Posted by Alex Forbes on July 07, 2011 at 13:07:17 user Pitsligo.
In Reply to: Re: Folding Boat (semi) posted by Tom Napier on July 04, 2011 at 16:37:42:
Tom: Hm. Dinghy as cockpit liner. Clever idea, but not even remotely workable in this instance. It's an intriguing concept around which to design and build a tabloid cruiser, though. In conjunction with a nice canoe stern, it could be quite smart.
Andy: I agree that a pop-tent style of folder, like a folding kayak, wouldn't do, and that a true folder, like the 'Handy Andy'(HA) is a better approach. And yes, making her fit the space available is imperative, hence my earlier post about cutting her down to make her a pram; that will reduce her LOA by at least a foot and allow her to fit below, on a bunk, when stowed. Dual purpose is a little trickier, and not so important to me so long as everything stows out of the way, but I expect thwarts could be used productively when not being sat upon. Redundancy in construction --e.g. using inflatable flotation bags structurally-- is an interesting idea. I'll work on that. As for getting the skin stretched tight, from the looks of the HA design, the transom and main thwart seem to take care of that pretty well, and a bow transom of the same ilk would likely improve the situation.
All that needs to be put on hold, however: I launched the sloop over the weekend and had my first sail yesterday, and winter projects such as folders need to wait until I'm not using my free time for sailing --or for refinishing my sister's 14' lapstrake sailing skiff. Ugh. Sanding a lapstrake skiff is like sanding a Triscuit...
Alex