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abe · Apr 21, 2006, 05:17 AM

The desire to build a boat is one of those that cannot be resisted. It begins as a little cloud on a serene horizon. It ends by covering the whole sky so that you can think of nothing else. You must build to regain your freedom.

... Arthur Ransome

http://www.pdracer.com/

Specs:
Handicap Rating: PDRacer, All Rigs PDR D-PN: [140.0] (for more information, see USSailing.org)
LOA: Average boat built to 8' long, however 7'9" LOA is class legal, see rules for further explanation
LWL: 7'6"
Beam: Minimum of 4'
Hull Height: Suggested size is 18", however only a minimum of 10" required, some are built as high as 24"
Sail Area: 50-80 sqft is easily to handle
Weight: 40 lbs for Luaune built hull, 65 lbs for BC Pine, 85 lbs with airboxes
Capacity: Hull shape carries 630 lbs (that is when both transoms touch water)
Theoretical Hull Speed: 4.2 mph (3.7 kts) (Hullspeed in kts = SqRt(LWL) X 1.34)
Actual Sailing Speed: Average speed 3.5-4 mph in 5-10 mph winds, peak speeds attained so far is 6.1 mph in 14 mph winds
Good Oarlock Placement: 36" from stern
Rowing Speed: 2.5 mph at an easy to pull effort
10 lb trolling motor speed: not sure yet
40 lb trolling motor speed: not sure yet
2hp Motoring speed: 5.5 mph in still water

euphras · Apr 21, 2006, 12:27 PM

I remember maybe 20 years ago there was a nice article in the german sailing magazine "Yacht" about a yawl one could easily build in a garage using plywood. The ingenious principle is that only sawing out the shape and conecting the appropriate edges of the shape with copper wires and epoxy glass resin creates the right formed hull. I tried it as a paper modell, looked great. It even had a small booth to sleep in.

Link to the principle:
http://www.segger-boote.de/bauweise.htm

Dark Helmet · Apr 21, 2006, 12:33 PM

Hope he didn't build his own lifejacket. That is unless he made his own coffin also.

olePigeon · Apr 21, 2006, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

That is unless he made his own coffin also.

He could save some effort and build a boat out of pine.

abe · Apr 21, 2006, 06:54 PM

Hmph! No one has said anything about the terrific art work on the side!

abe · Apr 21, 2006, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by euphras

I remember maybe 20 years ago there was a nice article in the german sailing magazine "Yacht" about a yawl one could easily build in a garage using plywood. The ingenious principle is that only sawing out the shape and conecting the appropriate edges of the shape with copper wires and epoxy glass resin creates the right formed hull. I tried it as a paper modell, looked great. It even had a small booth to sleep in.

Link to the principle:
http://www.segger-boote.de/bauweise.htm

This design ^^^^^ looks very clean. Fast. Pretty. I wouldn't want you to go to any trouble but, is there a way I can easily translate the instructions to Pig Latin?

cenutrio · Apr 22, 2006, 07:23 AM

hahaha

That is hilarious! looks like an optimist somehow. Anyhow, my opinion on the subject is that a nice approach would be to find an old wood boat, one in really bad shape and remodel it, fix it, and make it look like brand new. Bring its inner beauty and spirits back to life. Looks easy but it could be a heck of a project and in most cases turn expensive.

This way you'll get introduced to how real boats are made, the basics on their design and so on. Later you can rethink what you've learned and design your own. Of course, it would be easier to move on the materials too and use fiber glass/wood or composites or wherever...

I agree with the Arthur Ransome statement, I also love a quote from Bernard Moitessier that says something like "Those who don't get that a sailing boat is a live entity won't understand anything about the sea, its people and their boats"

-Bernard Moitessier-

On my case, I moved from the US after 7 years of neglecting sailing because I was so damn obsessed with my graduate school work. I know, the States has some of the most beautiful surroundings for sailing, what a mistake! Anyhow, I'm back in Europe and I won't do that mistake again. So far, I brought my Laser with me to Holland (where I live now) this is my third weekend here and so far, I competed in Stellendam and Loorstrecht (4 and 4 overall, in quite big fleets). Quality life to its fullest.

Have fun building that boat!

Cenutrio (ESP151396)

There you have some photos of my racing in Stellendam

cenutrio · Apr 22, 2006, 07:25 AM

http://www.edz.nl/laser/foto/big.php...g=img_2181.jpg

abe · Apr 22, 2006, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by cenutrio

hahaha

That is hilarious! looks like an optimist somehow. Anyhow, my opinion on the subject is that a nice approach would be to find an old wood boat, one in really bad shape and remodel it, fix it, and make it look like brand new.

Yeah, but ewwwww...yuckky. That old rotted wood and mud and dried sea serpent crap?

No thanks!

abe · Apr 22, 2006, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by cenutrio

http://www.edz.nl/laser/foto/big.php...g=img_2181.jpg

MY GOD! Those photos make my heart go pitter patter! It just looks so damn exciting!

euphras · 10:41 AM

For the ones who are actually interested, i managed to find the original article in my archive. It´s twenty pages long and includes step for step instructions, photos of the building project, listings of the necessary fittings, rigging plan, etc.

shape of the hull:

abe · Apr 22, 2006, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by euphras

For the ones who are actually interested, i managed to find the original article in my archive. It´s twenty pages long and includes step for step instructions, photos of the building project, listings of the necessary fittings, rigging plan, etc.

shape of the hull:

Who am I fooling here? I'm sorry. I can't see myself actually building any kind of watercraft in the foreseeable future.

Thanks anyway.

Paco500 · Apr 22, 2006, 03:41 PM

This is the boat I built.

And under construction:

euphras · Apr 22, 2006, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by abe

Who am I fooling here? I'm sorry. I can't see myself actually building any kind of watercraft in the foreseeable future.

Thanks anyway.

Well, then don´t start a thread like this

macaddict0001 · Apr 22, 2006, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by abe

This design ^^^^^ looks very clean. Fast. Pretty. I wouldn't want you to go to any trouble but, is there a way I can easily translate the instructions to Pig Latin?

http://www.babelfish.altavista.com/

abe · Apr 22, 2006, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by euphras

Well, then don´t start a thread like this

Sorry. I should have said it's just a dream. And if we no longer start threads based on dreams then I guess we could say good bye to these kinds of threads, too.

abe · Apr 22, 2006, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by euphras

Well, then don´t start a thread like this

Once again, I apologize and hope I didn't inconvenience you too much.

But, just curious...are you a political liberal or a conservative?

abe · Apr 22, 2006, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by Paco500

This is the boat I built.

And under construction:

I so admire that accomplishment! And I am envious!

Freeflyer · Apr 23, 2006, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by Paco500

This is the boat I built.

And under construction:

Is that a chesapeake light craft kayak? Thinking of building one of those myself.

abe · Apr 23, 2006, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by Freeflyer

Is that a chesapeake light craft kayak? Thinking of building one of those myself.

Well, I guess I'm TOTALLY off the hook with euphras now, thanks to your post.

Even though I was only dreaming, YOU are actually thinking!

(Of building a boat.)

Paco500 · Apr 23, 2006, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by Freeflyer

Is that a chesapeake light craft kayak? Thinking of building one of those myself.

Yep- it's a Chesapeake 17". It was very rewarding and turns out a great boat, but everything on their site about how easy it is and can be completed by a novice in 40 hours is complete and total crap. Between me and my helper (a very experienced wood worker) we had about 220 hours in.