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Peep Hen Conversion Update

  • 06 Oct 2025 10:25
    Quote
    Reply # 13549365 on 13549174
    Anonymous member
    Anonymous wrote:

    Jacques, 

    I used clear Fir wood which is available here relatively inexpensive. My battens were 108 inches so a 10 foot length was sufficient. A 10 foot long x 6 1/2 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick board , free of knots and with straight grain was $35.00 US. Fir is not the ideal wood but for smaller battens , particularly in a flat sail where the loads are dispersed they are working fine. Theses battens are allowed to be a bit lighter since we are not enduring storm force winds and tropical storms like our cruising friends! When we get gust over 25 mph I have headed to port being the recreational sailor I am.

    The battens are 3/4 inch by 1/2 inch and placed one on each side of the sail and attached directly through the sail with stainless screws alternated from side to side. The bottom boom batten is 1 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch. All battens are drilled through 3/16 inch for parrell placement and sheetlet attachments. 
    mypreference for wood for the battens would be Ash since it is strong and flexible but it was only available in 8 foot lengths and I would need to scarf the lengths. Since this is an experimental sail I chose to use the Fir.
    If you need anymore information just let me know.

    Curtis

    Many thanks for information and details. I am , also, a "recreational" sailor. I am very  interested in this method. I am looking wood, price in France. Jacques 
  • 05 Oct 2025 19:23
    Quote
    Reply # 13549242 on 13539455
    Anonymous member


    Graeme, here are photos and dimensions of the Peep Hen tabernacle. This Peep was built in 1984 by Florida Boats Works ,is 14 feet long and originally gaff rigged. The mast from the factory is a converted flag pole of 6063 aluminum and the half pipe and side pieces are 6061-T- 6. 

    Mine had to be repaired after a tree strike at a very narrow and crowed boat ramp while on the trailer. Purely driver error. 

    The repair required removing the tabernacle and having a machine shop relief cut, straighten and then reweld the tabernacle. The Peep normally has a straight mast and mine has an aft slant of a few degrees but seems to work well. The lower tabernacle stub sits in a molded fiberglass socket in the Peeps foredeck. The tabernacle seems plenty strong for the 115 square feet of gaff rigged sail the Peep Hen normally carries. The only chronic problem I know of is a gradual enlargement of the pivot pin hole over time. This is usually fixed with either a bushing or an oversized bolt install. 
    Curtis 

    9 files
    Last modified: 05 Oct 2025 21:27 | Anonymous member
  • 05 Oct 2025 13:30
    Quote
    Reply # 13549174 on 13539455
    Anonymous member

    Jacques, 

    I used clear Fir wood which is available here relatively inexpensive. My battens were 108 inches so a 10 foot length was sufficient. A 10 foot long x 6 1/2 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick board , free of knots and with straight grain was $35.00 US. Fir is not the ideal wood but for smaller battens , particularly in a flat sail where the loads are dispersed they are working fine. Theses battens are allowed to be a bit lighter since we are not enduring storm force winds and tropical storms like our cruising friends! When we get gust over 25 mph I have headed to port being the recreational sailor I am.

    The battens are 3/4 inch by 1/2 inch and placed one on each side of the sail and attached directly through the sail with stainless screws alternated from side to side. The bottom boom batten is 1 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch. All battens are drilled through 3/16 inch for parrell placement and sheetlet attachments. 
    mypreference for wood for the battens would be Ash since it is strong and flexible but it was only available in 8 foot lengths and I would need to scarf the lengths. Since this is an experimental sail I chose to use the Fir.
    If you need anymore information just let me know.

    Curtis

    3 files
  • 04 Oct 2025 08:14
    Quote
    Reply # 13548983 on 13539455
    Anonymous member
    Anonymous wrote:

    All,

    4 hours of light wind sailing (8 -9 knots) today. Seas at 1 foot, so nice conditions. After the sail adjustments it has a nice balanced and light tiller with easy tacking. More adjustments to come later. I need to sail it in higher winds first.  I sailed a large circular course so I was able to slog upwind, not optimally but the flat sail is functionally usable. The ability to reef/ stow the sail quickly was greatly appreciated coming into the ramp with many power boaters about. My wife took a few photos but all from the boat. 

    Hello Curtis,

    According to photo No. 2, battens are made of wood, I believe, what wood  ? do you have more detailed photos ?

    Thanks

    Good day

    Jacques
  • 04 Oct 2025 04:00
    Quote
    Reply # 13548966 on 13539455
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Looking good Curtis.


    Also a useful detail photograph of your tabernacle.
  • 06 Sep 2025 01:53
    Quote
    Message # 13539455
    Anonymous member

    All,

    4 hours of light wind sailing (8 -9 knots) today. Seas at 1 foot, so nice conditions. After the sail adjustments it has a nice balanced and light tiller with easy tacking. More adjustments to come later. I need to sail it in higher winds first.  I sailed a large circular course so I was able to slog upwind, not optimally but the flat sail is functionally usable. The ability to reef/ stow the sail quickly was greatly appreciated coming into the ramp with many power boaters about. My wife took a few photos but all from the boat. 

    3 files
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