This blog is being transferred to my own website. All the posts have already been copied over ...
http://www.storerboatplans.com/wp
Best wishes
Michael
September 08, 2009
This blog is being moved.
July 13, 2009
Michael Storer's shoestring tour of the USA
The PDRacer community and Duckworks have grouped together to collect small amounts of money to put together to bring me to the USA to go to various "messabouts" (messing around in boat weekends) as well as the Intergalactic Championships of the PDRacers in Georgia in October.
Duckworks is collecting and managing the contributions.
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/boatmik.htm
The PDR communitiy will host me at different houses and organise lifts between different places as much as possible - a real shoestring tour.
My aim it to pay back people's generosity by doing anything that they want me to (within reason!!!). So talks, discussions, Q and A, boat setup clinics, sailing lessons, boatbuilding workshops. All is fair game!
My itinerary is looking something like this...
_______________________________________________
Arrive LAX around the 15th unless I can find a cheap way to stay in LA to catch a couple of museums/galleries.
Train or Bus to Oregon
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Sept 18 to 20 Coots Messabout Timothy lake – Oregon
http://coots.org/calendar/2009/0909/0909.htm
Plane to Salt Lake City - $90
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Hosted by Chuck and Sandra from Duckworks (my USA Agents) through to From Utah to Texas
http://www.duckworksbbs.com
Sept 24? to Oct 5? Jim Thayer's Kokopelli cruise – Lake Powell, Utah
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/09/gatherings/koko/index.htm
South East by Road to Texas with Chuck and Sandra.
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TEXAS! (maybe side trip to Florida to see cousins and Paul Riccelli PAR and others - funded by Storer)
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Hopefully get a lift from Texas to Georgia with one of the Duckers - John Wright has offered.
9 to 11 October - Georgia PDR 2009 World Championship
The location is the Victoria Campground on Allatoona Lake near Atlanta, GA. Here is a link to details about the campground: http://tinyurl.com/m4meuo
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17 to 18 October Texas Messabout.
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NE (Maine, NY etc - need to check with contacts - don't have any messabouts or events set up yet).
July 07, 2009
Stretched version of the OZ PDR - the 12ft PDGoose
The PDRacer international forum started discussing a longer version of the humble PDRacer - and I had some drawings on hand already for a 12ft version because of Bob Alston. He actually thought up the name, which I quite like.
We really do recommend the OZ PDRacer for most people and you do need to purchase the plan for the OZ PDR to build the new almost 12ft PDGoose.
For $20 extra you get an additional plan and license to build a 12ft version of the OZ PDR.
The Story
Bob Alston contacted me a couple of years ago wondering how to change the just under 8ft (2.4m) Oz PDR into a just under 12ft (3.5m) boat more suitable for two people. The standard OZ does take a passenger fine and sails well, but it is not a particularly participatory place to sit.
However, stretching the boat to 12ft allows two people to sit side by side as in the cover illustration. So it would be simple to share the sailing responsibility. One with the rudder and one with the mainsheet. Much better for sharing and learning.
The nice point about the PDGoose (Bob’s name for it) is that it uses ALL the bits the same as the OZ PDR – so rudder, tiller, centreboard, mast, the same two sail options. So if you have an OZ ... you can build a OZ PDGoose hull and go sailing with friends
The 12 footer will be able to carry quite a lot of weight and might make a good boat for events like the TEXAS200 event, though a lot of preparation and knowledge about the boat is necessary for tough events of this type. We recommend the lug sail with an extra reef point.
The PDRacer is the ultimate in cheap, light and easy. It is a boat that a sailor can dominate because it is so small, simple and light. Not to mention easy to store and transport.
There are lots of arguments for not getting a bigger boat if you really don't need it. Listen to them! The great thing about the original PDRacer is that it is so simple and quick to use. The hull only weighs about 65lbs.
However I think some PDRacer owners will enjoy having a PDGoose as well as more people can go sailing with you and it will be a little bit faster than the PDRacer which might be useful sometimes.
The goose has the same enclosed side tanks as pioneered on the OZ PDR so if you do capsize the boat will float on its side and then will come upright with very little water aboard. See the capsize sequence for the PDR here.
Uses the same bits as the OZ PDREverything for the OZ PDRacer and the OZ Goose is identical except for the hull. This means if you have a PDRacer, you can just build the Goose hull and transfer all the working bits across.
One Caution
The mast for the OZ is strong enough for one person leaning out hard – so you can sail the PDGoose very hard singlehanded. However when sailing Two up I would recommend that the crew only sit comfortably on the side decks and not lean out hard – otherwise the mast might break. If you do want to build a real two person OZ PDGoose mast I will be designing a new mast for it later.
From Bob
I will bet you thought I dropped off the end of the world when I never got back with the results for the PDR Goose version.I must confess I did not take the boat out at all last year, but, the goose is FANTASTIC!!! I had a bout with the "big C" last year, and didn't get much done at all.
However, the hull you designed is so great I intend to build another one just for use with a motor.
In 2007 I took the PDR GOOSE out a couple of times with a motor before my health probs kicked in, and I went in the water, on purpose, and brought all 155 kilos of me up over the side of the boat with NO problems. got caught out in a sudden blow where the wind was hitting 38 miles and hour with my wife on board and took no water in. the hull design is fantastic.
(Michael says: this is probably an exaggeration as to wind speed and probably represents a high point for the day taken from the weather report in the evening. I don't recommend that beginning sailors go out in that wind strength and some experienced sailors will probably decide not to as well!)
Do I owe you something for the hull I am building now? this one is only for use with a motor, but adhering closely to your design.
Sorry I took so long to get back in touch, but just thought you would like to know about the goose.
Have a great day, and have some FUN with it
Bob Alston
June 10, 2009
Second prototype RAID41 joins Texas 200 mile race.
From Brian Pearson who is finishing his RAID41 in the UK, he has a rival in the USA!!!
Great News.Very exciting news!!
Right is the second prototype RAID41 "Platypus" which has just joined the Texas200 fleet.
and what a story. Receiving the plans only 80 days before the start of the event, Bryan set out a daily work schedule to achieve his target, and he failed, but did manage 82 days!!!!! Not even working full time on the boat, but working full time at work, only evenings and weekends. A terrific achievement.
It all started when Bryan contacted me about doing the Texas200 in 2009 only a little while back. He was thinking of competing in a MacGregor sailing canoe but would prefer to build a RAID41. I explained I had owned a MacGregor and that I found her very challenging in stronger downwind conditions and I would never think of sailing her on the open sea in such conditions. It had to be a RAID41.
How could MIK refuse the request, after all the whole design came about because of the 2008 Texas200. So a set of plans were released for this special situation.With so little time available, there was no time for blogging or answering e-mails, hence the lack of any publicity to make sure Bryan could just concentrate on the build.
Bryan has promised pictures and reports when he gets back from the event.
If you look down the entries list
http://www.texas200.com/who.htm
you will see Bryan listed as entering a 15' canoe yawl, and also further down the list another entrant with the same surname, his father, who has entered the super min-tug that was pictured being used as the podium before the start.
Info on the boat
Info on the Texas 200
New RAID41 design on display at Beale Park Watercraft event
The first RAID 41 has been on display at the BEALE PARK boating event in the UK.
That is the one built beautifully by inspired amateur builder Chris Perkins and is being finished off by the owner Brian Pearson. I am not sure how it works but I believe the show is run by Watercraft magazine.
From Brian
Hi Michaeljust beginning to recover. It was sooooo cold. with the great weather we had as I completed the varnishing, I only took summer clothes and sleeping bag. Spent two days frozen. Unbelievable change in the weather and a shame for Beale as well.
Friday was about 50 plus year old men who had built a Mirror many years ago, ended up now in the Wayfarer fleet and now had no crew. They could be our main source of customer.
Also meeting some of the thread followers who knew all about RAID41.
It was nice that the Chebacco builder had just ordered Beth plans, I think from the UK agent. The highlight was Kathy Mansfield, Water Crafts main photographer,http://www.pbase.com/kathymansfield/root
saying she had been photographing the Goat at Sail Caledonia, great news, and that she preferred RAID41! She commented how elegant RAID41 was. Made my show to be honest. Someone with such an eye saying such a lovely thing. She took lots of pics of RAID41.
Saturday was all about Goat all day long. Having a cup of tea, the people sat next to me under the umbrella keeping out of the rain, had just be to the Morbihan and there was a brand new black Goat launched there. UK boat.
Then the builder, with the school kids, of the King Alfred's three Ed Burnett boats, 17' three masted dayboats, who lives nearby in Southampton said he had just bought the plans for Goat and had sailed the Goat at Caledonia but conditions were too fluky to learn much. He mentioned that in his opinion Goat was the fastest sailing boat in the fleet, and that they did not seem keen on rowing so could not judge her rowing ability. the Goat was a Dutch boat.Then at the end of the day a stand holder came to see me. Started his build late Feb and not far from completion. Complained about the weight! Said the claim was 60kg and she must be 100kg. Since my RAID41 is 60kg almost with varnish, with Goat what do you currently expect Goat's weight? Also complained about some dimensions, which seemed odd seeing how long the plans have been out. I asked him to e-mail you about the issues and said you would be sure to reply promptly. He really like the boat though, and admitted 100kg is not that bad for a 16' dinghy. He used all prescribed materials cedar, correct ply etc. Sails from Arun Sails in Sussex. He must have bought the plans a while back, after the GD article because he had struggled with where to buy them because there was no UK agent at the time as far as he knew.
Sunday was a waste really. More a family day out. Just one lovely old sailor who raced OK's and Finns in his youth and really liked RAID41. Lovely chap. So just enjoyed the nicer weather and ambiance with a reggae band playing softly all day in the background.
In summary, your Grand Design article on Goat a few years ago is now paying back with Goat becoming much better known in the UK, so RAID41 might also be coming along nicely in a couple of years. Beale can only have helped that process.
Brian
June 09, 2009
Goat Island Skiff 3rd in the famous Caledonia Raid
From Joost who just sailed his GIS in Scotland...
More story here...Raid Caledonia is a “race” from the salt water in the West to the salt water in the East across Scotland on the Great Glen waterway which consists of 3 lakes (called lochs in Scotland) and some canal stretches between the lochs adding up to a total of some 96 km.
Having sailed GISwerk only five times prior to our departure from the Netherlands for Scotland 2 weeks ago, the Scottish lochs and canals have truly shown us what a capable boat the GIS is.
On Loch Ness we were confronted with fairly strong winds (with gusts above 20 knots and a short steep 4 ft swell) which GISwerk handled beautifully and without much problem under full sail downwind. Probably not a very sensible thing but it definitely made for a most exciting and fast surf and gained us a first place in the leg!In the rowing legs we ended a constant third, in the sailing legs we got in 1st – 5th. The winds are very unpredictable on the Scottish lochs: a force 2 can easily become a force 6 but might over a few minutes time dwindle to force naught. Some experience in “reading” the Scottish weather would be very helpful (one day in particular we had difficulties forecasting the winds resulting in tying in an unnecessary reef causing a big delay in finishing) as would be a few more days sailing the boat before entering an event such as Raid Caledonia.
We ended a tied second (out of five boats) in class 2 and overall ended a shared third place out of 9 competing boats.
What matters most however is that we had a blast, got to know the boat fairly well sailing and rowing the boat in a lot of different conditions, met some lovely people during the event and enjoyed the fine music, food and drinks the organisation had arranged for.
JOOST
www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?p= 971455
Results and a link to a lot of photo’s:www.sailcaledonia.org/
About the Goat www.storerboatplans.com
May 17, 2009
Brian receives RAID41 Prototype - Pretty Boat!
Gifted Amateur Boatbuilder Chris Perkins has laboured during some of the most difficult boatbuilding weather to produce the prototype of the new RAID41 (this is the building photoset.
It is designed as a one person boat for distance cruising. Once I finish the detail plans, of course.
Anyway Brian Pearson, the owner of the boat has just been to pick it up and bring it to warmer climes.
From Brian
Trim is home!I agree ... I am very happy with the appearance, nicely set off by Chris's neat timberwork.
Trailer and dolly worked great. 670 miles on a trailer and all seems well when I looked her over. She sits very low, sled like. Rather than all the weight on the keel and bouncing from side to side on the trailer bunks as per wine glass shape, she just sits there all square and steady.
Great trip from Yorkshire up to Ullapool with my brother-in-law. 800 mile round trip in the day. Fantastic sunshine, quiet roads, wonderful scenery.Chris did a terrific job, so I will try to finish her as well as I can. One more coat of epoxy, then three of Epifanes two pack varnish.
She looks terrific, sort of long and chiselled. Very different from anything else. Particularly nice from the cockpit with the long sweeping bows flowing off into the distance.
Brian was going to paint her ... but I think he will be tempted to keep her varnished as long as possible - she does look so nice.
My BETH sailing canoe design shares some appearance .. and she looks rather nondescript like this, but put the masts up and she looks very nice and with the sails up on the water ... rather gorgeous and lots of attention.She is also a box like this!
Brian will be rigging her and trying to get her ready to sail at the Beale wooden boat event supported by Watercraft Magazine.
Bless their cotton socks!
The RAID41 website is here and the best discussions are here on the OZ woodwork forums.
The design is meant to be flexible and fulfil a range of needs being built as a lightweight flyer or a slightly more sturdy Expedition boat. Important to keep her light though! She is certainly narrow enough to be roofracked, but not sure about the overall weight yet. I expect around the 140lb range.
Crossed fingers.
Chris has been great about feeding back through the building process and we have nutted out some simplifications that will save quite a bit of labour and solid timber.
May 15, 2009
First pics of the MSD Rowboat.
First we had a computer drawing
Then pics of a mock up model
Now we have pics from American where one is being built by some young people as part of the Compass Project organisation's Classes.
Often I am quite surprised by the actual appearance of a boat over what I expect. This plywood rowboat was no exception.
Where I was quite surprised by the volume and capacity of the Goat Island Skiff, the closest living relative to this design, this MSD Rowboat looks petite and delicate.
It won't be delicate in reality of course, but it is reassuring as all good rowboats have this feeling.
The design exists because a number of people wanted a rowboat with the simple building but striking good looks of the Goat.
I wanted to reduce the weight and bulk so it would be roofrackable too, which the Goat Island Skiff sailboat is not. It really needs to be trailered.
So keep the aggressive plumb bow of the Goat and simple flat bottom form and cut away as much as possible. It really is a rowboat for one, but has just enough volume in the stern to carry a second person if they are not too heavy. Or a couple of kids .. one in front and one in the back.
I very much look forward to see what it rows like! It is designed to have a bit more rowing stability than a Dory type.
There are two others building and also Duckflat in Australia has a computer cut kit on the way.
But unlike many companies now that will only sell plans if they go with a kit (I think they want to make money too much) this one you can buy the plan or buy the plan and the kit. Your Choice!
There are now three building that I know about.
You can read about the MSD plywood rowboat here
There is a report about one being built here on the OZ woodwork forums.
And now another one
And another one
AlexN's wonderful description of building a PDR and heaps of other stuff.
It is the first boat he has built and Alex is not necessarily taking the quickest way. But he is reporting daily about his building and his ruminations on different subjects.
It is a very popular boatbuilding item on the OZ woodwork forum. There have been around 13000 views of his thread already and it is jumping by a couple of thousand each week.
Says Alex:
I recently acquired a set of plans for the Mk 2 OZ PDR and the GIS from Duck Flat. To get onto the water as quickly as possible, and allow saving up for the Goat, I decided to build the Duck first.And that's how it starts out.
Michael has very kindly offered to move some related posts that I've made elsewhere into this (more relevant) thread, but as a quick summary (from memory), the following things have - or haven't - occurred to date:Probably asked Michael far too many questions, as many of his answers were right there on his and BitingMidge's sites already;
Rang up a lot of Sydney plywood merchants in attempt to find a marine plywood that isn't too heavy *and* that I can afford;
Rang up a number of timber merchants in Sydney re "affordable" clear oregon or wrc - it seems that there really isn't, nor hoop pine neiver;
Costs for even such a simple boat as the Duck appear to have almost doubled in two years, even accounting for changes in materials - ouch!;
Changed expectations of cost to be more realistic, revised building starting time estimates;
Found some useful oregon in my wood cache;
Discovered (quite coincidentally - no, really!) that some simple alterations in our house will also "liberate" a large amount of secret-nailed WRC cladding boards, many over 2.1 m in length and knot-free :);
Acquired a bundle of excellent milled-to-size Paulownia timber at a good price, thanks to a suggestion from Nick Pullen;
Will make two rigs: the standard sprit boom and the lug, starting with lug;
Mistake when ordering Paulownia - overlooked inclusion of timber to make up standard mast: oops!
Bacon saved by Michael: suggested glassing the mast to make up the difference in density (stiffness) between paulownia and oregon, plus increase length of long internal block slightly ...
Alex has an Aeromodelling background and his idea of tolerances has blown the rest of us away. He is working to less than a millimetre, whereas most of us are happy with about 6! Lots of discussion about tools too, even though you don't necessarily need many for a PDR or a Goat Island Skiff for that matter.
Please don't get the idea I am being critical ... Alex is building the boat the way that gives him satisfaction - and you can hear it in his posts.
Info on the OZ PDRacer sailboat Plan ($20 and abundantly detailed)
May 14, 2009
PDRacer launched in Slovenia
From Koala in Slovenia! He launched his green PDR onto a local river and invited fellow PDR builder Theodor to the launch. Neither of them has sailed before ... and they had a great time.
Well, we had a launch day on monday!!
Beautiful weather, nice wind at first. And it was great. Theodor and I each had a go. It was, well, beyond words. Have a look at how it went. There were a lot of kids arround so it was a bit hectic. But we have some shots of my start:
And here is Theodor:
Later on I went in with my son to paddle a bit and the wind got stronger so it carried us to the other side of the lake.Theodor cam to rescue.
From Theodor (Mark):I am so sure Peter is holding a clip of the video showing my attempt at the 'Capsizing Drill', and then he'll say that I was a wreckless sailor and had no idea how to handle the boat, blah blah blah...
I think we both had a fantastic time trying to get a handle on things .. it never ceases to amaze me how many things you need to concentrate on while sailing - direction, mast tension, wind direction, what the centreboard and rudder are doing, etc. I think it'll take a few more attempts to get a good feel for the boat - I was completely surprised when the corner of Pete's PDR kept "digging in" (see the two times the back corner came up). So I'd love some Storer sailing hints before we get out again.
I must admit it was very inspirational to get cracking on my one.
From Koala
Funny, we did have a capsize drill. But Mark was so fast turning the boat arround that by the time video camera turned on he was already climbing on the boat.
I didn't want to show the whole world just that moment as someome might think Mark just fell off the boat
Yep, this is really a nice boat - thanks to Mike's detailed plans. Considering
1. I was a first time boat builder
2. I have never done any sailing.
This was the first time I stepped into a sailing boat and you know the feeling when it's your boat
The small boat is BIG enough to keep us buisy learning to sail and enjoying the power of the wind on lakes and sea.
Speaking of wind. I really had problems seeing the wind direction besides the fact that wind was changing speed and direction quite often.
Mostly I didn't see the white flag on the top of my mast so I was just looking at how and when the sail was behaving.
Info on the OZ PDRacer sailboat Plan ($20 and abundantly detailed)
April 22, 2009
Slight Changes for Eureka Assembly
Did you see the slightly modified assembly method we are using now?
Just makes the stitching process a bit more controllable.
I have some pics of the Eurekas going together in the current Duckflat Autumn school. Which shows how strange the first three panels are when stitched loosely ... nothing like a boat ... the arching is because the two bilge panels are not at the right angle yet.
We now do it in two separate pieces as per these pics and stitch together. The pics are two separate boats so the order is a bit random ... you can follow the set through if you want to see the sequence of both hulls.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boatmik...7617013281203/
The three bottom panels first all the wires just crossed over and not tightened - this is the beginning
Here is the arching - if it looks like this you are doing OK
the two side panels after separated with the spreader bars, all the wires just crossed over and not tightened... and the bottom arches up because the panels are not separated to their final angle.
The two end spreader bars holding the sheer apart have their end cut with an approx angle and are fastened with a single screw through the ply so they have some option to swivel and correct the bevel.
Them one on top of the other with crosspieces of scrap timber between and stitch the holes each side of the buttstrap. It looks like it won't work .. but it does. Initially there is a big gap and as you tie them together working from the centre out toward the ends - all equally from the centre ... then it starts closing up
Gunwales need to be clamped on when the taping or filleting is done.
April 21, 2009
Duckflat Wooden Boats Boatbuilding School Autumn 2009.
We are 5 days in. the first pics show an empty area .. after day 6 now ... we have boats everywhere. There is one GIS, two Eureka Canoes, an Oughtred Tamie Norrie, a Granny Pram and a stretched Fulmar, a rowing shell restoration and a Bolger diablo powerboat (pic below)
More details later.
This pic is Day Zero
Now .. Boats - this pic is day 5
Pics of the boatbuilding school are here
__________________More details later.
This pic is Day Zero
Now .. Boats - this pic is day 5
Pics of the boatbuilding school are here
Storer Wooden Boat Plans subforum on UBeaut Woodwork Forums
April 13, 2009
Sailing at Goolwa with AJ, Andrea, Ted, Mike, Mike and Mike Pt1
But here is the set called
Goolwa, sailing with AJ, Andrea, Ted, Mike, Mike and Mike
First a mood Photo from the Murray Mouth where Ted's shack is.
OK Saturday about 10am
Rigging
The three Ducks ... one with the lug rig ... in light winds it was the fastest by a long way. It has a bit more sail and that homebuild lug design works really well.
Andrea's sit on kayak has a nice Paddle from my free plan download
I was to spend a lot of time looking at this transom during our fun race.
Mikes nice detail for the transition of bulkhead to side tank for the PDR
The little group of little boats in what has become the fascinating waterway of Goolwa. I love the winding waterways. There are bad things about the "management' of the drought damage - but the low water levels make it a much more interesting and scenic waterway. It looks like a real estuary.
We decided to race around the island. See post below
March 31, 2009
Table of Contents for Michael Storer Wooden Boats Forum.
It is a bit hard finding information on my forum as the list is not very ordered, so I have attempted to fix this.
There is a general building section then each boat is in alphabetical order.
To see all the images you may need to become a member, however, they are a good bunch and will not spam you.
March 19, 2009
PDRacers .. Lug vs Sprit sails
Ok ... lug vs sprit
We finally had two PDRacers with either rig option on the same stretch of water. The event was the Goolwa Wooden Boat Festival.
The Sprit sail design and making method is in the plan for the PDRacer (a whole $20 for 90 pages - really a course on modern boatbuilding) and the lug rig is a free option for purchasers of the plan.
Mike on the beach ... look at that sail shape. Is there enough sail Mike?
You can see a story on his boat ... the "sexy black PDRacer" below on this blog.
This was the first time the boat had been in the water.
Waiting for the start gun ... I sooo missed the start. Was really late trying to get clear wind and too far away from the line.
Mike got a very nice start and may have been in the first one or two boats to the windward mark before he had to come back and pack up. You can see the pink boat (me) trying to catch up.
And for those who wonder about the mast pressing against the sail ... the windward leg had the sail on the "disadvantageous side".
In other words, no material difference.
I took the pink PDR through the whole race ... confused my friends in the TS16 after I caught them on starboard on the last windward leg.
The PDR had the legs of the balance lug rigged 16footer furthest out when going upwind ... the guy was a very good sailor - outfoxed everyone on the first downwind leg by heading high and coming down fast on a increase on windpressure.
That was a boat of some historical significance too built as a tender to a major shipbuilding area in ... um maybe Melbourne.
Pic right is Mike coming in with his rudder in shallow mode. That buoy was attached to a long length of rope that went off to the left and was tied to the wharf.
It made sailing out of this space pretty crap and in the stronger breeze of saturday it made it exciting coming into the area too.
photos of PDRacers
Photos of the Goolwa show
Info on the OZ PDRacer sailboat Plan ($20 and abundantly detailed)
February 26, 2009
Singlehanded Expedition and racing dinghy - RAID41
RAID41 Expedition Sailing Dinghy
After the success of the three little 8ft PDRacers in the 200 mile long TEXAS200
This led to a discussion on the Oz Woodwork Forum about a singlehanded boat for long distance events, but be a fair bit faster.
It attempts to leverage the simple construction into a longer and faster package that should be still be reasonably easy for a lone sailor to handle on land or water.
New Website for the design under development - the RAID41 Racing/Cruising Dinghy. The boat will leverage the construction methods I use to create a relatively simply built distance cruising sailboat for one person with the ability to carry an extra person for more casual sailing.
The stability is scaled to that of the PDRacer which feels very stable on the water and can sail in up to 20+ knots without reducing sail.
The RAID41 uses the same mast and foils as my OZ PDRacer design for anyone interested in upgrading.
The main addition in terms of complexity over the PDRacer is to provide a self draining cockpit. The OZ PDR comes up dry after capsize, but that method was not so feasible in a more curvaceous boat like the RAID.
It is being built by Chris Perkins and Brian Pearson in the wilds of Scotland.
Both Brian and Chris are heavily involved with the homebuilt boating scene in Britain, contributing at times to Watercraft magazine. Their favourite boat show is the wonderful, low key, Beale Park boatshow, where they will be showing the prototype RAID41, 'Trim', this year.
Brian sails a Keyhaven Scow, which must be one of the few balance lug rigged racing classes (tech discussion here) left in the world. The sailing level is very serious. John Claridge of International Moth Class design fame is heavily involved in building and rigging the boats.
You can follow the building of the prototype on the pages above.
December 15, 2008
Goat Island Skiff in Youth Boat Building Project - San Francisco
From Josia in San Francisco
Good people,Congratulations to the build to all the participants. The only problem I see is the lack of wind.
After twenty days of building, yesterday we launched our first ever Goat Island Skiff at San Francisco's historic Hyde Street Pier.
Christened Ryan Jones in memory of a deceased teacher and friend of the program, our fine boat (or "shred sled," to use the traditional boatbuilders' vernacular) drew gasps of admiration and even cries of disbelief from the gathered crowd. "Surely nothing so elegant could be shaped by the hands of these saggy-pantsed ruffians," huffed Mr. Cobbleknob, the town beadle.
Yet, indeed, it had been, and, to a grand chorus of huzzahs and a blizzard of tossed caps, the Ryan Jones slid into the water and performed quite admirably, given challenging conditions (there was not a puff of wind to be had).
Please enjoy these pictures of the event.
All told, another excellent boatbuilding program completed, and a proud and happy group of kids and teachers content with a great craft.
Huzzah,
Josia
20 days is an amazing effort!!!
The boat looks wonderful in the deep dark red with the white cockpit!
Well Done Everyone!
And a follow-up
Dear Michael, Thanks for your help throughout the building process. We really enjoyed building the GIS. I run the program that the student builders participate in.Goat Island Skiff information
Check out
http://www.getoutandlearn.org/
to see what the program is all about.
We are already looking forward to building another Goat Island Skiff next semester.
Cheers,
Edward Cavanaugh
December 08, 2008
Goat Island Skiff slideshow - building in Norfolk UK
Richard Harvey's (the owner of the Norfolk Goat) son Mark has put a slide show up of the GIS being put together.
A nice compressed view of the project!
Slideshow of the Norfolk GIS being put together on the Yare Valley Sailing Club website.
Looks like a nice little club for wooden and historic boats.
There is also a discussion of the boat on the Ubeaut Woodwork forum.
There are also some nice detail shots of
- Boat cover arrangments
- Another trailer arrangement
November 28, 2008
Kits in Australia for the Goat Island Skiff
Howdy,
Lot of background stuff happening over the last few weeks. Duckflat has been developing up a precut kit for the Goat Island Skiff and the Eureka Canoe.
Gosh it has been a steep learning curve. Have been back and forth with the cutting people to get things to work correctly. Computer cutters (the machines) are really dumb. But the engineering guys who run them have been extremely helpful and patient.
Ted decided to to a test run with a 1/4 scale version of the Goat.
These are all the main bits for the hull.
It is a great reminder of what a simple boat the GIS is. That is the LOT.
On the full size version there will be more detailed bits ... like all the little gussets that hold the sub seat structure together will be precut too .. limber holes too.
There still will be a bit of trimming to be done so some parts have been left with a bit of excess because some parts of every boat take the bends a bit differently.
We are just a hair's breadth from releasing them. If anyone is interested it is Duckflat's baby ... so contact them (not me) via their website www.duckflatwoodenboats.com
But I can talk about some of the generalities of computer cutting boat kits here.
Goat Island Skiff information
November 25, 2008
Towing a PDRacer behind a larger boat
Howdy,
Towing behind another boat can be one of the highest loads that a small dinghy can face.
Imagine if it fills with water and the mother ship is surging ahead in bad weather.
So how to distribute the load into a lightweight skinned structure like the OZ PDR.
OK ... here is how.
It might be overkill with respect to the two runners that go up the height of the bow transom, but everything else is quite minimal. The load is spread through the mast step structure and the bow transom. That is quite a bit of surface area.
Generally it is good to keep the towing eye down to help keep the bow of the towed dinghy out of the water and hopefully to make it stand on its tail a bit.
This is a super INDUSTRIAL grade solution which is not required for most boats.
If wanting to fit a simple ring or eye for club racing this method of fitting a tow ring to a PDRacer can be used.
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