Posted by John Nichols on August 19, 2005 at 20:15:33 from 165.91.196.120 user Mcneacail.
In Reply to: Re: Swallow anew? posted by Peter H on August 19, 2005 at 12:20:07:
The original materials bit in the regulations may preclude plywood and glass construction.
There is a big difference in the cost of the NB and the Swallow in terms of initial and ongoing costs. I would think that the boat would quite nicely fit into the Windermere Museum.
Boat plank timber has a specific gravity of about 0.3 to 0.5. This means that the Swallow probably weighed with 12 mm planks about 250 to 300 pounds or 150 kilograms. If she had 100 lbs of lead and the planks were a bit waterlogged then she is going to be just about at negative bouyancy, which is why she sunk, but could be refloated with removal of the lead. The reason for large air tanks in a skiff is to remove water that has to be bailed from a boat in a capsize. 2 seconds can lose a race, 45 minutes bailing out a boat can be a lifetime in sailing. As well you get left behind and the rescue boat can only be in so many places at once.
The VJ and the Skate and the Flying Ant are the ultimate having no cockpit, but boy are they unstable. It is a constant battle for an experienced team of 15 - 18 year olds to keep them upright and I would say at our advanced age we on the Tars board would spend most of our time on such a skiff upside down and wet. You can not win a race with the centerboard in the air and the sail in the water unless you are carried to a win on a big surf. That would not be a pleasant experience.
We could also save Swallow for the ultimate Viking funeral, imagine Peter H strapped to the main thwart and a crying future Widow to be consoled, as the flame is applied to the boat, drifting off gently in the breeze on Coniston Water.
The ultimate Mastercard Ad:
Wooden Boat, 5000 pounds,
Sails , 350 pounds
Funeral pyre for Peter H to die a real Viking : priceless.
Ok: where do I send the cheque.
JMN