Monday 5 September 2016

Not quite a Firefly

I've seen this boat before, but only recently had the opportunity to chat to the owner, who was launching at Swanwick hard for Bursledon regatta.


Built as a one off in the 1960's the hull was based on the Firefly, although in this case cold-molded rather than hot molded which was the norm for production Firefly's.


The single lugsail is also a departure from Uffa Fox's design which was originally drawn in 1938.


The result is very pretty, presumably light weight and simple to rig, all in all a delightful dinghy.

5 comments:

  1. I am glad you posted this, it has coincided with my decision to put a sail on the dinghy I am currently renovating. This rig looks almost designed for my own little boat - I will use it as a reference.

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  2. Alden - I really like single sail small dinghies - we have 2

    Cornish Cormorant - which is gaff rig on free standing mast
    http://1001boats.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/cornish-cormorant-tosh.html

    and Erica's SCOW which is standing lug

    http://bursledonblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/scowling.html

    I'm really getting to like the standing lug as it's very easy, lightweight and has lots of adjustments.

    email me if you want any details/photo's

    bursledonblog@googlemail.com

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  3. Thanks Max.
    The rig on 'Not Quite a Firefly' is slightly different to Ericas Scow in that the boom in connected to the aft side of the mast on a goose neck of sorts, I like the look of this as well.
    Cormorants rig being the traditional cat boat gaff is also an attractive option.
    However I rig my dinghy I would like the whole rig able to be stowed within the length of the dinghy and the boom high enough not to clout me on the head when tacking.

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  4. Alden, good points, one of the things I like about the SCOW is that neither gaff nor boom are attached to the mast, so I can unclipp everything in moments and roll spars and sail up for stowage, the mast doesn't quote fit in the boat but that's because I fitted out the bows with a solid bouyancy tank which goes almost up to the deck. overhang is about 4 inches - bad planning on my part. The downhaul at the front of the boom gives lots of control and is great for luff tension.

    I'm sure you'll work out a good rig, look forward to seeing it

    Max

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  5. Gosh, what a lovely looking boat. Thanks, Max!

    ReplyDelete

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