My
intention is to sail on Europe’s Atlantic edge, the Scottish Western Isles of
the Inner and Outer Hebrides, an archipelago comprising hundreds of islands
surrounded by potentially
challenging waters. It’s therefore my intention to equip the boat with a VHF
radio fitted with an internal GPS, navigation lights, Tacktick speed and depth
gauge, GPS chart plotter, cabin lighting, USB charger, battery monitor and an
outboard motor fitted with a 12v 6amp power supply for re-charging the
battery/batteries. All lighting units are LED’s to limit the draw on the
battery. As I have already previously mentioned, this equipment has had to be
considered at this stage of the build because once nearing completion some
areas will be difficult or impossible to access, I also want a very neat final
finish with no visible surface fixed cables. I have designed and constructed a
compact but adequate control panel from sapele which I intend to finish in
clear varnish. This is fitted to bulkhead 4 above the port side berth. I had to
cut an aperture in the bulkhead to accommodate the radio which projects
slightly into the storage area beneath the lateral shelving between bulkhead 4
& 5. I have constructed an easily removable rear cover to protect the
wiring from items that may be stored in this locker. The chart plotter, speed
and depth gauge will be mounted on the aft face of bulkhead 3, enabling
accessibility and visual monitoring from the cockpit.
Radio and
other equipment fitted to the control panel. These will be removed
before
varnishing and painting. The radiused insert in the side locker opening
below the
lateral shelf, is the outer face of the rear wiring protection cover.
All hidden
cable runs will be contained in 20mm diameter white plastic conduit. I propose
to manufacture purpose made timber capping to hide potentially visible cable
runs in the cabin area; these will then be painted in the same colour paint as
surrounding areas to limit their visual impact.
Hi. I have been following your build with keen interest for months, and I am love with Beniguet. I would like to build her myself, but I'm concerned my double garage isn't big enough. About how much space do you think is minimum for this build, please?
ReplyDeleteHello Oxford Boatbuilder, Thank you for your interest in my Blog. I think you will require a minimum of 800mm to 1000mm clearance around the boat to give yourself enough room to work successfully. That equates to an area of 3.7m - 4.1m in width and 6.7m - 6.9m in length which assumes the stem just inside the garage doors, therefore the doors could be opened to allow plenty of access and room to work on the front of the boat. However you would not be able to turn it over in this space, you would need to pull the whole assembly mounted on the jig out to give plenty of room for the roll over. I hope this answers your question and that you continue to find the blog informative and of interest.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your helpful reply. As I suspected my garage isn't long enough to accommodate Beniguet. I particularly want to build a small cabin cruiser so I am rather constrained by my build space. Looks like I'm going for the PocketShip design by John Harris of Chesapeake Light Craft, which does fit. Although I am now looking for a larger build space, just in case ... I love your boat, and your workmanship. She is going to be a beauty.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind remarks about the build, I am in the process of writing another instalment which should be on line in the not too distant future. I too considered Pocket Ship and was particularly impressed with the ease of launching and handling under sail. Which ever one you choose I'm sure you will enjoy the project.
DeleteHi there, I'm writing an article about a Béniguet built by Grand Largue in St Briac. I'm a bit short of building pictures and I wondered if you'd be up for sharing some of yours, as you seem to have plenty! You would of course be credited ifor any pictures used. Once your boat is launched, it looks like it might make a suitable contender for a separate article, if that's of any interest.. Best wishes, Nic nic(at)saltydogmedia(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Nic, In principle I don't mind sharing some of my pictures provided as you say I get the picture credit. Could you tell me what publication you write for? Yes I would be interested in an article after the launch, however would that impinge on the possibility of an article in Classic Boat magazine? Regards.
ReplyDelete