Hello. I'm researching home-built boats (even though I don't intend to begin for a couple of years yet - I like to plan ahead) and the Pocket Ship has made it into my current short-list.
I would be interested in hearing about how others came to the decision to build the Pocket Ship and not something else. And what were the "something elses" that you originally considered, but rejected, and why?
To kick off, other current residents on my short-list include the Adelie 16 or Vagabond 18 from Bateau.com and a couple of Selway-Fisher designs (I keep changing my mind about exactly which ones). Most of the others I've looked at tend to disqualify themselves on the grounds of being too big/too heavy/too difficult to trailer/too complicated and involved to build.
I'd also be interested in hearing about any improvements or modifications to the design which builders would suggest for future models. Bearing in mind that I'm not starting straight away, there is probably time for the design to evolve based on user-feedback.
And what form might the Mk.II model take? As I look at the drawings, despite it's very compact, efficient and graceful appearance as it is, I do wonder what an extra couple of feet would do for the Pocket Ship's lines. For instance, what would you think about the idea of a ketch rig combined with an extra 3/4 feet of overall length? Given that this would substantially increase displacement, how about a water ballast tank to keep trailer weight down?
Cheers,
Mike