It was a lot of work getting all the measurements right twice and making sure I only had to drill holes and cut once. The platform feels pretty solid. Would be nice to put it in the water right now just to see how it floats, but I think I'll just press on with the fit out. :)
Hi Rodney
ReplyDeleteLooks really good and very strong! I was curiuos about your solution for the connectors. I'm thinking about a similar way, but my beams are diffrent. Maybe I'll try the Wharram-type with lashings, both still possible.
How many persons will sail in your cat usual?
Greets from Germany
Hardy
Hi Hardy
DeleteI came very close to using lashings, as I was having trouble getting stainless straps made by any machine shop. I think because the holes need to be cut at very precise locations on the strap. So I ended up getting brackets machined from solid Aluminium with a radius matching the beam profile including rubber padding, which it seems from a fabricating point of view is easier, if slightly more expensive. Also as you said, they are very strong. I consulted with Bernd before going ahead.
I expect it will mostly be from sailing solo, up to 2 adults and three children on the cat :)
Cheers.
All the same for us here, family of 5, maybe some friends from time to time. But load limitations are reached soon, specially since the empty weight is definitif higher than in plans.
ReplyDeleteThe KD650 in Brasil should be sailing in theese days, will be interesting to read the first record about that?!
What did Bernd say about lashings? I've seen diffrent Wharrams and it looks not so strong as your brackets, but they can take a lot stress, because they allow a little movement to the whole structure and you can see, if something gets wrong with the lashings. But all Wharrams have at least 3 beams. So in the end we will see what happens on the water ;-)
Yes the designed weight is a hard target to reach. I expect my empty weight ready to sail will be under 400Kg. Which should leave at least 350Kg for people and stuff.
DeleteAs for the lashings. Basically a scaled up version of what is on Bernd's small trimaran which uses Polynesian style lashing. I actually like lashings, they are simple, efficient and low weight.
Yes really hoping to get some sailing news from Brazil also.