The design of a shoal draft daysailor and construction kit.

Most design projects are a concept which progress no further than the drawing board, or nowadays the computer. Construction projects often take an existing design and develop it for a particular build method, again often no more than a hypothesis. This project spans both the design and construction method developing it fully through to proof of concept by undertaking construction of a detailed scale model. This report may therefore be of interest to any reader involved in small craft design with a strong emphasis on ‘design for construction’. The boat is a traditionally styled open day-sailer designed using modern tools for plywood kit construction. The kit aims to provide an affordable craft for those that have always wanted to build their own boat but lack the skills necessary to build it. Realistic constraints are considered and addressed; similar craft are investigated and evaluated providing the foundation for the design. The design is developed with a strong focus on suitability for the intended construction method whilst applying appropriate levels of naval architecture to assess performance, safety and strength. The full size detailed three dimensional modelling of the kit and all of its components lead to the cutting and assembly of a 1/6th scale model to provide an evaluation of the success of the construction method and assembly sequence. The final result is a realistic industry standard design requiring little development to becoming a commercial possibility. Pictures speak better than words therefore an illustration is provided to better communicate the design. Every boat deserves a name, this one is called Jessica