Barnacle Bill Magazine January 2016 | Page 75

It's an Ideal Training Boat

Mik:

"Training boat – underlying the plans is a very sophisticated boat, proper foils, correct spar bend, light weight. But you don’t have to worry about that, follow the plans and the boat will GO. This means that student sailors get instant feedback when they do things right.

Typical training routine is one adult instructor with two adult learners with good speed even in light winds.

Light to handle on shore

Quick rigging – less than 5 minutes, sail is reefable on the water for strong winds."

"No handling vices – helm remains balanced at any heel angle at any wind speed. Boat has enormous stability making it forgiving of handling errors that would capsize other boats. Training boat – underlying the plans is a very sophisticated boat, proper foils, correct spar bend, light weight. But you don’t have to worry about that, follow the plans and the boat will GO. This means that student sailors get instant feedback when they do things right."

"Easy righting from capsize and no water aboard"

The Challenge:

After several months research and looking closely at the evidence we have seen from the Phillipines and from Ian Henehan and others, the OZGoose looks like a serious contender for an affordable, family, car top-able boat. BBM will be building an OZGoose to a budget of £1200 + Paint (the cost of a Mirror Dinghy kit in 1962) for launch in early April (the start of the UK season). We will also be building a version as cheaply as possible, this won't have a pro sail and won't be car top-able due to the weight but we think we can bring it in even lower.

Photos: Michael Storer, Roy Espiritu Ian Henahan, Rolly Perez,

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