Why a microcruiser? What is a microcruiser? Why design my own and make it only 14 feet 3 inches long? How is the build going here in Oaxaca?
OK......
WHY: a MC because they are tough, can make ocean passages, have a internal protected steering station out of the overpowering tropical sun, can dry out with a tide in super shallow water, has small components like light anchors which for a old guy is critical, can be trucked or container shipped to really cool cruising grounds (Adriatic sea, Sea of Cortez, Belize reefs, Bahamas, etc.). And can cruise, supplies wise, months if need be.
WHAT: usually 12 to 18 feet long, 4-6 feet of width, super shallow draft, tough materials and thus very seaworthy, can sleep 2 but are really solo one man boats ideal for trips buddy boating with other microcruisers or long solo explorations, simple systems, carefree for the most part and low stress sailing.
 |
| Neighbor frenz and I assembling the pieces recently...... |
So I designed my own to just fit under the 4.5 meter length law of the mexican government..... no permits required. But a full 4 foot sheet of ply wide and barge like in the same family as the "triloboat" barge sailers but with some offshore mods. Fast to build, simple, roomy, tough. Probably with no engine and just sail-oars.
This is the basic layout: 9 feet of cabin, a rear hold or motorwell if a outboard is decided upon, a forward volumous watertight hold, then a flotation filled roll up style bow with built in open anchor well. Drawing maybe 10" loaded up. Rig will be a small chinese lugsail in the Reddish geometry. Kick-up rudder and leeboard.
