i550

[BeerDidClam 23]

ANy of these so-called i550s for sale anywhere?  

[Gladiator Sailing 0]

3 minutes ago, BeerDidClam said:

ANy of these so-called i550s for sale anywhere?  

Brand new never titled PDX build with carbon foils and spars, on a road trailer ready to go for less than you can build one yourself; just add sails!  PM me for details

 

 

[BeerDidClam 23]

aisle tell the potential buyer about that, thanks Glad. 

[timber 55]

The Clam is back?

[timber 55]

I've got an inquiry about boats in Sydney or reasonably close so an interested guy can see one and touch it to see if there is chemistry. 

T

[BeerDidClam 23]

14 hours ago, timber said:

The Clam is back?

Only because I forgot my usual login stuff and am too lazy and unmotivated to look it up.  Hey. It's January.

Did you set the guy in Syd up with some nearby contact info?  I hope so!

[timber 55]

So far no returns about i550's within reasonable distance of Sydney. Many have migrated to Hobart. 

I am waiting for someone to challenge Commache to race for boat registrations on a course of the i550's choosing

[guerdon 125]

How are you two doing?   I'm with you in spirit.  Aloha, Guerdon.

[sailordude69 0]

Do any of you I550 guys have a use for a broken Viper rig + a proctor boom?  Just thought I would throw it out there.

[monsters inc 12]

I may be looking for a gnav fitting at the mast. Also looking at 640 mainsails, although for an aluminum rig...

[sailordude69 0]

Monster - There are a good looking set on the viper forums

http://forum.viper640.org/index.php/topic,2353.0.html

 

[timber 55]

Plan sets continue to go out to the world. Three of the recent initiates to the cult are in Georgia (USA), Brazil and Peru.

Current project is pouring of a ballast bulb. But this one is a bit different. Poured in three parts with tapered dovetails to join together at destination. You're wondering why? Well the three sections fit in 3 US Postal "if it fits, it ships" boxes. and they have a weight of less than 70 pounds each which  is the  limit. 

The guy in Peru wants to know  if there are sailmakers there that he is not aware of and mast suppliers. 

T

 

[monsters inc 12]

the 550 thread has been quiet for a while. Here is a shot of mine, out for a wash and to check the fit on the trailer bunks.

[timber 55]

Yow! what a great fairing and paint job. It's a real beauty.

[guerdon 125]

The keel shipping in sections is great.  I hope that you and your wife are well.  It's never dull, Aloha Guerdon.

[timber 55]

I am aware of another build in Texas fitting trailer bunks and a fast build project in Georgia going well. And another in Far far Eastern Canada looking like a violin. 

All of the builders are doing a fine job. 

We've a Peruvian builder wanting to source sails and a mast locally, can anyone chime in?i

550%20t-shirt%20a.pdfi550%20t-shirt%20a.pdfi550%20t-shirt%20a.pdf 

[BeerDidClam 23]

Timb, love you guys and all that, but I've had about 8 people email me in the last month about the website and how to order plans.  Are all y'all ever going to get the site back up?  Want some help?  

Want a free site with a tiny bit of functionality but at least a landing page where folks can order things?   I still have an open domain on my web provider.

lemme no.

 

 

[Coquina012 50]

So are plans shut down for a while on these?  I am casting about for my next boat, I am not committed yet, but the i550 is for sure on the table.  Does anyone have any plans they bought and changed their mind on?  Not asking for plans on a boat already built. 

[BeerDidClam 23]

Watershed just sent a planset to a guy.  Yesterday.  See the Forum at:  http://i550class.org/forums/index.php

there's info at the top of the BUILDING AN i550 that's pinned...complete with the email address for Moose and Squirrel (Watershed)

also: register for the Forum and win valuable prizes  (not really, but WTF, right?)

[Dawg_House 1]

9 hours ago, Coquina012 said:

So are plans shut down for a while on these?  I am casting about for my next boat, I am not committed yet, but the i550 is for sure on the table.  Does anyone have any plans they bought and changed their mind on?  Not asking for plans on a boat already built. 

If you take the next step to take a closer look, there is an i550 that moved to San Francisco.   Our MAP needs location and status updated.

[Coquina012 50]

Interesting.  That looks like the condos over on Treasure Island.  Any idea where the boat is kept? 

[Gladiator Sailing 0]

1 hour ago, Coquina012 said:

Interesting.  That looks like the condos over on Treasure Island.  Any idea where the boat is kept? 

Try Richmond

[Red Dwarf 0]

[Red Dwarf 0]

Red Dwarf built by Velocity Boatworks, finally made it into the water.  Still some tweaks to take care of but will be sailing soon.

[timber 55]

Great boat name.

Plans available at i550watershed@yahoo.com

[couchsurfer 206]

On 6/13/2018 at 9:18 AM, Coquina012 said:

So are plans shut down for a while on these?  I am casting about for my next boat, I am not committed yet, but the i550 is for sure on the table.  Does anyone have any plans they bought and changed their mind on?  Not asking for plans on a boat already built. 

...or maybe yer want to save a bit of build time?   Carbon Offset is still available.   Built in Sacramento.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/boa/d/i550-sportsailer/6606913998.html

 

On 6/19/2018 at 12:15 AM, Red Dwarf said:

Red Dwarf built by Velocity Boatworks, finally made it into the water.  Still some tweaks to take care of but will be sailing soon.

Wait,what!?     So cool,, quite tenacious to get 'er done through all the real-life trials,,, congrats!

  That's Vancouver area?  I'd love to take a look.   Maybe I should hold on!   

[couchsurfer 206]

yup,,, things are getting pretty exciting here in the NW now.   

[monsters inc 12]

Plenty of wind here, dig out carbon offset and take her for a rip, eh!

[Alan Crawford 233]

Saw this recent Craigslist posting and figured it would be of interest on this thread.

https://missoula.craigslist.org/boa/d/sailboat-i550/6630468652.html

[Jray 0]

Haha, Allen. Thats my boat. Still looking for a home for her.

[Dex Sawash 397]

How far toward a new one does $7k get you? Mast and one kite?

[Alan Crawford 233]

58 minutes ago, Jray said:

Haha, Allen. Thats my boat. Still looking for a home for her.

Nice looking boat. My “fleet” is to large to consider another addition. I sailed a Viper 640 in the Big Arm area of Flathead a few seasons ago. Good luck selling!

[Donovan 1]

Is there still a solid Portland group?

 

[Gladiator Sailing 0]

On 7/16/2018 at 5:36 PM, Donovan said:

Is there still a solid Portland group?

 

Yes. Of the original 7 boats one is sailing in the Bay Area, one moved to Florida and one that’s finished and has never been splashed is for sale.

[caribsailor431 3]

For anyone still following this thread, Vivacious (former Hot Canary, built by Gougeon Brothers) is for sale in western Michigan. Incredibly well built and equipped. Asking $7k, but open to reasonable offers if I can sell before winter. On her custom trailer, she fits in a standard garage, so no need to pay for storage. 

Tons more photos and details here: https://sites.google.com/view/i550-vivacious/home

Would love to see this boat go to an adventurous person (R2AK 2019? EC?) who can appreciate her history. 

Cheers, 

Alex

[Wess 2,229]

On 7/3/2018 at 1:05 PM, couchsurfer said:

yup,,, things are getting pretty exciting here in the NW now.   

What happened?  Is anyone still racing these things? 

[tannerri 1]

Any being built or sailed in Atlantic Canada? Interested in maybe starting a build.

[Dawg_House 1]

Warren is building #573 in Boutilier's Pt, Nova Scotia.   His build blog is on the i550 site.

http://www.i550class.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=364

There is also the i550 Facebook site   https://www.facebook.com/groups/122920237740920/

[BeerDidClam 23]

On 9/27/2018 at 8:52 AM, Wess said:

What happened?  Is anyone still racing these things? 

Eye herd their was a race in Tasmania.  Some guy from Tasmania won.

That's what I herd. 

[Wess 2,229]

2 hours ago, BeerDidClam said:

Eye herd their was a race in Tasmania.  Some guy from Tasmania won.

That's what I herd. 

So basically ferd herd there was a curd (of these thangs) somewhere else in the werd. 

But the werd I herd is that a LASER is butterer and fasterd. :-)

[timber 55]

Laser? taint not!    Wut us  has been 'cuoragin' folks to do is librate  the bottom toob of one of those plastic potato chip's mast an use it as a prod for the i550.

Wurx gud. If'n yaal were interested there's four of these i550's lookin for new homes. A yellow wun, a blu'un, a white won, an a red 1. One of em has so much carbon and pox that it will last forever.

Ready to go and you won't hafta do any real work ya lazy so n' so.

join the cult. We drink Beer but we're nicer than Brett.

 

 

[guerdon 125]

I hope that you two are well.  Aloha, Guerdon.

[BeerDidClam 23]

Laser are nice.  I think a few have been built and purchased, although for why, I'll never know.  Suppose you are out sailing and you decide you want to take a nap.  i550, you find a cove, toss an anchor, go below and spread out.  Tough to do on a Laser.  Or, you have to poop.  On a Laser, well, forgeddaboutit.  On an i550, you go below, drop the kids off at the pool and you're done.  

Face the facts:  your options on a Laser are limited.  On an i550, they are infinite.  It's like an infinity machine, only with sails and keels and shit. 

[Wess 2,229]

1 hour ago, BeerDidClam said:

Laser are nice.  I think a few have been built and purchased, although for why, I'll never know.  Suppose you are out sailing and you decide you want to take a nap.  i550, you find a cove, toss an anchor, go below and spread out.  Tough to do on a Laser.  Or, you have to poop.  On a Laser, well, forgeddaboutit.  On an i550, you go below, drop the kids off at the pool and you're done.  

Face the facts:  your options on a Laser are limited.  On an i550, they are infinite.  It's like an infinity machine, only with sails and keels and shit. 

Infinity Machine is a good name but do they come in murdered out black with florescent orange foils? And why so many for sale and so few racing?  The original question... what happened; is anyone still racing these things?... was serious, not trolling.

[timber 55]

As far as racing on a regular schedule, no. but in Croatia there is a group that regularly turns out for evening races. There is a video titled #424 racing in 30 knots. Brand new build and the guys were just learning the boat. Planing, scenery, windward werk and some swimming. A good afternoon by all accounts.

Hobart has some but don't know about evenings or weekends. I could be mistaken but Death by Snoo Snoo corrected second in a  fleet race IIRC.

 

[BeerDidClam 23]

Oh, they race. Trust us, they race. 

I heard one crushed a PHLATT BLACK Laser someplace, somewhere. 

Fake news?  

[Wess 2,229]

Only if it fell on it.  But rumor is that it is too rotted to even move.  And the Laser too fast! 

[Gladiator Sailing 0]

I'm sure the marketing geniuses will be here shortly, but they should be cranking these out in glass by the thousands by now.  $8k should get you a solid boat in new condition, just wave the green.

 

[tannerri 1]

Velocity Boat Works has a bunch of pictures on Facebook of glass ones they’re building. Anyone know what they are charging for those? 

[Sail4beer 1,722]

I think I need one of these in NJ 

[timber 55]

Check with Tim at

i550watershed@yahoo.com

Details and information.

[Red Centre 1]

On 10/1/2018 at 11:47 AM, timber said:

As far as racing on a regular schedule, no. but in Croatia there is a group that regularly turns out for evening races. There is a video titled #424 racing in 30 knots. Brand new build and the guys were just learning the boat. Planing, scenery, windward werk and some swimming. A good afternoon by all accounts.

Hobart has some but don't know about evenings or weekends. I could be mistaken but Death by Snoo Snoo corrected second in a  fleet race IIRC.

 

3 are sailing regularly at Kettering Yacht Club - Hi Viz, Squiggle and Zorro(?)

[BeerDidClam 23]

BTW, the keel bulb plug is now residing in Onatario, CA.  It did a global circumnavigation, as far as I can tell. 

Nice work, bulb.  

also:The tradition has become:  use it, ship it, user pays for shipping to the next user.

[Tradez 0]

Having to start all over again. Purchase and obtain all necessary material for the second time to construct the keel strut and bulb and eventually for the rudder. Delaying my launch to next year. Using the world traveled i550 beaver tail mould.

 

[Rasputin22 2,416]

 

[timber 55]

what a brutal way to learn about "chine steer" when the boat rolls to weather. Ahh, Croatia. There is second i550 seen at a distance in the vid.

[couchsurfer 206]

...I've been trying to log in at class.org a few times over the past few months, no such luck.

   I do a 'lost password' process,, enter the given password,, then the page tells me of 'invalid login' or something to that effect,, it then asks for a captcha,, but incredibly I never get it right!?  

[Jray 0]

Couch I was just in class.org, have you contacted admins for password reset? Best I can do.

[timber 55]

Couch, That happened to me once also. Ping Tim and you'll be back in the fold. 

 

 

[couchsurfer 206]

10 minutes ago, timber said:

Couch, That happened to me once also. Ping Tim and you'll be back in the fold. 

Thanks guys,, it's definitely beyond password reset.  I'll check it out sometime.

You notice the big guy was around?   Amazing he's getting something together,,, not so much as quick as he thought, nonetheless it's good to see him do more than just find amazing complications!  

 

[timber 55]

On 10/25/2018 at 3:10 AM, tannerri said:

Velocity Boat Works has a bunch of pictures on Facebook of glass ones they’re building. Anyone know what they are charging for those? 

Velocity Boatworks has shut its doors as far as is known.  More than a few people are waiting for product. I cannot get any response to my attempts at contact.  

[couchsurfer 206]

5 minutes ago, timber said:

Velocity Boatworks has shut its doors as far as is known.  More than a few people are waiting for product. I cannot get any response to my attempts at contact.  

Mannn, things were always seeming a struggle for the guy.  I hope he's doing allright. 

   I can't imagine a boat plant is the best environment to recover from cancer  

[timber 55]

I am hoping he's OK, too. He's had his struggles.

[Gladiator Sailing 0]

6 hours ago, timber said:

Velocity Boatworks has shut its doors as far as is known.  More than a few people are waiting for product. I cannot get any response to my attempts at contact.  

And this surprises you why?

[couchsurfer 206]

Anyone building in the NW?

I've got a full keel casting available, ready for installation.

Price?...$150...can deliver through Portland.

Let me know by PM, I'll send you pics.

[sean9c 4]

Saw this, not affiliated

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/d/seattle-i550-project/6848692727.html

[Gladiator Sailing 0]

40 minutes ago, sean9c said:

Saw this, not affiliated

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/d/seattle-i550-project/6848692727.html

A steal!!

[couchsurfer 206]

4 hours ago, sean9c said:

Saw this, not affiliated

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/d/seattle-i550-project/6848692727.html

That's a really good looking build.    I just sold mine, but the part of me that regrets it,, is trying to convince my rational brain................  

[monsters inc 12]

Where did Carbon end up?

[couchsurfer 206]

1 hour ago, monsters inc said:

Where did Carbon end up?

There was a fellow from Portland who seemed quite interested, but then 2 guys from Vancouver beat him to the chase.  They plan to sail from Jericho.

[timber 55]

There is a Brand new boat with carbon parts for sale in Portland. Probably the best path to getting in touch would be an inquiry at i550class.org. It is the repository of an incredible amount of information about building and sailing the i550. 

[timber 55]

 Another boat in Montana is for sale. It is a beauty. look to the i550class.org classifieds

[Liquid 209]

11 hours ago, timber said:

 Another boat in Montana is for sale. It is a beauty. look to the i550class.org classifieds

$4K? Is that for real? I tried to register and PM the owner but the site didn't like me...

[Gladiator Sailing 0]

31 minutes ago, Liquid said:

$4K? Is that for real? I tried to register and PM the owner but the site didn't like me...

Well there’s a brand new never titled one in Portland available too. 

[Alan Crawford 233]

1 hour ago, Liquid said:

$4K? Is that for real? I tried to register and PM the owner but the site didn't like me...

Look back in this thread; I believe the owner has posted here in the past.

[Jray 0]

Alan, that's is my boat 061 Critical Twist. Trying to find a new home for her.

[BeerDidClam 23]

23 hours ago, Liquid said:

$4K? Is that for real? I tried to register and PM the owner but the site didn't like me...

Tried to register at the i550class DOT org site?   I'll go in and look.  Problem is, we get about 25 spammers/bots per week trying to register and  I haven't had time to weed through the existing list.  Even if you do get through, remember, it takes 5 posts on the forum in order for the PM function to work.

or you could just use the PM function here!  

[Wess 2,229]

46 minutes ago, BeerDidClam said:

Tried to register at the i550class DOT org site?   I'll go in and look.  Problem is, we get about 25 spammers/bots per week trying to register and  I haven't had time to weed through the existing list.  Even if you do get through, remember, it takes 5 posts on the forum in order for the PM function to work.

or you could just use the PM function here!  

I talked to Rajinder and he suggested I be nice - something about you being old or sumin - but oh what a softball is hanging up there.... 

[BeerDidClam 23]

I don't know.  I just don't know anymore, Wess.  I'm like: totalleee clueless?  

[Wess 2,229]

1 hour ago, BeerDidClam said:

I don't know.  I just don't know anymore, Wess.  I'm like: totalleee clueless?  

What you knot know brother?  Go sailing on your own boat.  Everything is much clearer after sailing!!

[TimFordi550#87 4]

I plan to sail one day, Wess.  I have another 10 days of work though.  Then I'm as freeee as a birdddd, now...and this bird ewe cannot chain OH NO YOU CANT CHAAAAAAAINNNNN

so there.

 

(plus I resurrected this login, nyuck nyuck)

[Wess 2,229]

3 minutes ago, TimFordi550#87 said:

I plan to sail one day, Wess.  I have another 10 days of work though.  Then I'm as freeee as a birdddd, now...and this bird ewe cannot chain OH NO YOU CANT CHAAAAAAAINNNNN

so there.

 

(plus I resurrected this login, nyuck nyuck)

I hope you get out there.  We ain't doing any racing this year - just cruising with the wife and really looking forward to it.  Selling off all the other toys - even the UFO.  So we will watch you while we live the high life wearing ascots on our yacht and drinking ice cold cocktails from cut crystal stemware.  Please stay clear and don't scratch my anchor.  If you ever want to join for a sail give a shout.  You can even sing Freebird... so long as you donate a working Bruce CD that has Born to Run on it.

Wess

PS - the Laser is still faster

PPS - Congrats on the coming retirement

PPPS - You know you are going out on my birthday.  An omen for sure; just not sure which way.

[timber 55]

Plans ( #657?) just went to Brisbane, Australia. Perhaps a meetup with the fabled #1 boat in the future?

Edited September 4, 2019 by timber
big TYPO

[timber 55]

Website is up and functioning

i550sailboat.com

Visit and give us a shout

 

[timber 55]

Recent plan sets to Chile, Russia (2), The U.A.E., B.C.    As near as we can keep track there are well more than 100 complete builds, way more than 15% completion rate. What a remarkable bunch of DIY builders. 

[timber 55]

I've had a number of people asking for plans and CNC .dxf files. You can get them here:

i550sailboat.com 

During the world wide distance and separate to survive strategy we are experiencing an increase in plan set requests.

I am wondering if the time to stop and think about what you really would like to have accomplished.

Or the hard budget demands a bank note places on a person as a deterrent to $35K new boats

 Contrast that to an affordable project at a controlled $ outlay. 

No boat is perfect. There are reasonable considerations for home building an i550 and joining a great group at 

i550class.org    and    the i550 facebook group.  I am humbled by the skills and helpful nature of the people.

   

[timber 55]

I am searching for a source of sustainably harvested plywood made to the BS 1088 specification. Also if anyone has experience with the bio-derived epoxy offerings, let me know your experience. 

The goal is to see how much less of a carbon footprint we can make the boat. Plans, patterns and dxf files are being inquired about at an increased rate lately and this niche we have found ourselves and this group of builders in is remarkable. T

[44forty 151]

Have you tried Joubert in France for okoume ? 
 

https://www.joubert-group.com/fr/

[nhaze 0]

On 2/11/2019 at 8:19 AM, BeerDidClam said:

BTW, the keel bulb plug is now residing in Onatario, CA.  It did a global circumnavigation, as far as I can tell. 

Nice work, bulb.  

also:The tradition has become:  use it, ship it, user pays for shipping to the next user.

Just so we all know......  I now hold the keel bulb plug.  Still in Ontario Canada.  If someone needs it pass my info on

[guerdon 125]

I have used Jobert plywood for years.  Entropy epoxy for surfboards.    I believe the Gougeons bought them. out.  I really like Aluzine epoxy from. Fiberglass. Hawaii,.    It is uv stabilized so you don't need to varnish and No sanding between coats.  good luck. to you. 

[Irrational 14 148]

On 3/28/2020 at 2:12 AM, timber said:

Recent plan sets to Chile, Russia (2), The U.A.E., B.C.    As near as we can keep track there are well more than 100 complete builds, way more than 15% completion rate. What a remarkable bunch of DIY builders. 

Looks like you may need some foot braces in the cockpit. Neat boat.