June 09 update – the answer to the ? above is a resounding no. Trim was started first but beaten by a long head by Bryan Cull’s Platypus launched at the Texas 200. Congratulations to Bryan on a really impressive build time.
‘Trim’ is being built to Michael Storer’s new RAID41 design.
RAID41 - early design sketch
She is intended to be simple and economical to build giving easy access to dinghy cruising in an easily managed form. She is a significant departure from my normal choice of builds, that, for me, is a major part of the challenge – to make her look as pretty as possible without over egging the detail.
The boats name is always the first thing that needs to be sorted, I sort of hold a conversation with the emerging build and it helps to give it some personality if the eventual name is known from the start. Brian, my co-builder and eventual sailor of this craft posted on Michael’s Storer’s forum asking for any ideas on a name, connection to Australia, expeditions or raiding. Matthew Flinders is a famous small boat explorer who mapped the coast of Australia. So Flinders was a possibility but a bit obvious. Turns out Mathew had a famous, and very lucky ships cat called Trim. Here is the story of Mathew and his cat. Having settled on a name Brian and I started an email conversation throwing ideas around, in the end we settled on the simple font and ornaments shown below, it was important to bring the cat in somewhere and what better than to have the cat stalking appropriate prey – just to demonstrate there will be no rats on this ship?
Trim name design, different on each side
As the boat is largely in my preferred finish, varnish, the name will be executed in my usual form of gilded lettering on a homemade waterslide transfer. These will be made once the winter really sets in and it becomes too cold for viable boatbuilding to continue. Sadly, at the time of writing (November 2008), all the indications are for an early and severe one this year.
Brian has penned a few words outlining his thoughts about the RAID41 design and how he proposes to use her
TRIM my RAID41, is the first build of a new singlehanded expedition sailboat. She promises me safe, affordable, achievable dinghy cruising, with sufficient performance to enjoy participation in Raid events such as the Texas 200 or Watertribe . There could be new singlehanded RAID41 meets organised by RAID41 owners, plus I will also be racing TRIM most Sundays in my club’s competitive open fleet.
Why does she promise me these things.
Singlehanded - she has length to cover ground, 15′6″ – yet she is kept small by her
narrow beam – and stable by her hull form. Easily launched and retrieved
singlehanded, projected hull weight 65kg.
Safe - self draining after capsize – water ballasted – full buoyancy tanks
- hollow spars to prevent inversion – correct sail area for one person to manage
Affordable - low cost very detailed plans- light weight means less materials –
efficient ply layouts – construction uses only 2 sheets of 6mm and 6 sheets of 4mm
Achievable - not just a boat to wish you could own – this is a design for you –
the first time builder - designed from the outset for CNC cutting
Dinghy Cruising- her cockpit is over 6′2″, flat floored with no obstruction for
sleeping, her very shallow hull form will enable, catching the early tide, escaping shallow harbours, and safety when entering new ones
Performance - a planing lug sail dinghy – checkout all Michael Storer’s designs –
every one has performance and tradition
Participation - because she is affordable, achievable and has the performance,
you too can join in these Raids, Water Tribe’s, local club racing.
RAID41 meets - RAID41 has the promise to bring about a new lower cost Raid
type event. Self organised like our UH-HBBR meets all over the country.
Could be a Lakes Square, Broads Circle, Solent Triangle
Club racing - light weight, long length, efficient large foils, planing hull,
superb sail controls and well designed sails, she will be terrific fun mixing
it with the open fleet.
Follow the build progress here
Brian’s sailmaking exploits are here
.
LOL…..WOW
By: tiara marshall on July 27, 2009
at 19:55
It is not often that an updated “sailing canoe” style design is created. I hope you can finish soon. This looks like a really fun boat to do some beach cruising on. With the alternate centerboard it would be a good one for the Gulf coast.
Stan
By: Stan Roberts on March 25, 2009
at 20:41
Dunno about `working up´ I just about finished in time to go. Apart from chucking her in the local river on a windless day to check for leaks, I first sailed her at MorBihan. Trim is a new design, so slightly different.But….
Andrew
By: Andrew Eckford on November 29, 2008
at 07:53
Brian, I met quite a few of the OGA trailer mob. The SDG organisation have a campsite near Port Blanc (loaned by EDF) where one can stay for €10/night including breakfast. Fixed tents, quite cumfy. Many hard core slept on their boats though. The event was a delight, welcome everywhere, even if the weather made it tricky in the early days. It is very much for the participants, rather than the spectators (Brest 08?)
I saw a little GIS type keenly sailed (and rowed) by a 2 man crew. They won the Gp 2 race. The rig was a unstayed carbon pole and two rowing positions on 12/13ft?
Andrew
By: Andrew Eckford on November 28, 2008
at 19:48
Are we going to see Brian at Morbihan in in May? Has he got his application in yet?
The boat looks real fun
Andrew
By: Andrew Eckford on November 26, 2008
at 17:34
I’ll be following along closely also. Really looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Is it done yet?
By: David G on November 26, 2008
at 00:28
Hi Chris,
“bated breath” – at the speed I work that could mean asphyxiation, don’t hold your breath too long. Although, truth be told, MIK has produced such an easy build design that it is only because the shed is so cold and uninviting that I havn’t finished her yet. I still have a couple of weeks to finish the basic hull.
Hope to load some pix shortly if I can work the newfangled Broadband out.
By: strathkanchris on November 25, 2008
at 21:12
Hi Chris, “Clarkey” from the Storer forum here!
I am all tuned in and waiting for every update with bated breath!
Best of luck!
Chris
By: Chris on November 25, 2008
at 21:05