HMS Sharktypus
The HMS Sharktypus is a stitch-and-glue flat-bottom dinghy with a Sharktypus paint job which is currently under construction. When complete, it will serve as the principle research dinghy of the Bacliff Exploration Society. It is planned to be fully equipped with an inboard weed-eater motor, ham radio, flounder lights, glass bottom, and oar locks shaped like shark fins.
Contents
Requirements
Top Level
- Must be cheap
- Must fit on Solitaire's foredeck
- Must be launch-able by a single adult
- Must handle 5 hp outboard
- Must take 2 adults and gear/kids/dog
- Must float when swamped with 5 hp attached
Specific
- Solitaire's hatches must be open-able when dinghy is in place
- Must not obstruct anchor locker
- Must not obstruct side decks
- Dinghy floor window must line up with Solitaire's main hatch for light below
- Must be securable to deck by access through Solitaire's hatches
- Must have integrated running lights
- Must have long grab handles on bottom to facility going forward on deck
- Must have towing bridle
- Must be able to be rowed
- Must be able to be sailed
Construction
The Sharktypus is being constructed in the ESOB Shipyards using the cheapest door skin plywood that money can buy, as well as scrap hurricane plywood, and tomato stakes. The builders have embraced a design philosophy which ignores such things are measurements and common sense, in favor of "listening to the wood". This process has already led to many innovations which will be studied by naval architects for decades to come.
Gallery
Shakedown cruise
The shakedown cruise of the (unpainted) HMS Sharktypus took place on June 24, 2011. After being christened with Bud Lite, it was deployed into the Watergate Marina in League City, Texas, and tethered to Solitaire. It was then taken on a Ham Radio Ranger training expedition.
See also
External links
- Lauan Plywood (Article that claims building a dinghy with this grade plywood is insane)
- Stitch-and-glue dinghy construction
