Shelter Island Boat Works

Finally it was time to launch. It took a bit of on-site research to find an appropriate launch site. While there are an astounding array of launch areas on Shelter Island I needed to find just the right one.

The street network on Shelter Island was laid out so that all roads dead-end into the water, with each having clear unobstructed access to the water. Fishing was the Island’s primary economy (to a certain extent it still is!), so public access to the water was paramount. Of course, the quality of each “launch” area is varied. Most are little more than a beach or mud flats after the developed road stops. Many are obstructed by grasses in the summer. A very few have some sort of concrete or gravel ramp. A few have wooden ramps at the points where the local Kayak rental operations are located. And to make the variety more complicated, there is a tide range of about 2 1/2′. So, most are just thick mud at low tide.

The closest ramp areas were, unfortunately, not in a condition to back a trailer down – mostly very soft sand or thick mud. Ok if you want to drag your boat through some slop, but not a good idea unless you don’t mind getting your tires buried in muck or soft sand. Dragging BABE was not an option.

I found a concrete paved ramp area about a half mile away at the end of Congdons Creek. There is a dock area used primarily for fishing boats along side. It was a very shallow ramp, but seemed like it would fit the bill.

The launch went smoothly. And, she floated perfectly on her lines! I was worried she wouldn’t, because I had used different woods and construction techniques from the original 1980s specs. I did however, be careful to balance the use of the woods throughout her construction with the thought she would need to be balanced fore and aft to float on her lines. It seemed to have worked. Amazing that this is what appeared after putting a bunch of wooden sticks together!

The mast went in and the sail was set. I made a few adjustments to the sprit to get the tension right.

Then off for a sail. Tacking out of Congdons creek took a while, but she was quite fast even in the light flukey air. She is a bit tender initially, but as she heals she just sicks and takes off – fairly close winded also. Sprit rigs are not known for their pointing ability but she seemed to get up on the wind quite well.

The weather was a bit threatening and the wind was flukey. But it stayed about 10 knts for most of the trip. It was a great first sail. She behaved extremely well. I buzzed the Coecles Harbor Marina docks and as I was leaving I got a text from a friend who works there. “Saw you sailing by – she looks great!” Nice.