feet gets you twice the boat.   Dave

--- In melonseedskiffmelonheads@yahoogroups.com, "duckworksevents"
<slansdowne@...> wrote:
>
> Assuming you're replying to me, my album is at
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/lansdownes/sets/72157602078215554/
>
> This is NOT the Cortez boat, but rather a Barto 13.5' glued lap boat with a
centerboard.
>
> Steve in Austin
>

Assuming you're replying to me, my album is at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lansdownes/sets/72157602078215554/

This is NOT the Cortez boat, but rather a Barto 13.5' glued lap boat with a
centerboard.

Steve in Austin