19 replies to this topic

[Balder]

I am going to make my first half hull.

I would like suggestions on WHICH boat. I know, I know, it's mostly going to be YOUR personal favorite.

And also suggestions for -
Scale
Paint
Should I do the topsides?
How about the mounting?
Where do I get the line drawings?

My wife and I are going to be entering our cruising lifestyle in a couple (2-max3) of years. We have so far shortlisted the Valiant 40 and the Freedom 38. Not that I expect that will make any diff on YOUR suggestions!

Pretty, not to difficult, classic looks, those are some of the criteria I'll use to pick the model.

[Ishmael]

How about Rozinante?


Lines plans are in Sensible Cruising Designs by L.F. Herreschoff. Nice sweep, easy curves.

[SemiSalt]

How about Rozinante?

The cognoscenti complain that many Rozinantes lose too much of their elegant shape on the lofting floor. The stern is subtle, especially near the waterline.

Probably not as hard as a Spidsgatter, though.

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[The Advocate]

Talk to Gate.

[Gatekeeper]

First step...pick a boat you like and I'll tell you what my (limited) experience has taught me. I can likely help with some more questions once you settle on a design.

My toughest to date is a 16' sailing dinghy. The easiest was likely our Mirage 33.

[miscut jib]

Dark Harbor 17

[reis123]

How about a Skipjack? Pretty to look at, kept workmen busy and in oysters for close to 70 - 80 years, and a true piece of living history of The Chesapeake Bay

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[Jon]

Here's an S&S New York 32 with lines. Have fun.

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[Fleetwood]

A few thoughts (based on experience with my first half-hull):
Boat - one you can get the lines for (hopefully of the boat you want to get. That way you can look at your boat all the time.) There's a thread somewhere on getting lines from designers......
Scale - base it on the thickness of the timber you can get easily (use the zoom feature of a photocopier to copy the lines so that the "lifts" are this thickness, allowing for adhesive)
Paint - plan to paint it, not varnish, so that you can fill all the mistakes with epoxy (if you are good or lucky you can always change your mind and varnish it!)
Don't do the topsides, you'll probably be sick of the project by then and want to go sailing.
Mount it on a good piece of varnished timber with a little engraved brass plaque - looks very flash!

[Bob Perry]

Balder:
I can provide you with any lines of my boats if you like.
I'd avoid a full keel boat for my first model.
Hollow garboards are a bear.

[Gatekeeper]

Balder:
I can provide you with any lines of my boats if you like.
I'd avoid a full keel boat for my first model.
Hollow garboards are a bear.

Not that Bob needs me to agree...but I agree.

I started with our own boat because of the simple hull shape, vertical transom, fin keel and simple rudder...here it is in progress. Unfortunately the very pretty, classic boats would likely be a tough place to start.

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[Balder]

Hmmmmm, right now I stare at this as my desktop wallpaper.

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[Bob Perry]

Balder:
I'd be happy to provide the V-40 lines for you.

[Gatekeeper]

Balder

Takes Bob's offer...it's a generous one.

[Balder]

Balder

Takes Bob's offer...it's a generous one.

Well then.... DONE!

I thought it sounded pretty good. But then, I'm not the sharpest rock in the box, or something like that.

I've been praying that is the boat we'll get. Maybe this will help!

[Balder]

AND, much thanks to Bob Perry and Gatekeeper in helping me get started.

I will keep you updated, this may take me a while to get going. We moved to HK last August and I dont really have things like clamps, planes, etc that I have back home. I have to find where to get the wood here. But I saw a local guy on our island (Lamma Island) that appears to be a hoarder, of wood. So maybe I can get someone who speaks chinese to go over and we can find some stuff in one of his piles.

[Balder]

My delivery from the rockstar came thru today. I couldn't be happier if AC/DC had sent me a signed, unreleased album! After a bit of run around from UPS I got the delivery changed from home on our remote island to the office in the city and I have the V40 Lines from Bob!

I've scrounged out the wood I think will work, looking for clamps and a saw tomorrow!

[Gatekeeper]

Step 1

I assume Bob's lines are in 3/4" scale, so you may want to take them to an office supply store and get them reduced to 1/2" which will give you a manageable 20" hull. A 30" hull is going to be tough for you to manage.

If they are in 1/2" get them copied at that scale so you can keep the lines for framing...they really are quite enjoyable to look at...you "working" copy is going to get cut up, so have good scissors ready.

[Balder]

Well that's awesome cause he sent me two copies. Backs up tha claims of brilliance I have heard so many make.

We are already trying to find a spot to put them, perfect complement to my chart of the San Juan's. But at 375sqft (big by Hong Kong standards) it's proving a challenge.

Will check the scale when I get home thanks for the input! The wood I have is to thick so I will be on that hunt too.

[Gatekeeper]

Don't discard any wood until you measure the lift height on drawings, after they have been scaled to the proper size to work with.

What type and size of wood do you have now?