The bulkheads and formers in place. The frame is really easy to build

If the plywood to make the former is not big enough then you use a butt-joint to make it bigger

Finally the stringers can be laid in place - not so easy to bend.

They are all in and none have shot back in my face hallelujah!

Quality Control

Turn over and make the deck stringers.

The deck is on. This is not a dinghy it is a yacht since it has a deck. It was all very easy thank to Peter's great design and experience.

To ensure maximum protection a glass weave cloth is laid.

The cloth is wetted  with epoxy resin from Bote-Cote

The daggerboard. Ply is great to shape since the laminations provide good guidance to shape too.

The end users.

Painted by hand in virgin white

We made the rudder from 9mm ply laminated to form a 18mm thick parts. The cheeks were left as 9mm - I saw it work for a much larger rudder and decided to give it a try.

The hole for the 4mm rope was not drilled but instead routed using a 6.4mm router bit. A Ronstann sheave was traced and the hole routed to exact shape. The fit is so good that no glue is needed to keep the sheave in place.

Bug-Free is launched

Being a New Zealand designed and Australian built we thought the Southern Cross and Commonwealth Star to be appropriate.

It was an amazing first sail. Bug-Free sailed in the lightest of winds. Here you can see it tacking in virtually no wind.

My very supportive Little Lady painting the name.

Finally some wind - here I am going to windward in about 10 knots of wind

Reaching in 10 to 15 knots.

Thanks Love the name looks great.

Bug Free (558) and Sardine Can (510) sailing together at the Sydney Regatta Centre.