Clik here to view.
Whimbrel Developments
My plans for Whimbrel have been sitting 90% finished for a long time. The drawings which have been finished are nicely detailed, and I really like the boat. But for some reason the final step of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Voice recognition software
I am writing this short post in order to test the voice recognition software embedded in Windows 7. It is my hope that I can write posts more frequently in this way and also answer my backlog of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Water Rat in 4mm Plywood - Sailing Version?
Water Rat is a 3 foot wide plywood kayak which can be built with a length of either 9' or 10'10". This boat has an unusual, but attractive shape, and has proved to be quite popular. She was initially...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Scram Pram Progress
I have previously written about a Scram Pram which I am finishing off for a customer from Sydney. Scram Pram is a design from the board of Jim Michalak, and makes use of the so-called, "Birdwatcher"...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Simple Sailing Canoe
Like most of us I have collected a vast number of plans over the years, almost as though having the plans or offsets gives one the possibility of building the boat if required, and that having that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Scram Pram Sailing Test Video
Well, it has been a long time since I last posted, but many things have been going on and so I've had to do some "load-shedding" for a while. In the meantime, things haven't been standing still, and...
View ArticleScram Pram - Video Copyright Issues
Some of you may have had difficulty viewing the video I posted on youtube regarding the Scram Pram test sail. Mostly, it seems to effect mobile 'phone reception, but I have made an edited version with...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Phoenix III in Woodenboat Magazine
In late September this year, I was approached by Woodenboat Publications to see whether I would be prepared to write a "How to Build" article about Phoenix III. I was delighted to be given the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sprit Rig Virtues and Details
Of my published designs, two of the most popular (Phoenix III and First Mate) make use of a sprit rig with a small jib set flying. You can read some of my comments about the rig in this post from May...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sailing Flint
Flint is one of my favourite designs, having shown that she is one of those unusual craft which can work effectively as a rowboat, a motorboat, and as a sailing boat. You can read more about her in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
New Video of Phoenix III
This video was shot last Tuesday by Paul Hernes, using a camera mount above the transom of his Phoenix III. The conditions were quite light, and Paul was doing a good job of harassing Rich Sutton in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Getting Back On-Line after Nine Months of House and Workshop Building
I imagine that those of you who have been good enough to monitor my blog and website over the years may have been becoming concerned that I'd never write again! Well, we've been going through a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Two (Three) Boats
It was getting close to 5pm as two small sailing boats luffed up into the easterly breeze which although moderating a bit, was still fresh and blustery. As the sails snapped and flogged, one person...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Whimbrel Dimensions
A number of people have written to discover the boat's principal dimensions. Here they are: -LOA (not including boomkin or rudder) - 17" 6"/5334mmBOA - 6' 9"/2057mmLWL at 1041lbs/473kg displacement in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Different Rigs on the Same Boat
Most of my published sailing boat plans come complete with a number of different rig options.What makes mine different from most other offerings on the market is that I try to arrange the various rigs...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lugsail Performance - Better than you may imagine
I've lost count of the number of times that I've read comments from people saying that lugsails may be simple to rig, easy to reef, and convenient to use, but that there is a high price to be paid for...
View ArticleOn the subject of Lugsail Performance
Here is a very short clip showing First Mate during pre-delivery testing in brisk conditions off Manly, Queensland, Australia.Note: the rig is the SMALL (76 sq.ft) balance lug rig). The standard Sprit...
View ArticleClik here to view.
First Mate Sailing
There are quite a few examples of First Mate on the water now, but except in photographs, I haven't had the opportunity to see the boat sailing.First Mate with the sprit rig optionI designed this boat...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Following up on some comments
In relation to my post, "Lugsail Performance - Better than you may Imagine", Simeon writes: -I know you've been busy with First Mate but some of us fans are still waiting for illumination on your...
View ArticleNew baysidewoodenboats.com.au Website (almost) up
For several days now, the skeleton of my new website has been up and running.This has been a longtime coming, mainly because of my relative ignorance of things to do with computers and IT. My previous...
View Article