Bram,
It sounds like your getting some fire in the belly again - good to see.
I'm getting exited about my Swift getting wet fairly soon. I've been spending
hours thinking about rigging systems on my boat and I'm going to follow your
suggestions for the vast majority of it - I've thought the systems out and what
is in place seems pretty effective.
I am going to try a few different things in a some areas of the boat as I think
they will be better. I'll share what I've done when I find out if the systems
work and if I think they actually do improve the boat.
We now have another option as a mast supplier to the class CST Composites.
Chris Dixon from CST has been very helpful to our class. A lot of work has been
done to ensure that the mast will be gust responsive as will be needed on our
boat. I think it will be a great option but it is as yet untested. The mast has
more sideways bend than the Forte section but is stiffer on the fore and aft
plane.
We will have another sailmaker soon as well. Dave Alexander who is a mate of
Jordans is a top class skiff sailmaker and a good I14 sailor will be doing
them. I need to get the mast on the boat and pull on the rig tension before
Dave will actually cut the sails as he wants some measurements from me at this
point. We just need a few more Aussies to join our class and we can really get
the competion in our class ramped up.
It is only by changing a few things that you realise how much work has been
done by Bram and others in the class to make the path smooth for builders. I'm
sure if I lived in the USA I wouldn't have gone down this path but in the long
run I hope that some of the things that are done over here will benefit the
class as a whole.
Cheers,
Steve
----- Original Message ----
From: "BDally6107@xxxxxxx" <BDally6107@xxxxxxx>
To: swiftsolo@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, 24 October, 2006 4:16:00 AM
Subject: Greg's idea of giving away his construction forms
Just a note to thank Greg for donating his setup to other builders. It is a
great idea and I want to assure anyone who follows in his steps that I will
send them a new set of station patterns for free if they decide to build
another boat at a later date (after donating their frames in order to bring in
a new class member).
Greg's idea of advertising on Sailing Anarchy has generated a lot of interest.
When combined with Robert and Steve's input, it gets guys thinking that they
can do it. I suspect that one of the biggest hurdles for the class is making
people understand that this is not difficult. The finished product doesn't
make it look easy. Whenever a builder completes the construction of a Swift
and tells the world about the experience, class growth benefits.
I'm getting the bug to build another Swift after seeing all of the progress on
other boats (I get this bug every couple of years) It just seems wrong to not
have one going in the garage. I do have some ideas to try on 013 this winter
so maybe that will keep me entertained for one more winter. On the other hand,
I do need a demo boat Jane.
Regards,
Bram
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