Articles

QB - a 21’ cruising schooner proa

 Reports  New Designs  Boatbuilding  Proas

Skip Johnson is building another proa! An avid contributor to the old Proafile forum(RIP), Skip has built some truly radical proas in his day. Toning down the rad half a notch for his latest, QB is a well-proportioned pocket cruiser, using a novel construction method of Gpet sheet foam core and fiberglass. Much thanks for the building report, Skip! -Editor

QB Design and Construction Report

By Skip Johnson

QB aka “Questing Beast” from…

A 1:12 size model in corrugated cardboard, illustration board, the old gold standard isn't readily available here in the hills of Oklahoma.

17 October 2023     13 comments.

The Dawson Proa Construction Method Part 2

 Reports  Boatbuilding  Proas  Research

Part 2 of Topher Dawson’s report on constructing his proa SGIAN GHLAS.
See Part 1. -Editor

Main Hull Construction Sequence - Part 2

See photos above.

  • Side/seat joints filled, glassed, rounded, glassed.
  • Centre section bulkheads extended upwards to support a foredeck which is needed to support each mast.
  • Seat back panels modeled with a skeleton structure of plastic conduit pipe.
  • Panels made of 25mm foam and glassed.
  • Panels laid on seats…
Centre section bulkheads extended upwards to support a foredeck which is needed to support each mast.

14 October 2023     2 comments.

The Dawson Proa Construction Method Part 1

 Reports  Boatbuilding  Proas  Research

Topher Dawson sends a report on his method of construction for SGIAN GHLAS, the proa featured in the previous article. It is as delightfully creative and sensible as the design itself. This is Part 1 of 2. -Editor

24’ Proa Construction Details

By Topher Dawson

Urethane foam core (Tricast 5) or other cores, with glass and polyester resin, makes for a strong, stiff and light panel. Nomex, carbon and epoxy would be stronger, stiffer and…

Lay out three panels of 25mm foam 8ft by 2ft and hot glue them together with butt joints.

06 October 2023     3 comments.