I may be the only one who has sailed the Flapdoodle and it was not "kid-tested". There was a fellow that was to have his sailing last April, but I have not...
Good for you Russell! Building a boat is an excellent father/son (or in my case, grandfather/grandson) project. A couple of years ago I built Gavin Atkin's...
Al, Thanks for the reply, information, and advice! The main purpose of building the boat is the building process. I was looking for a project that my kids...
Russel, Youv'e got the right mindset to build the Flapdoodle and you will find the process very interesting. Here is a URL showing pictures of various El Toro...
Hi Bill, Am following your wing sail effort with great interest. I have question about sailing down wind. If you plan to control the sail only with the aileron...
Running with the wind is the exception. At least one wingsail builder has his wing open up like a clamshell. In this case, my design is less efficient, and...
Thanks Bill, It's not so much the reduced drive force, but the unusual added heeling force, compared to a conventional sail on a run, that I was concerned...
I shouldn't try to answer questions before I have had coffee. I meant to add that the shroud lines would hold to sail at approximately 90°. On the other hand,...
I built an Origami Dingy (plans from www.woodenwidget.com) with my son. It took a while due to some health and family issues, but he had a blast. He really got...
I saw here somewhere that folding boats have been around since, at least, the 1800's. The unique thing abour the Flapdoodle is that it does not look at all...
Thank you very much Al. The oldest folder I know of was used on the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804. It was an iron frame covered with animal hides and...
Hi Bill, I have been thinking about what sort of sail I want to put on my Flapdoodle and, given the facts that a free standing mast is a problem from the...
Hi Bill. I was wondering, would canvas be a suitable fabric for the stern and bow coverings (not the hinges though)? I'd like something fairly puncture...
If it had not been for PVC fabric I never would have started the Flapdoodle. Not to say though, that canvas would not work. It presents problems with glue, and...
Hi all! I am making some practice panels before beginning the actual boat but I can't find the PVC drop cloth I have seen in the posts. Does anyone have a...
Hi Russel. Making test panels is a good idea. I think I put the part number for Home Depot's cloth in the plans. You can search eBay for PVC remnants if you...
Hello Russel, The PVC cloth brand is Workforce and it is referred to as PVC/Rubber Coated Drop Cloth. It is 3'9" x 14'9" in size. It should be in the Paint...
Hi! Let me begin by saying I am very happy to be a part of this group, and cannot wait to be a proud Flapdoodle owner. That being said, I should warn you all...
Welcome Jake. The reason I suggested making 4 identical panels, was to make it easier for the novice to get the curves identical by stacking them and finishing...
Hi Im just sourcing out materials right now and Im wondering if this fabric is good fo the FD (click link below). Its 25$ plus 24$ shipping is this a...
I had a little trouble with the link. Let me try... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170036308280&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007 I think...
Well, I finally finished cutting out my panels, reinforcing strips, gunwales, etc. today. I took my time, and using a jigsaw had everything done in about 6...
The stitching is not monopfilament. It is woven Dacron line, and it is glued into the holes with some extra glue near the holes. The glue from the fabric...
Hello Jake, Your question is a good one. I think that the nature of the "figure 8" stitch does not require the fish line to slide relative to the wood panels....
This goes back to why the FD1 was abandoned. It had PVC for hinges. While quite strong enough, it allowed the panel to move in relationship to each other...
Thanks guys. I didn't get to urethane today, as I had 2 midterms. But I'm doing some sanding tonight, and I'll make a couple of test panels while I'm at it...
I cut my panels two weeks ago. It being late winter, I have been frustrated with a lack of decent finishing temperatures, as most of my finishing activities...
Thanks for sharing that with us Jake. I know the feeling. Last year I would drag the panels out and put them in the back of the pickup to let them get some...
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