Stealing Horses launched - Dick Burnham



Here's a photo of gaff peaked with self made blocks working -- this taken when test "sailing" in our driveway last season.



Stealing Horses finally floated off the trailer, twice, but she was at last at home. Not that that pivot pin covers didn't leak or that the forgotten tape and epoxy at bulkhead limber holes didn't ooze water. But all that is hopefully just part of the learning experience. We have her on a lake, at least for this season, in southern Vermont where we hope to learn the ropes, and to get into the sailing of this wonderful design. Later we'll plan our escapades on the coast.



A photo with a view of Stealing Horses from the transom with the British Seagull (a noise generator but a trusty outboard) hanging out. Sails a mess, but what did we know?

Our 2nd (and last) launch was in flooding conditions. We learned to disconnect trailer from truck, to rope trailer to truck and ... let that trailer roll! Actually we had to push it a bit to get into water deep enough to float boat off the trailer. It went well if with hearts in throats.

Astute viewers will note that the blocks are self built, that the masts are hollow "bird's mouth" spars. Here's a rundown on materials:

Raka epoxy, fillers, f'glass tape, etc.(Larry is a good helper) BS6566 Meranti marine grade plywood from Noah's Screws,bolts,rods from Merton's Fiberglass in Massachusetts (Joe is a great help) Sails sewn by Ulla from Sailrite kits (Jeff will hold your hand until you've finished sewing...) Kirby paint for topsides and Salty Dog tar finish for rubrail (George or Bill know what it is that they make for you) Hamilton Marine for line, fittings, fenders, varnish (Captain's) and such

Cheers!

Dick and Ulla in western Massachusetts and now constant visitors to a lake somewhere in southern Vermont!