Tally Ho. Fuel tanks

I am getting the impression that Leo Sampson is coming under time pressure. I’m sure that shed is expensive but I feel that there’s more to it than that. Making spars is a nice fun job and I would think a “telegenic” one, so I was surprised that Leo subbed that out.

First Fastnet Race 1927
Tally Ho!’s win 1927
I have been thinking this for a while.
In my opinion he needs to crack on and get it afloat asap... They have done some great work over the years and the boat looks great but he needs to start the next chapter now.
 
I've been following the Tally-Ho story. I did wonder if 5mm Al was overdoing it for those diesel tanks? I've been particularly amazed at how such huge amounts of wood have been available; where would you start to source such woods this side of the Atlantic? The quality of the carpentry is phenomenal - everything made from solid wood cut from substantial planks. My only thought is how heavy will the boat be once finished? It's not a huge boat but I imagine that with the wood, the huge lead keel, the tanks and all the rest, it might make headway difficult in light airs?
 
I've been following the Tally-Ho story. I did wonder if 5mm Al was overdoing it for those diesel tanks? I've been particularly amazed at how such huge amounts of wood have been available; where would you start to source such woods this side of the Atlantic? The quality of the carpentry is phenomenal - everything made from solid wood cut from substantial planks. My only thought is how heavy will the boat be once finished? It's not a huge boat but I imagine that with the wood, the huge lead keel, the tanks and all the rest, it might make headway difficult in light airs?

I’m sure that her displacement will be as designed. She was a heavy boat in the first place. Leo won’t have made mistakes with that.

Heavy displacement boats are always better than lightweight boats in light airs. There is more sail area for the wetted surface.
 
... Making spars is a nice fun job and I would think a “telegenic” one, so I was surprised that Leo subbed that out.

I was also suprised that he isn't making the spars, and guessed this was due to time pressures.

First Fastnet Race 1927
Tally Ho!’s win 1927

It's hard to imagine him not aiming at the Fastnet race in the boat's Centenary year.
 
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I’m sure that her displacement will be as designed. She was a heavy boat in the first place. Leo won’t have made mistakes with that.

Heavy displacement boats are always better than lightweight boats in light airs. There is more sail area for the wetted surface.
I haven't the knowledge to contradict you but it seems counter-intitutive. I can only imagine how much sail it'll have to carry to get it going in light airs and the need to reduce it once the breeze freshened.
 
How does that work? You add weight to a boat so it floats lower in the water. This increases wetted area and so reduces the ratio of sail to wetted area.
But the ability to carry sail is increased, so the rig is generally bigger than a lighter boat. Also, lead mines like Tally-Ho that have relatively slack bilges simply heel a bit futher when a gust hits them, so they can carry much more sail as the "working" rig. Further, a heavier boat has more inertia than a light boat so once it's moving, it will keep its way on better than a lighter boat that gets stopped by waves. If you look at boats of that era, they all carry far more sail than we would expect for a modern boat of the same size.
 
I was also suprised that he isn't making the spars, and guessed this was due to time pressures.

It's hard to imagine him not aiming at the Fastnet race in the boat's Centenary year.

I’m absolutely sure that Leo plans to have her at the start line in 2027 and I fancy that if he can he will also take part in the 2025 Race when “Jolie Brise”, “Dorade”, Stormy Weather” and other winners will take part.
 
He hasn’t put a foot wrong really thus far and has some fantastic support. I think sensible tax advice would be there in the mix .

As to heavy boats and light weather .. well they don’t bounce around which helps
And they can put out a lot of sail area on the wind too
And a gaff is a low aspect rig so it doesn’t stall so easily as a pointy high one in a choppy sea
And then there’s the momentum , once you get a gaffer going ..
I sailed a replica Bristol Channel cutter and was amazed ( delighted ) to be able to steer and sail in a flat calm , Solent ebb. If that makes sense. Skip says I we have the teensiest lee helm , not something you would normally associate with such craft possibly !
 
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I am getting the impression that Leo Sampson is coming under time pressure. I’m sure that shed is expensive but I feel that there’s more to it than that. Making spars is a nice fun job and I would think a “telegenic” one, so I was surprised that Leo subbed that out.

First Fastnet Race 1927
Tally Ho!’s win 1927

Yes he has several shipwrights working now obviously to speed things up, fortunately he seems able to support the cost. They are doing some fine work though.
 
He has hinted a couple of times that there is some visa stuff in the background, I think partly connected to his recent trip to the UK. I saw this comment on the largely American Anarchy site:

"It would be just like America (my home country which I love despite its flaws) to kick Leo out over some visa bullshit. SMH. Anyway I hope it all come out right."
 
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