Nahlah - Molds and Bulkheads Set Up

[alkorn]

I'm building Laurie McGowan's Nahlah (http://www.mcgowanmarinedesign.com/cruiserssail.htm) with all dimensions increased to 104% of the original design. Just last week I got the molds and mold/bulkheads set up. At last it looks like a boat!
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/alkorn/Frames2 12-22-09 small.JPG

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/alkorn/Frames1 12-22-09 small.JPG

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/alkorn/Frames3 12-22-09 small.JPG
While the original design did not call for them, I have installed cleats on the bulkheads, both for the planking and for interior and deck panels. This added work, but I enjoy making cleats much more than making epoxy fillets. Also, the wider land provided by the cleats will help the planking lay smoothly.

I have also raised the ladderback 16” off the floor so that I can get under it to wipe off glue when installing strips. As a result, I’ll need to stand on a raised board to work on the bottom planking.

It is somewhat discouraging that it has taken me 2 years to reach this point. At this rate it will take me at least 5 years to finish the boat. But, progress is steady and I’m enjoying the work. If I could dump my paying job it would be much faster, but that is not an option.

[RodB]

Nice work...! Very interesting design... The rig and water ballast add innovation. Please keep posting lots of photos... Thanks for your efforts.

RodB

[Richard Jones]

That's going to be a great looking boat. Which rig are you planning on using? Recently retired from carpentry due to bad knees, I wish I had a paying job! Plenty of time to build boats, but feel guilty having so much fun while my wife goes off to work. Am I crazy or not?

[alkorn]

Which rig are you planning on using?

I'm not that happy with the lug rig shown on the plans. The halyard and downhaul are very close to the front end of the yard and boom, and I fear that I'd never get enough tension on them to enjoy the "self-vanging" properties of a balanced lug. (I have a balanced lug on the 12' Stevenson Triad I sail now.)

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/alkorn/Nahlah%20Profile.jpg


I've thought of using a lug yawl rig with more typical balanced lug dimensions. Because the mainsail moves forward the mizzen is larger to get the same center of effort:

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/alkorn/Nahlah%20Sail%20Plans_Page_1.jpg

I've also thought of using what Phil Bolger calls a solent lug. Could also be built as a gunter. Would be powerful, but higher center of effort:

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/alkorn/Nahlah%20Sail%20Plans_Page_2.jpg

Like Bolger said in "101 Sailing Designs", it's center of effort changes little when reefing the main only:

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/alkorn/Nahlah%20Sail%20Plans_Page_3.jpg
All the sail areas shown in the sketches are 8% larger than the original design, in keeping with a 4% increase in linear dimensions.