David Gomm's OZ PDracer update

After the 101 jobs narrowed down to 99 and only doing things I don't have to go out and get bits to do, I have finally got into doing something with David's PD..

Shaped and fitted the rudder, fitted a few bits to the hull and have to finish shaping centre board.

Will start on the spars over next few days then the mast.

Will try and post pics soon..

Would like to get some info from Boatmik(Michael) about the rigging, but no hurry for a while yet..(I don't have David's plans with the boat, mind you, may just buy a set and build another)..

Anyway, I hear a bed calling, night to all..
:)

Howdy,

I have something I can send you about the rigging and also something on the net.

Are you planning to use the lug sail or the triangular sail?

MIK

Hi MIK,

What where you doing on the internet on xmas day, should have been over eating, over drinking and then getting over it...

Anyway's Yes the lug rig, have everything here to finish it, including sail..

Not sure on its handling down here, Wind picks up in the afternoon, so will probably reef the sail in, if out using it that time of day..

I am well and truly interested to see this little duck with a huge piece-a-canvas above ones head. If i rip the mast out of its socket, or come home with extra firewood, then so be it(just make another mast but stronger)..

There is only a couple of places I'll sail anyway, one is in the state forest, on a lake and other is an estuary, that gets the wind up(should prove to be fun and if happy with the duck, then be the regular spot)..

I'm not sure on this timber(durian), never heard of it as a wood(But love the fruit, keeps bugs, cops and unwanteds away)..
Father inlaw was a builder, a century or two ago, and hasn't come across it before and no one was able to identify it(I read it in the stuff I downloaded from David's site)..
So is it strong for heavy working or will I have fun trying to keep it from breaking..

I do enjoy a good fast run and have many an hour righting boats(and no its not my weekly wash:q)..
But if Durian has some pronounced weakness's, it would be nice to know(Pram dinghy needs rigging and will be burmudan rig, no jib and the mast is stayless and 4.3 m over all) so mast could be used for the pram. only 2.4m2 maximum sail area..

Anyway, I'm off to the shed with a nice cup of tea.. Got the mast to build now, last job before fitting everything and triple checking to avoid embarrassment..

I'll PM an email address to you MIK..
Thanks
GK:U

ok finally got some bote cote.

First time using this stuff and was i disappointed...

All the dramas people have and how things don't work...

I didn't expect a product so easy to use, so friendly, very little smell but what there was i like it..

flows ok, hardens well, but the bugs did have a partry on it and some stayed for the night..(sanding is fun..:no:)

Will change the method I use for applying...

This stuff 30 years ago would have convinced me to try boat building then..

I am very impressed..

So centre board and rudder half done, will do some more tonight...
A little at a time, no rush, and prep the timber for the mast now...

One thing I do like about this hobby, ideal to do in the evening, even if bugs join the party...
:U


ps, thanks MIK for your info, won't be long before I start building another small sailer for myself and bring the fleet to 3...

Oh one other thing, my oldest son just got into the army, leaves in a month or so..Will get the info proper when he gets back from the big smoke(hoped he would go officer, but he wants to be traditional, a digger...silly bugger, well he is well trained in being kicked up the behind)..:D

due to things not being available or not cut right, I have made the mast and rigging to suit what I have.

Its come together nicely and hopefully suitable, but as all things in life, we can change things to suit ourselves and get away with it..

I have some photo's of the sail up to get an idea of what I need to change or adjust..

Looks good so far, fits ok but will be putting fittings on still(only done some basics at this stage)..

I haven't rigged it the same as others have but foolowed the principles tho..

Enjoy the pics, I should have a sail by end of week and get things right, then its all sanding ready for varnish(yes its just epoxy so far til I know I its sailable)..

It looks nicely set up.

Ok here is the PD at Big Brook.
Sorry about the photo's but I forgot the camera..

The wind was, well lets say, calm..
In fact my youngest was blowing on the sail to make it move.

One little gust, and I hoped for more, it took off quick then drifted again..
:C

That was 2 weeks ago, hoping to go away this weekend and take the PD with us..