Storm 15: lug vs gunter and motor options

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Author Topic: Storm 15: lug vs gunter and motor options  (Read 1349 times)
Bryan Murphy
Newbie
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Posts: 1


Storm 15: lug vs gunter and motor options
« on: February 16, 2010, 02:12:40 AM »

Hello,

I will be starting a Storm 15 build in Tasmania soon with the kit supplied by Denman Marine.  I am still mulling over a few things. 

1. Most pics & info pertain to the gunter rig, not much about the lug.  Easy single-handing and quick set-up are more important than top-speed or pointing high.  Can anyone give me an idea what I might lose/gain with the lug?

2. What auxiliary power options have been successful?   A motor, petrol or electric outboard, does not have room to tilt-up.  Thus either will drag in the well or need to be lifted out and stored.  How much speed do you reckon would be lost by dragging?  Yes, oars will be onboard, but a power option is still desired...

Thanks for the help in advance,
Murphy
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Julian Swindell
Full Member
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Posts: 171


Re: Storm 15: lug vs gunter and motor options
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2010, 09:43:04 AM »

Hi Murphy
Welcome aboard to the forum and to Swallow Boating.
I have not sailed the Storm at all but I had a lug sail on my Drascombe Dabber, many years ago. It has some advantages over a gunter for ease of handling:
1: You do not need to move the halyard up the yard when you reef, which makes the process quicker.
2: The whole sail drops into the cockpit very quickly if you just want to get it off, in a squall for example.
3: Reefing is quick and easy.

I would recommend fitting a boom, if there is the option. The Dabber lug is loose footed and that offers no advantage at all. The sail does not set on a run and the flailing block on the clew is far more dangerous than a boom, especially if it is a high sprit boom. If it is a balanced lug (the Dabber had a standing lug) you will have a boom anyway.

The engine will drag so you should try to get it out. If it is in a well, which I think it is, it would be easy to lift out one of the very light 2.3 - 2.5 outboards you can get now and stow it in a locker. Check the engine size before you build the locker... You can block off the hole in the  well to get a smooth bottom (and who does not want that?). I would not want to try to lift an engine off an outboard bracket afloat. Either you or the engine, or most likely both,  would eventually end up in the drink.

Keep us posted on the building process. I would really love to build my own boat one day.
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Julian Swindell
BayCruiser 20 Daisy Grace
http://daisygracebaycruiser20no1.blogspot.com/
Terry Cross
Full Member
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Posts: 22


Re: Storm 15: lug vs gunter and motor options
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2010, 05:52:14 PM »

Hello Bryan
We have had a Storm 15 for 2 years. It was built by Bob Jennings and is featured on the forum.
  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"IONA\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" is gunter rigged and is very easy to rig and sail,
however reefing is a bit of a problem as the halyard has to be relocated on the yard. I intend to rectify this by fitting 2 halyards.
Reading Julians reply I tend to agree with him that the lug may be the better choice.

When Bob was building the Storm he could not bring himself to cut the hole for the outboard.  We had the same dilema and decided to leave the hull intact. We are glad we did!
We tried an electric outboard on a purpose built bracket over the side, it worked OK but was intrusive and tended to dip into the water when the boat was well heeled. We abandand that idea.
  Last year I fitted an electric outboard onto the rudder
(featured on the Forum) which is a joy to use.
I am in the process of making a few mods including an uphaul for the outboard. I will keep you posted

Terry Cross IONA
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Michael Rogers
Full Member
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Posts: 58


Re: Storm 15: lug vs gunter and motor options
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2010, 11:43:08 PM »

Hi Bryan

There are other options than gunter or lug. Can I invite you to give serious consideration to Junk rig? No, it\\\'s not just a fully battened lugsail, and recent developments mean a modern junk rig will outperform either gunter or lugsail rigs on virtually any point of sailing, as well as making aspects like reefing a relative doddle.

I\\\'m not sure how many junk-riggers there are in Australia, for advice and encouragement. The JRA will know, and has a good website. I would also say that although the standard text -\\\'Practical Junk Rig\\\" by Hasler and McCleod - is very well written and full of good stuff, it is now seriously out of date with regard to recent (last 10 - 15 years) advances in rig design. The Appendix to the most recent edition touches on this, without being able to provide much practical information. Again, ask the JRA.

There will be at least one and probably two junk-rigged BayCruiser 20s sailing within the next two years - and one re-rigged Storm Petrel, I hope this Spring. Don\\\'t sneer junk rig out of your frame, it\\\'s well worth very serious consideration.

Very best wishes for your build - it\\\'s one of the most rewarding things I have done in my lifetime. Enjoy!! (most of it!)
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Tony
Full Member
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Posts: 118


Re: Storm 15: lug vs gunter and motor options
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2010, 11:09:02 PM »

Hi,, Bryan.
Dont   think   Ive seen a lug-and-mizzen Storm 15 yet.  Does such a thing exist?
Advantages of Balanced lug:

Mast steps further forward than Bermudian or Gunter Lug – more room in the cockpit.

Short mast and spars – even with an efficient, high peaked yard.

Easier to tack than Dipping Lug.

Better off the wind than triangular options – or a standing lug – or gaff rig – as by letting off the down haul you can move the boom across the mast to such an extent that you are almost a square rigger!

In light winds you can set a mizzen staysail.

You can still set a jib (on a bowsprit, to clear the mainsail yard) get a slot effect with the mainsail and add a full knot to whatever you were getting – or as a replacement for the main in foul  weather.... while asking yourself what you are doing out in a small boat in bad winds!

All the above apply to a Junk rig, too.......but the balanced lug uses less string.
Sorry if I sound biased - I sail the Cardigan Bay Lugger (...there is only the one built so far. Rather had its thunder stolen by the BayCruiser...) and love the balanced lug and sprit mizzen rig for its ease of handling and forgiving nature. Shes no Musto skiff around the cans  but then the only cans I have much use for contain a refreshing beverage. Anyway, 6 knots in F5 is enough for me. Any faster and the spray puts me fag out.
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Andrew Denman
Newbie
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Posts: 2


Re: Storm 15: lug vs gunter and motor options
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2010, 07:29:16 AM »

Here\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s a pic of the lug rigged Storm 15 we built earlier this year.  All the point others have raised about ease of use are true and this boat sailed really nicely.  I have built/sailed a number of lug rigged boats over the past few years and really like the simplicity. 

There is also a pic of Murphy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Storm 15 under construction on the right with 2 BR20\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s on the left.

regards,

Andrew


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