New PDR build - Boston, MA USA

**dpeter** · 17th March 2009, 02:07 PM

Hello all,

Enough of this "lurking" business; time to crawl out of the bushes and say howdy.
My name is Peter and I am located 30 miles north of Boston, MA USA.

I have just begun a PDRacer build - no pictures yet, I just started gluing up the
foils today.

I recently completed my first boatbuilding project (Nutshell Pram) and I was seriously
considering a traditional plank-on-frame dory for my next build as many fine traditional
dory types have their roots here in coastal New England.

But then I came across the Goat Island Skiff and was intrigued by the idea
of large sail area combined with lightweight hull design, all wrapped up
in such a pretty package.

I purchased plans for the Goat and started building a scale model, but then this little
yellow boxy thing caught my eye.

I had to have one.

So here I am - my plan is to build the PDRacer, then the Goat, then ....

Anyway, I'll put up pics as I go - hopefully they will be of some interest.

Cheers,
Peter

**Boatmik** · 17th March 2009, 02:18 PM

Howdy Peter,

The PDR will be a great apprenticship to put together a very nice GIS later!

It is not necessary to build a PDR first of course .. but that you wanted a yellow box .. means it makes a lot of sense.

MIK

**arbordg** · 17th March 2009, 03:17 PM

Peter,

Makes perfect sense to me, though I did it reversed. Built the GIS first, then built the PDR. Other than Mik, as represented his R&D gnome up in Queensland (Peter the First)... I think I'm the only current owner of both. Sounds like you'll be the next. Good luck with your build, and have fun!

"Given a choice between two theories, choose the one which is funnier" -- Blore's Razor

**dpeter** · 20th March 2009, 02:52 AM

Thanks gents. (Or is it Mates

)

I barely have the foils all glued up. I was going to pick up my stock tomorrow for the mast but
after looking at those pics of the lug-rigged PDR
I am starting to wonder ... I think I like the shorter mast, even
if it means an extra spar. We'll see.

Cheers,

Peter

**Boatmik** · 20th March 2009, 08:20 AM

Howdy Peter,

These are the types of really interesting philosophical questions that are part of the whole PDRacer thing. The boats are so simple cheap and adaptable.

Enjoy your internal debate about what type of rig!

MIK

**MiddleAgesMan** · 22nd March 2009, 06:28 AM

Welcome aboard...uh..to board...to the board, Peter.

I wonder if the PDR lugsail is small enough to rig on the Goat's mast in lieu of reefing the bigger sail. Might be handy having two sails to pick from when you get yer Goat. You would check wind conditions for the day and pick the sail that suits.

**Boatmik** · 23rd March 2009, 03:44 PM

Howdy MAM,

It might be possible in a pinch, but the better way is simply to reef the goat - just need two bits of rope to do it.

The outline of the GIS main is designed to keep the centre of the sail in exactly the right place. This will be a better balance than moving the PDR sail over.

Best wishes
MIK

**dpeter** · 24th March 2009, 12:46 AM

There's nothing like being able to have direct feedback from the designer himself - and so timely - this "OZ" is a neat place!

MAM, thanks for the welcome - great job on your goat by the way.

My current status:

- Foils ready for cleanup and profiling.

- A local plywood vendor had some "BS 6566" 4mm Gaboon
on special so I picked 2 of those up this past weekend along with the 6mm sheet.
The 4mm was stamped BS1088 and it looked pretty good - we'll see.

Cheers,

Peter

**arbordg** · 24th March 2009, 02:22 AM

Originally Posted by dpeter

There's nothing like being able to have direct feedback from the designer himself - and so timely - this "OZ" is a neat place!

MAM, thanks for the welcome - great job on your goat by the way.

My current status:

- Foils ready for cleanup and profiling.

- A local plywood vendor had some "BS 6566" 4mm Gaboon
on special so I picked 2 of those up this past weekend along with the 6mm sheet.
The 4mm was stamped BS1088 and it looked pretty good - we'll see.

Cheers,

Peter

Peter, unless it's counterfeit (and yes

that does happen sometimes), it sounds like you've got the Good Stuff. We built Sisu out of BS6566 also. Same situation - closeout sale by one of my wholesale suppliers. Do us all a favor - including yourself - and set a a Flickr account. Take lots of fotos of the process, and then you can: share them with us, which we'd all appreciate; share your project with family & friends (which some of them will appreciate); have a record of what will likely be an important period in your life.

Cheers,
David G
Harbor Woodworks

"It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education" -- Albert Einstein

**dpeter** · 29th April 2009, 03:10 PM

Hello all ...

Finally a brief update. I can't believe over a month has passed since I
started the build!

Progress so far:

- Foils profiled and ready for glass - I'll give them one more "feel" for any
bumps/roughness before glassing.

- Basic hull pieces assembled (sides, bulkheads) and initial dry
test fit performed.

- Spar stock milled. I have begun the mast assembly process as it seems
like a good idea to have the mast on hand before gluing up the
mast step assembly. After some deliberation I've decided to
stick with the sprit rig.

Once the mast is done I'll glue up the basic hull, contact Mr. Shorty,
and get my hull number for "Dabbler".

I will attempt to provide more timely updates; here's a link to
a few photos:

http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...view=slideshow

Cheers,

Peter

**m2c1Iw** · 29th April 2009, 08:44 PM

Hi Peter,
The PD is coming along, well done.

Just Googled Manchester MA looks like a great place for Ducks. Ain't the internet a fantastic thing I am constantly amazed how much knowledge it brings to us all.

Cheers
Mike

**dpeter** · 30th April 2009, 12:36 AM

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the compliment. Nice job on your black duck, by the way.

My wife and I felt Manchester would be a great place for our son
to grow up. I figure he can learn how to really sail and then teach me too.
When I sail my Laser it seems I spend more time underwater than
on the water!

Cheers,
Peter

**Boatmik** · 30th April 2009, 08:59 AM

Howdy, There is an option that nobody has used yet ... to make a kid sized sprlit rig by brining the top of the mainsail lower without changing the boom length.

I would tend to make the original mast but make up two sails .... seeing they are so cheap.

MIK

**tommyboy** · 4th May 2009, 09:40 AM

Things are looking good there in Manchester - just yell if you want some spare hands during your GIS build.
TomH
Salem, MA

**dpeter** · 6th May 2009, 02:29 PM

Hey there, Tom.
Thanks for the offer on the GIS build - I'll definitely keep it in mind.
At the rate my PDR project is going that one may be a while!

I never thought I would meet someone on an Australian based forum who lives
20 minutes away from me.

Mik,the 2 sail idea you mentioned seems like a good idea. I think I saw a simple diagram of that, in the PDR plans.
I know this may be a little early seeing how I just glued the basic hull together over the weekend, but what would you recommend for sail area for kids just starting out?

Cheers,

peter

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