Home build dinghy

[bluemoongaffer]

There are several boat design software packages available - some as freeware. I downloaded one of these about 2 years ago. It was fun to try different design ideas. They will produce cutting plans for single / double chine boats (ie they work out how to cut out flat sheets of ply so that they will join together to make a "curved"/ 3d boat). This way, your son can do the lot - design and make. I think one or two of the programmes will help with "centre of effort" calculations to help place centreboard & mast.

Regards Paul

 

[john_morris_uk]

I see that the stealth life jackets are in use!

 

[Lakesailor]

There is loads of stuff in t'internet like This or This for instance.

If he has planty of time to spare he could sift through The Mother Of All Maritine Links (contents page)

 

[srp]

Vic is right in all that he has said. The current GCSE requirement for the project varies between exam boards, but is usually around 40 hours of making time. Additionally the teacher has to be satisfied that the work is done by the student, which (in effect) means that it has to be done in the school workshop. A project of this nature is much more suited to an A level course.
The candidate also has to consider all his other subjects as well - most of the coursework deadlines occur around December to February of the last year, and a demanding project like this will undoubtedly take time from other subjects. The last thing he wants is an A grade in Technology and D's in English and Maths.
In an average year, the most complex projects are things like bedside cupboards or revolving cd racks, or occasionally something exceptional like an electric guitar. At the other (numpty!) end of the scale are things like candle sticks and bird boxes.
It's very sad to see what this subject has become in recent years - someone up there thinks we ought to let everyone be a designer and there's little credit given to pure excellent craftsmanship, but that's the way it is.
My recommendation is to leave it a year and do it as an A level project, or do the whole thing at home independantly. Alternatively, why not design and make some of the components - say, a lifting rudder, stock and tiller - these would make an absolutely ideal project with plenty of scope for research (materials, adhesives, fastenings in a marine environment) and design (aesthetics, geometry, lifting and lowering), and (with a few contacts in the sailing world) scope for some meaningful testing and evaluation.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Vic is right in all that he has said

[/ QUOTE ] I'm glad someone agrees with me. Thanks.

I wonder if it would be acceptable to "Design a dinghy and build a scale model of it" as the project. He could always build the real thing in his own time, with all the help he needs to make a really good job of it, once the exams are over and with no deadlines to meet.

I'm not admitting much about the building of my dinghy but it was nearly finished before my manager discovered it!