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**boatman61** · 01-08-2013, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by europaflyer

Absolutely it's schadenfreude - but I only indulge in it when the misfortune involves a 65' floating shed.

And no, I haven't built a massive boat out of plywood and 2x4. I prefer to get on the water by more conventional means...

I'll only start building when I have the means to do it properly! The saddest thing about the whole business is that with the money he's spent on the floating pighouse he could have bought a decent boat and be in Hawaii already...

Vaguely remember folk saying that about James Wharram back in the 50's when he set out across the Atlantic with two girls and his plywood and 2x4 boat...

Celestialsailor · 01-08-2013, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Vaguely remember folk saying that about James Wharram back in the 50's when he set out across the Atlantic with two girls and his plywood and 2x4 boat...

Boatman...That's just like you to delve right into reality!

Ocean Girl · 01-08-2013, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Vaguely remember folk saying that about James Wharram back in the 50's when he set out across the Atlantic with two girls and his plywood and 2x4 boat...

+2

salticrak · 02-08-2013, 00:08

Ole Jimmies boats are more purty and stronger.

damianham · 02-08-2013, 02:20

For me this story raises an interesting question. Can amateurs design and build seaworthy boats ?

Do you know of any boat designers that have designed and built an ocean going catamaran without having a naval architecture degree ?

Is it plausible to design and build your own ocean going catamaran if you use tried and tested design principles and build processes ?

Sand crab · 02-08-2013, 06:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by damianham

For me this story raises an interesting question. Can amateurs design and build seaworthy boats ?

Do you know of any boat designers that have designed and built an ocean going catamaran without having a naval architecture degree ?

Is it plausible to design and build your own ocean going catamaran if you use tried and tested design principles and build processes ?

I don't think James Wharram is a naval architect.
There were some pretty large catamarans and proas used by the Polynesians and early Europeans over 2000 years ago. These traveled long distances regularly.
So, I think it's very possible to design and build your own cat. There are volumes of data and info on the internet along with West Systems (pdf) books and many others.

The guy that built this big cat chose to ignore all of this free data and do it his way. His name is Hot Rod btw. No ****!

motogon · 02-08-2013, 06:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by damianham

Is it plausible to design and build your own ocean going catamaran if you use tried and tested design principles and build processes ?

Depends on size. Multihulls pretty complicated vessels to design and bigger it gets more complications arise.

damianham · 02-08-2013, 06:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by motogon

Depends on size. Multihulls pretty complicated vessels to design and bigger it gets more complications arise.

Can you say what those complications are ?

motogon · 02-08-2013, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by damianham

Can you say what those complications are ?

There is "some" difference in designing and building 10' dinghy and 50' sailboat.

Sand crab · 02-08-2013, 07:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by damianham

Can you say what those complications are ?

The main issue is the bridge deck to hull connection. The complicated part is that the mast sits right in the middle of this. On a mono the mast frequently goes all the way to the keel but this isn't possible with a cat. So you have your wires (stays and shrouds) pulling the mast down to keep it straight plus the forward pull of the sails creates quite a bit of stress at the mast base.
The other issue is that the hulls want to splay out if not properly braced. Wharram did this with wood poles or beams just like the Polynesians. Typically the beam runs from the outside of each hull to the outside of the other hull. Keep in mind that your mast cables (shrouds) that usually attach to the outside of the hulls have a tendency to pull the hulls upward. That full length cross beam prevents this. The Flyin' Hawaiin does not have this so the hulls are splaying out without even a sail attached.
DOH!

Sand crab · 02-08-2013, 07:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by motogon

There is "some" difference in designing and building 10' dinghy and 50' sailboat.

+1. Smaller is easier if "winging it"
Here's a pic of a 65' cat with those big crossbeams. Notice the mast sitting on the front one. This is what the FH should have.