|
“Skeeter Bitten II” Sail GT 341, ISA class C-Skeeter
The GX-1 proved to be a wonderful sailing yacht, very light and very fast. The Swedish style adjustable steering is perfect. Because of the light weight, the boat really prefers SS 42” side runners and 36” in the front, all of which need to be kept very sharp. We believe that the GX-1 was built strong enough and would have endured all normal sailing conditions. The hull is built in a semi-monocoque design and rapidly gathers increased strength with the accumulating additions and layers of 1/8 inch plywood.
With this type of construction, a compromise of or a trauma to the main fuselage can be serious and in most instances may render the fuselage irreparable. It is our opinion that the low materials cost (less than $200) and ease of construction of a new fuselage are more than enough justification for this type of design. It is possible to construct as many as 10 or more GX fuselages for the same cost as a single conventional material Skeeter.
The GX-2 is an update of the GX-1. The fuselage has been narrowed by 1” for personal comfort and the backbone truss and truss floor have been strengthened with the addition of 1/8” skins. Although no boat will survive crashing into a 10’X15’ open water hole at high speed as the GX-1 encountered in January 2006, we feel that the structural modifications made to the GX-2 should make this yacht as strong and bullet proof as it can be, but that does not including large open drain holes.
Also under design and construction preparation is a new 2– 3/8”x 9” mast. The mast will be a lay-up of 7 layers of fiberglass over a hotwire cut foam core. The mast will utilize a full length 1/2” x 2-1/4” x 20’ wood spar at the forward 1/3rd position and a full length 1” wood section at the rear of the mast to hold the extruded aluminum luff tube. The whole assembly will be laid up and then vacuum bagged.
Also on the work bench schedule is a take-down side car for the GX-2.
Stay tuned for more up-dates as they progress. |
|
LAST UPDATE MADE ON: 11 July 2006
|
