Posted on Thursday 15 March 2007
I’m making steady progress on the project. There are no pictures with this update as fitting backing plates and similar just isn’t particularly photogenic.
This part of the project is a lot slower than I anticipated. It is crucial to fit blocks, mast steps etc etc in precise locations so I’ve been careful to make sure it all works well. I’m also doing a few things differently from the American boats so those changes take a lot of careful consideration before being implemented.
The job is nearly complete and once done I’ll post some photos of the fully completed deck prior to bonding to the hull.
Hi!
This looks like an exciting project! Found it in Aust Sailing mag. I love sailing but haven’t got the shells together yet!
Are you building this to class/association design rules?
Look forward to seeing the project progress.
Cheers,
Chris.
Hi Chris,
Yes - it is all to class rules just a few changes to make it better suited to typical Aussie breezy conditions.
Cheers,
Steve
Hi Steve,
My son found the Swift Solo looking for a boat for me to buy for him. He is 15. 49ers and 29ers were also being considered, ditto the Musto.
He is proposing that we build this boat and I am seriously considering this as an option. I came across your blog on the Swift solo site. One of my concerns is where do you sail if yours is the first boat in Australia. Solo sailing is all good but there comes a time when you want to compete.
Second. Most of the hardware will be readily available in Australia and of course any specialty items can always be sourced in the US, but what about the timber for the cedar planking. I have seen on the website that peole will ship to Australia, but did you source the timber for your boat in Australia or import it.
Thirdly, I haven’t been able to find any estimate of what a finished boat is like to cost in materials. Any thoughts on this.
I quite like to idea of building this boat with my son and from all that I have read, the design looks to be spot on.
Cheers
Rob (Sydney)
Rob,
Thanks for your comments.
I’m the first over here but there is already another building in Adelaide. The short answer is that there isn’t any class racing yet but I’m sure there will be as the boat really does occupy a unique niche in the dinghy world.
The timber is available over here and if needed I could point you in the right direction for it.
I reckon my complete boat will end up being around A$17,000. That is a fair bit but the boats use premium materials and should last a very long time as they are fully reinforced throughout with carbon/kevlar. The production dinghies only use a bit of carbon in high stress areas.
I’ve been fortunate enough to sail one in the US and they are a great design.
Cheers
Steve