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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2016 5:52:03 GMT
This thread is intended to assist Firebug builders get help from other builders (past and present) to progress their projects.
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Post by Des clark on Apr 21, 2016 2:24:43 GMT
I would like to start a discussion on producing firebug kits in Australia using the stitch and glue method of construction . Any ideas
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Post by rossvenner on Apr 21, 2016 12:32:10 GMT
Des, My immediate thought is that a stitch and glue Firebug would be lighter and perhaps less durable than one built in the traditional manner. I've no recent hands on experience with S & G.
The second thing that comes to mind is that the tension required to bend the 9mm plywood bottom is considerable and might make it hard to get a consistent curve. How much time/cost would an S & G build save?
I wonder how Peter Tait would view the suggestion?
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Post by Des clark on May 2, 2016 7:23:15 GMT
The Stitch and glue construction has been around since the early 70s with Mirror dinghies and other boats a little later like Sabres and 145s Etc and has proven to be very strong and makes construction easier by eliminating timbers where chines are and in the keel area but other timbers are still needed in the deck area. quite large boats have been built using this method ie the I550 a high performance 18 footer.
The boats may be lighter ,which is a good thing but if there were a minimum weight ,then plywood sizes could be increased to keep the weight the same as older boats.
The bottom of the boat may be a bit harder to bend but I think this would be easy to overcome.
The plus side would be that boats built from a kit may not need the building jig ,which would cut down costs and the kits would make the boats more uniform.
Peter Tait may take this on board if enough people are interested ,he is not adverse to some of the changes that the Australian boats have endorsed ie gun whales instead of deck handles.
Other changes could also be considered ,like extending the centreboard case up to the forward bulkhead to make the centreboard case stronger.
I think as the boats are amateur built they can be poorly built in some cases especially if they are built at home without guidance. some people have left timbers out and changed things creating a class that is not uniform. I think kits would overcome this aspect.
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Post by rossvenner on Jun 26, 2016 10:40:59 GMT
Des, I have no experience of building Stitch and Glue boats. I know that they were seen as easier to build when they first became available, but that was probably before epoxy adhesives were widely available.
As a general principle, I believe that if a boat looks like a Firebug and is not constructed to perform markedly differently, it should be a Firebug. Clearly, a 20kg boat would out perform a conventional 40kg boat, but if fitted with correctors...
The other thought is that S & G boats need to be as durable as conventionally constructed boats, or they could undermine the reputation for durability that Bugs deservedly enjoy.
One place where I believe the construction is excessive is the two panels of 9mm ply on each side of the centreboard box. I would favour cutting out the middle of the outer panel and leaving only enough of it to contribute to holding the fastenings through the bottom.
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