ELROW LA ROWE'S MICRO NEWSLETTER
Newsletter #6 Feb. 1985
Micro is the 15th sailboat built by Optometrist Kensett and wife Lee of Chanute, Kansas.
Both are private pilots, finished a wooden homebuilt airplane in 1979 and flaw it to
the Experimental Aircraft Assn. annual meet in Oshkosh, WI. twice! Who could have guess-
ed that I would get to do all those things I have always wanted to do, vicariously,
through Micro builders!
Martin Stevens, Miami, sailed his Micro 5 hours first time out on Biscayne Way, starting
in a 5 K. breeze that went to 20. k die-hard sloop man of planing dinghies, having a
mizzen was new experience, and he could feel "the boat reeducating me", learning
to
swing that long keel through a tack, but "she is basically all I expected and a lot
of
fun to sail". He has a foot longer cockpit hatchway and likes it especially for
starting
his Seagull 0B, and for keeping prop under water in waves when motoring. He's experi-
menting with vertical reefing (WoodenBoat, #59, pg. 36). The above was middle of Jan.
A lovely weekend since "Many appreciative comments both at dock and on the water.
12-15
knots seems optimum wind, this boat, full sail. Got the hang at tacking, easing the tiller
over, slacking off a little en the main, then sheeting in when the bow comes around (with
mizzen sheeted In tight). In Sunday's lighter air went on to the ocean. No problems
except some expected pounding to windward,--alleviated by purposely heeling to present a
V to the waves instead of the flat bottom (Micro doesn't heel much in light air).
"I'm
very much impressed by the whole design!"
Tidbits: Prof. Adler sailed in light air Dec. 24--enthusiastic about boat's light air
performance. His "Magic Tilt" trailer for small keel boats is perfect--made here
in Fl.
Glen-L and others have trailers and trailer kits for all sorts of boats. His motor is
an Aqua-Bug 5.5 hp,full gear shift and remote tank, more than enough power. Most may not
need reverse and remote tank, hard to find in lower power. Suzuki has a 4 with full shift,
and Johnson has a 4 Sail Master with reverse too. Small motors will go far enough for
most on their integral tanks. Cruise'n Carry has a 2.7 air cooled--uses 1/4 gal. per hr.
The Mighty Mite 2 Is water-cooled, under $300, or a kit for your assembly about $200.
I will probably use my 45 year old Elgin air-cooled 2 or a used 3-4 hp, as I don't need
tankage or reverse. Wagon-maker ex-marine Rogers of Kalispell, MT is about done but
stalled by the cold-though huge Flathead Lake didn't freeze over this winter! But, ex-
cuses dwindle, for System Three (5960 4th Ave.,So., Seattle, WA 96108) and Clark Craft
both advertise epoxy glue that will cure at 35 degrees! SBJ, Box 400, Bennington, VT
05201 carries a 2 part article on mast building in Jan. and Mar. issues, by professional
Walter Simmons. Would you believe he uses Weldwood Plastic Resin glue exclusively?
Nearly half of' the plan owners signed up for the Newsletter--a really great response,
since many aren't building now, and some just bought recreational reading---like I have
done most of my life! Fall was dead, but plan sales picking up sharply from Jan.
I. M. Grove of Sunnymead, CA built the 2nd Pirogue--builds one Bolger design after another
-- to sell to recoup his material costs, etc., and keep going. Retiree Bolay sailed his
12' OldShoe on Lake Tarpon here several weeks ago, in a duster--20 K. of wind with gusts.
Wonders if Bolger realizes what a good boat it is, even clawing to windward in heavy
going.
I expect to sail and report on it and Steven's Micro yet this month (but exempt the report
until next Newsletter).
From Bolger's file: I made a bo-bo somewhere in the plan material. To get a reefing
effect, flatten the sail with the snotters to feather in strong wound, he says. To make
your own sail track, make a hardwood batten 1/8" thick by 3/8" wide, putting a
stainless
track on top of it 1/16" thick by 5/8" wide, screws into meet to be $6, at least
3/4"
long, heads flush. I bought from Defender, sold at a ratio of $18 for 12'. If you don't
use a track on your main, the snotter block will mess you up some when it comes to
furling.
Note the"mast taper is a curve, and it does awake a difference". He
comments on brail
reefing (goes back to about 1880), drawbacks being leaving semi-loose flaps of sail aloft,
furling line makes windage, and is a nuisance when furling (extra line on deck, etc.).
CA now has the largest number of plan owners. Plan in Spain now, and a 2nd one to Tas-
mania. Carpenter Rieken, Nederland, CO is well along; appears 7-8 will launch early
Spring. Forgot--Grove corrected my "how-to-do" on Pirogue for me--big helps
Alkerd of
Gladstone, OR says 1/4" marine ply at Linnwood cost only $12.80. Enjoy! E. La
Rowe