Further updates from Martin Scott

Last week, just after seeing the latest pix of John Z's Mistral, I rec'd an update from Martin
Scott:

"I still have some fairing of the  keel band, but I have done 4 coats of International Schooner varnish, thinned 50-50 on the hull outside. The mast supports are all sound. I sailed with semi unstayed rigs with my Solo - however the waves and surf knock all the energy out - I prefer to sail with about 250 lbs of rig tension. So I am going to deck step the mast. I am working on a sail plan which is between your traditional plan, 15ft luff 9 ft foot. and (the IMCA) fully battened sail." Martin indicated that his sail will have a 16ft luff with an 8ft foot three battens the top full length). "My local Sailmaker who makes Transat Yacht sails has an apprentice and we are all working together with the computer design."

"I have laminated the carlins for the cockpit edge and have found a nice shape which should work well. I have make a removable thwart for light airs."

"Full  side tanks rolled to the floor allows the boat to float too high and blow away in our big seas. This is why I have have chosen to do tanks beside the plate box and I will be making a false floor just aft of the CB box for about 9ins and three ins deep. I also enclose a picture which illustrates the final gunwale configuration. The deck goes on followed by 3mm of sycamore then a mahogany finish. This will give a nice drop to either side of the side deck. I hope this is on interest to you as from next week things will slow up!

Kind regards to you all, Martin"

And now for Martin's pix:

Evolution is looking very smart.  As he indicated in his email, Martin continues to fair the keel line of his hull.

This pix shows the hardwood blocks which will be mounting points for various bits of hardware installed once the decks are on.  The clamps seen in the photo hold the deck carlins in place until the glue dries.

A close up of the gunwale.

I'll be very interested to see the details of the removable thwart Martin mentioned.  With very narrow waterlines, Mistrals are rather tedious to sail in light air so a thwart to comfortably sit on would be an advantage, especially if it could easily be removed and stowed if the breeze piped up.  Compare Martin's internal structure with that in John Z's Mistral.

John's boat will have a keel stepped, semi-free standing mast while Martin has opted to go with the more conventional deck stepped mast, supported by standing rigging.