![](../../../ads/musicbox2.jpg)
Wild ride in Musicbox2
by Will H
Jim Onkka (white shirt) and I (blue shirt) had an exciting time in the Musicbox2 design yesterday. The wind was blowing 15 to 20+. Some of the sloops were going with mainsail only. I must say I have a lot of confidence now in the boat's stability.
![](mb1.jpg)
We ran several beam reaches with the windward chine well clear of the water. I'm really glad I added the footwell during construction, otherwise I would have needed four arms and a tail to keep my place at the helm. A couple of other sailors commented on the boat's zesty performance.
![](mb5.jpg)
Downwind the big gaff scooted us past the longer sloops.
That sail is an awesome sight compared to the relatively dinky sloop mains. I am now a believer in the gaff rig. I did not use the reef points in my home-made polytarp sail.
![](mb4.jpg)
The Menard's SPF mast and spars held up through a couple of really nasty slam jibes...it's a narrow lake and sometimes I had to do what I had to do to stay off the rocks.
![](mb3.jpg)
I definitely need to upgrade my halyards and blocks to 1/2"
capability. The boys at the lake plan to keep sailing until mid October so I hope to hit it again soon. Anyway, I like the flat bottom, the unstayed mast and tabernacle, and simple construction. And once again, I spent 20% of my time chit-chatting with other sailors about the boat, "Hey, did you build that? Wow."
![](mb2.jpg)
I need to
make some rigging changes for convenience but that's expected; it does work as is however. I like the wet well at the stern. I can stand in it and the water keeps my feet cool. The helm is super responsive with about 280 lbs. of sandbag ballast. I'll add more for solo cruises; design is 400. She creaks and groans like a wooden boat ought to. Wow! Get plans, build stuff.
![](mb6.jpg)
|