Being almost finished with Minicup #2 has me wondering what to do next
(besides work) in evenings. I would like to eventually build a large
trailerable trimaran but maybe I need another project sooner.
Yesterday, I was on my big boat (28' S2) and was using the jib halyard
to hoist the dinghy (8' nautilus) from the water and onto the deck and
realized how absurd this was. m This damn dinghy is frggin heavy
although it rows well. I'll never buy an inflatable cuz I just dont
want another engine in my life. What I need is a seriously
lightweight collapsible dinghy. I have seen the designs for very
lightweight ones but they do not collapse to save room.
SO, am considering building a collapsing very lightweight dinghy
designed to row well. My concept is dacron sheets, maybe even
waterproof UV resistant Tyvek, held in tension with fibreglass poles
like an inverted freestanding tent. I want a squarish bow for maximum
room, about 8-9'lenght and squarish stern. I am thinking of the
fiberglas poles or battens running lengthwise in pockets in the dacron
and going into notches in the plywood bow and stern pieces.
Stiffeners (thwarts?) would go across to keep it from collapsing
inward and to hold a seat and oarlocks. Ttranverse fibreglass pieces
would run across the sides and bottom in pockets from side to side.
The "keel" would be formed from flexible closed cell foam with a
rubberized coating cemented to the bottom. (Sorry but my small boat
terminology is lacking). It would roll up around the long fibreglass
poles or maybe the poles would be collapsible.
Any thoughts?