Buccaneer 24 Trimaran

[zigzag]

pls. send PM for further info/interest in the buc 28 plans I still am looking for buc 33 plans or where would one stretch the 28' proportionately on length only?

[zigzag]

I have china factory who will make kiri plywood to BS 1088. that would take 45% off the weight of normal hardwood marine ply, bit of bother 4 me in QC work but you would get the fast buc! I am basically looking for a big order so the factory is happy. Also I will build a buc 4 u for cost plus, minus rig winches in HK.Meranti framing,prefer to make lite out of Kiri Ply sheathed glass epoxy

[felix7]

no experience here, please help. Can AC or AB fir plywood be used for
the Buccaneer (from the local lumber place)?
I did google "samba mahogany" but all came back was Brazilian dances

thanks
Felix

[felix7]

Is anybody using the USComposites epoxy? any other suggestions
(cheaper & better). Shipping from Florida to California is like 50%
of the epoxy...
thanks
Felix

[felix7]

I have a pretty small backyard. Can the trimaran be finally
assembled away from the building site, ie. be built piece by piece?
thanks
Felix

[felix7]

Does this trimaran take a custom trailer? Built to plans, what
is the final weight of the boat plus trailer (approx. evidently).
I have a sedan and I worry about trailering a 24ft boat...
thanks
Felix

[bruceb]

Felix, I think most any tri would need a "custom" trailer, but it doesn't have to be "very" custom- just some adjustable rollers down the center and a set of bunks that can be adjusted to center the main hull. Mine was built from a two axle powerboat trailer for about a 22' powerboat- rated at 3500lbs load capacity and weighs around 800 lbs. The boat looks large in the rear view mirror but trails great A much lighter trailer would still work fine, my boat is around 1500lbs with the normal gear and engine on board. Most Buc 24s seem to weigh between 1400-1600lbs equipped. Mine was built with 1/4" fir ply in most areas and does not have the cabin, which would add about 100lbs. They can be built 200-300lbs lighter with careful construction and selection of plywood. The material list for most of the smaller tri's give away their real weight- and they are almost all heavier than the Buc 24. The buc gives up some cabin space, but using less wood is less costly to build and offers really good performance for your time and money. I will post a picture of my trailer (or any other details) soon if you are interested. Bruce

[felix7]

Bruce,
I appreciate you taking time to respond. Does it make sense to make these
trailers out of aluminum or is steel the norm? I'm interested in taking the boat
to Baja, SF Bay (closes to me, I'm around Sacramento) and maybe around Seattle. I'd be interested in pictures of both your boat and the trailer.
Thanks
Felix

[oldsailor7]

Originally Posted by felix7

Bruce,
I appreciate you taking time to respond. Does it make sense to make these
trailers out of aluminum or is steel the norm? I'm interested in taking the boat
to Baja, SF Bay (closes to me, I'm around Sacramento) and maybe around Seattle. I'd be interested in pictures of both your boat and the trailer.
Thanks
Felix

In my booklet there is a pic of a Buc28 packed on a standard trailer. The boat is sitting on simple wooden cradles made from Douglas Fir two by fours, padded with PU foam.

[bruceb]

Felix, A good alloy trailer is almost always the best, most hi-end powerboats and working fishermen use them on the east coast. They are lighter and somewhat more flexible so design does matter more, the support system needs to protect the thin hull of your boat. A good trailer dealer should be able to set it up correctly. Almost anything will get the boat to the water (even a cradle on a flatbed wrecker ), but if you are going to travel regularly, spend the time and money to do it right. I will post some pics this weekend. Bruce

[ThomD]

If you have access to good doug fir plywood, it can be used in almost any part of the boat that requires larger size ply. But it needs to be fully finished with glass cloth and epoxy to be worry free, normally. D-Fir is also heavier than some other choices, often is not good quality, and it does not come in really thin ply form for the skins. I did some of my larger bulkheads on a similar boat in balsa cored 1/8" skins and sorta thought it was stupid at the time, but it weights what 9mm does and is extremely rugged compared to any ply, eliminates internal framing.

I built a trailer for my tri out of wood with welded bits. John Marples provided the plans. Interestingly he was recently pretty negative on the regulatory environment in the US these days saying trailering tris was barely legal in many states unless trailer brakes were used, and that their cost and maintenance issues took a lot of the fun out of it. If I remember that correctly.

[bruceb]

My buc 24 was built out of 1/4" d fir ply, epoxy coated but not glassed, and has held up very well for the last 30yrs. None of the bad spots I have repaired came from the outside. It is a little heavier, and the finish quality is just fair, but looks pretty decent painted. One of the good marine plys would be better, and I would suggest trying to afford it- the buc does not use that much. I would glass the decks, below the waterline, and paint the sides. If you use good ply, they will be lighter, fairer than most people can make glass their first time, you will save a lot of sanding and finish your boat several months sooner The Buc 24 does not require the glass for strength. As a sailboat dealer, I have sold hundreds of trailers and boats, and I see no reason a tri should present any issues for trailering. Mine is 7'11" wide and the whole package weighs under 2500lbs. I think it is legal anywhere in the country. Some states do require brakes over 2000lbs and most over 3000lbs, but modern, all-stainless brakes are almost trouble-free and a very good idea if you are towing with a light car. Bruce

[oldsailor7]

I only have two sets of Buccaneer 24 trimaran plans left --if anyone is still interested.

[oldsailor7]

Originally Posted by felix7

Is anybody using the USComposites epoxy? any other suggestions
(cheaper & better). Shipping from Florida to California is like 50%
of the epoxy...
thanks
Felix

SHOP AROUND.
There are several boat building epoxy systems available in SoCal.
West System epoxy and System 3 come to mind.
Google "Boatbuilding Epoxies" and you will get a good selection.

[oldsailor7]

I only have one set of B24 plans left now.
First in --best dressed.
If interested PM me for my PayPal addy.