The "final design" outlined on the previous page was tempting fate. We have changed her yet again - back to a 3 panel per side hull - double chine. The reasons for this are stability (slight increase), ease of build, and aesthetics. Although it is not significantly more difficult to build with four panels per side, it may be perceived as such, and it means more work in assembly, and a larger (more expensive) parts count. In the end though it was aesthetics that won the day since three panels was also better looking (in our opinion!).

That has been the main change. There has been much discussion about other areas of her design though. Decisions taken at this stage are vital. They determine most of the important aspects of the boat, and it's important to get them right. One issue we are having a lot of trouble with at the moment is the outboard well. Its proving very difficult to accommodate one in a manner that suits the aesthetic and serves a useful function. Space between the aft bulkhead and the stern is limited, and we don't want to bring the aft bulkhead forward any more as full length oars would be difficult to stow, plus the cockpit would become smaller.

The panels being stitched together. It is handy to have someone to help support the panels at this stage of the build. They are wired in very loosly at first until all panels have been added. Then they can then be tightened.

During the build of our stitch and tape craft, we supply large temporary breasthooks to hold the ply in shape along the sheer. This forces it into the computer generated shape, without which the sheer would look awful. The temporary breasthooks are removed after taping the inside and outside of the chines and keel.

A Batten is sprung along the sheer during the development. It helps us picture what the boat looks like and holds the top panel in a fair curve while setting up.

She is beginning to look promising here. She has a distictive "Storm Stern" - busy and seakindly...

Design Work

Another view showing mocked -up cockpit coamings, centre-board and outboard. As you can see - it's quite an intrusion. We are working on how best to work it into the boat in the least offensive manner

Setting up the hull using a spirit level and straight edge across the sheer at the fore and aft bulkhead positions. The boat is supported by verticals clamped from the tresles and the spirit level ensures there is no twist in her before taping. We also sight down the centre line as an additional check.

Above: The side seats being wired in in preparation for filleting in place.

Above: The centreboard in position and the "pigeon hole" hatches that will lie under the foredeck.

Above: The stern post, with excess timber left on prior to deciding exactly on the keel profile

Above: The last of the three gunwale layers being glued on. The kit will come with screws, so you wont need to buy hundreds of clamps!

Above: The underside, showing the centreboard support pieces

Above: A 2 hp 4 stroke in place in the outboard well. We used both this and a 2-stroke to ensure all types will fit.

Above: Another view from the bow quater. The hole in the aft bulkead is for acces to the buoyancy tank.

Above: Beginning to look really sweet. The rudder is probably too deep, we may cut it down. It slides up on a long stainless steel pin when grounding like our Storm-Petrel and Osprey designs

The outboard in place with the tiller clearing it.

The outboard in place with the tiller clearing it.

The outboard in place with the tiller clearing it.