GnatOnWater to attempt 2007 Everglades Challenge

Article By Stuart James

Stuart James aka "GnatOnWater" will be competing in the 2007 Everglades Challenge, using a highly modified 8' fiberglass dinghy. He has the goal of finishing the trip within the allowed 8 days.

From Stuart:
"Nano", as I have named her, was gifted to me by a benevolent soul at the beginning of this year. She has the marconi rig off a Dyer 10 that I used to have, and being so overcanvassed, she moves well in a zypher. She has two reef points for more blustery days. Nano has a shelter cover that resembles a conestoga wagon. She has a one burner propane stove and an oven (for creme brulee',tarts and muffins ). She has a five inch cowl vent forward that provides a rather impressive amount of air through a dorade arrangement. Looks silly, though. The blades come off the oars, and the shafts are used in a pipe berth arrangement down the middle of the boat. There's room to sit up under the cover while sitting on the berth. To accomodate the berthing arrangement, the daggerboard is situated off center to port. The daggerboard is held in place by a spring clip. As the reefs are put in, the center of effort for the sail moves forward, unbalancing the helm. Being able to adjust the board down when reefing moves the center of lateral resistance forward to match center of effort. Keeps the helm balanced, so less rudder drag, the faster the boat. And when you top out at a whopping 4, maybe 4.5 knots, that can be a big deal!

Flotation is supplied by four extra fat pool noodles lashed to the outside of the gunwale. It gives her a definite RIB flavor. Nano can also carry enough food and water for a person of my size and weight for at least 15 days. 8 days should be easy, with luxuries allowed. I'm approaching this as a cruise, rather than a race. I designed Nano as the ultimate extended gunkholer, rather than a racer.

Stuart (GnatOnWater)

AFTER NOTE - Due to equipment problems, Stuart pulled out and did not compete in the 2007 race.