A lofting thought...

[SparkG]

I've got the plans for 12.5' Tomcat...a traditional build with 5 stations, ribbands, steamed frames and planks over that.
Not that I'm going to do it but theoretically, I should be able to loft it out full size, mark the full size lofting off at one foot intervals, take measurements at those foot intervals, build moulds from those measurements, have moulds every 12 inches and cedar strip this catboat like you would any cedar strip canoe project right? (Ignoring the necessary strength of the frames - it's just a thought)

Thanks all!

[ 07-05-2005, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: SparkG ]

[ssor]

Of course you can!! But then you have a different boat. It will be the same shape but it won't be the boat that you bought plans for. Will it be better or worse ? I don't know. There are others here that have been there, done that, got the tee shirt and the video.

Ross in Bel Air

[mmd]

Yes, you certainly can do just that. I have done several projects involving the conversion from plank-on-frame to strip-epoxy building methods. If you plan to sheath the exterior with fabric in epoxy, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that the framing can be either reduced slightly in scantlings or spaced farther apart than was done on the original.

[SparkG]

Thanks guys...appreciate your feedback...I thought it would work. I don't care if it's not the "same boat". When I buy plans (actually I just bought the book, about building the Tomcat, scanned the plans and enlarged printouts), I feel I'm paying for the offsets, sail area and centerboard size/position...the rest is gravy...Ya can't build any boat without the offsets. After that, it's my boat - that's the fun I have, all the modifications and different ways to do things. I like figurin' it all out and building it - better than I like sailin' it me thinks!

[ 07-06-2005, 10:43 PM: Message edited by: SparkG ]

[ssor]

Originally posted by SparkG:
Thanks guys...appreciate your feedback...I thought it would work. I don't care if it's not the "same boat". When I buy plans (actually I just bought the book, about building the Tomcat, scanned the plans and enlarged printouts), I feel I'm paying for the offsets, sail area and centerboard size/position...the rest is gravy...Ya can't build any boat without the offsets. After that, it's my boat - that's the fun I have, all the modifications and different ways to do things. I like figurin' it all out and building it - better than I like sailin' it me thinks!When ya get through playing with it ya can sell it and do another one!! :D