Owen Buerkle

June 2, 2011

Sam,

I launched my Candlefish this weekend and am very happy with the performance so far. I am using a 9.8hp and get 25km/hr (15.5mph) with two people and some gear and 28-30km/hr (18.6mph) with just me. The one issue I have is a lot of spray in choppy conditions with wind -- my wife and I got soaked on the maiden voyage. The boat handles a chop really well -- it is so rigid. I am really impressed and it rides really smooth in my opinion. I think the relatively deep keel must be helping to split the waves.

I am thinking I should add spray rails of some type -- I thought somewhere up along the length of the lower side panels. Do you have any advice on location, size or construction?

Thanks very much. Let me know if you would like some pictures.

Owen

June 2, 2011

Hi Owen:

I would love to see some photos of her and I've attached a drawing that will show some railings along the edges of the lower panel that will help with the spray. They are 77 inches long and show clearly in these two views. We just revised the plans and these are some of the new drawings.

Congratulations on your successful build and launch and I hope she gives you many happy days on the water.

Regards, Sam

June 2, 2011

Sam,

Thanks very much! I have attached a few pictures. You can see that coincidentally I selected the same interior bench layout you now show. I pondered long and hard and am very happy with the full length benches now that I have them. They make a good brace for your knee when standing in the boat. I made some rod racks underneath, too.

I noticed that you added an interior gunwale, additional knees and a breasthook to the plans -- are these needed for strength in any way? What motivated these changes? I am a worrier so if you recommend them, I would consider adding them next winter.

That spray rail detail is immensely helpful. I was dreading finding a way to epoxy on rails without messing up my paint job and spending time refinishing. Polysulfide and screws I can do in a weekend. I'll encapsulate some extra purpleheart and they will be gorgeous.

Thanks again,

Owen

See plans, specs and a description of this boat in the Design Catalog & Store.