Paul D.

Hi: Apologies in advance if this question has already been asked. I did a search of the forum with the terms "optimist" "sprit" "catspaw" and didn't seem to find any results related to my question. I have already purchased plans to the TwoPaw 8. My questions are: The CatsPaw/TwoPaw 8 sprit rig looks like it is 36 sq feet. From what I read about the Optimist pram rig it is about 35 sq feet. Could an Optimist rig and sail be use with the CatsPaw/TwoPaw 8? I'm thinking the center of effort may be different, would I need to move the mast location to do that (something I'm guessing that would wreak havoc with being able to cut the boat in half and nest it). If I kept the mast (and centerboard) in the same location, would it lead to an unstable sailing experience? The reason why I'm asking this is because I can find Optimist sails (and possibly rigging) fairly inexpensively. I'd like to settle on a boat design that could be used to start a local small sailing group, so being able to afford (in time and money) building a small number of prams is paramount to me. (I do intend to pay the license fee for each boat built). Thanks for any help/insight: Paul

Graham: Thank you for the help/info!

Hi: I tried searching but didn't find answers to my question (apologies if I missed it already). I'm interested in building a Catspaw/Twopaw. 1. Can these be built using 4mm Okume 1088 plywood? Or is that an unsafe thickness? I plan to use a sail. 2. Can I build the Twopaw as just the dinghy (basically like the Catspaw) first, then at a later date add the bulkheads and cut it in half? Or would that pose a problem? I suppose if I did that, it would require sanding of the existing epoxy on the boat. Would the new expoxy fillets and such bond properly to the old epoxy? Thanks for any help/guidance, Paul