Dinghy cruising Heron conversion to mini cruiser

[@TonyKeyes]

You're a dead-set legend Bruce. Always stretching the boundaries, both in the water and in the workshop, in the best possible way. Good on you, and thanks for sharing the results of your adventures.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thank you Tony that means a lot coming from a respected sailor such as yourself.

[@fishmut]

Man I love your work , I love building boats as well but renovations on some boats I have seen made me a bit nervous to try , neglected boats with loads of rot as such not much of an attractive factor to work on lol , you did a great job , it’s a little beauty , liked and subscribed , you have given me some inspiration to have a go at giving old boats new life , thanks for a great video . 👍

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks very much for the kind words and I am glad you got something out of my video.Welcome to the channel I will keep the updates coming.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Also good luck with your builds!

[@stevec-b6214]

Interesting conversion - I want to convert my old Wayfarer in a similar fashion. Looking forward to the next episode!

[@kdhwjudson]

Awesome Bruce. Quite inspiring.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Glad you liked it!.

[@shell_gone_awol]

This is brilliant conversion. I've been offered a rondar 420 & looking at ways to add a cabin & converting a little so it's like a camper boat.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks I hope it may help you with your conversion.

[@jimt1240]

Nice work. Your boat looks like it would be a great one for the Everglades challenge in Florida.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks if I were in the US that would be fun.

[@michaelking1470]

Bruce , great video. Little do folks know how much big boat ocean cruising you've done as owner/skipper. A true all-round sailor.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Mike,very much appreciated from a world cruising sailor like your self.

[@jimyork215]

Looking fwd to the next video with much aticipation. cheers

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Jim I will be onto it soon.

[@DinghyCruisingTrim]

Good to see the progress! Thanks for the update. Looks great.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks bud

[@michaelbeebe1616]

Nice stuff.

[@restlessperson5258]

Thanks for recording, editing and sharing.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

No problem

[@andybullock6848]

What a little classic! You're being very imaginative. Why bother replacing the thwarts? - to me they will just clutter the interior, although you may need a detachable forward thwart to sit on if you want to row the boat. In my converted Finn I use a cheap folding seat to sit on when rowing.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

The forward thwart supports the centreboard case and as you say is the rowing position so that will stay,not sure on the rear one yet. I love Finn dinghies by the way,(classic lines).

[@KevatStocko]

Nice proportions Bruce. Maybe a Bolger 59 sq ft leg o mutton style sail with a wishbone boom, offset mizzen? Combined with the dolly trailer it makes a 'go anywhere" outfit. Some great videos , Thanks

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thank you yes that’s about the sail size I am going for.Good suggestion.

[@afloatinawoodenboat]

That’s so cool! How will the tiller sit around the mizzenmast? Also, I won’t show this to the heron hospital mentor… he may not survive…

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Ha yeah that could be a problem.The mizzen will be hard up against the transom and offset to not impede the tiller.

[@shanevillis4079]

Going to be interesting with the cat ketch rig mate.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Sure will be

[@DavidD6969]

Nice job 👍

[@DavideoSolar]

I wonder if a furling boom less main would work? Be interesting to try I reckon. It’s looking great!

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Dave that is one possibility I am thinking of.

[@olivei2484]

@@brucedyson-smith459 I sail a vessel which has a furling boom. I can't figure out how to reef the main. The main doesn't have reef points, so one must wrap the boom. The vang (kicker) needs to be removed, so no vang after that. Not the ideal situation.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

@@olivei2484 thanks I know what type you have.Dave is talking about the mast spins and furls the mainsail with no boom,kind of like a jib furler.

[@olivei2484]

@@brucedyson-smith459 Oh, now I get it. Thanks for the clarification. It was early in the PNW at that hour.

[@andybullock6848]

@@olivei2484 You used to be able to buy a claw fitting that enabled a vang on a roller furling boom.

[@charlesdorey4343]

Nice

[@AndyJarman]

Now you've done it! My mind started running wild with the possibilities! Did you calculate the centre of effort of the combined sails to establish their correct size? If the mizzen were furling on its mast you can always find tune any weather helm that way?

[@brucedyson-smith459]

I think if anything I may need more sail on the mizzen which I won’t know until the first sail.

[@darb4091]

Where are the wheels for the beach dolly from? They look like they are rated for some weight.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

They are wheelbarrow wheels.

[@machismo4256]

Yay. A mizzen.