Anybody ever built a Moth Boat?

[Nora Lee]

Was wondering if anyone out there has built a Moth, she was designed here in Elizabeth City by a Captain Van Sandt, who was having his yacht refit in our shipyard.

I understand that these boats are easy to build and don't break the bank either, as they are made of 1/4"plywood. They are fast buggers too!

Her plans are available from the Museum of the Albemarle for a modest fee. There is an active Moth Boat Association, who race up and down the east coat. Every September there is a regatta here that brings boats from all over.

The most coveted award during this race series is the Turltle Award, not for the slowest boat but for the boat who turned turtle the most during the races.

Regards,
Nora Lee

[bainbridgeisland]

I don't know about a Moth designed in Elizibeth City, but could you mean an International Moth? These boats have been around for years but they are a development class. Therefore they are not all the same (like a one-design Optimist is the same). It is very possible an Elizibeth City design could meet the class requirements for an International Moth.

Plans for an older Moth are interesting but such a boat could not compete with a modern boat on the race course.

The International Moth has had at least 2 sail plans in my lifetime. The first was low aspect ratio, the current one is high aspect ratio. An older Moth would likely have the older sail plan.

Moths have always been very fast boats. The latest versions will keep up with a 5o5 upwind, are faster on a reach but usually slower downwind. The current versions of the boat are extremely demanding to sail, at least for me. I am comfortable sailing an International Canoe and find the modern moth more than I can handle.

Most International Moths are home built. Lots of info is available on the web about these boats including boats under construction. Use your web browser to search under "international moth".

[Nora Lee]

The original Moth was designed in the 20's and the International Class has evolved from that. The reagatta here features both the classic and the evolved versions.

Regards,
Nora

[bainbridgeisland]

Originally posted by Nora Lee:
The original Moth was designed in the 20's and the International Class has evolved from that. The reagatta here features both the classic and the evolved versions.

Regards,
Nora
So, is the Moth you are interested in from the 20's, the original design, one of the other classic designs or a modern design?

I wonder how many classic Moths still race in the USA. I haven't seen one in 30 years.

[Nora Lee]

Bainbridge Island,

My interest in the Moth was just curiosity, I learned to sail on a Moth on the Jersey Shore in the 60's. I didn't know what kind of a boat it was, it was referred to as "Grandpa's ugly boat" I became aware that it was a Moth when I moved to Elizabeth City in 1989. There are quite a few classic boats that are sailed here in EC. Our local Museum of the Albemarle has a few in their exhibits, but there are quite a few in barns and garages around the area.

Nora Lee