Australian surf boat conversion

[surf boat man]

Hi there

I have been interacting with a couple of people on other threads about this but have decided to start a new thread.

15 years ago I saw an absolutely beautiful boat floating in a tributary of the Brunswick River on the NSW coast. Someone had taken a surf boat, put a single out rigger float out one side, put an outboard on the back outrig arm next to the main hull and put a rig on the thing. Though I never saw the rig up and sailing I was gob smacked at what a good idea it was and how pretty it was.

I tracked down the owner who didn’t want to talk to me and told me he wouldn’t be selling it either. He and the boat soon disappeared from the area.

Anyway the boat was so striking that I just couldn’t shake it out of my head and after many years of searching I finally found a suitable surf boat for sale at the right price. .

I somehow managed to pick up a 1992 surf boat on its trailer for $1,000. The only catch was I had to drive 800klms to get it but by this time I was just delighted to find her. The pictures attached give you a good idea of what I am talking about. Its a solid glass hull, with lots of built in boyancy and lovley timber decks, gunnels and seats.

Anyway I have taken all the plastic rowing bits and bobs off, stripped back the timber work and added many coats of satin varnish and she is starting to look very nice. I will post pics soon.

Now I am faced with the build and I need to deice on the following.

1) I would like to use timber for the outrig arms- They would just look right. I am wondering what timber to use- origan maybe or sheeted ply?
2) I need to rig her and don’t know where to start. I though the rig on the old Malibu outrigger looked great. I like lateen rigs and think that would look splendid. Not sure what to do here- just don’t want a modern sloop rig.
Sould I go with a cat rig, free standing mast, even a yaul has crossed my mind.

I would love to here from people who have any ideas or might know of a similar conversion.

I would also like to share the journey with this forum as I think it’s worth it.

These pics are the before ones. Soon I will update with the current project ones. Totally uninntentionally I took one of the pictures with the surf clubs flag pole right behind where i would imagine the rig would be- funny thing that!

[bill broome]

it's been done- saw a tri about a year ago on the 'for sale' site. not a good job, in my view. too much accommodation.

your boat's gonna pitch, due to rocker, but if not driven too hard, will stay on top, at least.

for a 6m boat, i suggest a gaff cat rig with big roach and sprit boom. this rig is quiet, doesn't need attention tacking or jibing, and doesn't need much of a sheet tackle as most of the stress is fed back by the sprit. maybe set a flying jib in light air.

[boat fan]

Hello again surf boat man


http://www.boatshop.com.ph/portfolio/creaker.gif

The rig is said to be a sprit schooner. Note the short masts.

" Cabin " is a pop top over a bunk.


lug yawl?

http://duckworksmagazine.com/06/desi...de-hiked-5.jpg

http://www.capefalconkayak.com/outri...he%20grass.jpg

http://www.clcboats.com/scripts/phpT...ity1.jpg&w=580

Bamboo for spars ?

http://wikiproa.pbwiki.com/f/101_0436.jpg

[boat fan]

Originally Posted by surf boat man

Hi there
Now I am faced with the build and I need to deice on the following.

1) I would like to use timber for the outrig arms- They would just look right. I am wondering what timber to use- origan maybe or sheeted ply?
2) I need to rig her and don’t know where to start. I though the rig on the old Malibu outrigger looked great. I like lateen rigs and think that would look splendid. Not sure what to do here- just don’t want a modern sloop rig.
Sould I go with a cat rig, free standing mast, even a yaul has crossed my mind.

I would love to here from people who have any ideas or might know of a similar conversion.

I would also like to share the journey with this forum as I think it’s worth it.

These pics are the before ones. Soon I will update with the current project ones. Totally uninntentionally I took one of the pictures with the surf clubs flag pole right behind where i would imagine the rig would be- funny thing that!

You could use plywood if you stack laminate it ,any curve you are happy with , then wrap it with 6 oz glass and varnish . Beautiful !

Clear Oregon laminated would also be good , or box beam.

I have used laminated tasmanian oak for akas .They held up well , very strong.

What do you plan on using for the amas ?

[surf boat man]

That is good advice for the amas beams boat fan- I like the idea of sandwich ply- I think it will be the strongest- but I will look at your Tassie oak idea- that would be very nice. I could get somoeone a mill toslice two curved sections out of one big section and then shape it up.

Regarding the ama (there will only be one, this is not a tri but an outrigger canoe style project) I was originally thinking of a hobie 16 hull. But I have been put off that idea by members of this forum who are suggesting a hobie 18 at least or a tornado hull. The tornado hull will probably be the easiest and cheapest to find.

Any other ideas most welcome at this stage.
Obveously my confidence levels are low on this project as I have never attempted anything like this before- but experiance lets me know that having a go is the only way to learn

[lazeyjack]

hey neato!! Do you know what a whaleback is?
its a raised curved piece like this
it is common on round world row boats and icelandic trawlers(fishing) you could do this and take that fella anywhere, it will self right cos of the curved roof and sealed bulkheads, with water tight doors, sleep down aft, , nice, tuna for dinner
Exciting stuff, can you locate one for me?

[surf boat man]

thanks for that lazy jack
This is a warm weather project- I am going for a Polynesian /Indian ocean sort of look. Low to the water- run her us some secluded beach under a pandanas tree sort of thing.
I am inspired by the Malibu outrigger style but simply love traditional lateen sails and lines of the Arabic dhows.

Imagine one of those gracing Sydney harbour- it will turn a few heads and remind people that there is more to boating than plastic factory built yachts

I want to build something like this:

[boat fan]

Originally Posted by surf boat man

Regarding the ama (there will only be one, this is not a tri but an outrigger canoe style project) I was originally thinking of a hobie 16 hull. But I have been put off that idea by members of this forum who are suggesting a hobie 18 at least or a tornado hull. The tornado hull will probably be the easiest and cheapest to find.

Any other ideas most welcome at this stage.
Obveously my confidence levels are low on this project as I have never attempted anything like this before- but experiance lets me know that having a go is the only way to learn

Laminated plywood is probably the easiest .I have seen it done , and they look very nice.You will have little waste too.You can make almost any shape ( curve ) you want that way too.

The guys gave you good advice I think.The Hobie 16 hulls are not the best for your size boat , a little more buoyancy is better , i. e. get larger hulls if you can. - just remember that as you increase the buoyancy of your ama ,
you need to increase the size or strength of the aka or cross beam.

Don`t worry about your confidence levels , there are lots of guys here that really know what they are doing.

If the polynesians can do it with bamboo and matting and string , so can we with what we have available in Oz. they paved the way thousands of years ago , we can follow . We have learned much from them , and our western brothers also. Have faith...... .

[surf boat man]

yes- agreed- thanks again Boat Fan!!! - what do you thnk of that lateen sail- something else hey! can you imagine that on sydney harbour???

[boat fan]

Did not see that before surf....must have been posting at the same time.

Yes , VERY nice indeed.: cool: make sure you can put in at least one reef on a sail like that though

You want to be able to to power down at least a little ...

http://www.rclandsailing.com/catamaran/design.html#sail

[surf boat man]

yes or drop the big rig and pop up an old wind surfer sail- I have one under the house

have you seen this- I just found it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laUTdnjlOKk

and this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzG_C...eature=related


The internet is a wonderful thing boat fan

[boat fan]

No ,have not seen before , TOO KOOL !!!!!!!!

That thing just wants to GO !

[surf boat man]

yep- not exactly what I am on about- but its good to see what he has done. not bad for what looks to have been donw on a shoe string- my main hull is bigger and much more robust

[boat fan]

Are you going with a dagger board ?
lee board ?
centre board ?

[surf boat man]

yes good question. I will see how she sails once I have the rig up and out rig on. If she slips sideways badly a dagger board comes into playl. I thought a stainless steel bracket or sheath set up on the outrig side of the main hull would be the ideal place to put it. I would have a simple dagger board that you drop in when tacking. For reaching and running it can simply be stowed on the outrig platform or in the main hull.