538 replies to this topic

[nroose]

I have this problem when I talk to people about boats of different sizes. Most people think only of the length of the boat -- overall length. The thing is, boats are 3 dimensional objects. They have different shapes. Those light sportboats down under are small for their length. Just like the Viper is small for it's length. You can not compare the difficulty of building a viper to it's weight with the difficulty of building a melges 20 or a U20 to the same weight, or even a cal 20. The viper is a smaller boat, even though it is approximately the same length. A single scull (http://www.empacher....ote/1x_R_e.html) even longer, and they weigh 85 - 100 kg. It's a little like explaining the difference between peeling an apple and peeling an orange. It is very difficult to peel an apple with your bare hands.

They actually weigh 14 kg (minimum weight) - the 85-100kg is the rower weight.........

Ah. Thanks for the correction. I was thinking it sounded heavier than I remembered (from 20 years ago!). But it makes the point even more salient. The length of an object is not a good predictor of weight (or even cost/value), and that holds for boats, unless you assume everything else is the same.

[Heriberto]

So lots of news, I'm assuming?

Any new video or pictures?

In other words, "bump".

Thanks!

[GybeSet®]

like you've pony'd up and bought one ?

gotta be the best value out there .. WHY not

[Savage 17]

like you've pony'd up and bought one ?

gotta be the best value out there .. WHY not

If that is what you feel why haven't you bought one? How many have been sold to date? Hull#2 to Asia without the cutouts in the cockpit and then Hull#1 demo boat was for sale....., but now a new option to have a lifting keel.....

[PurpleOnion]

like you've pony'd up and bought one ?

gotta be the best value out there .. WHY not

Agree on the value point. It's a phenomenal deal.
Freeing up the cash for a purchase is not always quick or easy.
Nothing wrong with a guy being interested in a boat, but not yet in a position to buy.

[Savage 17]

like you've pony'd up and bought one ?

gotta be the best value out there .. WHY not

Agree on the value point. It's a phenomenal deal.
Freeing up the cash for a purchase is not always quick or easy.
Nothing wrong with a guy being interested in a boat, but not yet in a position to buy.

I agree 100%... If i ahd the money freed up I would be on the order list...

[Heriberto]

like you've pony'd up and bought one ?

gotta be the best value out there .. WHY not

Agree on the value point. It's a phenomenal deal.
Freeing up the cash for a purchase is not always quick or easy.
Nothing wrong with a guy being interested in a boat, but not yet in a position to buy.

I agree 100%... If i ahd the money freed up I would be on the order list...

Agree.

Looks like the general view is radio silence, but many wheels are turning. It's a fine line between too much info and too little.

When things are more finalized, I'll share what I personally am doing in hopes of fleet building, and leave it to others on their front.

Something that will be critical is people talking and proposing GP26 class target regattas. Looks like the US boats will be spread out.....

[Nrg85]

Where is mainsail halyard located?
At the bottom of the mast so mainsail clutch is inside the cabin or on the cabin?

[set321go]

Where is mainsail halyard located?
At the bottom of the mast so mainsail clutch is inside the cabin or on the cabin?

Please can you stop asking stupid questions before using the internet for what it was designed for.

If you have followed this thread you will know who is making these boats so if you navigate to www.google.com and search for "gp26", if your lucky and you find their website they might also have some pictures of the builts, one of which has the clutches, im not going to tell you though.

Good luck, the internets a big place

[Jim Donovan]

The mainsail halyard arrangement is standard racing yacht practice;
Exit and cleat below; leads out to cockpit winches via block on sling.
This keeps the mainsail halyard clear of other lines while racing.

Photos on web show hull No 1 and 2 with exit on deck (masts showed up with all exits above deck).

[windseekeryachts]

The mainsail halyard arrangement is standard racing yacht practice;
Exit and cleat below; leads out to cockpit winches via block on sling.
This keeps the mainsail halyard clear of other lines while racing.

Photos on web show hull No 1 and 2 with exit on deck (masts showed up with all exits above deck).

Jim, actually Hull1 mast showed up with exits above deck, Hull2 client wanted above deck exit.

[Savage 17]

The mainsail halyard arrangement is standard racing yacht practice;
Exit and cleat below; leads out to cockpit winches via block on sling.
This keeps the mainsail halyard clear of other lines while racing.

Photos on web show hull No 1 and 2 with exit on deck (masts showed up with all exits above deck).

Jim, actually Hull1 mast showed up with exits above deck, Hull2 client wanted above deck exit.

So, I'm confused, what does the actual design call for below deck or above? I take it this is not a set GP26 class rule?

[Jim Donovan]

The mainsail halyard arrangement is standard racing yacht practice;
Exit and cleat below; leads out to cockpit winches via block on sling.
This keeps the mainsail halyard clear of other lines while racing.

Photos on web show hull No 1 and 2 with exit on deck (masts showed up with all exits above deck).

Jim, actually Hull1 mast showed up with exits above deck, Hull2 client wanted above deck exit.

So, I'm confused, what does the actual design call for below deck or above? I take it this is not a set GP26 class rule?

The standard mainsail halyard exit and cleat are below.
GP 26 Class Rules do not address halyard exit locations, but prohibit halyard locks (204.4)

[windseekeryachts]

A lot have been happening in the past few weeks. So here is a small update.

• Hull1 Demo boat has been sold to Norway, after about a 2 hrs test drive in arount 15 knots of wind, all smiles on board... The plan is to present her in Oslo Boat Show in March
• Hull3 is sold to a client in North East USA, and yes she will sail together with Kevin's one off Donovan GP26.
• We will launch Hull4 and sail her here in Istanbul in 2013 Summer
• The first race results from Hull2 sailing in Hong Kong came just recently. Stingray is in 2nd position after 4 races in Hebe Heaven Yacht Clubs winter saturday series. Results are here . Congratulations!
• Lifting keel design is 98% finished with production due to start in a month.

[StayinStrewn]

2 in CT, sweet!

[Savage 17]

2 in CT, sweet!

I thought you bought the 2nd one? Did you sell the Evelyn yet?

[StayinStrewn]

That's news to me!! No sale as of yet, but its available if you know anybody who is interested!

[dirty plumber]

We got to see Kevins boat. Any new news/photos here?

[DIMITRIS]

A lot have been happening in the past few weeks. So here is a small update.

• Hull1 Demo boat has been sold to Norway, after about a 2 hrs test drive in arount 15 knots of wind, all smiles on board... The plan is to present her in Oslo Boat Show in March
• Hull3 is sold to a client in North East USA, and yes she will sail together with Kevin's one off Donovan GP26.
• We will launch Hull4 and sail her here in Istanbul in 2013 Summer
• The first race results from Hull2 sailing in Hong Kong came just recently. Stingray is in 2nd position after 4 races in Hebe Heaven Yacht Clubs winter saturday series. Results are here . Congratulations!
• Lifting keel design is 98% finished with production due to start in a month.

Windseeker are you gonna have sailing demo's in Olso? Now I am based in the southern Norway (Kristiansand) and I would like to exploit the possibility of having a GP26 here in Norway. So when your coming to Oslo can we have meeting?

[windseekeryachts]

A lot have been happening in the past few weeks. So here is a small update.

• Hull1 Demo boat has been sold to Norway, after about a 2 hrs test drive in arount 15 knots of wind, all smiles on board... The plan is to present her in Oslo Boat Show in March
• Hull3 is sold to a client in North East USA, and yes she will sail together with Kevin's one off Donovan GP26.
• We will launch Hull4 and sail her here in Istanbul in 2013 Summer
• The first race results from Hull2 sailing in Hong Kong came just recently. Stingray is in 2nd position after 4 races in Hebe Heaven Yacht Clubs winter saturday series. Results are here . Congratulations!
• Lifting keel design is 98% finished with production due to start in a month.

Windseeker are you gonna have sailing demo's in Olso? Now I am based in the southern Norway (Kristiansand) and I would like to exploit the possibility of having a GP26 here in Norway. So when your coming to Oslo can we have meeting?

Hello Dimitris,
we will send the boat in early January. The boat show is on march 13-17 and on land so there is no demo sail during the show, it is preseason anyways. But perhaps I can try to fix you with the owners so you can go sailing when the boat is launched. Send me a PM.

[Ryley]

A lot have been happening in the past few weeks. So here is a small update.

• Hull1 Demo boat has been sold to Norway, after about a 2 hrs test drive in arount 15 knots of wind, all smiles on board... The plan is to present her in Oslo Boat Show in March
• Hull3 is sold to a client in North East USA, and yes she will sail together with Kevin's one off Donovan GP26.
• We will launch Hull4 and sail her here in Istanbul in 2013 Summer
• The first race results from Hull2 sailing in Hong Kong came just recently. Stingray is in 2nd position after 4 races in Hebe Heaven Yacht Clubs winter saturday series. Results are here . Congratulations!
• Lifting keel design is 98% finished with production due to start in a month.

I'd like to see some updated exterior pictures of the production build deck, locations and labeling of control lines, etc. Also would love an update on where the lifting keel design stands.

[Trevor B]

Windseeker,
A couple of questions after looking at your site;
What material are the shrouds made of?
Do you have any detail pictures of the mast? Gooseneck, vang attachment, masthead, forestay attachment.
Could the forward hatch be moved forward to allow a spinnaker retrieval system to be set up?
Have you ever built a kelp cutter? Would one be an option, and for how much?
Thanks,
Trevor from Santa Cruz, Californiia

[nroose]

Thinking about taking it to HI, Trevor?

[windseekeryachts]

Windseeker,
A couple of questions after looking at your site;
What material are the shrouds made of?
Do you have any detail pictures of the mast? Gooseneck, vang attachment, masthead, forestay attachment.
Could the forward hatch be moved forward to allow a spinnaker retrieval system to be set up?
Have you ever built a kelp cutter? Would one be an option, and for how much?
Thanks,
Trevor from Santa Cruz, Californiia

Hi Trevor,
Please send your email via PM. It is easier to exchange info with regular mail.
thanks.
Sciftci@magmarin-tr.com
Serhad.

[GybeSet®]

trev do you mean a spin chute like a 505 ? or dousing like a m32.
Nigh impossible to pass safety cats if chute goes to the interior ?

[Jim Donovan]

Trevor,

To mount the hatch further forward requires the hatch to be off-center to clear the sprit.
This off center location would not meet Cat 4 requirement 3.08.3 a) "A hatch shall be so arranged as to be above the water when the hull is heeled 90 degrees."

GP 26 rules require Cat 4.

We are working on a retrieval system for a client now through the existing hatch that includes detailing typical for larger yachts; obviously the sytem is downsized for the 26, and we have confidence it will work quite nicely.

[Trevor B]

Thinking about taking it to HI, Trevor?

The boat seems like a nice one for our combination of cold water and big breeze.
Big enough to race to the Farallones, or Santa Cruz, while being small enough to trailer easy. Sporty enough to be fun most of the time, but self righting so you don't get in the water if/when you mess up.
I've got little kids who are keen about sailing, I don't want a boat that requires getting on the keel.

trev do you mean a spin chute like a 505 ? or dousing like a m32.
Nigh impossible to pass safety cats if chute goes to the interior ?

Dousing like a M-32, sounds like Jim is working on it.

[windseekeryachts]

hull1 paint job finished.

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[windseekeryachts]

Special offer for NZ and Australia.
www.wraceboats.com


for details please enquire.

[windseekeryachts]

Building of Hull#5, Lifting Keel version starts with the deck today for a client from Florida.

[Ryley]

Building of Hull#5, Lifting Keel version starts with the deck today for a client from Florida.

Drawings, man! We need drawings! and Pictures!

[windseekeryachts]

Building of Hull#5, Lifting Keel version starts with the deck today for a client from Florida.

Drawings, man! We need drawings! and Pictures!

Jim what do you think we can post here?

[Jim Donovan]

Building of Hull#5, Lifting Keel version starts with the deck today for a client from Florida.

Drawings, man! We need drawings! and Pictures!

Jim what do you think we can post here?

Detailed construction drawings and CNC surfaces are not going to get published on the forum; give me a week or so to find time to make a promotional document.

The lift keel version looks a lot like the fixed keel; most notable changes are upgrade to internal keel frame built from a mold, and slight change to keel fin geometry to enable lift (same size but no rake in lift zone).

[Ryley]

The conversation sort of petered out so I wasn't sure what the final lifted draft is going to be, or what the final decision on the rudder was. I'm trying to figure out if the dimensions work to truly make this a ramp-launchable boat for us. there are other questions, of course, about stepping and unstepping the mast, but I'm not as worried about that as whether the keel mods are worth the added expense, at least for my situation.

Thanks.. I'm sure the design is very cool.

[Jim Donovan]

Ryley
its pretty obvious ypur gonna need a crane to launch it
downunder that would NOT qualify as ramp launchabe
under that criteria they have fucked up and have not reached the ideal for 'mass market' suitability

an M32 can, and they have used their brains

It's not all that difficult to design a lifting keel 26 foot trailer sailor; it's done all the time; you might find the McGregor 26 suits your agenda nicely.

The solution arrived at for this lift keel GP 26 is for a small segnment of sailors that do not have the ability to launch a GP26 at full draft for a variety of reasons; the keel is quite deep for a 26 footer.

If you haven't bothered to investigate fully all the restrictions defined within the GP26 class rules, you would not understand the complexity of building a GP26 with a fully retracting keel without significant compromises compared to a fixed keel GP 26.


This lift keel version is NOT compromised in anyway compared to the fixed keel version.

[Ryley]

Jim, from what I've seen, it may be workable for my area - there's enough volume aft on the GP to start floating sooner than my Elliott. There's one ramp that might accomodate the launch and recovery in my area if I can figure out the mast stepping. when the first one hits the states I'll probably go take a look. Thanks for all your work on this.

[Jim Donovan]

Jim, from what I've seen, it may be workable for my area - there's enough volume aft on the GP to start floating sooner than my Elliott. There's one ramp that might accomodate the launch and recovery in my area if I can figure out the mast stepping. when the first one hits the states I'll probably go take a look. Thanks for all your work on this.

Thanks Ryley.

We are not promoting the GP26 as a "trailer sailor"; the class rules dictate the furthest forward the cockpit can extend which places the companionway in a location that makes lifting the keel fin above deck level complicated without ading a lot of extra structural weight at deck level.
The decison was made to accept an 840mm (33inch) lifting keel that didn't compromise the design.

But it will be possible to ramp launch the boat; the ramp has everything to do with this procedure.
If the ramp extends into deep enough water it'll work w/a long trailer extension.

Comparing the GP26 to the J70, the GP26's keel bulb is probably 12" deeper, so you just need to get the trailer in 12" deeper water.

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[GybeSet®]

you might find the McGregor 26 suits your agenda nicely.

I'd park it in the backyard as a 'trailer' (aus=caravan) so the family has somewhere to stay over, it would double as a kids cubby-house
then go sail my moth

[Jim Donovan]

you might find the McGregor 26 suits your agenda nicely.

I'd park it in the backyard as a 'trailer' (aus=caravan) so the family has somewhere to stay over, it would double as a kids cubby-house
then go sail my moth

Glad you have a sense of humor - I spent a few days in a boat yard in Hong Kong working on the GP26 parked right next to a McGregor 26.
Quite difficult to comprehend the GP26 and McGregor were both technically "sailing yachts".

I think you're right the McG makes a better caravan; the mast really serves no function.

[GybeSet®]

ha ha
in the boatyard I had to bring some customers Mac around to the travel-lift slings
bear in mind despite 40yrs steering fast things i don't do 'powerboat' well, if at all, no license, i got commercial tickets but no plain vanilla powerboat license
last 'wheel' steering i do is on a Volvo 60

anyways i have to leave the dock, go out into the bay do a 180^ and come in bow first to the slings

Jesus H Christ i'm in the shit right away, steering was sorta 'locky' and immoveable and i hit the throttle big style half way thru the turn.
I turns out the ballast tanks were empty and i put it over half way thru my racing turn, its gone past the chine stability and she's over at some goddamned angle
My workmates are all stopped & cheering by this stage and i'm wondering if i shat my pants

I'm never leaving the dock on a Mac again !
scariest friggen boat i've ever been on

[Heriberto]

you might find the McGregor 26 suits your agenda nicely.

I'd park it in the backyard as a 'trailer' (aus=caravan) so the family has somewhere to stay over, it would double as a kids cubby-house
then go sail my moth :)/>

Glad you have a sense of humor - I spent a few days in a boat yard in Hong Kong working on the GP26 parked right next to a McGregor 26.
Quite difficult to comprehend the GP26 and McGregor were both technically "sailing yachts".

I think you're right the McG makes a better caravan; the mast really serves no function.

Not entirely true. That is where they fly their martini flag and Jolly Roger.

[windseekeryachts]

Wraceboats will be at Norboat Boatshow in Oslo Norway 13-17 march with the GP26.

[DIMITRIS]

Wraceboats will be at Norboat Boatshow in Oslo Norway 13-17 march with the GP26.

Nice I can put these days into my calender and pop up to the expo....

[windseekeryachts]

Hull #6, 2nd lifting keel boat has been contracted to a client from North East USA.

[nroose]

Hull #6, 2nd lifting keel boat has been contracted to a client from North East USA.

Congratulations to Windseeker, JD, and the new owner. I'm jealous.

[Savage 17]

I hope the boat takes off.... Time will tell

[Ryley]

I hope the boat takes off.... Time will tell

The boat already takes off, but you knew that

[Savage 17]

Lance .... Selling 6 boats in 3 yrs isn't what I would call taking off I don't see one in my future anytime soon timing dint workout, so I moved on to another boat

[Heriberto]

Lance .... Selling 6 boats in 3 yrs isn't what I would call taking off I don't see one in my future anytime soon timing dint workout, so I moved on to another boat

Clearly he was talking about it taking off on a plane. Something that it also definitely does.

But actually, what would you call selling three hulls (not including hull 1) in the last six months out of one mold for a non-one design oriented box rule boat? I would call that pretty damn good given the current economy. This is a grand prix performance level boat, not a pedestrian grade dump truck like the J70. It won't be for everyone. Clearly not for the "Sailing World"/Scuttlebutt sheeple set, who gauge a boat's worth soley by how many other people buy it. That has no appeal for the Sonar/Ensign crowd or third tier J22 owners.

Anyway, congrats on getting a new boat and good luck in whatever class you have settled on.

[jim lee]

But actually, what would you call selling three hulls (not including hull 1) in the last six months out of one mold

Dart sales?

-jim lee

[Savage 17]

Lance .... Selling 6 boats in 3 yrs isn't what I would call taking off :)/> I don't see one in my future anytime soon timing dint workout, so I moved on to another boat

:rolleyes:/>


Clearly he was talking about it taking off on a plane. Something that it also definitely does.

But actually, what would you call selling three hulls (not including hull 1) in the last six months out of one mold for a non-one design oriented box rule boat? I would call that pretty damn good given the current economy. This is a grand prix performance level boat, not a pedestrian grade dump truck like the J70. It won't be for everyone. Clearly not for the "Sailing World"/Scuttlebutt sheeple set, who gauge a boat's worth soley by how many other people buy it. That has no appeal for the Sonar/Ensign crowd or third tier J22 owners.

Anyway, congrats on getting a new boat and good luck in whatever class you have settled on.

Thanks Herb.....best of luck to you getting your refit project done so, you can sell it to buy your GP26!

Also GP26 isn't what the industry would call Grand Prix ...... Farr 400 and bigger are Grand Prix

[Heriberto]

But actually, what would you call selling three hulls (not including hull 1) in the last six months out of one mold

Dart sales?

-jim lee

Ha! Congrats! I would call that pretty darn good.

[Heriberto]

If you go by length/spend, a Farr 400 is not grand prix compared to a TP52. A Melges 32 is not grand prix by that calculation. Good luck racing one on a less than grand prix budget. Even with a grand prix budget, you can still be tail-end Charlie

For the GP26, I said "grand prix level performance", I stand by that, but it is still a 26-foot boat. Frankly, speaking for me personally as someone who would like to join the fleet in the next year or two, I would be glad if it never becomes "grand prix", because who needs those assholes?

Greg, everybody appreciates your passion for sailing and critical eye on the GP26, but nobody who has been on the boat would agree with your assessment that it is anything less than superb. It looks like you went with a Henderson 30 and that is a very nice boat. I'm sure you will have a great time racing it.

[Ryley]

Lance .... Selling 6 boats in 3 yrs isn't what I would call taking off :)/> I don't see one in my future anytime soon timing dint workout, so I moved on to another boat

:rolleyes:/>


Clearly he was talking about it taking off on a plane. Something that it also definitely does.

But actually, what would you call selling three hulls (not including hull 1) in the last six months out of one mold for a non-one design oriented box rule boat? I would call that pretty damn good given the current economy. This is a grand prix performance level boat, not a pedestrian grade dump truck like the J70. It won't be for everyone. Clearly not for the "Sailing World"/Scuttlebutt sheeple set, who gauge a boat's worth soley by how many other people buy it. That has no appeal for the Sonar/Ensign crowd or third tier J22 owners.

Anyway, congrats on getting a new boat and good luck in whatever class you have settled on.

Thanks Herb.....best of luck to you getting your refit project done so, you can sell it to buy your GP26!

Also GP26 isn't what the industry would call Grand Prix ...... Farr 400 and bigger are Grand Prix

Just what exactly do you think the GP in GP 26 stands for? Is the goal of a successful class to outspend each other until the boats become unaffordable (a la HPR?) or is it to provide some form of level racing in a boat so simple even a caveman can do it (and afford to) a la... other recent OD classes that shall remain untyped. I think, and have always thought, that the 25 - 29 foot range provides an arena where a competent skipper can afford to campaign their boat competitively without being constrained to OD or having to mortgage the house to buy sails each season. I think the GP is going to meet this compromise area quite well. I think it's a balance between the true simplicity (and occasional tuning frustration) of a no-backstay boat and a runner-laden Hendo or Cone. I think the form stability keeps the cat-herding that crew management always is to an acceptable and manageable level. Sail with 4, sail with 6, hell sail with 2. Even with masthead kites I think the GP will be an order of magnitude easier to double-hand than the Elliott, and that one's not exactly rockit science. but again, form stability will make the GP 26 faster in double-handed conditions. So: manageable purchase and maintenance costs, check. manageable crew requirements, check. manageable sail plan and tuning requirements, check. Cat 3 compliant, check. Guess I should write a check

I hope the budget on a GP26 never reaches the level of a Farr 400 - that would signal to me a failure in the class to meet its goals, but at least according to this website the "GP" 26 still stands for Grand Prix.

And yes, I was talking about the other kind of "taking off." 6 hulls is by no means J/boat success, but including Kevin's and the second build, Donovan's design has already met 3/4 of all US-built Elliott 770s, so I can measure this as successful. And that's before hull 1 has even been seen at a boat show.

As Herb said, congratulations on your new boat - I hope I see you out there this year. Hendo's are awesome and I know you've got enough people around to sail it well.

[Savage 17]

Herb... Best of luck to you and you quest for the GP26....

I will always be critical it is my job to be critical. I hope the boat starts to get traction. When I say traction.... Sales like what the mumm30 did in two yrs in USA was 65 boats..... Or look at the J88 which has 3 ordered already....

[Savage 17]

Thanks Lance..... The GP26 is a great boat! I hope people start ordering it!

[Heriberto]

If you needed the GP26 to sell 65 boats in two years to make you a believer, you were looking for a different definition of "success" than anybody else interested in the boat. Then again, I bet those Mumm owners would have been happy to have half as many boats sold if it meant not having to send their own boat back to Carroll to have the deck redone..... Or they might have been happier with 25 less boats sold if they weren't tied to shit undersized Lewmar hardware due to class rules. But all of that was another time, another economy.

Thank god J-boats are around so all the people who want a J-boat can buy one. It's another win for deep pockets marketing and a captive dealer market who are forced to buy J-boats and pass them on to clients at firesale pricing to create an aura of high demand. So these three J88s, are they sold to dealers or actual sailors? Jim and Serhad aren't playing that game.

Regardless, I think if you talk to Kevin or the other people who have just recently bought their boats, they are pleased with the decision they made. While it would be nice to have another 60 boats out there, having maximum fun on the boat they bought is more important.

Sadly, dislocating my shoulder and breaking my arm has put a big dent in my schedule.

[windseekeryachts]

Thanks for your comments Herberito and sorry to hear about your injury. Car accident or what?
And Savage, congratulations on your purchase...

Naturally there are different views about the sale success of the 26 footer, and I am ofcourse biased... But I think it is not fair to compare the numbers to Melges or J. for various reasons.
Some easy ones are:
Our marketing budget small.
There are very very few real potential buyers in the local community, and also Turkey
The boat has not been seen in a place with a lot of real buyer potential. Boat shows or sailing...

So far only Norweigians came and sailed, tested the boat and then wrote the check. I have to admit Kevin's boat has made things easier for USA but no other client has sailed our boat before buying. Still not a very easy decision...

Lucky for us the this will change this season, and several boats will be visible in Usa and also Norway. As #1 will be visible in Oslo Boat show in March, then #3 is expected to arrive in May to North East USA. and then it will be followed by #5 and #6 lifting keel boats in summer.

We will also be in Annapolis boat show later in the year.

Waiting to see how all this will turn out...

I will be posting some pictures from the build soon...

Cheers,

[Heriberto]

Is hull #4 staying there?

The shoulder is from snowboarding....

[Ryley]

When you come to Annapolis, are you bringing a fixed or lifting keel version?

[windseekeryachts]

Plan is to have both Fixed and Lifting keel boats will be in Annapolis. But I suspect interested parties from N.E will go see the boats before the show.
#4 is our new Demo Boat being finished at the moment. Will probably sail in April.

[StayinStrewn]

who's getting hull #3?!?! has it been made public?

any chance of getting Kevin, and hull 3 to BIRW? There will be 3 FT10s, some Farr 30s and M30/32s - hoping for a sport boat class under PHRF for the 30+/- footers...obviously those are bigger boats, but should be similar or even better performance by the GP 26 (assumption - I haven't seen any numbers for real comparisons!!)

[windseekeryachts]

Some pictures from the loading to Norway.

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[TBone]

What's on the bottom?

[StayinStrewn]

speedo?

[TBone]

Finish.

[83TER]

Some pictures from the loading to Norway.

Some very dodgy rigging going on there could of at least used a spreader bar for the lift. pretty cool boat btw

[Jim Donovan]

Some pictures from the loading to Norway.

Some very dodgy rigging going on there could of at least used a spreader bar for the lift. pretty cool boat btw

Boat & cradle weighs very little - very little compression load on those straps
Glad you like the boat

[DIMITRIS]

Some pictures from the loading to Norway.

Some very dodgy rigging going on there could of at least used a spreader bar for the lift. pretty cool boat btw

Boat & cradle weighs very little - very little compression load on those straps
Glad you like the boat :)/>

Jim I love your boat it looks awesome I am now based in southernwest if Norway and I plan to go to the expo to see the little beast face to face! Please allow me to say that the slings are always in tension.... (It is the structural engineer inside me that talks ...) but I might be wrong in what you meant!

[dolphinmaster]

Plan is to have both Fixed and Lifting keel boats will be in Annapolis. But I suspect interested parties from N.E will go see the boats before the show.
#4 is our new Demo Boat being finished at the moment. Will probably sail in April.

CRW would be a great venue to display one.

[83TER]

Some pictures from the loading to Norway.

Some very dodgy rigging going on there could of at least used a spreader bar for the lift. pretty cool boat btw

Boat & cradle weighs very little - very little compression load on those straps
Glad you like the boat :)/>

If it was my boat I would be more worried about cosmetic issues slinging it that way for the sake of an extra 5 minutes to rig up a spreader bar

[Savage 17]

Is Kevin still planing on debuting the Farrar GP26 @ Charleston Race Week?

http://www.yachtscor....cfm?order=make

[Heriberto]

So if I have this correct, hulls 3, 5 and 6 are coming to the east coast of the US. With Kevin's boat and Brook Dees' boat, that is 5 GP26's in the US, enough for a class start!

[nroose]

So if I have this correct, hulls 3, 5 and 6 are coming to the east coast of the US. With Kevin's boat and Brook Dees' boat, that is 5 GP26's in the US, enough for a class start!

2014 GP26 NA's?

[Savage 17]

So if I have this correct, hulls 3, 5 and 6 are coming to the east coast of the US. With Kevin's boat and Brook Dees' boat, that is 5 GP26's in the US, enough for a class start!

Brook dees is out in the west coast, so not sure you will get a OD start anytime soon.

So, I guess no response means Kevin is not taking the boat to Charleston?

[alcoholfunnycar]

When and where was the last Hendo 30 OD start?

[Ryley]

So if I have this correct, hulls 3, 5 and 6 are coming to the east coast of the US. With Kevin's boat and Brook Dees' boat, that is 5 GP26's in the US, enough for a class start!

2014 GP26 NA's?

Make it 2015 and I will probably be there too.

[Savage 17]

When and where was the last Hendo 30 OD start?

Who cares this is a GP26 thread not a Hendo 30 thread....

Hendo 30 thread is here

http://forums.sailin...howtopic=125054

[nroose]

So if I have this correct, hulls 3, 5 and 6 are coming to the east coast of the US. With Kevin's boat and Brook Dees' boat, that is 5 GP26's in the US, enough for a class start!

2014 GP26 NA's?

Make it 2015 and I will probably be there too.

How about having it in SF Bay? This venue was made for those boats. They will be flying down the city front. Give those east coasters a chance to spread their wings.

[Heriberto]

Regarding the Dees boat being in San Francisco, why always with the bitter aftertaste, Greg? Isn't whether to travel or not travel to make a class start happen something that happens with every class? I remember a Henderson 30 hauling from something like Seattle to Key West to race with other Hendersons. With a legal width tow, a GP26 is a hell of a lot easier to regatta, and it is quite possible that people may decide to commit to do a regatta on one coast one year, on another coast the next, on the Great Lakes a third. It's all about the people and organization and commitment to race. Numbers count, but they aren't everything.

I would think putting together a list of targeted race venues and events would be a very good thing. Unfortunately the www.gp26.org website is down, but www.grandprix26.com seems to be recently updated (in fact, I just saw myself on Kevin's boat there!). On the "news" page there are shots of the brand new Van Munster GP26. Enclosed head and removable V-berth! Wow! Wonder who demanded that!

[Savage 17]

Regarding the Dees boat being in San Francisco, why always with the bitter aftertaste, Greg? Isn't whether to travel or not travel to make a class start happen something that happens with every class? I remember a Henderson 30 hauling from something like Seattle to Key West to race with other Hendersons. With a legal width tow, a GP26 is a hell of a lot easier to regatta, and it is quite possible that people may decide to commit to do a regatta on one coast one year, on another coast the next, on the Great Lakes a third. It's all about the people and organization and commitment to race. Numbers count, but they aren't everything.

I would think putting together a list of targeted race venues and events would be a very good thing. Unfortunately the www.gp26.org website is down, but www.grandprix26.com seems to be recently updated (in fact, I just saw myself on Kevin's boat there!). On the "news" page there are shots of the brand new Van Munster GP26. Enclosed head and removable V-berth! Wow! Wonder who demanded that!

Herb - most people aren't going to travel across the USA when the average price of gas is $4.00 or higher just to race in an OD event with 5 boats. If it was a higher number, more likely....... if it was my money? No way not worth it. I could buy more sails instead of going to the regatta.

[Heriberto]

The phrase "your mileage may vary" couldn't be more appropriate. You've made yourself pretty clear. We got it. Check. Copy that. Roger dodger. Your opinion is valued and important to everyone who owns or wants to own or race on these boats.

[Savage 17]

Herb....... I want to see the boat succeed. I'm a conservative boat purchaser, so this isn't in the cards for me since no used boat exist. This is why I got another boat.

[Heriberto]

I'm a conservative boat buyer too, and this will be my next major purchase. I wouldn't spend my money on a similarly priced or slightly cheaper used, older design PHRF boat, which will require a lot of work to spruce up (if not now then shortly), although that is a choice that a reasonable person could make given their sailing goals. I am quite sure that the people who have bought these boats so far are serious people, not illiberal, reckless or foolhardy, or lacking in consideration. I doubt anyone is buying these boats on impulse. I'm sure you aren't implying that either, correct? Because that would be insulting.

So when I say your mileage varies, that is what I mean: reasonable people can differ.

[Ryley]

I dunno herb, I was thinking I may just throw in the towel and buy a Pearson Flyer or a J/29...








NOT!

[Heriberto]

Not that there would be anything wrong with that Riley!

Hey, send me a PM, we should talk some time.

[Ryley]

Not that there would be anything wrong with that Riley!

Hey, send me a PM, we should talk some time.

I would if your mailbox weren't full

[Savage 17]

Lets get this thread back on track and see more pictures about the boat getting built

[Ryley]

Herb and Lance.... I love your enthusiasm and how you both love the GP26. I will continue to monitor the thread and the classifieds to see both your boats listed. Once I see the boats listed, I will know you are finally moving forward with purchasing a GP26 and not day dreaming about it! Please don't take offense.... I would have loved to buy the boat, but a wise man once told me never buy a new boat!

Lance - I think the last thing that you posted is you were waiting for Kevin F to give you a killer deal on sails?

Herb - You just needed to finish your bulb project and then finish the boat?

Lets get this thread back on track and see more pictures about the boat getting built

I'm glad that's what it'll take to convince you. I hope I can find someone who will love rockit as much as I have - when the time comes. In the meantime, yeah, Kevin was going to get back to me about a sail package, though the package that wraceboats is offering through north is pretty good too.

As far as new vs used, I think I'm splitting it pretty nicely here. I'm very curious to see how Kevin does with the boat in phrf, and honestly if it doesn't sail to its numbers then I have to think twice about spending that much. The downside is it's kevin doing it so... I figure the rating will end up in the 50s (I keed, I keed.). Regardless, the fact is that I doubt I'd buy a new cruising boat. There are so many good used cruising boats already and nothing I've seen at a boat show has ever made me go "wow, that's the one." And having known people who have bought brand new boats, it seems that the break-in period before everything is right is the same whether you buy new or used - about 3 seasons. The difference is how much of somebody else's "handiwork" did you buy?

Pete Brown thinks I should buy a Hendo and come compete with him. Cool boats, not my style, and most of the people I currently sail with probably wouldn't make that transition. I can convince them to move up a foot, not 5' and add 3-5 people to the crew - that's a whole nother Elliott

See you out on the water, I'm sure. If you're ever looking for a ride in Boston, give me a shout.

[Savage 17]

Herb and Lance.... I love your enthusiasm and how you both love the GP26. I will continue to monitor the thread and the classifieds to see both your boats listed. Once I see the boats listed, I will know you are finally moving forward with purchasing a GP26 and not day dreaming about it! Please don't take offense.... I would have loved to buy the boat, but a wise man once told me never buy a new boat!

Lance - I think the last thing that you posted is you were waiting for Kevin F to give you a killer deal on sails?

Herb - You just needed to finish your bulb project and then finish the boat?

Lets get this thread back on track and see more pictures about the boat getting built

I'm glad that's what it'll take to convince you. I hope I can find someone who will love rockit as much as I have - when the time comes. In the meantime, yeah, Kevin was going to get back to me about a sail package, though the package that wraceboats is offering through north is pretty good too.

As far as new vs used, I think I'm splitting it pretty nicely here. I'm very curious to see how Kevin does with the boat in phrf, and honestly if it doesn't sail to its numbers then I have to think twice about spending that much. The downside is it's kevin doing it so... I figure the rating will end up in the 50s (I keed, I keed.). Regardless, the fact is that I doubt I'd buy a new cruising boat. There are so many good used cruising boats already and nothing I've seen at a boat show has ever made me go "wow, that's the one." And having known people who have bought brand new boats, it seems that the break-in period before everything is right is the same whether you buy new or used - about 3 seasons. The difference is how much of somebody else's "handiwork" did you buy?

Pete Brown thinks I should buy a Hendo and come compete with him. Cool boats, not my style, and most of the people I currently sail with probably wouldn't make that transition. I can convince them to move up a foot, not 5' and add 3-5 people to the crew - that's a whole nother Elliott

See you out on the water, I'm sure. If you're ever looking for a ride in Boston, give me a shout.

Lance - Let me know when you are in RI and want to sail. The offer is open! I think you should come see my boat in Jamestown. I think you will be surprised considering it is 1/4 the cost of a GP26!

[Heriberto]

Greg-

A Henderson 30 for under $20K? On that, as well as so many other things you have written, I am biting my tongue.

I really don't understand why you have to give so many people here the back hand. You want to see new boats built, but think it is foolish to buy one. You want to see OD regattas, but think people are crazy to drive to them. You see current boat owners like myself and Lance are interested in buying one, and working out our details, but then put down markers on our performance ("I'll be looking in the classifieds to see that you are serious and not day-dreaming"). Who do you think you are to tell anyone what to do, and what time frame to do it in? Has anyone done that to you? So what if it takes me two years to buy one even? Maybe I'll be crewing on somebody else's in the meantime, would I not be allowed to comment in your world? I see you tried deleting that comment, but it is just one more in a string of similar comments and I'm tired of it.

Maybe some people are looking at this thread and wondering "Hmmm, why aren't Jim, and Serhad and the new GP26 owners chiming in on this thread?", they may quite rightly come to the conclusion that it is down to comments like yours and your friend Peter's. I mean, who needs that? This thread has unfortunately become a series of trolling comments, and responses to them. Pretty freaking sad.

So yes, let us definitely get back to discussing the boat itself, not whether it is "wise" or not to buy a brand new boat, and whether or not people are stupid to want to drive to a GP26 regatta, or whether people are going to buy a boat on the time frame that you dictate from Rhode Island. These were all trolling tangents that you brought up, nobody else.

Yeah, let's get back to discussing the boat. All for that. Maybe you can discuss how much more awesomer the Henderson 30 is over the GP26 that you lucked out of not getting, IN A HENDERSON 30 THREAD.

BTW, did some comparison of the GP26 typeform under the new HPR rule. HPR wants a boat that is 30% heavier for this length. That would be not a good developmnet unless they make a major adjustment. The GP26 typeform in itself is a very good combination for a fast, offshore raceboat in this size range. Why would you want a heavy, highly-canvassed pig?

Edited by Heriberto, 03 March 2013 - 08:00 PM.

[DIMITRIS]

Greg-

A Henderson 30 for under $20K? On that, as well as so many other things you have written, I am biting my tongue.

I really don't understand why you have to give so many people here the back hand. You want to see new boats built, but think it is foolish to buy one. You want to see OD regattas, but think people are crazy to drive to them. You see current boat owners like myself and Lance are interested in buying one, and working out our details, but then put down markers on our performance ("I'll be looking in the classifieds to see that you are serious and not day-dreaming"). Who do you think you are to tell anyone what to do, and what time frame to do it in? Has anyone done that to you? So what if it takes me two years to buy one even? Maybe I'll be crewing on somebody else's in the meantime, would I not be allowed to comment in your world? I see you tried deleting that comment, but it is just one more in a string of similar comments and I'm tired of it.

Maybe some people are looking at this thread and wondering "Hmmm, why aren't Jim, and Serhad and the new GP26 owners chiming in on this thread?", they may quite rightly come to the conclusion that it is down to comments like yours and your friend Peter's. I mean, who needs that? This thread has unfortunately become a series of trolling comments, and responses to them. Pretty freaking sad.

So yes, let us definitely get back to discussing the boat itself, not whether it is "wise" or not to buy a brand new boat, and whether or not people are stupid to want to drive to a GP26 regatta, or whether people are going to buy a boat on the time frame that you dictate from Rhode Island. These were all trolling tangents that you brought up, nobody else.

Yeah, let's get back to discussing the boat. All for that. Maybe you can discuss how much more awesomer the Henderson 30 is over the GP26 that you lucked out of not getting, IN A HENDERSON 30 THREAD.

BTW, did some comparison of the GP26 typeform under the new HPR rule. HPR wants a boat that is 30% heavier for this length. That would be not a good developmnet unless they make a major adjustment. The GP26 typeform in itself is a very good combination for a fast, offshore raceboat in this size range. Why would you want a heavy, highly-canvassed pig?

+1

This is a GP26 thread!!!!! Please post all other maters to another thread NOT in this one.......

[Savage 17]

Greg-

A Henderson 30 for under $20K? On that, as well as so many other things you have written, I am biting my tongue.

I really don't understand why you have to give so many people here the back hand. You want to see new boats built, but think it is foolish to buy one. You want to see OD regattas, but think people are crazy to drive to them. You see current boat owners like myself and Lance are interested in buying one, and working out our details, but then put down markers on our performance ("I'll be looking in the classifieds to see that you are serious and not day-dreaming"). Who do you think you are to tell anyone what to do, and what time frame to do it in? Has anyone done that to you? So what if it takes me two years to buy one even? Maybe I'll be crewing on somebody else's in the meantime, would I not be allowed to comment in your world? I see you tried deleting that comment, but it is just one more in a string of similar comments and I'm tired of it.

Maybe some people are looking at this thread and wondering "Hmmm, why aren't Jim, and Serhad and the new GP26 owners chiming in on this thread?", they may quite rightly come to the conclusion that it is down to comments like yours and your friend Peter's. I mean, who needs that? This thread has unfortunately become a series of trolling comments, and responses to them. Pretty freaking sad.

So yes, let us definitely get back to discussing the boat itself, not whether it is "wise" or not to buy a brand new boat, and whether or not people are stupid to want to drive to a GP26 regatta, or whether people are going to buy a boat on the time frame that you dictate from Rhode Island. These were all trolling tangents that you brought up, nobody else.

Yeah, let's get back to discussing the boat. All for that. Maybe you can discuss how much more awesomer the Henderson 30 is over the GP26 that you lucked out of not getting, IN A HENDERSON 30 THREAD.

BTW, did some comparison of the GP26 typeform under the new HPR rule. HPR wants a boat that is 30% heavier for this length. That would be not a good developmnet unless they make a major adjustment. The GP26 typeform in itself is a very good combination for a fast, offshore raceboat in this size range. Why would you want a heavy, highly-canvassed pig?

Herb - Lets keep this thread on track.....You and I will never see eye to eye. Good luck and I hope someday you get a GP26......

[Heriberto]

Herb - Lets keep this thread on track.....You and I will never see eye to eye. Good luck and I hope someday you get a GP26......

Absolutely, let's keep this thread on track. It's about the Donovan version of the GP26.

The best way to get it back on track may be for you to stop posting. I mean, I'm touched by your hopes for me, but the main problem is that you don't see eye to eye with not just me, but anybody who has bought one or wants to buy one, and you have said so over, and over, and over again. It reminds me of Ludicrous Speed over in the J70 thread. We got it, loud and clear, ok? Message received and understood. But you are even here trying to pimp Lance on a Henderson 30 right here in a GP26 thread! So yeah, stop doing that, it might get the thread back on track. What do you think?

It's not about me, Greg, or even about you personally (I certainly don't have anything personal against you), but your posts are not helpful or "on track" with this thread. It's about your posts.

[Savage 17]

Herb - Go read the posts.... I never brought up the Hendo 30 in this thread. Lance mentioned other Henderson 30 owners have suggested he should buy one. Once Lance posted that I just mentioned I would be more then happy to show him mine.

How about this deal ... you stop talking about the GP26 in every post you put in any thread on SA and I will stop posting in the this thread? I mean we get it you like the boat!!

I have tried to keep everyone posted of the truths as I was interested in buying a GP26. I have called you out several times on misleading comments or numbers.

Best of luck to you.....

[Heriberto]

Now you are just making shit up. But I prefer a straight ahead conversation rather than backhanded insults. You don't do that nearly as well as you think you do and you have been doing it for months now. I just got tired of it. Others did long ago. Why do you think no news here, even though a lot is going on behind the scenes?

But tell me (since congratulations, this is now mainly a trolling thread), What have I written that is misleading or wrong? What you project as the costs of the boat? I know, you think they will cost $80-90K. I disagree, I think that if you spend judiciously, you can have a boat racing on the east coast for $60-65K (fixed keel). I'll ask my anonymous friend who is buying one, but they are getting the lifting keel. I also said there will be 5 GP26s here in the US within the year, including Brook Dees boat. Is that somehow misleading or untrue? You immediately chimed in with how ridiculous it is to expect Dees to drive east for a regatta. Isn't that for him to decide?

And yeah, I've posted about the GP26 in an HPR thread, so sue me! I'm also posting about it here, and in Kevin's thread. So sue me! If you don't like my posts, you can always put me on ignore. Speaking personally, I would rather see people post about things they know and are interested in than bullshit they know nothing about. But that is just me. I never mention keel boats when I talk about scows, I never talk about 26-foot boats when I discuss things like Pineapple cup or the VOR. I confess, I jam a GP26 observation into J70 discussions sometimes. I can't help it! They may be a "new" design, but they are a 15-year old concept. I never have, and never will discuss it in a Henderson 30 thread. I promise.

Even though I had a lot going on, I made a determined, and pointed effort to try to get in touch with you and try to get you down to Mystic for a ride on Kevin's boat when it splashed. I called several times and emailed, maybe even texted. I don't know what I have done to deserve this treatment, aside from disagreeing with your assessments on this boat.

Best of luck to you too. Time to move on.

[Savage 17]

Herb - Lets agree to disagree. I will promise to stay out of the GP26 Threads. I'm sure sometime in the future we will sit down and have a beer. Now back to the thread...... where are the new pictures????

[set321go]

Herb - Lets agree to disagree. I will promise to stay out of the GP26 Threads. I'm sure sometime in the future we will sit down and have a beer. Now back to the thread...... where are the new pictures????

those pictures of the lifting keel setup that were mentioned a while ago, they would be nice

[Heriberto]

I'ld like to see pics of the lifting rudder set up too. That is the tricky one. Also some interior shots with a person in there for scale.

There are some shots and videos on the www.grandprix26.com that I haven't seen anywhere else. Anybody know anything about the South American boats? Are they still active?

[Ryley]

Herb - Lets agree to disagree. I will promise to stay out of the GP26 Threads. I'm sure sometime in the future we will sit down and have a beer. Now back to the thread...... where are the new pictures????

those pictures of the lifting keel setup that were mentioned a while ago, they would be nice

Jim's already said he's not posting detailed drawings of it here. maybe the build pics, otherwise we might be waiting til October.