PLAM OF CRUISER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 19

PLAM OF CRUISER.

'' -'*~ ' 24-FOOT KEEL YACHT. HOW £100 IS MADE UP. The demand for small cruising yachts of the keel tvpe still continues, and such Imts arc bafd to obtain. A number of our keen yachtsmen who haT e Dnllt . "r,, „; and IS-footers, and even Iftrger boats ot the centre-board type, sometimes come to the conclusion that the "fellow vlth a keeler has an advantage when beatlnjr hoine in a hard breeze and possibly, shorthanded. Also, when at anchor it is more comfortable sitting upright with your feet in the well and enough headroom to obviate the "yachtsman's neck" which is a common complaint among those who aie limited to small craft with side decks It all conies down to a matter of t s..a. Keel yachts are more comfortable, out they cost more, owing to their depth and their lead k"el. A Southern yachtsman with experience of yacht designing K.»£*"V« has drawn the plans of a. 2*foot wuleer of the keeler type which can be built by an amateur for £100 complete nil Hinn The accompanying plan gives an outline of the boat, which has been designed b> Mr H E Cox. of Christchurch. -It embodies several R ood features, including the modern Bermudan rig with sails all inboard. The mast is 34 fee * from. Meel to truck- the sail area in mainsail ana jid is *50 eauare feet, 190 feet in the mainsail and 00 feet in the jib. A leading jib is Movided for with 80 feet, and a spinnaker or balloon Jib with 120 feet, both below the forestay. The boom is 12ft 6ln, and does not 'extend beyond' the stern, allowing permanent backstays to be fitted, and there is no .bowsprit. The dimensions of the hull are -«t overall, 21ft waterline, 7ft 01n beam, and 4ft draught. This "Presents about the largest that an amateur builder , could while on sound lines, has been made as easy as possible, consistent with strength. She is a round bilge craft, and the topsides are carried up similar to a launch. The 22-footer Cynnia I built last year by Mr. It. Gibson, was the same construction, also' the 26-footer just completed by Messrs. Cox and £"'"" "' Judges Bay. and a few others. This stjle gives a dryer boat and more room below, especially over the bunks. The raised sides also give more stability in a squall, and is a decidedly, modern trend, especially foi ''"rh" original plan below decks shows an after deck of Bft Oln. beneath which is ft Dig sail locker. The cockpit, which is watertight and self emptying, is 4fu and the cabin'ls 12ft 6in, with double bunks for'ard. sleeping six, and it can be divided into two cabins. The head room is 4ft Oin iind there is a hatch for'ard and sliding companion aft with steps leading out ot the cockpit, of course, the accommodation can be varied to suit requirements. 1 The cost for materinls is £100. It is made up by hardwood stem and keel, Sin edge grain Oregon planking, white oak timbers, etc., representing £<50. J. ho sails cost FJO, nnd the 3-ton of lend on, Hie keel, with fittings, £20. The cost of kauri planking would bo extra. 'This price has been carefully worked out on the basis of costs in Christchurch, and should not be more in Auckland. One boat Is well advanced, and her builder expects to complete her for the specified amount of £100. If anyone intends to try his haud at the plans a line to "Speedwell" will ensure him getting in touch with the designer. The tendency here is to have smaller crews, at the week-end especially, and this boat should'meet t lie ease. She would lie ii sturdy craft In a fresh breeze and bit of sen, and. if required, provision is made for nn engine to go beneath the cockpit, witli access from the after rom of the cabin. A boat built to the plan bv a professional builder should not be more tii.-in 75 per cent greater cost, and with some of the work done by the owner this would be even less.