Flapjack launching

Well I just want to let you all know that the Flapjack was launched on June 20, at about 9:30 A.M. Pacific time (last day of Spring or first day of Summer, I’m not sure). The pictures that I posted do not show the detail I would like, but I want to share what I have. I still need to build the mast, sprit, and rudder, order the sail, and rig her, but she won’t sail until next spring. I promise that I will post better pictures (shot with a real digital camera) by then. I have to say that if she sails like she rows I picked a winning design. I am surprised that there has not been more written about this boat! Steve Redmond seems to have gotten it right and I would recommend this boat to anyone considering a 14’ rowing and sailing (although I can’t speak with authority on her sailing qualities yet) skiff. I rowed her about two and one half miles. She carries way well and is more stable that I thought she would be and tracks like she is on rails. With plans from Redmond and Thomas Hills book “Ultralight Boatbuilding”, she was a pleasure to build. This novice is thoroughly hooked. Until now I have only built one other boat, a kayak, but I will definitely build others. I would like to thank everyone who posts on this site for the inspiration (direct and indirect) I received throughout this project. I will continue to monitor this site and will look forward to offering what I can. I am proud to be a member of the boatbuilding community and can think of few activities that have been more fulfilling and enjoyable than “messing about in boats.”


Yours truly,

Winks

Flapjack

sern view. Second port and starboard planks ready for installation

S. Redmond design 14' skiff for row/sailing.

Question: gearbox for boats

Hello to all out there.My name is rikus veuger,original from holland but now  living in bandung,indonesia.

I also want to build my own wooden boat and I am looking for many information by reading books and looking on the net.

But some questions I cant seem to get an answere for.So I try out here on this group.

 

It is maybe silly to ask but I am just curious to know why in a boat there is not a automatic gearbox.I ask this becouse I want to build a speedboat and I know that it take a lot of power to speed up the boat until it has

a surtain speed and start to get in plane.

Then you can lower the rpm of the engine but keep the speed.I thougt by using a gearbox the rpm can lower again,saving fuel and give more comfort.

 

My other question is about the angle of the shaft of the propellor.If the shaft and engine are on a angle it seems to me that, becouse of the direction of propellor power, the nose of the boat is lifted and the back is more down into the water.What is the use of that?

Is it not better to use a horizontal propellor,like a saildrive.It will give much more efficienty and it will be more pleasant to sit in when at lower speed becouse the boat stay horizontal. 

 

I hope some one can give me some clear answere to one of my ,probebly silly,questions.

 

All the best

 

Rikus Veuger

 

By the way.I am a trader in East Indian Rosewood,so if anybody needs some timber I can help you to get this great wood,almost any size or quantity.