Re: Old bolger vs new . . .
> Personally, if I was going to build a BW I'd buy both sets of plansand mix and match features to suit my personal requirements. As a
(mostly) day sailor I'd do without the electrics, but I'd certainly go
for the OB. Living in a windswept land, I'd go for the smaller rig,
and so on.
I'd like to do this, specifically for the BW. I know of course of the
plans offered PB&F and InstantBoats, but does anyone have some they
want to sell? I'd be happy to find a new home for them...
cheers
waldemar
Hi,
Interesting controversy over whether Birdwatcher or Birdwatcher II is nicer.
Birdwatcher's biggest drawback was Bolger's intention that and OB should NOT be used. Unless blessed to sail in very special waters, the lack of an OB was found by most to be a distinct disadvantage - so either they installed an OB bracket and flipped the bird (is that the US term?) to PCB, or they said "I am unworthy" and sold the boat on, hopefully to a more 'worthy' owner who could follow PCB's strictures to the letter. (I'm not exaggerating - this did happen!)
So, we have BW II which makes a concession to those who'd like to use an OB from time to time, but also adds a host of new features.
Personally, if I was going to build a BW I'd buy both sets of plans and mix and match features to suit my personal requirements. As a (mostly) day sailor I'd do without the electrics, but I'd certainly go for the OB. Living in a windswept land, I'd go for the smaller rig, and so on.
I see this as an advantage - PCB&F have done all the work, set out all the options, and I don't have to (guiltily) try and design my own modifications to make the boat useful in my own set of circumstances.
PCB has occasionally done designs with a choice of rigs etc, and this certainly opens up the field to a much wider audience. How often have we fallen in love with a design, but on reflection wish it had a different rig or whatever, to suit our personal requirements? I wish Windsprint had a reduced rig option. I know some people have experimented in that area, but one designed by PCB&F would be so much more satisfactory.
How often have we seen (sometimes less than lovely) attempts to modify Bolger designs? High coachroofs on Chebaccos for instance? While I applaud the builders for their courage, you can now opt for the PCB&F Light Cruiser version which is elegant as well as practical.
The 'revisionism' we have seen recently in the work of PCB&F can only be a good thing, from that point of view. Let's have more of it.
Bill
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Interesting controversy over whether Birdwatcher or Birdwatcher II is nicer.
Birdwatcher's biggest drawback was Bolger's intention that and OB should NOT be used. Unless blessed to sail in very special waters, the lack of an OB was found by most to be a distinct disadvantage - so either they installed an OB bracket and flipped the bird (is that the US term?) to PCB, or they said "I am unworthy" and sold the boat on, hopefully to a more 'worthy' owner who could follow PCB's strictures to the letter. (I'm not exaggerating - this did happen!)
So, we have BW II which makes a concession to those who'd like to use an OB from time to time, but also adds a host of new features.
Personally, if I was going to build a BW I'd buy both sets of plans and mix and match features to suit my personal requirements. As a (mostly) day sailor I'd do without the electrics, but I'd certainly go for the OB. Living in a windswept land, I'd go for the smaller rig, and so on.
I see this as an advantage - PCB&F have done all the work, set out all the options, and I don't have to (guiltily) try and design my own modifications to make the boat useful in my own set of circumstances.
PCB has occasionally done designs with a choice of rigs etc, and this certainly opens up the field to a much wider audience. How often have we fallen in love with a design, but on reflection wish it had a different rig or whatever, to suit our personal requirements? I wish Windsprint had a reduced rig option. I know some people have experimented in that area, but one designed by PCB&F would be so much more satisfactory.
How often have we seen (sometimes less than lovely) attempts to modify Bolger designs? High coachroofs on Chebaccos for instance? While I applaud the builders for their courage, you can now opt for the PCB&F Light Cruiser version which is elegant as well as practical.
The 'revisionism' we have seen recently in the work of PCB&F can only be a good thing, from that point of view. Let's have more of it.
Bill
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]