Wallynization of a Wasa 55

[Robin Larsson]

Hello everyone,

I already posted this thread on the Sailboat subforum, but thought that maybe the response is greater here

I´m building a Wasa 55, or rather, I own a hull an deck to a Wasa 55, and a suitable rig, and some other stuff. The Wasa 55 is an Swedish design from the 70,s, 13.5m * 2.55m. Pretty much its a modern Skerrycruiser, bit higher freebord, wider hull, more volume, completly different superstructur, negative stern. Here you can see some drawings an pic of an original boat: ut http://hem.bredband.net/wasa55/
sadly its only in Swedish, but atleast you can see how my boat could look like.

Now, since there aren't much built on deck on my boat, no holes for windows and such, nothing mounted at all really, exept for the toerail.
What I´m thinking is, I want it to be mor modern, and I really like boats like Wally 60-80 and the new 100´s, the Brenta 30-38-60, and Brentas Ghost, for example, you see the look I like.
I was thinking maybe I could redesign my Wasa 55 to look a bit like those boats. Would be something like this:
The same colour as the Brenta 30-38s on there website, a long central skylight, like on the Wallys, that runs the entire length of the forward coachroof, and begins again on the aft coachroof. No sidewindows on the coachroof(is that the right term?) But the aft side of the aft coachroof is made completly of glass. Coamings on the forward coachroof sides, like a mix of Brenta 38 and Wally 80, just painted grp, that arches from the skylight down to the deck, but like on the Brenta B-boats, ends app. 20mm above the teak Covering all lines from the mast, and maybe even ventilation.
Teak on the deck, and in the cockpit, probably even on the cockpit coamings, and the aft coachroof, both on the roof and the sides Like on the Wally 88 Tiketitan.
Everything as flush as possible. Wheelsteering.

In short, very modernized. Maybe a folding platform in the transom.

So, what do all of you pros here think, is it just crazy? Ah, maybe I should say that I am a trained boatbuilder, and work on a company that builds windows and stainless stuff for boats, we have all tools I need for this.
What I really want to know is, would it look to strange? Maybe the narrow boat with long overhangs will just look weird? Or will it look really good?
It would still be a rather old GRP hull under all the "fairing", would it feel stupid?
Was thinking about making the bow plumb, or maybe a bit like the Cup boats.

I would like to build a new hull, with really modern lines, but it would simply be to expensive and take to long time. Then it feels better to build the Wasa like I want it

So, what´s the verdict?

For some pics, see the original thread here: http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=20046

Best Regards
Robin Larsson

[keelbolts]

I don't think it's what you want to hear, but it appears that a Wasa 55 is a beautiful boat. Why fiddle with such beauty? Would you put a cubist moustache on Mona Lisa? If you can't live without a wedge-shaped, plumb-stemmed boat, finish out the Wasa, sell her, and build a wedge boat.

[Robin Larsson]

Keelbolts, you know, I´m not sure exactly what I want to hear

Yeah, the Wasa 55, if well built its a very beautiful boat, but its not exactly a classic, but not very modern. The coachroof design is really a bit to modern to be classic, if you see what I mean. So is the transom.

But still I feel that the central skylight and flush-boat-look would look good on that hull. But then again, maybe not. Thats why I want to know what other people think.

A little different look could be: Flush deckhatches, but only one forward and one in the middle of the coachroof. Smokecoloured flushed side windows, but not exactly as the old style, bit more like on the new Dehlers, no frames.
I´ve attached a dxf that shows two versions. The aftmost small window is then openable, and behind it is the toilet and pentry resp.

Still a flush coachroof, with lines led under it, but retaining the design, by just making the roof a bit higher, teakclad. Standard sliding hatch in grp in the companionway. White topsides and coachsides. The same kind of toerail as the new Dehler 44, or maybe with teaktopping. Teakdeck.

That way she would retain the general looks, just modernized. Not as extreme as the Wallyversion.

Yeah, maybe she should be very standard and then I could just sell her. But as I said, its a bit expensive to build a new boat. Would have to be max 30-35foot to be possible... And I really like the long narrow hull i have, just want it more modern on deck

Could also say that the rig is more modern, deckstepped, two swept spreaders, 9/10ths instead of ~8/10ths, no runners, Kevlar sails, more roach in both main and selftacker. Only main, selftacker and tophoisted A-sails. Thinking aboat a Ministyle sprit, or maybe a retractable.

Please, keep it coming

Best Regards
Robin Larsson