Skii breeze

[Karl Vesterdahl]

Got this Ski breeze sailboat as my first to learn in.
Built in sweden between 1957-65.
5,6x1,8m 340kg displacement.
Only done 5 short trips yet, but it is very addicting.
Unusual boat and hard to find anything on the web about it.
Anyone having any experience with such a boat?

 

[Blueknarr]

Welcome to the forum

The sailing bug bites again.
Pretty little craft.
Looks very standard for 60's dinghy.
Quite stable and capable of a bit of speed if only loaded with a lunch basket and partner.

 

[Karl Vesterdahl]

On the bigger and heavier side for the type though I would think.
The double rudders sets it apart as well.
But I agree it is probably fairly typical.

 

[yabots]

That’s a cool little boat. They don’t pop up often, even here in Scandinavia. Post some photos when you can — would love to see it under sail!

 

[Karl Vesterdahl]

 

[Karl Vesterdahl]

With the centerboard up, there is no need for deep waters.

 

[printornaut]

Got this Ski breeze sailboat as my first to learn in.
Built in sweden between 1957-65.
5,6x1,8m 340kg displacement.
Only done 5 short trips yet, but it is very addicting.
Unusual boat and hard to find anything on the web about it.
Anyone having any experience with such a boat?

Hi Karl, nice to see another ski-breeze! You’re right, very little info out there on these capable large dinghy’s. I’ve been sailing one for the last few years in the Göteborg archipelago. The marking on my hull is 63. She’s seen better days, very soft in the hull, hogged aft of the centerboard trunk from too many years hung with an unnecessary giant outboard and I think even original sails. Otherwise in her prime! I have added a watertight bulkhead under the mast step and have plans to remove the motor well and add a watertight compartment aft in the spring, and if I’m lucky, remove the hog.

Do you have any specific questions about the Ski-breeze?

Lilla Skurken Ski-63

 

[Karl Vesterdahl]

What kind of wind and waves have you managed with this boat?
Any reefing possibilities or how do you cope with stronger winds?

 

[Karl Vesterdahl]

You are brave enough to sail her without an engine?

 

[printornaut]

What kind of wind and waves have you managed with this boat?
Any reefing possibilities or how do you cope with stronger winds?

Waves, hard to say. I prefer to stay in the relative shelter of the Göteborg archipelagos, but sometimes sailing out to Vinga can be pretty exciting, or rounding the western side of the islands during a typical westerly blow can pull up some swell. I’d say I sailed through max 1 meter swell if I would have to guess, but the biggest issue was not the waves but the squally wind conditions with 60 year old sails and rig. Being alone most of the time with an old rig, soft hull and with only oar as backup propulsion, I tend to baby her and make sure home or civilization is aways downwind in these circumstances.

I’ve managed more than gale and even had her relatively heavy hull up on a plane with careful sheeting and 4 of us in the boat. When alone I’m much more timid and reef often and deeply. If gusty and over 20 knots I have only the main and one reef by wrapping the main around the boom. I don’t really like this style of reefing, but the boom can be pulled out of the gooseneck and the sail wrapped around the boom for infinite reefing of the main. It has saved me in some heavy conditions.

unfortunately I only have this photo of the reefed main. Often my hands are too busy during reefed conditions for photos.

Photo of Kajsa Strand and Lilla Skurken with single reefed mainsail and no Genoa. Location in the ferry channel between Asperö and Rivö on the way to Brännö Varv.

 

[Karl Vesterdahl]

Mine seems stiff in the hull and sails are about 10 years old I think.
Never thought about that kind of reefing. Being a novis on sailing off course, but that should be supporting the sail even better than usual reefing points I would like to think?
Very interesting.
Thank you!

 

[Karl Vesterdahl]

You then have the line to the main all the way out to the tip off the boom I assume?

 

[Tops]

@Karl Vesterdahl @printornaut

Great pictures of both boats. I have a roller boom on one boat but have yet to use it. I haven't finished my reefing claw nor I have I been out in 'reefable' wind in this boat. It has a mid-boom bale for the 4:1 mainsheet that works well.

 

[printornaut]

You then have the line to the main all the way out to the tip off the boom I assume?

Hi Karl,

There is a horseshoe bail on the boom with some rollers. I think I saw a picture of your main sheet which is very similar. That can slide over the rolled sail. I think it's a neat solution but I also worry about chafe on the sail. It seems like if the wind is stiff, there is no movement of the bail which would chafe with the exception of a tack.

br,
w

 

[Karl Vesterdahl]

Ah! Thank you!
Thats true. Similar on mine. Sounds like a good solution.
I tend to stay away from too strong winds and could always go with main only as a first step. But a solution to take me home from an island or something like that, if the weather should surprise me with very strong winds is more than welcome.
It doesn't need to be perfect, as I would consider it a last option anyway.
I guess this is not something you fiddle with on the go either? More of a thing to apply before taking of?