Monday, 25 January 2016

Dinghy Cruising Presentation

Here's a link to a recent presentation by Dinghy Cruising Association Pesident Roger Barnes at the UK RYA Dinghy Show.

http://www.rya.org.uk/videoplayer/Pages/default.aspx#/videos/3yhs-owd5Eo





Sunday, 24 January 2016

Rambler 18 Innovations

They say it's good to have projects running in parallel  when boat building.  They also say it's best to build the final boat first.

While the practice canoe build is in limbo I have been working on my modified version of Jack Holt's Rambler, stretched from 17ft to 18ft and with an extra chine and higher sheer. Main focus is to get comfortable cabin sitting/sleeping/reading/loo facilities for two. Jack Holt designed Rambler with a lift cabin top which is a bit cramped. What I am working on is a sideways fold out cabin with roof filler piece.

The side folds, when folded and screwed down, act as extra seating and leave an alley way to get to the mast and foredeck when solo sailing or day sailing.  I plan to use zipped spray dodger enslosures for front and rear of "clam shell" middle. When folded down the side pieces will form a sealed area of bunk space on either side for added buoyancy if swamped/broached.  Below are some pics of a 1/5th size model of the folding cabin (without roof filler piece) and the mid section of the Rambler 18 hull.