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Re: 'Micro' - A question or two....or three...

Posted by barnacleid on August 22, 2001 at 02:53:24:
Differences between Roamer and Micro:
Roamer is much heavier and more forgiving. Micro needs more skill to sail well
because she is less stable and responds rapidly to sudden wind speed changes. Unlike
Roamer, Micro is not self-righting, neither can she go to windward so well in higher
windspeeds, but one would not expect this, since the two boats are designed for
different purposes. Roamer has a ballasted centreboard, whereas Micro has shallow
bilge keels.
Roamer is designed for two people to coastal cruise for days and perhaps weeks at a
time, whereas I designed Micro for singlehanding. She was to be used for short
cruises of about two or three days on semi-protected waters, such as the east coast
esturaries of England. She has an advantage over Roamer for day sailing, because she
is easier to launch and recover from a road trailer. Unlike Roamer, she is not a
dedicated sailboat, being 70/30 for sail and oars respectively. For example if one
were to cruise the non-tidal upper sections of the River Thames, it is likely she would
be rowed more than sailed.
She was meant to be an eco-sailboat, that is one which is friendly to the environment
in her construction and use. As a starters, she does not have an engine. (Consult the
Web site: http://www.micro-sailboat.co.uk )
The more I sail her, the more I am impressed with her capabilities. On smooth water,
she is an absolute joy to sail. One can sit on the floor while resting an arm on the side
deck and, with fingertip steering, direct ones course. In rougher conditions, I have
now gained confidence to sit her out and drive her over the waves. This is fantastic
fun, but over a long period could become demanding.
Regarding Gallery #1, I did not take a measurement of the panel thickness, but
perhaps they are 4 mm? For a definitive answer, why not try Nick Newland of
Swallowboats who supplied me with the hull bits: nick@swallowboats.com ?
Pic #2 shows the assembly by using copper wire to join the panels together. This is
very easy to do. Initially do not tighten them, but when all the bits are put together,
use your eye to make the hull symmetrical, while inserting and fixing the bulkheads
using wire in the same way. Then gradually draw the panels together by tightening
the wires on either side of the hull while maintaining the symmetry.
It took 28.5 hours to reach pic #3. You will observe that internal taping had not yet
been done on the sheer strake.