Getting Afloats' "racing" Sharpie Single-masted?

[Dunhill_BKK]

G'day all, I'm interested in starting a wooden boat project. I've been watching the Getting Afloat program and the presenter Nick Gates is restoring a single-masted "racing" Sharpie. It's a nice little boat, with good lines, but surprisingly there is very little information available on this particular type of boat.

Is anyone familiar with the boat I'm talking about and if so, do you know where I could find some plans for it or something very similar.

Alternatively, I'm thinking about Catboats as well, as they have similar features, but the lines aren't quite that of the Sharpie.

cheers,

[Andy]

Here is the British website with links to other sites:

http://www.benstudios.co.uk/sharpie/default.htm

Andy

[Dunhill_BKK]

Cheers,

Those are the ones. Thanks heaps for the link.

[Dunhill_BKK]

Would any Aussies care to recommend types of wood to used to make a version of this boat down under?

I can't just substitute Tassie Oak for the Oak parts can I?

Cheers

[Dunhill_BKK]

I'm having some problems finding full-size plans for the 12 square meter Sharpie.

Does anyone have any suggestions, or know of where I might be able to find the plans?

I've got the small plan, but I've seen larger one in people's build pictures, but I haven't been able to find any.

Cheers,

[frosh]

Hi, I'm intrigued as to why you have chosen a design that was last seriously raced internationally in about 1956? There are probably no existing boats or plans in Australia now. Have you looked at the Aussie Lightweight Sharpie? At least with this design, which is the same shape and size, they are still being built and sailed here, even though nowadays I don't think they are generally wood. However they used to be a plywood boat as I built one ages ago, and it would still probably be class legal. Plans for a wood Lightweight Sharpie would probably be available from the association. I will refer you to a web sites: http://www.yachte.com.au/classes/sharpie.asp
It seems that the national association no longer has a web site, but if you were interested, contact one of the yacht clubs that sponsor the boat to put you into contact with an appropriate person.

[Dunhill_BKK]

I'd prefer to work in all wood. The design, while a bit old, is an award winner, not too big, not too small, and looks rather nice.

I only want something for day-sailing and/or camping on shore around Tassie. I'm happy to substitute Australian woods for the oak I've seen in the design.

I already have a small general plan of the boat and specification from the British 12 M Sqr club website and heaps of pictures on one being built in South Africa from the Dutch 12 M site.

I'd just like to work from a full-sized set of blueprints if possible. Winter is coming on, and I'd like to get started.

[frosh]

For coastal cruising and camping the Aussie Lightweight Sharpie is unsuitable. However the design you have chosen even though a lovely boat is quite narrow in the beam, and you might do better with a solid wood but beamier design?

[Dunhill_BKK]

I'm not sure about a design with a wider beam. I'm going to have to haul this boat around quite a bit, as I live in Canberra at the moment. I thought the small width woudl help with keeping the required trailer small as well.

However, I've looked at a number of other designs, and I think this one is rather easy with regard to the build and I like the rigging set-up as well.

I'm open to suggestions however.

Consider, I've never built a boat and I want to keep thigs very simple for this first attempt.

[frosh]

I would also look at the Osprey. I think it is a lot better proportioned than the 12 sq m. sharpie. It is built in timber (or it used to be) with a clinker effect at the chines. Most of the planking is fairly thick marine ply. Try this web site for a look at the Osprey.
http://www.go-sail.co.uk/osprey.asp[/url]

[Dunhill_BKK]

Are plans for this boat readily available? I've got crude/workable plans for the Sharpie. The Osprey is a similar boat, but a bit more race oriented. I'm looking for more of an travelling boat, a step up from the canoe. In fact I reckon I'll be rowing it a bit as well as sailing.

Thanks for the link. I'll trawl through the sites and see what I can bring up.

Cheers,

[frosh]

Plans for a wooden Osprey might be hard to come by; it is very much an English boat and I think that all recent boats are probably glass. If this is your first boatbuilding project and you want a step up from the canoe and you might also want to row then both designs are probably too large and too difficult for a first building project. I really dont know what appeals to you but maybe look at the GP 14. http://www.yachte.com.au/classes/gp14.asp