The Firebug / Alex Box

Something here.

There are many small boats to choose from when you are considering building one. Infinite variations on size, weight and rig need careful consideration. Additionally it is important to think about where and how the boat is to be used.

 

For some, the lone-hand approach is the most attractive. Building a piece of classic nostalgia that can be enjoyed in solitary contemplation, and perhaps rarely taken out and used, but enjoyed for its own sake. On the other hand, if the intention is to use the boat, perhaps race the boat, entirely different criteria apply.

One of the boats that fills this latter category is the Firebug. With an active class association and plenty of group sailing and construction activities, the Firebug can be a good choice.

 

Another test of the popularity of a boat is how many have been built. This is often a difficult thing to find out, but with the Firebug careful records are kept and sail numbers are issued. Presently these numbers exceed the 1,000 mark. That must be some measure of the boat's success.

The Firebug presently under construction in our shed has the sail number of 1031. For the builder, Alex Box, it is his first boat. The combination of lack of space at home and the desire to work alongside fellow enthusiasts brought him to the wooden boat centre. The Firebug is an interesting construction project. It contains, unusually in this day and age, lots of solid wood for its size. In addition, it's very direct style of assembly demands that the builder carefully consider the material. There are no short cuts but the work is straightforward and very logical. As a "first-time" project the Firebug teach a lots of skills in a small package.

 

The plans are clear and well set out, and the logical sequence of activities serves to develop the inexperienced builders confidence very quickly.

 

Here we can see that Alex has cut all the plywood bulkheads and solid timber ends. Machining the stringers as indicated in the plans looks a little odd to the inexperienced but on assembly it all makes sense. Now with the stringers all glued in place it, to quote the builder, "at last looks like a boat.

 

Next, the skin, and then it will look even more like a boat.