Hello All - Thought I'd outline some specs/wants for a ply cruiser and and see what everyone can come up with to achieve a workable design.
Rob's working on it too and I'm sure he will appreciate the input.
What's possible and desirable and what's not
The Job
- Generally semi sheltered waters with ability to handle short coastal hops from creek to creek on a good day.
- "Race" at/or capable of 10 kn but ideally cruise around 5-6kn.
- Handle reasonable bar crossings.
- Sail in shallow water.
- Easy, low stress to sail.
- Self steering ability.
- Use as a camper trailer when travelling to and fro.
- Trailerable unit dimensions 7'ish m x 2.1m x 1.5'ish m.
- Wheel track of 1.7m.
- Quick, easy and cheap to build and maintain.
- Fold "on" water.
- Ply, fibreglass and epoxy.
- Biiiiiig berth, 2.1m x 1.5m. with plenty sitting head room.
- Stand up galley with chart/comms.
- Fast set up at launch < 1/2 hour. 20 mins would be good.
- Outboard that can stay "in place".
- Rudders that don't need to "demount" or are really simple to install
- Beachable and dry out and get on and off easy.
- Able to motor up narrows folded/partially.
- Keep out the mossies.
- Produce beer, red wine, cook and provide entertainment.
This is gunna be easy, isn't it, we'll bolt it in.
Some random thoughts
* WW hull does not need to be symetrical for and aft, cabins/cockpit?
* Offset timber masts in tabernacle to lay above LW hull deck?
* Tabernacle would need to be forward of beam/deck.
* Foam bows could Hinge horizontaly but would be limited to 2.1m minus LW hull width?
* Bows could hinge vertically but possibly foul mast tabernacle?
* Bows could slot in and remove to store between hulls, is there room?
* Some slatted deck would be good for when travelling and anchor work?
* Balanced Lug Sails, 2 lines low stress, easily handled?
* Cockpit in Hull, probably prefer not, but space may dictate?
* Poptop running from galley over cockpit and section of berth?
* Anti-vortex panels for leeway resistance,less rudder area needed?
http://www.ikarus342000.com/Antivortexp.pdf
* How do we get to sail in shallow water with regards to rudders?
* What about leeboard?
* Deck clearance does not need to be great, just enough to clear LW hull when folded. Don't have to absail out of bunk or use winch to climb in?
* How do we fold it?
All thoughts, comments and solutions gratefully accepted but don't expect me to like them all. - Frinstance "Tell'im that ees dreamin"
Now we need to get this sorted pretty quick because I've only got a house to finish rennovating, a new house and shed to build, a few k of fencing to do, calves, lambs and kids to mark, chooks and pigs to butcher, fires, floods and droughts to fight, fruit to pick and trees to plant.
So, wer'e lookin at the end of the year.
Thanks All - Darrell