What to build?

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Elias_Fleishman, Feb 6, 2011.

  1. Elias_Fleishman
    Joined: Feb 2011
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    Elias_Fleishman Junior Member

    I am just now getting back into sailing again and I want to build my own boat. I used to sail sunfish, lasers and lightnings and I want to build a fast daysailer that I can trailer back and forth from the lake. I have never built a boat before but I have experience in carpentry. I thought a bout a fireball but I don't have another person with enough experience to crew with me on the boat. What suggestions to you guys have for me on what boat to build?
     
  2. CaptBill
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    CaptBill CaptBill

  3. PAR
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    There is nothing fast about a Weekender. In fact it's one of the poorer design going for home builts, with several reasons to support this contention.

    There are literally thousands of designs to choose from, so don't rush the search. You can just as easily build something you'll hate to sail, as one you'll love, so make lists of your needs and desires, check out many designs and do your home work now, before the lumber bill comes in.
     
  4. CaptBill
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    CaptBill CaptBill

    Oops. I must have read too fast. I was thinking 'fast build' and 'trailerable'. And yeah, this boat is not 'on paper' a good design, but from what I hear the limitations of the design are more on paper for some reason. And as far as speed goes(for this class of boat anyway), she seems to move pretty well. But yeah this boat definitely pushes the envelope as far as sensibilities go... But overall, I still think this would make a great 'fun' boat on the right waters.
     
  5. PAR
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    CaptBill you haven't any idea what the Weekender is all about do you. If you knew anything at all about the boat (or it's siblings) you'd probably know who I am and why I'm calling you out on you statements.
    So, who are you hearing this sort of thing?
    Have you ever seen the plans, let alone been inside one? There's nothing fast about the build of a Weekender, though it is trailerable. It has twice as many parts as it needs and the build techniques are antique and less then desirable to say the least.

    Elias have a look over at www.Glen-l.com and www.Bateau.com.
     
  6. tom28571
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    tom28571 Senior Member

    If the OP has been sailing Sunfish, Lasers and Lightnings, then he may be interested in one design boats for racing. Fireballs are an excellent choice although there may not be any on Lake Lanier that I am aware of. The Windmill Class held their Nationals at LLSC on Lake Lanier last year and that is a great boat. The Windmill does not require a highly skilled crew and usually races with family member. Snipes are another choice. While there are thousands of designs available, there are not very many small one designs that can be home built anymore.

    A small boat that is fast and also very simple to build is the Goat Island Skiff from Michael Storer, but no class racing available. Another route is the line of cat ketches from B&B Yacht Designs that run from 10' to 20' and all fine sailers with a growing list of home builders and forum support.

    While some people seem to like the Weekender, in my opinion it is a poor boat in almost every regard other than being "cute".
     
  7. CaptBill
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    CaptBill CaptBill

    Truth PAR? It is a totally emotional emotional thing I guess. But I have spent a lot of time reading everything on the web about this little boat, from the actual owners. What I learned is that these boats have something about them that the owners seem to get lots of enjoyment from them. The ones that don't like them, seems to me, are the ones who don't have their heart in it so don't address the issues. Especially when an experienced sailor gets one 'dialed in' and addresses some of the issues.They certainly appear in the videos that are out there to be lot of fun. And fast from the looks of it. This boat seems to make good use of a gaff rig.But again, what do I know. I am judging by the vids and owners testimonies.

    The issues, like no ballast or substantial keel, are indeed out of the question as far as the sensibilities go but in actuality, from what I hear, this design somehow seems to defy the rule. It's the same issues (mainly no ballast/righting ability) that allow this little gaffer to PLANE on occasion. A planing gaffer! The design was modified after listening to people like yourself. They found that the extra keel only added weight and decreased this boat's unexplainable 'magic' qualities that defy the sensibilities of most experienced sailors.


    "...and the build techniques are antique and less then desirable to say the least."

    Did you know that Noah's Ark is a three layer parametric, composite core, one piece, WOOD ship that is 515 ft long, with a DOOR smack in the middle? Sensibilities would say 'that is impossible, beyond possibility, can't make wood boats of that size'. Yet the hull is somehow STILL HOLDING TOGETHER AS WE SPEAK. And if you were to build a boat using Noah's techniques you would never build another way again.

    Sorry Elias for not paying more attention to your post.
     
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  8. CaptBill
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    CaptBill CaptBill

    And especially for not paying attention to your location. Duh

    Otherwise I would have said split the difference ,find a good compromise. You can't roll out of Dunwoody, Ga. with a boat with CHINES. You know that ain't gonna work!

    You need to hook up with CaptBill if you want a girl you expect to park over in Dunwoody.

    You need you a 'high end' trailer sailor.

    You need you a Cadillac, don't you? HAHAHA

    You need this Boston Whaler Harpoon5.2 I have sitting in the garage, and go sailing....in this decade.

    But what does a guy with a -3 rating...that probably painted your house....twice..... know about anything?


    Ahhhhh...Kakakaka!
    Ahhh...kakakaka!
     
  9. PAR
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    CaptBill, in your "research" have you stumbled on the BYYB web site, the site dedicated to the Stevenson designs, such as the Weekender? Had you, you'd realize who I am and that your comments about it's abilities and preformance are not even close to reality.
     
  10. Elias_Fleishman
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    Elias_Fleishman Junior Member

    I think I'm am going to go with the snipe. Although it might take a little longer to build than the other boats it is basically everything that i want in a boat at the moment. If I'm still into building boats after the snipe I think I will undertake a much larger project like the dragon.
     
  11. Poida
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    Poida Senior Member

    That's what I say to my wife. "That product must be good, the lady on the advertisement seems happy with it."

    Which has got nothing to do with this thread so I'll go now.
     
  12. tom28571
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    tom28571 Senior Member

    Actually, it has everything to do with this thread and Capt Bill's assessment of the Weekender's sailing prowess.:D:D:D Moved from Dunwoody (Withmere) when I retired and kept a hard chine boat (Windmill) there for 10 years without being run out.
     
  13. Elias_Fleishman
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    Elias_Fleishman Junior Member

    Small world. I live on milltrace a couple houses down from the tennis courts
     
  14. CaptBill
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    CaptBill CaptBill

    I know for a fact I have worked in Windmere. I lived all over Atlanta, mainly Sandy Springs. Easy commute to Dunwoody.

    PAR, I guess it would be unfair for me to not show all my cards too then. I have been on the lookout for 'canidate boats' that would be a good fit for testing some ideas I have dealing with a 'rig enhancement'. Good candidates being boats that have notorious bad manners or, as in the case with the Weekender, way under-ballasted/finned. I have a hypothesis that with the right set-up with the rig enhancement will be augmented by the same 'undesirable flaw' that is there and turning it to an advantage instead. My thinking is that an under-ballasted rig has more energy to be transferred into the 'apparatus' I have in mind. And the 'apparatus' imparts a dampening resistance just from 'taking off' the power it needs. What it does with the power is apply corrective adjustments which are dynamically trimming the rig. The net effect should be a major transformation in the attitude department. The underballasted condition is now possibly a desirable trait if you throw this 'dynamically trimming rig enhancement' into the equation.

    I will take your word for it though concerning her issues. You aught to know. But she sure does have a lot of appeal to me (from this far off) as far as a 'fun' boat goes. Especially for Lanier. Just get SeaTow in case you knock her down. Flaw fixed. You should give yourself more credit on this one.
     

  15. CaptBill
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    CaptBill CaptBill

    Of coarse you know I was ribbing about the chines in Dunwoody comment. HaHa

    Also remember, I never said the Weekender was the fastest girl in the race or the best build technique. I was thinking fast build day sailer. But PAR says I have been misled about the fast build part. I would certainly hear what he says about before ME, for sure. I never claimed to be anywhere near as knowledgeable as PAR on the subject, other than to let him know that you will have a hard time convincing the owners of these boats. They are spreading all kinds of lies or they are too emotionally attached to pay any attention to.
     
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