Anybody still alive in here?

[erik schmalz]

No messages since Jan '22? That can't be good....

I can't say that I'd ever be a big help in making the class viable, but I absolutely will stick with this boat until it kills me (probably the more likely option) or I learn to sail it competently. 

That being the case, it would be REALLY helpful to have the info from the now gone singlehandedskiffs site. Any chance of that happening, even if only in google drive or something? For myself, I'm specifically interested in the boat setup info, but I think there was a lot of good info there generally that would be a help to anyone just starting with a Swift. As someone nowhere near other Swift Solo sailors and with no other skiff experience, it's nearly impossible for me to figure stuff out without help.

I hope everyone is just too busy sailing to mess with this sort of thing, and not that everyone has given up on their boats!

[Robert Harper]

Welcome. Things kind of dropped off after COVID. I've moved to a small farm and I am not as close to water now. Father time hasn't been kind to me as well.

I think the best advice I can give is to sail flat and fast. When the boat heals, the rudder comes out of the water and you lose control. If you try to sail slow, the sail loads up and you lose more control. Sailing fast, the boat handles well and is, relatively, easy to sail. Try to keep your speed up when jibing. At speed, there isn't much pressure in the rig, slow down and there is a lot of pressure in the rig, especially with the kite up.

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-- 
Don't be good. Have fun.
Live large, sail fast, and love lots.

[Paul OSullivan]

Eric great to hear from you .. the very best person to talk to is Philip Ryan … if he does not respond then I can send you his contact info you I can ask him to contract you … 

Btw we are looking at running a summer regatta next year .. 

I send a more detailed post later .. work ing on a deadline today 

Paul Osullivan
CEO, AMP RE Consulting. 
Paul.osu...@gmail.com
916 224 2374 

[Mark White]

Yep still here, just working a lot!

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 13, 2023, at 15:29, Robert Harper <rha...@xmission.com> wrote:



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[Robin Smith]

Hi there,

Still alive and kicking! I sail the Swift weekly during our season, but Ludicrous is in the shop now for the winter. Thirteen items on the repair list for 2024.

Robin Smith

--

[Paul OSullivan]

Robin, Great to hear from you !! More later running out of the door to teach this morning .. 

All the best Paul 

Paul Osullivan
CEO, AMP RE Consulting. 
Paul.osu...@gmail.com
916 224 2374 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/CACBnOVCA%3DAjqJ4pLY75k3KSfxsEEZunonUR6t_dwV47fT%3Dd9hg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Paul OSullivan]

Mark good to hear from you, more later today !! 

Paul Osullivan
CEO, AMP RE Consulting. 
Paul.osu...@gmail.com
916 224 2374 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/53EA34D1-1EF7-48AA-B893-6A89C40170FF%40gmail.com.

[erik schmalz]

Glad to hear from all of you! 

Robert, I hope you’re doing okay- the small farm sounds like a wonderful thing though, even if not as close to water. Father time is chasing me down- next year is a big one (50)- so I figure I need to get to work on this thing in case my nursing home has a pond. :-)

My Swift (and even my Force 5) spent all summer sitting on the trailer. Lots of change and other stuff going on, but it just makes me that more determined to get back out on it next year. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/505F0760-1FA6-42AE-83ED-7319D0BABD3E%40gmail.com.

[Philip Ryan]

Hey Erik,

My status with any sailing is that I'm still trying to recover from severe sleep deprivation and the PTSD that it caused. I'm either too dumb or too unfocused to be able to rig the boat at the moment. I'm sleeping a little bit better, and a little more often, so I hope I can get back to some sailing next season.

I don't know where my info is; some of it is gone, lost when my car was broken into. If I got on the boat, I could figure out what the numbers for set up are, fairly easily. 

A -The biggest mistake most folks make is to run the rig without enough tension. 

- Unless you are a really big guy (250 lbs ish) you will need the rig tight enough to keep the leeward main shroud just snug, not floppy. 

- The upper will always be very floppy on the leeward side, loose enough to wrap once around your pinky finger when on the beach with sails raised.

- and wherever your rig ends up, the lowers should be tight enough to keep the lower section of the mast dead straight if not slightly inverted when on the beach with no sails on.

B - As for the rake, assuming everything else is right (main/jib relativity control, sailing flat, shrouds as above) then

- the helm should be anything from neutral to very slight weather helm 

- if it has lee helm, the rake is probably too upright/mast head forward

- if it has nice solid traditional weather helm (like your force 5), the rig has too much rake/mast head too far back.

C - the process is, after letting the boat sit with tension for 1/2 hr and re setting tension as in "A"

- sail the boat and observe the main shroud while going up wind

- make mental note of how the helm is

- return to shore, measure the tension and rake (via forestay length - I use a black sharpie mark on the forestay and measure down to a repeatable point on the bow) this can be 2" or 30cm or the full length of your jib halyard. It just needs to be repeatable.

- write the results down (I can't do the process without writing it down. I was never smart enough for that)

- make adjustments to the shroud system and rake

- measure tension and rake and record the new info

- sail the boat again and repeat the cycle

Notes:

- I use the forestay rake measurement process because measuring to the transom from the masthead (the traditional method) introduces too many variables for me to manage (tip flex, mast bend, etc.)

- all observations are made while sailing the boat up wind, not pinching, not footing. Main position is typically eased 1-2 inches from max tight

- this process will generate a tuning chart that fits your boat, your weight, your height, and your sails. It will be different from my numbers, or anyone else's numbers.

- you want to end up with 3 sets of numbers over time based on wind strength: non trapezing (standing in the boat, to on the rail for balance/flat), trapezing full power (light cunningham, fully sheeted, max sail draft), over powered (cunningham on hard, main eased). In general, the rake will be more upright and the tension lighter in low wind conditions, and the rake will be further back and the tension much higher in overpowered conditions.

- On a high performance boat, repeatable numbers are just as important for recreational sailors as for racers. A well tuned skiff is easy and delightful to sail, and a poorly tuned skiff is a miserable, brutal, beast. We are supposed to be sailing for fun!

- measurements before and after sailing the boat even for a few minutes are often surprisingly different.

- each measurement/sailing cycle will get easier and quicker. About 1/2 hr becomes normal. At first, it will be longer, maybe 2 hrs, and then once you know your process it can be as little as 10 min.

I hope this helps,

Philip  

--

[Chris Rudesill]

I am as well.  Unlikely to finish building, but would really like to get the lumber and materials to someone else.

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 14, 2023, at 2:57 PM, Philip Ryan <phry...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Graham Bignell]

Hi Everyone,

Great to hear swift sailors are still out there! I am the Australian contingent and have not sailed for two seasons for various reasons. Recently moved to the Barossa Valley in South Australia and plan to join the Hendley Sailing club which is about an hours drive away. The sailing season has just started so once I have picked my boar up from Victoria, will be back on the water. 

Thanks Philip for the reminder on how to handle a Swift … still struggle with the power but getting there.

Happy sailing,

Graham

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/309EC76D-FE68-413E-9452-E40397EA8852%40gmail.com.

[Philip Ryan]

Graham,

If you are struggling with (over) power problems due to strong wind and you being a lighter sailor:

- make sure that your rig has settled in its tension, and re set it to:

       * rake the mast to max aft. Your forestay length will be about 100mm longer than normal and your shrouds about 50mm shorter than normal

       * max tight main shroud tension.

       * lowers tight enough to invert the mast a little (6-8mm) between the jib halyard turning block and gooseneck. This keeps power/draft low in the mainsail, and helps keep the forestay max tight for depowering the jib

       * uppers looser than normal - leeward loose enough to wrap almost 2x around your pinkey finger. Be careful with loosening the uppers; if they are too loose the spinnaker will invert the upper mast and break it

       * max cunningham to completely flatten out the upper part of the mainsail

- mark your dagger board, and use it 30% raised

- sail as fast as possible. If you think you are sailing fast, figure out how to sail faster. It makes everything easier (except the crashing and swimming... all good things have a price:-)

Have fun sailing,

Philip

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/A3FB53DE-CD8B-40FC-BA95-0D097A5C2701%40gmail.com.

[Graham Bignell]

Thanks Philip. I am 65 kg (143 lb) dripping wet so need all the de-powering I can get. My rig is a little non-standard so some of the de-powering options are hard to achieve. Have been meaning to make some modification so I think now is the time! Thanks again,

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/CAD9YQ04bb70aUL7wkhCLgqqJf3nHcv2Z9k%2BBbR1P6wi0d%3DWWiA%40mail.gmail.com.

[erik schmalz]

Thank you so much, Philip. I didn’t mean for you to have to write all of this stuff down again! I still do think it would be helpful to recover whatever info possible though. If I can be of any help, let me know and I’ll certainly do what I can.

Graham- come to the US and we’ll fatten you up! :-) In 2019 I weighed around 215lbs, but over the pandemic I was under 170 (musician: no work = no money = no food = good diet plan). Sailing was REALLY different. I wasn’t prepared for how much it would change, and my first few outings (even on my much simpler boat) were like re-learning from the start. Sailing like I had before, I was overpowered by the smaller boat, but the Swift felt much better. Clearly I hadn’t been set up right for my heavier weight previously. Anyway, just rambling, but the point is that I definitely learned how much initial setup matters….

-erik

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/EAABE5E0-2D4B-44CD-A2A0-388B2AF94D68%40gmail.com.

[Graham Bignell]

Erik, would love to visit the US and I am sure the Swifters would sort it out in no time. Sadly not feasible at the moment. On the plus side, very inspired to get out on the water here!

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/8F012D61-85C1-48C2-AB86-4C7CD80107CA%40gmail.com.

[Philip Ryan]

Yes...without use of all the proper depowering tools the Swift will be nearly impossible to handle for all but the largest, tallest and most skilled sailors, in anything more than 25 kts. Especially if it is a gusty/puffy breeze. With properly utilized depowering tools, a skilled 150 lb sailor can have fun in 30+ kts (as long as the occasional swimming lesson is acceptable)

So also yes... make those modifications so that at least you can set up properly on shore if not adjust on the water!

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/EAABE5E0-2D4B-44CD-A2A0-388B2AF94D68%40gmail.com.

[Philip Ryan]

Erik - remind me of where you are located. I travel to the east coast periodically. - Philip

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/8F012D61-85C1-48C2-AB86-4C7CD80107CA%40gmail.com.

[erik schmalz]

I live in northwest Connecticut, but I travel a decent bit. On a plane now in fact, going to Cleveland, Chicago, and Goshen, IN for some reason. Last week was Philadelphia and Wilmington. 

This flight will probably take me over the lake where I spend the summers and really the only place I sail (Chautauqua, in western NY), so I’ll be staring out of the window, wishing it was July. 

-erik

On Oct 16, 2023, at 23:55, Philip Ryan <phry...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Philip Ryan]

Well, that's not far out of the way from my route to and from Pt Jervis NY, where I go and work a few times per year.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/1430638A-C776-4F67-A0FF-AC89D5C38529%40gmail.com.

[mike montagne]

Hey, I have a full set of never used banks sails that someone can have if the want them. Seattle area...

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/CAD9YQ07zOw8FNpH3DWT2yjHop-XDo%2BqyOY0NufHiyiFV-cvLsw%40mail.gmail.com.

[David Kerr]

Hello All-

I have Swift (USA 075) that I built a number of years ago.  I have not been able to sail it nearly as much as it deserves.  I’m to the point that I would like for it to find a good new home.  My priority is hassle free.  I would give the boat, trailer, dolly, banks sails, and everything I have related to the Swift to someone that is willing to make it easy for me to give it to them.  I have pictures available for anyone interested, and will gladly answer any questions about the boat.  I’m located in Northern Utah. Email jdke...@yahoo.com or call 801-580-9239 if interested.

Dave Kerr

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/CAHJP8ZjTZy%2B7Z8N0V%2BHpKQfPOtthZfbJVyDbTJ1eaDQXqU9BaQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[erik schmalz]

WOW. And I thought my situation was once-in-a-lifetime!

That’s an amazing offer, Dave, and I can already speak for the taker- he’ll be grateful for life. 

-erik

On Oct 18, 2023, at 09:27, 'David Kerr' via Swift Solo Discussions <swif...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hello All-

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftsolo/74A43968-DEAE-45A9-92E0-53F2E611E360%40yahoo.com.

[Andrew Barr]

It definitely is an offer of a lifetime. I’m not sure how hard they are to export to Canada… anyone have any insights on transferring over the board to stay? 

I’m a cedar strip canoe builder and a swift has been in my radar for a while, but just have not been able to get around to the build. 

Andrew Barr

(519)520-2882

and...@melbarr.ca

Melbarr.ca 

On Oct 18, 2023, at 10:24 AM, erik schmalz <erikrs...@gmail.com> wrote:



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