Spark - Malcolm Henry's work in progress

[MarkC]

I don't know if anyone has seen this - I came across this while reading boatdesign.net. It is
'Spark' - Malcolm Henry's work in progress on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. I was amazed by the wood-work, especially the thought put into the interior.

http://www.qei.co.uk/spark/

a 30', traditional type clinker, with however, an aerodynamically thought out lug rig and a mild steel keel designed to hold the batteries (as ballast) for the electric drive!

Other interesting points;

- not really 'designed' as such but 'doodled' with Auto cad 3d. he seemed to let the clinker hull form itself, but he designed the interior, and what an interior!!

- the joggle boards for working out a pattern
to cut the frames

- the steel keel connected (copper riveted) to the garboard planks

- an interior showing a lot of planning or thought

- A substantial mooring horn fitted to the back of the stemhead - interesting idea

I believe, all in all an interesting project mixing traditional with modern ideas such as wing-type sails and electric propulsion.

Cheers - Mark

[imported_Steven Bauer]

I've been following Spark, too. There were some threads with links a couple of months ago. Wow, that is some boat!

Steven

[imported_Steven Bauer]

Check out the deck on Malcolm's boat.

http://qei.sitekit.net/sparkdeck.html

look at the Dorade boxes built into the fore hatch

http://qei.sitekit.net/getimage.aspx.ID-12175.gif

Lots of other cool details, too.

Steven

[ken mcclure]

I shouldn't look at this stuff in the morning. Now I'm gonna be daydreaming all day.

[TimothyB]

Hmm. Why would he use copper rivets through a steel keel? Isn't that asking for trouble down the line? (yes, I saw teh 3 layers of epoxy comment.. but wear might remove some of that in the proximity of fasteners)

Its a beautiful boat, but that makes me feel a bit nervous about it.

--T

[imported_Steven Bauer]

I don't think they are really rivets - he used 'copper rod' with roves on the ends. Like really, really big rivets. I'm interested in his electric drive system and that cool wing sail. And I love the interior arrangements and the cockpit layout.

Steven

[Thad]

We had an earlier link to a SPARK site that is not working now so I was pleased to see the link and the progress! Looking foreward to see the sailing pictures.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

:cool: :eek: :cool: :cool:

[Keith Wilson]

One of his design requirements was "Bonnie enough to raise a smile." I'd say he's succeeded. :D

Here's a picture showing the garboards riveted to the steel keel. The rivets are 1/4" dia with 3/4" roves, not that huge. http://qei.sitekit.net/getimage.aspx.ID-11976.gif

[ 01-20-2004, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: Keith Wilson ]