On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 16:54:24 -0500, Jim Conlin
wrote:

So, buy a good old boat and go get some experience.

============================================

Absolutely right. Building a boat of any size at all is a very big
project that is guaranteed to take 2 or 3 times longer than your
wildest estimate, and with matching cost over runs. If you really
want to build a boat I'd recommend something small.

I want to thank everyone for their comments and suggestions. I think I
learned a few things in the exchange.

I guess my idea about the value of a full length keel was not consistent
with current designs.

I still like the flush deck design because I think it gives the most cabin
for similar boat lengths.

I think I still like the idea of a deck stepped mast.

William, I had a look at your Solo15 design and I like all the analysis you
have put into it. It sounds like it is close to what I'm looking for (should
be rather easy to modify to a flush deck design).

The suggestion to purchase a used boat is probably the best for the long
term. I think the part that scares me is the stories I read about the
extensive work involved in repairing older boats that have been neglected.
I'm not sure I would be able to spot signs of neglect or pending failure.
I'm cautious about "buying someone elses problems". If I build it from
scratch, then I'll know it inside and out and when it needs extensive
maintenance, I will be confident in my ability to fix it because I'll know
what was there originally.

I'm very confident I can build the hull and finish the cabin without any
significant problems. I'm not so sure I understand all the rigging.

I think I'll wait on Jacques and see what the VG18 looks like. And I'll look
closer at the used boats.



"William R. Watt" wrote in message
...

William R. Watt ) writes:

I roughly designed an inexpensive lightweight one for canal and river
sailing and put the design steps on my website (see below) under "Boats,
Solo15". It has an offset centreboard. I guess that would be a
"bilgeboard".

It was not my intention to begin a string of commercial postings. I should
clarify that the design above is free but incomplete. I did to help other
amateurs like myself desing their own boats. I do not design or build
boats for profit, apart from entering the ocassional design in a contest
for amateurs.

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"Frugal Yachting", written by a Potter 15 owner, contains a survey of
popular pocket cruisers which you might find interesting. Our public
library has a copy.

If there is any doubt about a used boat it's possbile to have it checked
over by a surveyor. I'd 'phone a local sailing club and ask for referals.
Also, local sailing clubs are a good place to look for used boats for sale.
They usually have a list of club member boats for sale, nowadays often on a
club website.
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