Home/Build a Woodpussy?

[santone]

We'll build a Woodpussy in the Winter/Spring months using Mark Angliss' suggested cold molding method (see the Woodpussy forum page at www.uswpca.com). (http://www.uswpca.com).) This 13' 6" Phil Rhodes design web page http://24.47.49.176:8000/sailingworld/WP.htm is almost extinct with less than 75-100 remaining. Most are concentrated in 3 fleets; two in NJ,one in MI ( www.clyc.net (http://www.clyc.net) ). Possibly a dozen wooden hulls are still sailing. Two wooden hulls are slated for restoration for 2005.

We've requested the USWPCA to approve the use of carbon fiber cloth between two layers of 1/8 " cedar or mohogany veneer, so we can call it a "Woodpussy". The exterior will be clad with lightweight fiberglass to show a "bright" hull, but some may wish to paint the exterior in a favorite color (white?). Mark Angliss',an accomplished 505 sailer and restorer, has offered to build forms and to walk us thru a turn-and-learn. The forms will move from builder to builder for hull consistency. I'll build the first one with help from a prolific WoodenBoat forum contributor on Long Island. We'll complete the job for about $4000, to include rig, trailer and sail. Hours invested will depend on the expertise of the builder.

We'd be interested in your thoughts on this project. Would you like to join us in this effort?

[JimD]

It wouldn't be the first time an old design has been built using contemporary methods and turned out to be a winner. Sounds like a great project to be involved in. Sorry I'm not in a position to participate, though. Could you produce full size station and backbone patterns on paper or mylar for those interested in building one?

[santone]

Jim, It's possible, if there's interest in building several boats. We're working on a "shoestring budget" so although full size patterns are possible, they're somewhat expensive. Someone would need to enter the design into AutoCAD. Then, they would need to be plotted full size. That's a big commercial plotter that you don't find at places like Kinkos. Would probably cost close to $200/set after the design was entered. Let's see what interest develops. So far we have 2 or 3 of us who plan to proceed with the project. I own a 1950's Marscott (glass) Woodpussy and love the boat. We'd like to see what we can do with a "21st Century" cold molded replica.

The class is tightly controlled by sailors in 3
clubs who fear that we'll obsolete their boats for racing so there's been no recent progress in building the class. Older glass boats are no longer available for restoration and most of the "woodies" have had a brush with the chain saw so the class will die out if we don't give it a boost. Regards,"Woodie"

[santone]

You'll enjoy this article about the Woodpussy from a 1946 Simon and Schuster article, "Your New Boat"
http://24.47.49.176:8000/sailingworld/Schuster.htm

A focus group will conduct a brainstorming session on 2/26 to find a way to get a few boats built for folks who can't find one to sail. Our group will
represent each of the 3 formal WP clubs and 1 informal club where these boats are raced. We've also included non-USWPCA daysailors for their input.

The project to build a few boats using a layer of carbon fiber cloth between two layers of veneer, bombed. Too much concern within existing fleets that these hulls would make old hulls obsolete for racing.

We'll build boats as near as possible to the originals to preserve class integrity and re-build the class (Renaissance). I'll represent non-racing Woodpussy "Boosters" and independent USWPCA members (not in existing fleets)at the 2/26 meeting. I'll add your input so contact me with your ideas.

A couple of builders are interested in building but are awaiting a demonstration of enthusiasm from the class (USWPCA).They'll gauge interest from prospective owners before they committ. Original molds will be professionally inspected to determine their viability for re-use (after careful preparation). I'll keep you informed, and will "post" the outcome of this effort to the "forum direct" on the class website www.uswpca.org (http://www.uswpca.org)

Woodpussys photos,(mine and friends)are seen on my own website at http://24.47.49.176:8000/sailingworld/

Send me photos of your small classic catboat or sloop and I'll include them on this site for my visitors to enjoy.

A calendar of our Woodpussy events scheduled for 2005 will be posted to the class website prior to the start of the sailing season.

Regards,Tony - Long Island