Interview with Michael Storer by the French Magazine Chasse Marée
Chasse Maree magazine published an interview with Michael “The quest for performance is not a matter of materials, it’s a state of mind” Translated by Christine deMerchant
Boat Design Articles
Boat Design Articles for boats: Sailing, Hydrofoils, Power, Canoeing, Low Resistance and predictable handling
List of Boat Design Articles Below
Articles discussing my thoughts on sources for boat design information for performance, structures or boat handling – with a bias towards repeatable information.
It could be from competitive sailing or through interpretation of careful testing by others including my design peers. It all ends up applying to my boat plans
In the end … if it doesn’t appear on the racecourse somewhere … it probably doesn’t work.
This may be an overstatement, I have a soft spot for those who work through several versions of an idea over time.
Don’t forget that the search function can help you locate information you are looking for. And don’t forget our search function – Top left on desktop. Or Mobile – tap menu on mobile and type in top line of menu.
Hullform 9P Works with Win11 (sometimes) win10 – download links
Hullform 9P is freeware Hull Design Software. It now appears to work on Windows 10 though it had problems for several years before. It is a full Professional Level Hull Design Package, but a bit simpler than many current programs.
Video: Easy speed and great stability of the Viola Sailing Canoe
Just a little video showing that the Viola 14 Sailing Canoe has enough stability to stand and hoist the sail or raise or lower the mast while one the water.
Controlling Sail Twist on Balance and other lug rigs.
Controlling sail twist on any boat is critical for performance. Here we describe two methods for getting more performance all round and safer handling downwind.
Add hydrofoil stabilisation to a sailing dinghy – specs and methods
It is not difficult to build a hydrofoil stabilised dinghy – Also a model for information sharing so everyone is not always reinventing the wheel
Homebuilt Hydrofoil for Sailboats test sailed – end to hiking out?
Hydrofoil sailing is possible for homebuilt boats. It can be used to reduce heeling so the crew doesn’t have to work so hard.
Review of Viola 14 Canoe from Hungary
Read Jenő’s experience with the Viola 14 sailing canoe which is Michael Storer’s latest design – the second and the third boats were built in Hungary by two members of the Hungarian Amateur Boatbuilding community (hajoepitok.hu).
Article Le Chasse-Marée – Goat Island Skiff article
Editorial and Article praising the simplicity and performance of the Goat Island Skiff in “Le Chasse-Marée” magazine this month – France’s premier traditional and wooden boat magazine.
Outrigger canoes and outboards – Speed and Power
A nice post by Brian Anderson who has built some outriggers for his Quick Canoe gives a good idea of how much performance can be expected from 2hp and a neat installation.
Extraordinary Boat (Sold) #1 – 12ft sailing dinghy BC Canada
Sailboat for Sale – an extraordinary, light plywood sailing dinghy. This is a prototype of the S12 sailing dinghy built with gaboon ply and full epoxy gluing and sealing. A project needing its conclusion.
Extraordinary Boat (Sold) #2 – 12ft sailing dinghy UK
This boat was intended to be a minimal river and open water racer for two lightweight experienced sailors (or one larger one) – big sail for the fluctuating conditions, light enough to plane consistently and cartop portable – it was also based on the Oz Goose built with incredible attention to detail. It requires a small amount of work to complete.
Upwind Sailing Lesson Part 1 – Gusts, Less Effort and more Performance
Big increase in upwind sailing performance and an easier way to teach beginners to sail upwind in medium to strong conditions. They end up being able to handle stronger winds with more confidence as well as sail faster.
Why the Goat Island Skiff is fast.
Why explained. My most popular design is the Goat Island Skiff a light plywood planing sailing dinghy that is devastatingly fast in most conditions – not so surprising when you realise a lot of the development was because of racing dinghy advances but intended to avoid the skyrocketing costs of sailing participation.
Small Sailboat Craned from 6th Floor
Building a sailboat in a confined space is not untypical, but Ermis in Greece built his Goat Island Skiff on the balcony of a 6th floor apartment and had to employ a very tall crane to lift the boat down.
Videos below Extreme British Yachts of Norfolk – Punts, A-Raters and Broads Cruisers
Some of the most extreme inland yachts of Britain (or the world) together for the Three Rivers Race on the Norfolk Broads. A-raters, Norfolk Punts and Broads Yachts
50 + 20 = 70 Oz Geese. 20 sailboat Collegiate Build
College build 20 boats – The PHBYC yearly boatbuilding program is 20 Oz Goose sailboats to start a sailing curriculum for the Cadet training. These are young engineers.
Surprising speed difference 12ft Oz Goose vs 8ft OzRacer
Crazy speed difference between 8ft and 12ft version of same boat. A resizing that worked beyond all expectations and taught us something about the limitations of conventional thinking about hullforms and performance
Photos – Oz Goose Nationals Philippines 2019 – 21 boats sailed in event
Great images from the 2019 Oz Goose Nationals held on Taal Lake with 21 sailboats and over 40 participants in competition in tricky conditions
Wooden Boat Odyssey – photos of boat museums and more
In 2009 I went to the USA for a series of events and talks. I was partly funded by the sailing community including many of my friends in the wider homebuilt boat community. This is the treasure trove of photos from across the USA featuring people who build their own boats and also some of the museums and cities that make the USA great.
A section for sailing technical stuff of a weird or interesting nature
The C-Class Wingsail Catamarans of my youth. I walked out of the house we rented and what did I see? Helios 2 designed by Lock Crowther.