Catch up

A lot has happened since the last note. These pictures are old, from Nov. More new frames in the duckboat, Carolyn reinstalling seats in SPYDER, one full boat shop, Jeff working on the chart case for OLYMPIA. Since then I have become a grandma, and had major constructive surgery on my head. Christmas & New Years came and went. I am getting better and preparing for a new quarter and my thesis project.

I have decided to use a Core Sound 17 as the basic application of the new technology I am planning to develop. It is the closest to meeting all the desired inputs from earlier discussions on this blog, affordable, and two fellow TSCA members are building the same boat, providing control subjects. I am excited by their level of building skill and know those boats will be well founded. Since we are friends and members of the same TSCA we will be able to compare methods and building techniques along the way. Those boats will serve as the controls for my experimental applications.

I see this project in several phases.

Composite Hull Materials testing.
1. Punch samples, weigh, waves, stranding, strength test of fiber. Compare glass, carbon, mixed and kevlar fibers. Get books, formula, from Dr. Pastore.
2. Laminate samples to Marine ply, drop test, delamination, sheer, torque, penetration. Find devices for testing.
3. Filler materials. Compare stock (off the shelf) fillers to more ecological types, Concepts: lint, sifted sawdust, $,ground vegetable wheat/rice hulls, straw, linen tow) matter, etc. Make deformation tests, sandability, gravity, sag, viscosity, formability, smoothness, filleting, fairing, etc.

Application testing.
A full size hull mock up will be constructed to determine modifications for comfort (Rob Fryer).
Auxiliary power. The sustainable version will have no oil burning power devices, like an outboard engine, electric may be considered. A Hobie drive and oars will be accommodated with in the design.
A shelter will be designed for overnight and inclement weather. Interior cockpit area will be designed for both comfort underway and camping arrangements. Stowage and
Sailing performance will be optimized. Sails will be compared to the sprit rig as supplied by the designer. Rigs to be tested will include full batten Harrier (Tony Diaz), junk, and lug. Models will be wind tunnel tested for drive, power and angle of point.
Tested material/products will be applied to full size hull and compared with classically built version for sustainability.