Campion Boats Apple

[Whameller]

Has anybody got any experience of sailing or building the Campion Boats 'Apple' ?

I'm interested mainly in the larger, half decked versions as a possible alternative to Francois Vivier's 'Ebihen 18' - but info on any of them would be very welcome. Eg:

How do they sail ?
How easy to build ?
Approximate cost of build (which variant) ?
How comprehensive are the plans ?
Are study plans available ?

The few references to the designs here are all complimentary, but there is very little detail - nor does there appear to be much about them to be found over here in UK.

Many thanks.

[keyhavenpotterer]

Have you see the web site?

http://www.campionboats.co.uk/html/design___one_or_two________apple.html

http://www.campionboats.co.uk/assets/images/apple2bsailplan.gif

Tom is very approachable and should be able to answer most of your question.

If you send me private message with your e-mail I will forward your questions to a builder I know, if you wish.

Perhaps have a look at the Goat Island Skiff as well

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=97514

Brian

[Whameller]

Many thanks. You have a pm.

I have seen the Campion Boats website, but find it a little short on hard info, though there are plenty of great photos.

I don't recall anything on the designs in 'Watercraft', either - or any other reviews on the web.

I considered the GIS, but I am after a boat optimised for coastal & estuary cruising (hence the interest in the Ebihen 18) - half decked, about 18 feet, gaff rigged, water ballasted - as a wooden replacement for our current Lune Whammel. GIS (although clearly a great design) is rather too lightweight & open for our needs.

Having competed in the Sail Caledonia raid in the Whammel in 2006, I would consider the GIS if I just wanted a simple raid contender - but that's not really what I'm into; 99% of our sailing is non-competitive dinghy cruising.

[keyhavenpotterer]

Tom considers the Apple more of an inshore boat, if you see what I mean. Much closer to Goat in style and weight. The Eibihen 18 seems to me to be a much more substantial boat, much more like your Whammel.

Brian

[David Geiss]

Maybe look at F Vivier's Minahouet?
Very capable and elegant....a tad shorter than Apple.

Whoa, just recalled that plans n/a, only CNC kit..maybe something in the works for a US kit via Duckworks acc'd to F Vivier. In UK, kit easily obtained from France.

[Whameller]

It is a bit hard to tell from the website, but there appear to be longer (18' and up to 20' ?) versions of Apple - designed to be half decked & ballasted & so more usable in a coastal environment - which seem to be closer to the Ebihen 18 in concept.

[T. Traddles]

I emailed Tom Dunderdale with questions when I was inquiring about his Iota 11-12 design. His responses to my emails were thorough and friendly. I am sure that if you send him an email with your questions, he will respond kindly and generously to your questions.

BTW, I bought a set of his Iota 11-12 plans and that will be the next boat that I build. I'm quite jazzed about that.