very cheap DIY small singlehanded sailboat

by Cees de Geest
(Netherlands)

sir,

amateur boat builders can tackle two problems in one stroke: reduce the cost to a minimum and sail a boat as attractive and simple as a Laser, yet more stable and comfortable.

First, amateur boat building is not cheap, as difficult parts (profiled rudder and centreboard, mast, boom, sail, hardware, trailer) are likely to be bought new.
I found the solution: buy a (written-of) Laser(-clone), throw away the hull and use its equipment and trailer for a hull that is designed to adopt the left over equipment.

Second, a boat like the Laser is an attractive concept.
But it is cramped and unstable.
Despite that a larger variant of the concept is not on sale.
As a solution, Ludo van Well (www.vanwelldesign.nl, info@vanwelldesign.nl) has designed for me a skiff-like double-chined hull, 40 cm longer and wider than a Laser, so a relatively wide body.
Therefore, it is more stable, roomier and hiking is less intensive.
But it is not under-powered and it planes lively.

Ludo designed it for amateur building, as he has drawn very simple lines and many frames have (almost) the same form and differ only in dimensions.

If it is difficult to put on the mast and sail in one go, like with a Laser, then it is possible to change the top of the mast and the sail, so you can put on only the mast and then hoist the sail. Therefore in the top of the sail a hole must be made for a halyard.
Furthermore, on one side of the sleeve of the sail a zipper needs to be sewn.
Finally on top of the mast a roller must be fitted and eventually a hook for the halyard.