JEM Watercraft

Very happy to announce that I've got a South Wind 15-30 kit on order!

Why the kit? Well, a while back I drove around and collected about a dozen sheets of luan (from 2 different sources,) with the idea of building as light as possible. That collection was being safely stored in spare room, laying flat on the floor. After a while, I had to vacate that room (to insure domestic harmony,) and was forced to store the ply up against a wall.

At this time, that stack of wood resembles an accordion, I mean, we are talking warp-city! As I explained to Matt, I didn't want to build a floating concertina. (Maybe later. . . ) I could replace that with more of the same, or lay it flat, wet it out a bit and try to fix it, or go for some 1088 good stuff. Looking at that thin, warpy-wood, I think it might have been the wrong stuff in the first place. Only two veneer's with some suspect-looking filler in the middle.

In any event, I decided to use the warpage as an excuse to try the kit. And as far as that goes, Matt was a pleasure to deal with over the phone. This particular boat had not be "kitted" as yet, so some adjustments had to be made. All done in short order, with no hassle at all!

Not sure when I'll actually start the build, as I'm still involved in the house renovation thing. But things are at a point where I can probably work on that and the boat, more-or-less at the same time.

I'm still looking towards including a sailing rig on this build, so I'll be thinking in terms of "rudder," "mast step," and "lee boards," as well as rod holders and depth finder installs.

And to Mick and anyone else who replied to a post I made a few days back, I'm sorry I wasn't able to reply, I'm was having some home network problems and only managed to get online by luck, once in a while. That has be temporarily fixed, and will be "really fixed" very soon!

So, "Hey! How 'yall doin'?" (My way of saying I've missed "talking" with yoose guys!)

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

Mike S...

Keep us posted on the build , I for one am very interested in it since I can't decide between the North or the South but as normal lean towards the beautiful south in more ways then one.

By the way , smart move on the kit from Matt , his kits are well thought out and easy to build. I really enjoyed making the Sasquatch 14 x 30 from the kit. All the hard work was done , all I had was the fun part of putting it together.

Chuck.

Chuck
You build the Southwind and I will build the Northwind and then we will get together and paddle them.
Course we going to charge Matt for the traveling expenses and the r@d
Ron

tx river rat wrote:Chuck
You build the Southwind and I will build the Northwind and then we will get together and paddle them.
Course we going to charge Matt for the traveling expenses and the r@d
Ron

Good idea Ron....... I had a idea , an off the wall one and was asking Matt about it but the South 15 x 30 looks like the answer.

Ron,

If that's the plan, then might I suggest that when the building is said and done, we give serious thought to moving the get-together over to Mick's place? I mean, if Matt's footing the bill, that is. . .

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

I'll provide peanuts for the flight over.

Mike,

I have just ordered the plans for the very same boat, I think in my head I've planned to rig it for sail and maybe a small electric motor (for those really windy changes) but....

Hope you're gonna keep a builders log so we can compare notes. I'll have to work out what I'm going to do as there are a number of things to do differently for the rudder and mast steps. I think I'd like to try to build them in to keep options open and use it for many different things as long as the weight and performance ain't too compromised.

I'll be starting in the New Year, Hoping the plans arrive next week and have given myself 3 months to complete it (but I'm not keeping myself to that it's just it starts getting cool here then so epoxy doesn't like the cold) so lets see how we go.

Tor

Tor,

Not sure exactly when I'll get a start, but it won't be too long. When I do, I'll be post a "build thread" and including a lot of pictures. I'm at work right now, but when I get home, I'll post some links in this thread to other threads on this Forum where the sail rig as been discussed and fairly well worked out.

Later!

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

I feel for ya Mike. My son is back from the big mid-east sand box we call Iraq, and it's been hard to justify taking time out to start my Freedom 18 build. Hang in there, we'll both get to our builds if the Almighty allows!

Lee

Just a quick post before I'm back at the *ork place!

Good sail rig info: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2145
Hoz provided some very detailed info and suggestions about the size of the sail.

When I can find it, I also have bookmarked info on building the mast. Both the "bird's mouth" method, and the one I like better, the "faux bird's mouth" method.

For Lee:

My thanks and admiration to your son!

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL