We spent some of the rainy weeks this winter working on a model
of the Weekender for everyone. The Weekender model is made of
cardstock and dowels, and makes a great display model, as well
as a good testbed for paint schemes for your full-size Weekender.
The model can serve as a study for those builders wishing to get
a better feel for the shape and layout of the Weekender.
We haven't decided what to do with this little project. It now
seems pretty unlikely that the Weekender Model will be relaeased
anytime soon. The cardstock model requires the precision of printing
(rather than a laser-printed downloadable version) to work properly,
and we'll have to see if the market warrants gearing up for a
whole printing run. Also, we want people to build the full-size
versions so we have more sailing companions!
Since moving to the Monterey Peninsula, we've started to get
the urge to build a new boat to explore the local rivers and esturaries,
as well as the coastal areas and the harbor. The Weekender works
well, but we need something we can beach-launch without a lot
of sweat. We're still debating as to the form, but a new version
of the Skipjack, combined with some of the Weekender's lines,
sounds like what we'll end up with. As to rig design, we're still
undecided, but it will be something appropriately dated; either
a spritsail, gaff, or perhaps a little square-sail arrangement.
Okay, now everyone wants to know when this will be available...
To be honest, I wouldn't imagine we'll be able to even start until
late summer. Plans take another couple of months, so I wouldn't
look for this boat until next year. We'll keep everyone posted
though...
We'll be offering small plans updates for some of the more popular
modifications to the Weekender. Among the anticipated plans are
a tiller modification, Dead-Eyes to replace the
turnbuckles, and solar/electric motor guidelines.
