Beuhler's Backyard Boatbuilding

[joliette]

Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

I recently bought this interesting book. Beuhler's designs are chine construction in wood, workboat style. The philosophy seems to be to reduce construction time / cost, using basic skills and materials to produce robust seaboats. Juno is a typical example - pretty 35' cutter, now up-dated to the 37' Juna.

http://georgebuehler.com/Juna.html

Does anyone have any experience of building or sailing a Beuhler design, such as Juna?

 

[Chrusty1]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

Not heard of him, but that "Juno"/ "Juna" looks a handy little ship!

Nice to see them, I get a bit tired of all the Blingy Modern Blobs........Hmmmm! Blingy Modern Blob?? BMB.....AWB......MAB

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

Lovely looking boat, really like the curved stern and gaff rig.

 

[donncha]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

Read the book, loved it.

You would however be a bit mad to take his words for the gospel truth, hes a little bit too zealous for the minimal boat in my view. Also it's a tiny bit dated nowadays, I do love his boats though.

 

[Chrusty1]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

[ QUOTE ]
Read the book, loved it.

You would however be a bit mad to take his words for the gospel truth, hes a little bit too zealous for the minimal boat in my view. Also it's a tiny bit dated nowadays, I do love his boats though.

[/ QUOTE ]

What pray, is wrong with a minimalist boat???

Just think how stress free a couple of months on such a craft would be! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Tranona]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

Nothing at all - just that it only appeals to a very small minority of people. Good luck to them and glad that they still have a choice!

 

[donncha]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

I have no problem with the minimalist boat, however if you take it to beuhlers extremes, you will have poly-prop halyards, a lawnmower engine, an inventory from the 19th century and torn up floorboards as your planking.

 

[Peterduck]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

I'm fairly familiar with George Buehler's designs, all of which feature a deep-deadrise V-bottom, suitable for plywood construction. George doesn't need to espouse torn-up floorboards, as where he lives in California, timber is plentiful. The concept of minimalist is not consistent with the use of unsuitable materials and equipment. I think that you've missed the point. The late, great designer Francis Herreshoff was also a devotee of the minimalist approach, but would never have permitted inferior materials to be used on any of his designs. Try reading his books, "The Compleat Cruiser" and "Sensible Cruising Designs" and you'll see what I mean. Phil Bolger and Maurice Griffiths followed down this path too. Once one begins to absorb some of the philosophies of these eminent yacht designers, one sees just how much gear is foisted upon the neophyte boat owner and marketed as 'necessary'. My own ketch had but a single winch, for the anchor rode. Electronics were restricted to the transceiver and a solar panel to keep the batteries up.
Peter.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

<span style="color:blue"> Kate, pictured below

( have a read here) http://www.bymnews.com/february/kate.html

"Kate" is a truly a Symphony in both Spartan and Simplicity.

is a 12 metre first rule gaff rigged yacht.

She has 8 Winches

2 for the running back stays.

2 for the Staysail which also double for hoisting the topping lifts.

2 for the jib

and 2 at the mast for the final hoisting the head and throat of the gaff. The main hoisting is done by sweat and muscle.

There are no electrics, except a hand held VHF, a handheld GPS and a car battery for masthead running lights.

There is no anchor windlass.

There are quite a few blocks.

It is a pleasure to sail on her.

More info at

www.1906-twelvemetre.com/

</span>

 

[joliette]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

I remember reading about Kate's construction in CB, so I guess you could call her a Backyard Boat! However, she is a somewhat more refined than the basic kind of construction and joinery that Beuhler advocates. What particularly appeals to me about Beuhler is the search for solutions for the chap who doesn't have the resources to build a "Kate"...

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

Agreed that it cost a fair amount to build.

However I was more concerned with the low tech aspect, ie a big yacht 78'0" overall (some of Beuhler's designs are pretty big) does not have to have all the bells and whistles like electric winches, windlass', hydraulic steering, generators, etc etc.

Kate operates and sails on the KISS method.

 

[joliette]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

Cole Porter would agree .... Kiss Me Kate? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[mollyoxford]

Re: Beuhler\'s Backyard Boatbuilding

Buhler's book is great ( if dangerous - makes you think you could do it!).

As to the dodgy materials but - as I read it he doesn't recommend the poly line etc. Just notes that he has used it or seen it used. It's up to you and your own tolerances what to actually use...

He has a website... http://georgebuehler.com/ and seems to do custom designs too. I too like the Juna. As a gaff of course :-