2-9-04 - Puddle Duck Racer no. 2 (Ugly Duckling) was launched today for the first time.
It is a success! This group of pictures show the Optimist International Pram sail. It is around 38 sq. ft. (about 1/2 of a Sunfish sail of 75 sq. ft.) The winds today were light, 5 to 8 maybe, and it moved along fine. It tacks and goes into the wind ok. The boat is very stable, I can sit on the rail ok, didn't need to today. (I weigh 185 lbs) The bottom flex is ok but I think I will add two rub strips on the outside botom for protection when dragging the boat on and off the trailer and for a little more stiffness. I used a Sunfish plastic board. One problem I have is the rudder, works fine but it is not kick up. I'll correct that problem though. My wife assisted me today and took pictures. She suggests another name 'Love Barge', your remember 'Love Boat'? I think I'll stay with Ugly Duckling. One of the club members came by and thought it was tiny and 'cute'.
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