Fibreglass hull for pilot cutter

[Paul Williams 34Participant @paulwilliams34]

Thanks Hi, I'm new to the forum, an scale glider man who acquired a tatty three masted schooner and is hooked. Sorting out the schooner is a separate story – sails well but can be improved and thanks to Nev Wade for some advice. I would like to build a pilot cutter or a similar gaffer to Jolie Brise and would prefer a fibreglass for speed of construction and wear and tear but everything available seems to be in the advanced hernia size and I'm not getting any younger ! Something around 30-36 inch would be optimum and I wondered if there suppliers out there I don't know about ? Thanks Paul

[Paul Williams 34Participant @paulwilliams34]

[Derek BradleyParticipant @derekbradley32270]

Paul,

Have a look at Orion Mouldings website – not sure, but I think that he does a pilot cutter hull. Not many GRP hull makers for this style of boat since makers like Kingston gave up. Let me know if you are successful.

Derek.

[Paul Williams 34Participant @paulwilliams34]

Derek,

Thanks for the thought but Orion s only offering is too large at 1/12 scale and all the plan / hulls on offer, seem to be the same size and this make for a hefty model to haul about. Of course its possible to make launch trolleys and all manner of mechanical aids but in my view such large models are a deterrent and therefore don't get used as much as they deserve.

I picked up a French plan on Ebay, for Jolie Brise at 1/20 which is around 32 inches long and 45 over the bowsprit. This is a more manageable size and weight and the only issue is the overall height of 45 inches, which might needs a removable top mast.

Hey ho, looks like a wood build then – after the clipper !

Thanks again

Paul

[Derek BradleyParticipant @derekbradley32270]

Thanks for letting me know, Paul. Enjoy your build, whatever it may be but I tend to work on the principle that, the bigger the boat, the better it sails.

Derek.

[Paul Williams 34Participant @paulwilliams34]

Derek,

I fully appreciate the mathematics of scale effect means that bigger is better and the same applies to rc scale sailplanes but frankly in most circumstances I do not personally detect any great difference in performance and handling.

With scale sailing boats, the advantage of a large model is the ability to avoid the need for an external false keel. However a false keel doesn't bother me at all and I greatly prefer the practicality of a model that fits easily into the car without wrecking my back or giving me a hernia.

Horses for courses and a matter of personal choice of course – there is no right and wrong with these things.

Best regards

Paul

[Derek BradleyParticipant @derekbradley32270]

Paul,

I totally agree with you. The boat is entirely your choice and what you want to build and not something suggested by anyone else – unless, of course, that suggestion appeals to you.

Hope you can find what you want and that you enjoy building it.

I can't think of any other hull suppliers that you could contact.

Derek.

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