Some timely advice, a very needful read, and in the “what she said!” department…
Back when I was asking Phil about a bigger version of Loose Moose (Bolger’s Jessie Cooper design), he suggested something like the Breakdown Schooner. I’ve always wanted a schooner…
While I really liked the design, the problem as I saw it, was that the accommodation was pretty much the same as our Jessie Cooper but stretched out with more elbow room. Still, it’s a design I come back to on a pretty regular basis.
One of the things I really liked about the design was that you could build it in a smaller workspace. The biggest issue most builders of cruising boats have is not so much about building the boat but finding a suitable place to build the damn thing.
Luckily for us, we were living in France at the time when DIY boat builders formed co-ops which made building boats a much easier and less expensive pastime.
But I digress…
Yeah, the Breakdown Schooner. While I love the idea of being able to build the three sections in a smaller space, I expect when it came time to put the pieces together and launch I’d make the joins permanent.
While I’m at it, I’d also seriously consider ditching the water ballast and replace it with something more dense. I like the idea of water ballast but it does take quite a toll on needful stowage.
Lastly, the only other change I’d make would be to hang the rudder with an integrated trim tab on the transom.
In hindsight, I’m a little sad we did not build this unusual schooner and it’s still a boat I’d like to.
So it goes…