To continue our series on different ways to get out voyaging, here is a link to an interesting site about the build of a near sister ship to Hamish & Kate Laird’s Seal, one of the most interesting aluminum boats we have ever seen.
The builders are a young couple with very young children who plan to build a boat and go voyaging rather than focusing on the more conventional purchase at their point in life: a house. Judging from the engine and winches they have selected, they are being careful with money too.
Good on ‘em, we say.
Hi John
It’s interesting looking at aluminium boat builds. I’m not sure if this is the right article to ask this question but I’m wondering if you have any thoughts on a small cruising boat design called a Kiribati 36 by B&G yacht designs? Are you familiar with it? I’ve only been able to find two examples of a build and would be interested to learn more or hear some opinions.
Alex
Hi Alex,
Took a quick glance at it. Looks like a nice boat and hull form, however I would prefer a less vulnerable single rudder like the Boreals.
I think it is too easy to say – single rudder safe, dual rudder unsafe. Same like saying, skeg rudder safe, spade rudder unsafe. It is much more important how the rudders are built. While the single rudder gets protection from the keel, if it is so lightly built that a bored Orca off Portugal knocks it to pieces, having two of these isn’t so much better.
Hi George,
I disagree with that analysis and comparison. To me, the key thing that makes twin rudders less safe is that they are not protected by the keel from floating debris or rocks. Of course that assumes that all other things are equal, but to me that’s the correct way to look at it.
Hi John,
Sure the keel protects a single rudder, no question and I wouldn’t take light-weight single rudders for an offshore cruise (or at least not without a spare or emergency rudder). But a properly built twin rudder won’t need the protection. It may get dinged or get a bend in the sheet metal between the framing, but it will continue to function.
Here is a nice illustration – loo to the second to the last image.
https://no-frills-sailing.com/yacht-construction-rudder-trunk/
Have you been in contact with B&G Yacht Designs by any chance? Looks interesting to me too.