On the face book group Small Traditional Sailing Boats....march is navigator month. There are some excellent posts throughout the month about John's design
Search for #STSBnavigator on the group's page to find all the posts.
If you are into small traditional sailing boats, join the group. I promise you won't regret it. Brilliant group.
It is amazing how much you can learn from looking at other boats similar to yours. For example, I have noticed a variety of little modifications and deviations from the plans that other navigator builders have done ..... which just make plain common sense
- two front bulkhead access hatches to under foredeck locker either side of the main mast, instead of just one big one directly behind it
- access hatches in the front thwart top instead of its vertical bulkhead - so much easier
- ditto round 8" access hatches in the side thwart tops instead of their vertical bulkheads
- lower coamings
- block and tackle tensioning bobstay arrangements to make it easier to adjust from deck or cockpit and for when putting bow up against trailer winch posts
- doing away with the centre thwart lockers either side of the centreboat and just leaving open space under the centre thwarts
- home made furlers
- simple arrangements for reefing
- ditto simple arrangements for boom tent erection
- detachable lazy jack systems
- a sculling position on the rear transom deck
- a novel bowsprit arrangement so that an anchor bow roller can be installed
- slim line centreboards
Wish I had that creative inventive engineering mind that so many fellow navigator builders seem to have! 😩
