Look what they've done to me boat ... John Wright's outrageous PDRacer

**Boatmik** · 27th April 2009, 10:56 PM

Well ... you could knock me down with a feather.

One of the best thinkers in the bigger PDRacer world has used my boat shape to create an amazing piece of modern art. 99% is his own idea, but he also has used the OZ plans for the basic rocker. Wouldn't be surprised to see an OZ rudder on the back too. The mast step looks sortof familiar too.

Makes sense as the flatter rocker of the OZ is more suitable for a lightweight boat. This one is ply/foam sandwich, made of 3mm doorskins with foam between for some of the panels .. mostly glued with 'pox.

It really is the first PDR I have seen that deserves to go in the Museum of Modern Art!

From the captain

HULL
PDR-Lite has 12" sides and the bottom is shaped per the Storer profile plan.
The entire boat is built of 1/8" $12 plywood. I select out the questionable
sheets and use them for less critical parts and projects. The bottom is foam
core laminated with epoxy with two sheets of 1/8" and a sheet of ½" pink foam
between. The sides are braced to the bottom with a triangular air box around
the perimeter. The airbox on the inside has ½" foam laminated to the interior.
The hull is strong, stiff and surpasses what I had hoped. Even if you were to
poke a hole in the hull it might not leak. It was boarded and rowed from a
gravel beach by a full size gentleman of size. I have walked all over the
bottom when it is upside down with no deflection.

QUADRAPOD
The removable quadrapod structure on the bow was intended to support a sail
board sail and mast. It is intended to mimic the load stress that the mast is
designed to support at 4' above the deck. Unfortunately I did not bring the
right mast (foot too long) and could not mount the sail rig. With the pod and
the mast secured at the bottom each of the 5 fiber glass members would support
in compression or tension on all points of sail. Will it work? The wind was
gusting to 24 mph. (27 mph today) and I did not bring the necessary correct
pieces. The test must wait for the right pieces and a day without soccer. A
similar structure with the same mounting points will support the sail described
below.

LEEBOARD
The leeboard is just a Sunfish board that was handy. It is attached with a ¾"
plumbers floor flange mounted to the boat and another to the board. It pivots
on the ¾" "short nipple". The flange is bolted to a ½" MDO plywood backing in
the side of the airtank. The board only needs to rotate ¼ turn and the threads
provide a great low friction perfect fitting bearing. The foil will be 1/8" ply
with a spine in the middle.

SAIL
The sail will be an ellipse formed of 3/8" fiber glass rod and will have about
70 sf.. No boom as such as it will just have a line or two at the leach. The
approximate weight of the entire sail rig will be about 10-12 lbs., including
the FG struts which will take the place of the mast.

I am delighted with the shape and structure and particularly with the weight or
rather, lack of. I find that it is very difficult to stand up in it because it
moves horizontally so quickly. I will put some removable wings for windy days
when sitting "in" the boat is not enough for the 70+ sf sail rig. 1/8" ply
weight about 9 lb and pink foam 3 lbs per sheet. Totals...27 lbs ply, 5 lbs foam
+ 4 lb epoxy and 2 lbs for chine logs and bits, pieces and varnish.

Some construction techniques are not included in the above. I will do an
article when I get "all the lite, right".

johninbastrop

More discussion

Tim, I can always on you for good questions. You have the eyes of an
eagle and the mind of ??. One at a time.

~You are right It is sort of a sailboard....with sides. I find the open
plan feels and looks great. I did not anticipate that.
Each of the four airboxes are separate. I only had one port and I needed
it to backup the bolts for the leeboard.

~It is very possible to stand up since the boat has the same great
stability but it has no weight. It is very disconcerting like trying to
walk on ice with slick steel sole shoes. I think that would be a learned
ability. I found the quad a good handle.

~Yes, the pod is adjustable in all directions more than an inch each with
3/8" threaded rod at each of the four poles. My concept started with
aluminum turnbuckles that I chose not to use. The mast base is also
adjustable fore and aft with

**arbordg** · 28th April 2009, 09:21 AM

Interesting take on a PDR, eh? I can't wait to hear the performance reports.

**MiddleAgesMan** · 28th April 2009, 12:42 PM

I'm baffled by that four-cornered structure forward...intended to support something other than a mast...

But what?

He was definitely thinking outside the box with that one...inside the box, actually.

**Boatmik** · 28th April 2009, 01:22 PM

The quadrapod supports a windsurfer rig or something similar. Windsurfer rigs are generally best supported at the height that a sailor would hold them ... so this is his way.

MIK

**m2c1Iw** · 5th May 2009, 12:04 PM

Mik,
Interesting the engineering in this example not having a clue about stress loads etc I wonder about how the hull bottom will react.

Assuming my fears are unwarranted is this foam sandwich construction a possible element that could be incorporated in Raid41 perhaps reducing weight and build complexity. I am thinking a pre formed bottom panel assmbled with the two layers of ply over the foam then the hull formed around the bottom panel assembly.

OK just thinking out loud really

**Boatmik** · 5th May 2009, 12:40 PM

Howdy,

I think the problem with the raid was all the timber framing around the bulkheads and having to fit it, add limber holes etc.

now none of that is necessary.

If the weights are added up .... the now 6mm ply in the RAID plan for the cockpit and compare to

2 sheets 3mm ply, plus glue and foam. It just can't be lighter than a 6mm sheet.

The bulkheads have to stay anyhow as they hold the sides apart!

However, the RAID will not be a "one design", rather, something that is adaptable to a number of uses.

MIK

MIK

**b.o.a.t.** · 5th May 2009, 04:26 PM

And at the other extreme, cruising ducks on the same bottom 10"
http://duckworksmagazine.com/09/proj...nger/index.htm

Has there ever been a more versatile class of boat with a one-design bottom ?

**Boatmik** · 5th May 2009, 05:35 PM

Jasons original cabin had big rectangular opening windows on quite a high cabin.

He found it went upwind faster with the windows open!

MIK

**jason nabors** · 12th May 2009, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Boatmik

Jasons original cabin had big rectangular opening windows on quite a high cabin.

He found it went upwind faster with the windows open!

MIK

That
picture there is actualy my first SEA FLEA.I made a modified version of MARTIN POOK'S ( WREN ).If it were not for Mr.Pook the flea would never have existed.Thank You Mr. Pook.
Any how the second flea was a modified birdwatcher cabin that was actualy 3'6" tall and the windows did open and yes it did make better headway with them open.I know it sounds funny but the windows were big.Then came the third and final sea flea modification.It went cabinless and was sailed by MR.Andrew Linn in the first TX200.The sea flea and duckaneer sailed side by side in the best and last trip of the sea flea's life.The sea flea and duckaneer are now both retired and resting comfortably in my backyard.
The new chapter in the Sea Flea saga is about to begin.The unveiling of the TENACIOUS TURTLE will be at this years TX200.I guarantee that this PDR (probably the last one I will build) will turn more heads and drop more jaws than the flea ever did.Let me just say it has a hideaway stove,pop top /walk through/IMBish cabin,MP3 player,and curtains.A PDR with curtains!!!!HEHE! I am all about comfort this year.The finish was not as good on this one as the flea but you get what you pay for I guess.Besides it is good enough for me that is all that matters right.
I will test her this weekend and I only hope she sails as good as she looks.

**Boatmik** · 12th May 2009, 08:57 PM

Wow, Bro,

So nice to see you here! I couldn't find the new pics.

I'll have a closer look.

MIK

**b.o.a.t.** · 12th May 2009, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by jason nabors

The new chapter in the Sea Flea saga is about to begin.The unveiling of the TENACIOUS TURTLE will be at this years TX200.I guarantee that this PDR (probably the last one I will build) will turn more heads and drop more jaws than the flea ever did.Let me just say it has a hideaway stove,pop top /walk through/IMBish cabin,MP3 player,and curtains.A PDR with curtains!!!!HEHE! I am all about comfort this year.The finish was not as good on this one as the flea but you get what you pay for I guess.Besides it is good enough for me that is all that matters right.
I will test her this weekend and I only hope she sails as good as she looks.

Wow !! A Legend in PDR Land has joined us !
What an amazing trip you blokes achieved in the '08 TX200 Jason.
Care to give those of us for whom TX is the far side of the moon a sneak preview of
Tenacious Turtle ?
cheers
Alan J

**jason nabors** · 13th May 2009, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by b.o.a.t.

Wow !! A Legend in PDR Land has joined us !
What an amazing trip you blokes achieved in the '08 TX200 Jason.
Care to give those of us for whom TX is the far side of the moon a sneak preview of
Tenacious Turtle ?
cheers
Alan J

I probably can.
Just wait until I sail her up to sydney.HEHE!

**jason nabors** · 13th May 2009, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by Boatmik

Wow, Bro,

So nice to see you here! I couldn't find the new pics.

I'll have a closer look.

MIK

It is great to talk to you as well mik.I have some plans for a large schooner barge for next year.Well schooner maybe.24' LONG X 8' WIDE maybe .It will depend if I can get the trailer for it or not.If you don't mind I would love to pick your brain on a couple of things later on down the road of corse.Basic balancing of the 2 sails and what not.
I have also considered starting a AUSSIE SAILING FUND.In an attempt to get you over here for next years TX200.That would be an awesome trip not to mention the worlds would be hosted here I believe.That would bring puddle duckers from every corner of the U.S.A. Think about the record you would hold for that trip.Definately unbeatable!
Just think about it and tell me what you think.

**Boatmik** · 13th May 2009, 01:48 PM

No worries about that at all Jason - welcome. "Helpful" advice costs nothing.

What is your overview of where you are at with Texas 200 (Jason and a number of others are sailing in a 200 mile, 5 day event up the Texas coast in less than a month).

This is a sports commentator question by the way ... trying to elicit any comment at all!

Michael

**jason nabors** · 13th May 2009, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Boatmik

No worries about that at all Jason - welcome. "Helpful" advice costs nothing.

What is your overview of where you are at with Texas 200 (Jason and a number of others are sailing in a 200 mile, 5 day event up the Texas coast in less than a month).

This is a sports commentator question by the way ... trying to elicit any comment at all!

Michael

As far as I go I am 90% ready.I will be testing her out this week end and I believe I have balanced the boat correctly.The heat here is already into the 90s and 15 to 20 winds every day.The good part is that it is out of the south east and that is perfect for the coastal bend seeing how we are sailing from the south to the north.If it keeps this pattern which it usualy dose We will be on a broad reach to a dead run for all five days.There will be some beating but not much.The only things left to do is pack.I like to sleep atleast one night in the boat to see just how comfy I will be for the week.
John Wright is working on a 14 footer that he has not released any pictures of yet.I cant wait to see it.
I posted a couple of pics in albums for the other side of the planet I hope you like them.
Later

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