Greg Luckett

This looks like a fun boat to sail.

On my Spindrift 12, I used white oak cut into 1/4" x 2" x 8' lengths. I then placed one layer, using butt joints on the inside of the hull, then another layer on the outside of the hull, encapsulating the edge of the Okume plywood. This gave me a gunwale close to 3/4" thick. I then took some of the scrap Okume and made a cap on top of them to hide the edges. I shaped using a router, then sanded, sealed, stained, sanded, and so on. It came out looking really nice, not too overbearing in relationship to the rest of the boat. Graham does not like white oak but from my experience and testing, it works great. I also used Sassafras and black walnut lumber. My dagger board and back seat are made from those three species. The white oak is very durable and hard to damage.

As far as I know, I am the only one to ever build the Spindrift 12S. The hull is identical to the cat's hull. What is different is the foredeck. Everything else is pretty much the same. The spars are different and there is a fore stay and two shrouds. The sails are different too. The 12S can be rigged as a sloop or as a cat, using the same sails.

Congratulations to Graham!!!

Wow, what brand is it and what was your ambient temperature?

I know how it is too. My Spindrift was started by lofting and cutting out the panels, then it sat for a year or so, then assembly started in ernest, it went 3D, then the finishing was delayed until last summer, but it has yet to splash. The weather got cold and wet and windy too early last year. When ever the weather finally gets nice here, I hope to splash her. My original time table was one year. I am afraid to start on my Princess Sharpie 26 due to the expense of storing and working building rents that might spread out for years in a similar manner. I am thinking that a CS17 or CS20 might be a 4 year project for me instead......

[quote author=Hirilond

WOW, a Princess build. I am tipping my hat in admiration. :salute: I am most interested in how you plan to shelter the boat while building as this has been my number one problem keeping me from building anything longer than about 14 ft. I have had a PS26 plan set since right after they became available. Please post pics when you can.

I have wondered how it was going. When can some pics be posted? Merry Xmas.

Ben, Sam, and I have gotten busy making a Cat Motel, with heat, for our two outside cats. They are too criminal to be in the house more than a short, supervised, visitation. Due to their criminal activities they are soon to be banished from my shop and breezeway too.

This is the first winter in maybe ten years that I am not building a boat in the shop/garage. It feels really odd. I feel the obligation to finally build the furniture that my wife and I have been wanting for so many years, thus will spend the time on that. So far, I designed and built a large, oak book shelf, then have been busy rearranging the shop for making some desks, end tables, an aquarium stand, more shelving, & stools. I suppose this will add to my skill set for doing joinery on boat interiors. I still dream of building a PS26 and may have found a place to do so not too far from home. In any case, Merry Christmas to all of you.

Whew!

This thread reminded me of why I did not build my Vacationer. Lewisboats hit on it. On Lake Michigan, where I tend to sail, gets way to rough and choppy for a flat bottomed boat of this design, IMHO. On the other hand, I learned to sail on Galveston Bay and Clear Lake. A Weekender or Vacationer would be perfect for those shallow bays and lakes on the Texas coast. The other reason I did not build one is that I am getting too old and stiff to want to be crawling around in the low interiors. I have considered building one without the cabin but being able to get out of the weather is nice.

Bob, I have liked Sultana's looks from the first day I saw her; in fact she inspired me to look at seriously building a Vacationer. I did not realize she had been damaged and am glad you have her ship shape again. The Red Oak will only be a problem if exposed to the elements all the time, especially since coating with epoxy. Moisture will still penetrate but if you trailer her and keep things covered most of the time, it should be good for years....or the next hurricane, whichever comes first.

Frank, Thank you for your continued support and management of these forums. You really do an excellent job and I am very thankful for that. Greg.

I hope it is not me? :shock: :???: :oops:

Randy, I thought it probably was, based on your description, so I ordered a copy. Thanks for the info.

I found this at Amazon, The Last Grain Race [Paperback] Eric Newby. Is it the same book? Thanks. :-)

Frank, I just did a sort on Joined, then just looked at the Posting column. The folks that have not posted many (less than 10) are easy to spot, and the three I randomly picked last posted in 2005. Hopefully, doing a few a day, should whittle it down. Greg.

Matt, That is a good idea. How about it Frank?

Joe, thanks for resurrecting this thread. I had forgotten about it but enjoyed rereading all of it and gleaning some book ideas. :grin:

Darn it Charlie. I am just a bit shocked that you could not log on and hope it is just a blip. I think you were on here last June or July? Greg.

Hi Frank, How goes the effort to thin the herd? I hope we have not lost folks who just like to watch but it is nice if they let us know they are doing so once in a while. :smile: Thinking about you last posting, that last sentence about the viagra and porn. It could be interpreted in several meanings...... Just kidding Frank.... :oops: :lilangel:

the boat weight is what I refer. I agree that the trailer should be 400-600

Norman, that seems right about where she should be, if memory serves me.