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> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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>Well after owning our lovely P15 (1980) since memorial day I have a few
>comments and suggestions and improvements.
>
> On the night of the fourth up here in Big Bear Lake, California my wife
>and dog and I anchored awaited the fireworks display. While cooking lobster
>tails and drinking chardoney in the cockpit (One burner camping stove with
>bolt through bottom into oarlock to keep stove level) we got a call (on the
>motorola pocket radio) from some friends in a powerboat wanting to raft up
>with us. Well they ran out of fuel on the way over and we gave them a few
>gallons to make it back to the marina after the display. My friend was
>surprised that any sailboat had extra fuel aboard. (being the overtrained
>sailors we are; we were carrying 5 gallons can of fuel for the weekend. (We
>could probably make it to Seattle with our 3.3 outboard) His guests were
>curious about the Potter and couldn't believe we were actually going to
>sleep out in the lake that night on that 'teeny sailboat'. It was a grand
>fireworks display and we waited for all to go home before picking up anchor
>and heading back. The police boat stopped by to ask if we needed help
>cause the wind had died. We told em no, our outboard worked fine and we
>were just waiting for the lake to clear out. At around 11 pm we headed
>back to anchor in Fawn Harbor and were the last boat on the lake. Night
>running is wonderful when you know that theres no reefs or rocks to hit.
>
>Engine dragging and prop too low in water: While sailing, our mercury 3.3
>dragged the prop. Because of nonadjustable std bracket I added three inches
>of marine plywood extension to motor mount. Engine now is higher, does not
>drag and prop is at correct height to propel boat. And saving the cost and
>installation of the adjustable bracket.
>Night Lighting: Went to west marine and purchased port&starboard and Stern
>lights. Stern light suctions on top of outboard. Bow light just behind bow
>chocks. Cost about $45.00 no wiring or heavy batteries needed.
>Water in bilge: Replaced self bailing cockpit drain and added bilge drain.
>Both available at west marine. Over this past weekend only had little water
>in keelson. Must be from the cb trunk. Although I'm guessing now that the
>plastic rail aroung the deck needs recauking as well.
>12 vt system: Bought 12 volt gel powerpack at Sportmans club for $25.00.
>We use it to power coleman flourescent lantern, cell phone, gps.
>Lightweight, safe and simple.
>Rudder kickup: Added a line with brass eyes and a cleat to either lock
>rudder up or down. Works great. Saw this idea on a Potter website.
>Cockpit Table: The leg was missing for the table so I took a piece of
>1x1, glued scrap carpet to top and bottom, screwed in bolt with thumbscrew
>to attach through the hasp. Table sits level in cockpit.
>
>And during the day of the fourth while enjoying a peaceful and quiet sail
>out toward the Big Bear Dam, one of those lovely rental jetskiis with an
>experienced yachtstourist piloting came within 10 FEET of our boat
>splashing us with his wake soaking my cast (broke my ankle dirtbiking),
>soaking my dog, and sending buckets of water into the cabin. I've heard
>it's a new "sport" to come as close as you can to a sailboat and soakem.
>While swearing at him to slow down, unbeknownst to me, my normally pacifist
>wife took out the 12 guage flaregun and fired it at the jetskiyachtstourist
>hitting the exhaust (she grew up in the south hunting squiirels and is a
>crack shot) and blowing him up into the air. Overeaction? I don't think so.
>Cheers errupted from a cabin deck onshore where the partiers' were also
>yelling at the jetskiis to slow down and stay away from their dock. I guess
>noone thinks too highly of them. (This is the same group of yoyos that
>drives up to the mountains in winter stops in the middle of the road, puts
>chains on the rear wheels of frontwheel drivers, and wonders why they've
>ended up in a snowbank around the bend.)
>
>One comment for those 'yachters' that make fun of potters. I grew up
>sailing 110's and solings in New England. Graduated to Pearson Ensigns, C&C
>30's, and Bermuda 40's. Moved to so calif and was amazed at how many big
>boats in MDR NEVER GO OUT. Maybe because our sailing season back east only
>lasted 5 months we went out often? Or could it be its too much hassle to go
>on the big boat. Or it's chartered. Or whatever. Anyway, we hook up the
>Potter to the 4x4, drive to the lake, set up the rigging, launch and away
>we go! We love our Potter and look forward to sailing with Geoff etc in
>Tahoe next month!
>
>Let us know if interested in sailing Big Bear Lake.
>
>Beth,Jeff,Remi
>"Blue Bayou"
>P15
>