Techniques – Page 221 – intheboatshed.net

The Working Guide to Traditional Small-Boat Sails

The forest of Bermudan-rigged white plastic boats in every marina and creek might lead one to think that the methods of the golden age of sail are close to extinct – but so long as there are people like David L Nichols around, I don’t think there’s any need to worry just yet.

This is a nice little book that reflects the author’s long experience with traditional small boat rigs, and with the craftsmanship he has developed over the years, and includes general chapters on sails, making sails and sail-making tools, followed by more specific sections on the sliding gunter, the sprit, lug sails, the Chinese lug sail and gaff sails. Each of them are illustrated with Continue reading “The Working Guide to Traditional Small-Boat Sails”

Show us what you’ve got at intheboatshed.net

Fireballs at the NMM; sailing on The Broads long ago; Will Stirling’s 18th century lugger is launched

There are always a lot of interesting side issues to distract and provide entertainment at www.intheboatshed.net, but the real focus must be on the boats, their history, and the work of building and restoration.

So I’d like to make an appeal to you readers to please tell us your stories about your boats.

If you’re an owner with a boat that is your pride and joy, if you’re a Continue reading “Show us what you’ve got at intheboatshed.net”

How to build a 1930s British sharpie, part II

Here’s a chapter from Sutton on how to make the sail for the standing lug version of his 1930s British sharpie, to go with my previous post about how to build the boat and spars.

The sail is a 92sqft standing lug job that could easily find it’s way into a design today, if anyone out there needs one of that size. There’s some nice details here; for example, in the main diagram the mast stays are fixed by lanyards rather than a turnbuckles, and, of course, all bolt ropes must be sewn to the port side of the sail.