Brushfire - An Experience in Building a Masthead Cutter

Abstract

To say that building a sailboat forty feet long was an experience is a severe over­simplification. A fellow stopped by during construction of the hull, and after observing me for a while asked, "Is this a business?" My reply was that I wouldn't do this again for anyone. However, after turning the hull upright I admit I contemplated marketing the completed project and building a 50-footer. I quickly regained my senses. My wife and I much prefer sailing to building. That doesn't mean that building it can't be fun. It certainly doesn't need to monopolize your life. During our project we took time out one year to vacation in Paris and to cruise aboard both a chartered boat and a boat owned by friends. This paper describes the approach we applied in this project which took five years to complete.