CNC

[Bill Snellman <snel0035@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have been a member of this list for months now in hopes of soon 
building my own swift, and I'm very glad to see this rigorous 
discussion of the rules. So glad, in fact, that I can't resist throwing 
in my two cents.

Like Andy, I am engineer with experience in CNC work. And while he 
brings up very important and accurate points about possible abuses, I 
take a more optimistic view of using CNC in the class. I have built 
several cedar strip canoes, and helped several friends get into it. The 
biggest hurdle for my friends always seems to be cutting the stations 
and building the form. They all fear making a mistake that will somehow 
make their boat different from the plan, and these are boats being 
built to paddle away long summer days, not race. The possibility of 
having CNC'd forms available may lower the initial building hurdle for 
many potential swift builds who fear that they're skills won't allow 
them to produce a hull that passes measurement. Those who buy forms 
will save time and know they're within tolerance, and those of us who 
choose to build our own will have the additional satisfaction of known 
the boat is all ours. Seems fair to me. More boats means more fun, so 
let's work on finding ways to attract interest, rather than quell it.

There may be those who try to find every loophole in the rules, but I 
have higher hopes for those willing to put in this much work so they 
can hang on a wire under three sails. Alone.

Bram- love the boat and I'm very impressed with and appreciative of all 
the work you're putting in. Hopefully I'll be talking to you soon about 
plans. I think Lake Superior needs swifts.


-Bill