There have been any number of reasons for the lack of posting over the last few weeks, but I have managed to do a little bit of design work. Thanks to the input of the guys at HBBR and especially a well known boat designer i've made a few subtle and one very obvious change. There is a little more freeboard, two inches in fact which should help keep me dry. The balanced lugsail is approx 68sq ft with a deep reef for those blustery days. There is a kick up rudder but I've decided to go for a dagger board rather than a centreboard. I'll do without the convenience of a lifting c/b to keep the unrigged weight down for roof topping. I'll just have to remember to lift it when beaching.The observant will notice that the dagger board is much farther forward than before. The books say there should be about 10% lead, i.e. the centre of effort should be slightly ahead of the centre of lateral resistance, in practice smaller designs seem to have the C/E behind the CLR which at least should give some weather helm. Thanks Matt.
There are one or two areas where I'm still thinking there might be a tweek required. The side decks are a tad narrow, they might go out to 8ins. The fore-foot will be a slightly more rounded. I also think she is a little broad in the beam but I want her to be fairly stable.
The plans are now very close to the point where I could start to cut ply, but first Christmas and then a big leap of faith. We'll see what the new year brings.
