Looking for advice building Shearwater

[Caleb Chia]

Hi
I'm seriously considering building Joel Whites Shearwater and I want to build it very light, with thinner materials and more frames. Is this feasible? Or is it already as light as it can be? I dont mind it being fragile. Whats it like, building it? Anyone got photos of the innards?

[bennieboat]

http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=3494&highlight=shearwater

[bennieboat]

I can imagine ‘considering building Joel Whites Shearwater’

And I can think about how to make a fragile boat
Yes, for a floppy boat, make things thinner
And no, for a lighter boat, don’t add frames


But seriously: stick to the plan
Your choice of materials and careful building can make her light and strong
(don’t add glass and resin everywhere)

[ishmael]

Joel was smart, and didn't publish any of his designs on a lark. What does he specify for ply? I can't imagine anything thinner than about 5/16 working very well. IIRC he calls for 3/8, and that sounds right. He thought about these matters pretty well.

If you want to make it lighter frame it with spruce. But don't expect it to last well on a mooring or stored anyway outside except under a very good cover. The films tend to break, and the water gets in.