wooden boat builder: sloop

Showing posts with label sloop. Show all posts

Saturday, March 11, 2006

20 -24 ft sloop - Questions

Hey everyone, I am getting a real bug to start construction on a small yacht for weekend cruising. I am looking at something in the 20 to 24 ft range and am still shopping for designs. My questions (just the beginning) include:

- I am looking at plywood strip planking - any good books out there?

- Can I put compound bends in this form of planking in the area at the curve of the bilge.

- Has anyone cold-molded the hull this way, using glass and epoxy as in sandwich construction?

- Alternatively, I have considered glued-up plywood frames on a solid wood keel and stem.

- Has anyone used lead shot for keel construction? I have heard of using cement, sand, and boiler punchings (1:1:5) to mold a keel with. I would be interested in hearing if anyone has tried this. I would also contemplate a combination fixed and swing keel combination to assist with trailering.

Thanks, Andy

p.s. I just took the tarp off of the 16 ft'er and am anxious to begin decking and spar making this spring. Looking for a launch date of mid-July...

Friday, September 16, 2005

Sloop Mast Question

I am looking for info. (problem solving). I need to rethink how to handle making a mast for my 16 ft daysailer (Thats my picture on the "Whats New" page showing the swing keel/centerboard box). I had originally planned on using a 23 ft spruce pole obtained from a neighbor's yard. Unfortunately, it has cracked and checked badly over the previous winter and this summer. The cracking is so deep (1/2" plus that the upper 8 ft is useless. My plans call for a mast @ 23 ft. tall. I still want to use a sloop rig as apposed to a gaff rig.

What can I do to get the full length of mast while still making it trailerable. 23 ft is just too long to handle in terms of weight with stays, wires, etc, and going around corners. I think that other motorists and law enforcement would look beyond the obvious beauty

of the hull and ignore the mast swinging dangerously into the other lanes on curves.

I have been contemplating an articulating mast or possibly sleeving it in two parts but am having problems with manufacturing possibilities. Any suggestions out there?

Could I leave a mast stump (stepped) of about 5 ft and articulate or sleeve it? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Andy