Gary, Thank you for this video! It helped me decide which of Jim's designs to build..first...lol. Took it out last night for the first time winds were light but it sailed well and ghosted along in not enough wind to feel getting us back to the dock without shipping the oars. I will be bringing it up to the 120 in may! Ty Rob
Gary - What can you tell me about Piccup Pram? I'm looking for a small sailboat to build. What about capsize tests? What do you observe? What waters is it reasonable to sail in?
Old Goat: I haven't done a capsize test, I assume it would be like other Michalak designs in that the mast, yard & boom would keep it from turtling and it would be righted fairly easily, but with quite a bit of water in it. Reboarding would probably have to be over the stem or stern, so having something to grab on to and perhaps a step rope to help would be a good idea. For it's size, Piccup is incredibly seaworthy, which is mostly why I've never capsized it. It is intended for semi protected waters but I would do a Florida 120 in it. Last year, I'm sure I would have finished the Everglades Challenge in it because it was mostly medium to strong following and reaching breezes. Like any small boat, there is a certain size and spacing of waves that gives it fits, usually about 1.5 to 2 footers closely spaced. I would build the leeboard 3 inches wider than designed and put the entire extra width on the forward side of the board. That vastly improves the pointing ability (I suspect my sail is no optimally made for windward work.) The larger board will still fit in the upper leeboard guard as designed. If you can handle the extra length and weight, either Woodbo or Wooboto will be significantly faster (Six sheets of ply vs. five for Piccup). Piccup will not feel slow, but being a shorter boat won't be as fast. Either design can be launched from the lightest trailer without getting anything but the edge of the wheels wet. In moderate winds, Piccup will average 3.5 to 4 knots and in perfect conditions she will do 5 knots with some higher bursts. Hope this isn't TMI and helps!
Gary great video thank you for sharing it. Just curious which size sail are you using in video and your comment below about using 3" larger leeboard is that 3" larger then the larger option that Jim talks about in piccup plans?Thank you.
The sail in the video is the older (original) 55 sq. ft The plans (I am building one currently) also give the details for a 68 sq. ft rig that Jim actually recommends using instead.
Great little boats !
Very laid back and relaxing 😎. I really enjoyed this. Thanks
Very nice movie. Thanks for shooting it.
Gary, Thank you for this video! It helped me decide which of Jim's designs to build..first...lol. Took it out last night for the first time winds were light but it sailed well and ghosted along in not enough wind to feel getting us back to the dock without shipping the oars. I will be bringing it up to the 120 in may! Ty Rob
Great video! Tribute to a great design. My plans are still on the shelf awaiting ply and epoxy...
very cool boat !
I sail a old Foldkajak Klepper 1965-70.
Same category as glockfan, I need to just start building. what a great video.
Gary - What can you tell me about Piccup Pram? I'm looking for a small sailboat to build. What about capsize tests? What do you observe? What waters is it reasonable to sail in?
Old Goat: I haven't done a capsize test, I assume it would be like other Michalak designs in that the mast, yard & boom would keep it from turtling and it would be righted fairly easily, but with quite a bit of water in it. Reboarding would probably have to be over the stem or stern, so having something to grab on to and perhaps a step rope to help would be a good idea. For it's size, Piccup is incredibly seaworthy, which is mostly why I've never capsized it. It is intended for semi protected waters but I would do a Florida 120 in it. Last year, I'm sure I would have finished the Everglades Challenge in it because it was mostly medium to strong following and reaching breezes. Like any small boat, there is a certain size and spacing of waves that gives it fits, usually about 1.5 to
2 footers closely spaced. I would build the leeboard 3 inches wider than designed and put the entire extra width on the forward side of the board. That vastly improves the pointing ability (I suspect my sail is no optimally made for windward work.) The larger board will still fit in the upper leeboard guard as designed. If you can handle the extra length and weight, either Woodbo or Wooboto will be significantly faster (Six sheets of ply vs. five for Piccup). Piccup will not feel slow, but being a shorter boat won't be as fast. Either design can be launched from the lightest trailer without getting anything but the edge of the wheels wet. In moderate winds, Piccup will average 3.5 to 4 knots and in perfect conditions she will do 5 knots with some higher bursts. Hope this isn't TMI and helps!
Gary great video thank you for sharing it. Just curious which size sail are you using in video and your comment below about using 3" larger leeboard is that 3" larger then the larger option that Jim talks about in piccup plans?Thank you.
The sail in the video is the older (original) 55 sq. ft The plans (I am building one currently) also give the details for a 68 sq. ft rig that Jim actually recommends using instead.
Well, get the ply and epoxy and get started! If I can be of any help. let me know.