Re: Micro vs Long Micro ply count
Thanks for the info William! I'm fixing up my Micro cosmetically at the moment (it's been stored for a couple of years), and hope to be sailing it again shortly. I've only had it out once, and was quite impressed with it. I think it's the best micro-cruiser in its size range out there. I spend a lot of time (maybe TOO much!), playing with boat designs, and I was curious about the amount neccesary to extend the lines by 4', and also the increase in scantlings. Watching the various videos on the net of LMs sailing made me wonder if it would be a good choice if my boat ever needs replacing. My Micro seems strong enough, though. It was built in Washington in 86, and hopefully will last a few more years!
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <brianincorv@...> wrote:
>
> Hi! I own a Micro, but don't have the plans. What is the number of 4 X 8 ply panels (and what thickness) required for the two designs? I'm curious about the differences in construction and cost between them,in case I ever get around to building a boat. Thanks in advance!
>
Best answer I can give is to buy the plans and get all your questions answered.
The cost of plans is the least expensive part of building the boat, but the most important
Brian,
My Long Micro required 15 sheets of 3/8 inch (4x8 foot) ply, and 6 sheets of 1/2 inch (4x10 foot) ply. I think I had one sheet of each left over, and I deviated from the plans a bit (built a self-bailing cockpit which required more ply, and used 1/2 inch ply for the cabin deck). Also, the plans show building with 4x8 sheets and don't require 4x10 sheets of ply. Lumber yard only had 1/2 in. ply in 4x10 sheets, so I bought that. Plans show EITHER 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch side panels- I opted for 1/2 inch panels. The cost of your build depends greatly on materials and finish. I sheathed the exterior (and free-flooding wells and cockpit sole) of my LM is 6 oz. fiberglass and coated all the interior surfaces in epoxy, and this required 22.5 gallons of epoxy and resin. In total, the plywood (marine grade fir ply) accounted for 11 percent of my build-cost. Epoxy and paint (System Three) came to 18 percent. New outboard motor (16 percent) and sails (15 percent) were the other big-ticket categories. My LM cost $10,000 USD (in 2003-2007 USDs). That's pricey and a frugal fellow could probably build a very solid and nice LM for $7,000.
If you're rocking a micro, why build another? You could lash two side-by-side and have a great bi-wing rigged catamaran, right?
Bill, in Texas
My Long Micro required 15 sheets of 3/8 inch (4x8 foot) ply, and 6 sheets of 1/2 inch (4x10 foot) ply. I think I had one sheet of each left over, and I deviated from the plans a bit (built a self-bailing cockpit which required more ply, and used 1/2 inch ply for the cabin deck). Also, the plans show building with 4x8 sheets and don't require 4x10 sheets of ply. Lumber yard only had 1/2 in. ply in 4x10 sheets, so I bought that. Plans show EITHER 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch side panels- I opted for 1/2 inch panels. The cost of your build depends greatly on materials and finish. I sheathed the exterior (and free-flooding wells and cockpit sole) of my LM is 6 oz. fiberglass and coated all the interior surfaces in epoxy, and this required 22.5 gallons of epoxy and resin. In total, the plywood (marine grade fir ply) accounted for 11 percent of my build-cost. Epoxy and paint (System Three) came to 18 percent. New outboard motor (16 percent) and sails (15 percent) were the other big-ticket categories. My LM cost $10,000 USD (in 2003-2007 USDs). That's pricey and a frugal fellow could probably build a very solid and nice LM for $7,000.
If you're rocking a micro, why build another? You could lash two side-by-side and have a great bi-wing rigged catamaran, right?
Bill, in Texas
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <brianincorv@...> wrote:
>
> Hi! I own a Micro, but don't have the plans. What is the number of 4 X 8 ply panels (and what thickness) required for the two designs? I'm curious about the differences in construction and cost between them,in case I ever get around to building a boat. Thanks in advance!
>
Hi! I own a Micro, but don't have the plans. What is the number of 4 X 8 ply panels (and what thickness) required for the two designs? I'm curious about the differences in construction and cost between them,in case I ever get around to building a boat. Thanks in advance!