15 foot slab sided trailer sailer

Dylan,

I've just seen the video of the capsize testing of the Scamp.

I love the idea of this sort of sailing, pulling up on a beach every night from Chichester to Lands' End, but I thought the film showed a few snags with the idea.

The pram bow will be noisy, and a stopper in short seas; even more importantly, it looks ugly !

The capsize was planned, in a fairly calm sea with a fit well prepared & clothed sailor; no real - life yottie would be able to get back on board; I speak as someone who has been overboard then tried to get back.

Having said that, the lack of guardrails are a risk on any size boat, one would not be secure in the cockpit in moderate or rough seas.

I love the spirit of the Scamp, just IMO needs a bit of refinement, at which point one ends up with a Hunter 420 or Europa designed 40+ years ago, just the lift keel versions ! :)

Hunter 420 in 1983 which had sailed cross Channel to Guernsey then carried on around the Isles between Jersey & St Malo ( I forget their name right now ) before visiting Brittany, then back across the Channel.

DaveEvans490StPeterPort-3.jpg
 
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If I wanted to spend two grand doing a woodworking project I'd build a new kitchen with "bespoke units", whatever they are. I don't see the point spending that to build a pretty hideous looking boat that will probably rot to nothing in no time and, however well I built it, have almost zero re-sale value. Buy an old grp one for the same price and you'll probably get your money back when you sell it.
 
what you say is true

If I wanted to spend two grand doing a woodworking project I'd build a new kitchen with "bespoke units", whatever they are. I don't see the point spending that to build a pretty hideous looking boat that will probably rot to nothing in no time and, however well I built it, have almost zero re-sale value. Buy an old grp one for the same price and you'll probably get your money back when you sell it.

what you say is entirely true

however, there is a lot of satisfaction to be gained from sailing a boat you built yourself

but maybe there is a lot of satisfaction to be gained from heating beans in a kitchen you built yourself as well

as for rotting

well they only rot if you keep them in the water

this boat is likely to live on a trailer rather than afloat

and if you spend some money on a tarp or keep it in your garage then your wooden boat will be immortal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViSnmjnMobM

There is no doubt though that for the boat abusers among us who like to leave their boats afloat or out in the rain (like mine is at the moment) then plastic is best

I have now sold the wooden boat and own a plastic so I am with you

but I think I might build one more boat before I drop off the perch
 
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