Does the year of manufacture make much difference?

[Ozzie]

I meant to add you could also furl your swiveling rig and fly something off the extra stay like a storm jib provided you have a halyard to haul it up I guess. I’ve not done so but could repurpose the topping lift ( that holds the boom up) in a pinch . If you go to John Crawford Marine and go to his library of Investigator Documentation you will find some good reading. Above all keep asking questions as we are only too happy to assist. When I bought Spritzig II I took my rig as shown in the diagram to a local sailing shop and they had not seen it before, nor had my mate with 20 years experience sailing keelers. So don’t feel bad.

[Phil1]

Many thanks for this information.. Actually have Yutori ready for a sail by next week so will see how we go.

[Andrew]

I had to look up what a "hard dodger" was as I thought initially, it was the prevailing character type of Investigator owners? I think I'll get some regular sailing in before I go after a dodger. Nil sailing experience but nearly 7 decades of surfing/powerboats/living on all the islands you're allowed to in WA.
I figure there's a fit decade left in me and I need to try sailing. The Investigator is an obvious choice for my aspirations and lack of any sailing skill base.

Here's an example:
I will ask the forum for some rigging suggestions because I think I have too many fore stays(3)????? I'm thinking
One to raise the jib, one to be the forestay, one to raise potential Spinnaker??

I keep meaning to add that Yutori does have a centre-board plate. It will bend to my will and be operational in the fullness of time

Gidday Phil, your boat looks good

Sounds like you're refering to halyards for raising the sails (usually some wire with braided rope tails or all braided rope) The forestay is part of "standing rigging" -(wires that hold the mast up). The 2 halyards you need are the jib halyard and the main halyard (worry about spinaker/kite halyard later on).

Your library might have some good learn to sail books, i've read a few from my library. They have diagrams of all the nautical parts names of a sailboat. Maintenance, sailing theory, rigging-up, safety and boatcraft in there too.

Agree, best bet is to try a keep it simple and go out in fair weather and calm seas to get a feel for it at first.

Good luck

[Phil1]

Thanks Andrew for the explanation. Provided more clarity. I'm dragging my older brother along when we put Yutori in the water next week. He's a proper sailor and will be helpful if I feed him.

[Andrew]

Way to go, "a well fed crew is a happy crew" said the ancient mariner? You've got the main bases covered, .

[Ozzie]

The other thing i usually suggest is a quiet uncrowded ramp if you can pick a time for your initial launches. Boaties can be impatient and rude at times and you don’t want to be hurried if you trying out new stuff. I usually pretend to be deaf. Getting easier these days as I turn off my hearing aids and I’m almost there.

Your first sail is always fun even if things go wrong. Enjoy.

[Phil1]

Lots of quiet ramps in West Oz to choose from. I'm inbetween Mandurah and Bunbury south of Perth. We will launch it on the farm dam to install keel guides on the trailerl as a first priority. The keel's sitting half on/half off the rollers at the moment.
There is a quote that goes something like: "the problem with continuous improvement is knowing when to stop" But in all seriousness, if one can't get the mast up and down easily, or get on and off the trailer without drama; you won't go sailing as often as you otherwise might..
Will report back with pics of a boat on a small half dry dam (It's been a hot summer here)

[Phil1]

Reporting back after my first sail (ever).
I am stoked (originally surfing parlance)!!! I've spent 3 months on getting it so
* one wouldn't fret whilst towing
* get the mast up and down without drama,
* have the boat slide on and off the trailer in an orderly and well aligned fashion
* have an outboard in an inboard well that was fit for purpose

I figured that my new found love of sailing would wither on the vine if the above measures weren't met.
See photos attached of specific strategies used. Plus we had 10 to 15 knot winds on the estuary and the boat was perfectly well behaved
Thank you forum members for your suggestions and advice!

[Andrew]

Thanks for update and concise documentation Phil, those modifications look good and could assist other owners in future.

Yatori is nicely setup for long highway runs, easier operation and decent winds and sea states. What length outboard leg is needed in the well? (had a yacht like that in past, capable in rough waters, similar to an inboard propped boat for handling/no cavitation)

I've got a blog detailing my Investigator journey. It might have a few useful ideas somewhere there. "Waterways" (Teria563.blogspot.com)

[Phil1]

Thanks Andrew. The motor is a 20 + year old short shaft honda 4 stroke 5Hp. It came with the boat and has poor compression. It may only last a year or so and I carry an electric outboard just in case. I'll check out your blog too.