DonnW, fishing Rigs

[Greg H]

Think I'll try out the new section... [img]smile.gif[/img]

Don, here is another rig that was used on crabbers in the Chesapeake region.
To depowr the rig, all you do is let the sheet fly, and the sail trails out downwind. No stays on the mast to interfere, and the boom keeps tension in the sail so it doesn't flog around much.

Sprit Boom Rig

"The Chesapeake "Crabbing Skiff" . . . A popular workboat along the East
Coast from Cape Cod to Maryland during the 1880s to early 1900s. These shallow draft
sailing workboats were referred to as "Flat Irons", due to the characteristic shape of the
hull. Crabbing Skiffs were built with one or more half decks used to stiffen the structure
and provide bow and stern stowage. These skiffs could be operated by one person."

Another Picture
http://www.cmdboats.com/w15.htm

[Donn]

Thanks, Greg. I like it, but I think I'd need a slightly deeper hull, to carry all the pots and gear. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for something appropriate and used.

[Dave Fleming]

Donn, the traditional one in Long Island environs was the 'Sharpie' or variations on it. Little on the big side perhaps for you as they ran, IIRC, about 25 or so feet and up to the high 30's in length. Your working water depth is going to place a qualification on any design choice I'm thinkin'.

[Greg H]

I was looking at the sailing rig, in particular. It is adaptable to different hulls.
But Sharpies are neat boats too. I have a small one with the sprit boom rig, not big enough for fishing really.

Here are a couple from the LI Sound area....

http://www.parker-marine.com/sharpie27page.htm
http://www.parker-marine.com/sharpie18page.htm

[Donn]

Dave...water depth definately is a deciding factor. I'm at the shallow end of the bay..3-4' and less, outside the channels. I also don't need more than 16-18' in length, and about 6' of beam...about the size of my fiberglass dory.

Hey...maybe I'll just turn the dory into a sailboat. I read the page you sent on the sprit rig, and it seems simple enough for even me to handle. Get me a mast and sail, install a centerboard box, and a rudder. Eh?

[Dave Fleming]

Nah, before I would go through all that work, I would snoop around now that the summer is over and see what lurks in the corners of some local marinas with a For Sale sign on it.
You know your particulars ie: LOA, Draft etc., so you are ready to eliminate the boats that don't fit your needs. Keep the one you have for what you use it for and just add another boat to your fleet.

I read your post about storm surge in the canals.
I was wondering about that for some time.
You get a 'goodie' out of the southeast and what does that do to you?

[Donn]

Dave...since I've lived here, the water only came over the bulkhead once...by a few inches. That was also during a nor'easter. The bay to the SW is narrow, and there isn't much water in it. When the blow comes from the NE, it drives water from the deep end of the bay down here, and we get our highest water.