'Pilgrim' - JW's New 16 foot 'anabit' Project

[Mike]

A hot topic emerging on all small sailboat sites at present is the new project under way by Kiwi designer, John Welsford, as his own boat. John has named her 'Pilgrim'. He explains why on his site.

Now, I've been taking a look at this design. She seems an excellent sea boat. I won't bore you with details. Far better to let John express his plans himself. Below are a few snippets from him about the 'Pilgrim' design philosophy and the aim of his building her.

Before that, a little snapshot of her first draft lines. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger image:

37

Here's a few words from the man himself on his very exciting new design.
"The boat is to be a Houdini type but just over 16 ft long, gaff sloop rigged using an existing second hand mast and boom. The boat will be designed to be open water capable with considerable enclosed bouyancy and some fixed ballast, to have the ability to sail fully swamped, and to sleep two under a fitted tent.

This is to be a serious open cruiser, light enough to tow behind a small four cylinder car but tough enough to cope with an extended coastal voyage where sheltered anchorages are a long way apart."
We can't wait to see Pilgrim get her bottom wet. Great project, John, and quite unusual. Thanks for sharing her with us. We will be keeping an eye on Pilgrim's Progress :rofl: that's for sure. We love her already!

Later: John has been too busy to press on with his own boat, so he has forwarded some great pics taken at the build of Pilgrim by his Kiwi friend, Bob Denham. Bob is surging ahead of others and has just turned his build over. Welll done, Bob. You are doing a great job - and our sincere thanks for the photos, which are yet another scoop for us here in the UK at BBJW.

702 703 704
705 706 707
708 709 710
711 712

Smashing design! Well done to JW on this one. Now, don't forget you are building a Pilgrim for yourself, John.

[jwboatdesigns]

It's been a little while since I've posted anything on the Pilgrim building project. I've still a fair bit of other work to get through so don't have much time yet, but have the transom, the stem and part of the spine cut out. I have also drawn up B#1 and B#2, the centercase and the centerboard. I drew the centercase out full sized and made a cardboard centerboard template so I could better work out the geometry of the lifting tackle.

I decided to put the pivot pin for the 60 kg steel centerplate outside the boat. That is, through the keel deadwood rather than inside the boat where a leak or weep would let the water in. It means that instead of using the front edge of the "board" as the stop (for lowered position), I've shaped the case and the board so that there is an internal stop which will take the thumping of the board being kicked up and dropping back when the tip touches the bottom or hits an obstacle.

I should be cutting plywood again in a few days and will post some pics.

All the best for the festive season.

JohnW

[Mike]

Hi All

John has very kindly sent me a Study Plan of his great new 'Pilgrim', together with another description of her design.

Here's the image as a .jpg thumbnail. Just click on the thumbnail to see it in a larger size. It is, as you can see, nicely detailed. However, it is not possible to install it here as the huge and very detailed image it is if downloaded properly using our new 'Downloads' function.

388

Therefore, so that you can open the file in the original size and even print it out (if your printer can handle very large prints), I've uploaded the Study Plan to our 'Downloads' section in two formats (.zip and .zipx) so that you can choose the quality of the image when unzipped - the highest quality is the new .zipx format.

Good on you, John, and thanks for sending these over for us Brits to enjoy and consider building. I think this is one of the most seaworthy and robust dinghy designs I have ever seen.

To our members and guests, you can now buy Pilgrim Plans from us here in the UK and Western Europe. Just go to our Homepage and click on 'JW Plans & Price List' in the little Navigation window at the top left of the page and then select 'Pilgrim' under Design Name.

Best wishes

[Mike]

As you would all know by now, John's plans are available here on BBJW, including the wonderful 'Pilgrim' of course.:)

We have had one or two inquiries about the way her keel is designed. Yup, it is a little different but not unconventional.

The keel aft of the centreboard is, in fact, a hollow construction that has inlet and outlet ports. It is designed that way for several good reasons, not the least of which is to save the backyardie time and money.

Since it reduces the amount of solid deadwood and only fills when in the water (and empties again when you pull her out), it significantly reduces her trailering weight.

Here are a few words from John Welsford on this point.
"Almost all the solid wood in Pilgrim is small stuff, easy to handle and cut, and a solid wooden keel of the size that Pilgrim has would be several big lumps of hardwood and very hard work for a home boatbuilder, who may only have a jigsaw and handsaw, and somewhat expensive to purchase. So to make it easier I've used a construction much like a house wall with a top and bottom plate (lengthwise structural member) and uprights plus plywood sides which means all small sections and no big bolts. If anything the plywood sided job is stronger and much less prone to damage by shrinkage or expansion of the wood due to the variation in moisture content that can occur with sailing then leaving the boat on its trailer in dry storage."
I think that covers it adequately. Please note that George 'Chip' Matthews, one of our members building a Pilgrim, has been kind enough to post a couple of photos of his keel in the Albums section (http://backyardboatbuilding.org.uk/forums/album.php?albumid=39). They clearly show how it's done and I must say I am mighty impressed with Chip's build, especially when you consider the fact that it is his first ever build. Well done, Chip, and many thanks for your extremely helpful photos. :approval:

Best wishes