Hi!

I fell in love with the looks of the little darling, and would now like to sail her. I bought a used one from a gent who built it some 4 or 5 years ago, and had it shipped to me up here in Massachusetts (west of Boston). I've a trailer, sails and oars for it as well. I tried taking it out once but the rudder kept coming undone (floating away as it were, a common problem I hear) and I had problems getting the sprit rigged properly. I've several questions, so I may as well start with the first first:

1) I sailed a bit as part of the Naval Academy sailing team about a million years ago, but that was on 42' Luders yawls, and I don't really have a clue about how to sail a small craft like this. What should I read/do, and where would/could I do this?

2) Where could I read about/learn good rowing technique?

3) Where could I read about/learn small boat handling?

4) What should I do to my little Skerry to keep the rudder attached? What's the latest thoughts on that?

5) How do I go about setting up the sprit rig?

Thanks for your thoughts/times! It's a beautiful boat, and I can't wait to use it regularly!

Best,

Steve Harris

Welcome Steve, I think there are many here who can help you with all queries. I found it helpful to row for awhile before sailing as it allows you to get used to its light weight, secondary stability etc. Rowing just takes practice. Spoon bladed oars work best and try to row directly into the wind and avoid strong cross winds. I secure my rudder with a long piece of shock cord but most here with a drill press have drilled a hole in the male piece and secure it with a pin.
David added a pennant to the sail which makes it easier to catch and then attach to the sprit. I like to use a rubber band to help hold the small piece of rope to the little dowling rod ears of the sprit.
This sounds funny but I've found the best sailing books in the children's section of the library.

All the best,
greg.

Hi Steve
So many questions. Well I can answer some.
The rudder tends to float up if it is not fastened. I use a little pivoting lock sold by CLC at http://www.clcboats.com/shop/products/boatgear/sailing_gear/0000-GPS00.html
The pintle and gudgeon are well shown in the photo but it also shows a little angle iron with one hole in it. It gets attached just above the pintle/gudgeon and allows you to install the rudder when it is turned on its side. Then you twist it up and it stops the rudder from popping out. Next time I'm near my boat I'll take a picture and send it. Make sure you attach it to the top pintle/gudgeon so that you can access it while in the boat if you have to.
As far as setting up the sprit I first attach the sprit end on the sail and loosely attach the other end of the sprit to a rope which gets attached to the mast. I don't tighten it very much. Just sort of let it hang loosely. It keeps it in place but lower than when you are sailing. When I'm ready to go I just pull on the tightening end and tie it to the mast. I've installed a cleat so its quite easy. I'll take a photo of that as well. I assume you have tied and laced your sail to the mast and boom. Make sure the foot of the sail is nice and reasonably tight against the boom.
Learning to sail is another business. What I've found out after 8 times out is that the boat is really forgiving and will take big choppy waves 4 feet high without taking in a drop of water.
It took a bit of getting used to the rudder set up and I eventually tied it to the boat loosely so that if I accidentally let go of the rudder it can be fished out by pulling on the rope.
(I said I was a beginner) Otherwise it ends up dragging behind the boat and you have to lean out the back trying to fish out your extension. Not to mention that it also pulls on the rudder and turns the boat around.
I sit on the floor just behind the middle seat. That seems to give the best balance.
The skerry is really light and will go when the bigger boats at my club are quite becalmed. The down side is that the boat is really light and you have to make sure your weight is centered otherwise the balance will be off and it will want to turn.

When I'm ready to sail I prepare the boat on its little trailer on land. I set up the mast with the sail laced on and the blocks attached to the middle of the boom. I set up the sprit loosely as described above. I tuck the boom up and attach it along with the sprit with a bungee and a rope up against the mast. I put my rudder on with the lock on and a rope keeping the pivoting bit up. The centreboard I just keep loose in the boat until I've put it in the water. I make sure the watertight covers are on. After sliding the boat into the water I either row far enough to lower the centreboard, and loosen the rudder pivoting bit and tie it down. Then I undo my bungee and rope and lower the boom and tighten the snotter. Then I attach the block to the rope on the middle seat and quickly get the boat under control by tightening the sail and pointing the rudder in the right direction. It helps to visualize the whole process before you do it then quickly do it. Your procedure depends on how you launch and if there is alot of wind and which way it blows.
good luck

Hi Steve
Here is a photo of the lock on my skerry rudder. the image is a few down.

http://www.christinedemerchant.com/hull2.html
Have fun