tom thumb 24 sailboat

Tom thumb 24

The tom thumb 24 is a 23.83ft gaffhead sloop designed by grahame shannon and built in aluminum since 1983..

The Tom thumb 24 is a heavy sailboat which is slightly under powered. It is stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser.

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• Tom Thumb 24

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Specifications TOM THUMB 24

1983 - 23.83 ft / 7.26 m - Grahame Shannon - Various. Plans available. See links below.

TOM THUMB 24 Sailboat Data

Hull Type: Long Keel Rigging Type: Gaffhead Sloop LOA: 23.83 ft / 7.26 m LWL: 22.00 ft / 6.71 m S.A. (reported): 350.00 ft² / 32.52 m² Beam: 9.50 ft / 2.90 m Displacement: 7,900.00 lb / 3,583 kg Ballast: 3,000.00 lb / 1,361 kg Max Draft: 4.00 ft / 1.22 m Construction: Steel/ALU First Built: 1983 Builder: Various. Plans available. See links below. Designer: Grahame Shannon

Information from  sailboatdata.com .

Hull Speed: 6.29 kn

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Tom Thumb 24

Discussion in ' Sailboats ' started by urban sailor , Apr 17, 2016 .

urban sailor Junior Member

I know that there are a few folks on here that have both built and sailed a Tom Thumb 24. I am in the process of possibly buying the plans of the TT24. Can any of the folks on here who are experienced with this design write some info on how it sails, how builder friendly she is and possibly post some photos of other TT24 already sailing? Best, Urban Sailor  

PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

There are several Tom Thumb designs, which are you interested in, the Bruce Roberts version (it's actually a Graham Shannon design, as Bruce really doesn't design anything)? If so, it's not much of a sailor, though lots of internal volume for parties. Chuck Paine did one and it's a far better boat.  

I apologize for the delayed response, I have been out of the country and away from any access to the internet. PAR, thanks for responding. Yes, the boat I am interested in is the Graham Shannon design, I know that Roberts did not design it. A few years back I corresponded with a guy who bought one and loved it's sailing qualities. Of course, it's not going to do 150 mile days. My primary goal is to build a small, tough boat (aluminum) that will take me around the Caribbean. I wonder how thorough the plans are? I really like Chuck Paine's designs but I'm looking for an easy to build design that can be constructed of alu, not to make it lighter, but just because I think it's a better building material. What do you think?  

JosephT Senior Member

Roberts has the plans for the aluminum build. The lines on the boat look pretty clean & well suited for aluminum. https://www.bruceroberts.com/public/HTML/descriptions/TomThumb26_description.htm If you really like Chuck's Frances 26 zap him an email or call him ( www.chuckpaine.com ). Hopefully he has some plans that are suited for aluminum.  

JosephT, thanks for the reply. I like Chuck's Frances, but I'm not really interested in a double ender or having to convert the plans to aluminum. I suspect that would be a bit pricy. Best,  

A Tom Thumb in steel is a pretty tough boat, not not so much in aluminum. I'm not sure how the lines differ between the two, but if the aluminum version is the same, just with more ballast, I'd look else where for a little sea boat. Paine has other transom designs in this size range.  

Thanks, PAR. Like I said before, I really like Chuck's designs. I've been on his site several times. But, I want to build in alu and the cost of converting plans to a different building material I think would be pricy. Also, I'd like to know why you don't think the TT24 built in alu would make for a good, small sea boat? I'm planning on moving to the Caribbean (Dominican Republic) in a few years and am essentially looking for a tough little boat for island hopping.  

Steel is heavy, so an aluminum version of a steel design will be an overburdened version of something that doesn't need to be. I lived in the islands for a few years and you don't need an especially tough boat, though shoal draft is handy. I had a 6' 6" draft ketch and managed to plow a keel wide groove, though most every sandbar. A conversion isn't that costly, much less so than a custom design. Give him a call and see what he says, though in the size you want, 'glass and wood are better choices, because by the time you make an aluminum boat tough (in this size range), you lose the advantages of the material and quadruple the costs. Lastly, he isn't the only one that can do the conversion.  

Thanks again, PAR. My reasons for alu are simple, let me explain. I am familiar with the material, it can be welded pretty quickly, low maintenance and can survive a grounding on a reef. I have basic woodworking skills but there is no way I could properly build a timber boat on my own and a glass boat is out of the question, I feel as though it's a dirty process. But, I take your advice seriously, and if you feel that building a TT24 in alu is a really bad idea, I will look somewhere else for a boat within this size that can be built of alu.  

An aluminum Tom Thumb may be available, though it'll have less beam, less rocker and less displacement than a steel version, if designed as an aluminum boat. It's sort of like making a boat designed for concrete (yeah, they have these) out of carbon composite. You can do it, but the hull volumes will be all wrong for the material change. Finding a wholesome pocket cruiser designed for aluminum may prove difficult, mostly because this material doesn't come to the viability table, in terms of economics, until you get into much larger yachts. You see, each building material has a range where it's well suited. Steel and concrete need larger sizes to justify their mass or a particular use, such as racing, where carbon/Kevlar composite might be considered for the weight savings or maybe ice breaking where the stiffness of steel is helpful. 300' yachts can be done in wood, but steel and aluminum are much better and cheaper choices in this size, comparatively. The opposite is also true, where you'll be hard pressed to find a more economical choice in a 10' dinghy than wood. Steel is just too heavy, aluminum is too thin and costly, carbon composite is really costly and some might need the weight savings, but a wholesome cruiser isn't one of these so it's out, leaving wood and 'glass. A 'glass boat will be considerably heavier than wood and probably more costly, so wood is the most common choice. I think you'll find you could build in both wood and 'glass and do so with surprising neatness and success, if you're willing to follow plans and learn some new stuff, that any trained monkey can perform (hows your juggling?). Timber boats can be a pain in the butt, though we now have new methods that eliminate 60% of the wood working, cutting, fitting stuff, replacing it with a glue and screw approuch. No ribs, no frames, no stringers, now rows of planking, none of the usual stuff seen in a "timber" boat. Though this is a small boat, normally it would have a few dozen ribs from side to side, some structural floors, stringers, etc., but note there's nothing there. Those seats are cane, so not doing much to support anything other than a skippers butt. This is what I mean with a whole lot less to building a modern wood boat. This is the same deal, though you can't see inside, there's no frames, floors, ribs, etc., just diagonally molded plywood. Then there's the plywood type of builds which are even easier, mostly because huge hunks of hull can be skinned with a sheet at a time. Before you give up on wood, remember there's more than "timber" boat building. I have a strip planked, also available as a hard chine plywood design that will make your day, if you like Tom Thumb. It's a wholesome cruiser, stout, lots of stowage space, can handle deep water, full gales and lots of options.  

PAR, can you send me a link to your strip planked boat available in hard chine. Maybe I should give wood another look. Thanks, Eeli  

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You can strip plank a hard chine boat, though this building method is better suited to round bilge hull forms. Hard chine designs tend to favor sheet goods methods, though some that have certain traits, like Carolina flare or lots of stern tumblehome might take advantage, of a strip plank construction. This is a typical powerboat hull being done in strip planking. There are several distinctly different types of strip planking technique, so a little research is necessary for a good grip on it's potential. The nice thing about strip planking is anyone can do it. For example, if you look at the image above, you'll see tile spacers being used, to hold the strips apart. Some designers prefer this approuch and it permits the planking strips to lay flat on the building jig. Later these gaps will be filled with epoxy. This particular designer also prefers each strip take a natural path along the hull, so there's no "edge set", though I have doubts about it's usefulness and it does complicate the process a bit, the end result is less fairing. This is a more traditional approuch to strip planking, where each strip is glued to its neighbor. This is faster and messier than the tile spacer method, but each method has good and bad things to consider, just like finding a good wife. Simply put, anyone that can cut a strip and tack it to the building jig, with some glue on one edge, can make a strip planked hull. It's very novice friendly.  

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Review of Tom Thumb 24

Basic specs..

The Tom Thumb 24 is equipped with a long keel. A long keel provide a better directional stability than a similar boat with a fin keel; on the other hand, better directional stability means also that the boat is more difficult to handle in a harbour with less space.

The boat can enter even shallow marinas as the draft is just about 1.22 - 1.32 meter (4.00 - 4.30 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Tom Thumb 24 is 1.91, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 6.3 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Tom Thumb 24 is about 130 kg/cm, alternatively 730 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 130 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 730 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is a Ballast Ratio?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio) Indicates how fast the boat is in light wind: - Cruising Boats have ratios 10-15 - Cruiser-Racers have ratios 16-20 - Racers have ratios above 20 - High-Performance Racers have ratios above 24 Sail-area/displacement ratio (SA/D ratio): 14.12

Maintenance

When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 14m 2 (150 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Tom Thumb 24 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

Sail Far Live Free

Go small and go now 5 pocket cruisers to take you anywhere.

What, no Georgian 23? ;)

Gotta love those little Canadian sloops!

Or Bayfield?:)

I am a Bayfield fan (and even more so a Ted Gozzard fan), but I wasn't aware of the Bayfield 25 making any major bluewater passages. Do you know of any?

A bayfield 25 is built well enough BUT it’s shallow keel and light weight classify it more of a coastal cruiser. But that also makes it a great gunk holer. It’s a nice little boat for the Chesapeake and coastal areas. It lacks the deep keel and ballast to be comfortable offshore. The bayfield 29 is a bit more blue water but also it’s shoal keel at only 3ft 6 inches also gives it a comfort ratio a bit on the edge for a true blue water boat. BUT that said a bayfield 29 outfitted right will get the job done and with a good turn of speed over most listed here. It will reach its hull speed of 6.5-7 knots no problem and will point windward well enough. (It’s not got to compete with a fin keel 30 footer but it will be more comfortable. And it’s faster then a westsail32 (nick named the wet snail 32) I find most of the better pocket cruisers on this list are great for what that are but NOT the most boat you can get for your money today. Some great 30-32 foot blue water boats can be purchased for LESS then some of these. I just bought a great bayfield 29 for UNDER 3K that’s right 3 not 30. I looked at a foulmouth cutter that was available in my area it was rough really rough and they still were asking over 10K. It’s only benefit was it came with a trailer but what good doesn’t that do when Your offshore. I wouldn’t mind taking one on single handed adventure as the romance of the boat would add to the fun of the adventure but. Is it the best boat for your buck? No their popularity and reputation and (good ones are getting scarce) bring high prices.

It's amazing: after looking at all your boat reviews and choices, I realize we have exactly the same tastes and dream boats! And I enjoy your writing and musings! I'm very glad I happened upon your blog site! Bill Hinkel

Thanks Bill! I love writing about sailboats almost as much as I love actually sailing them.

I've owned a Flicka, Allegra, and FC all excellent boats.

Wow...that's an impressive resume! I bet you've got some great stories to tell.

What about the Halcyon 23? Any thoughts on that one? Great article by the way!

Sorry, I'm not personally familiar with the little Halcyon 23, but you can read a review reprinted from "Yachts and Yachting" originally written in 1970 here .

How about the Pacific Seacraft 25? If your talking about small salty sailboat (SSS) that can take you to the paradise. She prolly don't a standing headroom but sure does the perfect little sailboat. Just like HC33t.

Yup, I too like the PSC 25. She's not as roomy as either the Flicka or the Dana, but a typically a fair amount more affordable. And as you point out, no standing headroom. Still, a pretty boat with bluewater experience.

A very informative article, thank you very much. I find myself daydreaming to be on a boat, sailing around the world quite often and i'm trying to collect a budget, to buy a boat and take sailing classes. I love the design on the ships you posted. Are there any good pocket-cruisers with a steering wheel ?(i can't say i really like tillers :P). Again, thank you for compiling this list, you gave hope to a "wannabe" skipper.

My humble little Bristol 24 wants to know if she can join the group.

Yup, good choice. Humble and capable...just the right ingredients!

what about the Catalina 22 ?

A fine little coastal sailboat, trailer sailboat and "first" sailboat, but for all the things that the C22 is, she is definitely not a pocket cruiser that can GO ANYWHERE. Don't get me wrong, I love the C22 and our first boat (Helms 25) was very similar, but neither is suited for offshore work.

My little hurley 22, can she make the mark?

A Hurley can do anything! Ihave had a 24 since 1972 they are forgotten but they are great! Joe

Morris Frances 26.

Good recommendation! I love all of the small classic Morris boats like the Frances 26, Linda 28 and Annie 29. Chuck Paine has a way of making these small boats look larger than life!

Was expecting to see an Albin Vega 27 mentioned...

I included the Albin Vega in my "Bluewater on a Budget" post about affordable offshore cruisers. You can read it here: http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2012/06/blue-water-on-budget-5-budget-cruisers.html

Any thoughts on our west coast Brent Swain 26 welded steel boats? Truly budget cruisers!

I have built one, but yet to launch it I am getting a trailer for it, an advantage that I never thought of when I started building it. Not very many built, mine is a single keel version and I added a wheelhouse.

What about Cape Dory's?

Howard - Good suggestion. Both the CD22 and CD25 are worthy little pocket cruisers with classic Alberg looks. I haven't been aboard either and don't know of any that have crossed oceans, but I suspect someone's been offshore in these two little Cape Dory's and I have little doubt they could be good sea boats in the right hands, given their stout construction, full keels, etc.

The boats listed are priced such that one could buy a much larger, albeit not-so-primo boat for the same or lesser amount. I've seen decent cal 34s go for $8k. So why buy a pocket cruiser that goes for 30K? Smaller sails and reduced slip rent can only account for a modicum of savings

True enough, this is NOT necessarily a list cheap/affordable small boats, but rather well-built and capable small boats that can go offshore in the right hands. Some sailors simply prefer a small, simple sailboat to a larger more spacious (and sometimes more complicated) sailboat, even if the purchase price is similar.

West Wight Potter 14 #223. Mexico to Hawaii.

I'm contemplating buying a 26' Micmac for rougher waters. http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=6202

A Vancouver 27 !!!!

hey you forgot a little boat from south africa called the flamenca 25 great little boat built for the cape of storms

A Flamenca would also sail circles around this list of boats. These traditional long keel boats are slow and without decent fouls, suck going upwind.

Would the Cascade 27 be a good pocket cruiser or is this just a coastal cruiser

I think it would be a excellent choice

Mmm. Some consistencies in your selections (apart from the obvious US of A bias), they all have square bows. Me thinks this is as much a beauty contest as a seaworthy small boat list. I'm afraid trailer and seagoing don't fit in the same sentence

Guilty as charged! Although I do disagree about trailer and seagoing...with both the Flicka and the Nor'Sea being plenty capable on both fronts.

Okay. On seaworthy, I sailed in 12 knots past a site where 2 friends were drowned, their yacht lost in a gale. So is my Folkboat, my sailing skill or patience to credit or was their boat any less seaworthy? An ocean crossing does not make a boat seaworthy, the sailing skill and weather and sea mix have as much to credit. I assert that a long heavy keel, stout rig and water tightness are compulsory if you want to lengthen the odds in your favour.

Nice article, I would however strongly suggest that you give a second thought about linking to myboatplans.com. It's a scam (most, if not all, of the plans are available for free elsewhere on the net and at least some pics are stolen from other boatbuilders). You don't have to take my word for it, just google around.

Thanks, and thanks for the suggestion...the link has been removed!

I am agree with you. Tks. An article about siling solo those smalls boats (in spanish): http://www.navegar-es-preciso.com/news/la-navegacion-oceanica-en-solitario-en-peque%C3%B1os-veleros-/

How about a Privateer26 by Kenner ? Check the specs, and I think you'll find she's equal in important areas and prettier by far than most!

Having a love affair with traditional boats with genuine shear lines, I just stepped out of my Marshall 22, and into a totally unknown double ender called a Skipper 20. Why these trailer sailors dream have gone unnoticed is hard to fathom. With room for 4, 2' draft, 800#s ballast, and a cockpit larger than my Bristol 27' which includes a outboard locker has me spending the last 4 months making the 40 year old look like modern and updated, quality pocket cruiser. With the new genoa, 5.5kts up hill and down, and as dry as they get,, Where they been???

I just bought a Skipper 20 and am fixing it up, can you tell me how it handles in a heavy blow? I am planning to use it as a micro coastal sailer and would like to know as much about it's capabilitys as I can. Much appreciated, Richard.

What are your thoughts on a San Juan 7.7 with the keel shoe? Offshore sailong to Hawaii or the inside passage to Alaska.

What are your thoughs on a San Juan 7.7 with the keel shoe offshore? IE; Hawaii or the Inside Passage to Alaska.

We recently purchased a JJ Taylor Contessa 26, hull #262, Ophelia, and have trailered her to Malletts Bay in Lake Champlain, VT. We were extremely flattered to have a visit from Tania Aebi, who lives 35 min. from us and wanted to show her sister and daughter-in-law an example of the boat that she sailed round the world in the late '80's.

What about steel Tom Thumb 24 ???

For whatever reason, I'm a fan of the Bristol 24 (Paul Coble design). The baby Bristols are full-keeled and don't go upwind very energetically, but once the sheets are started they come into their own. Hulls are usually nearly bulletproof, and even if damaged, they are small and easy to fix... some have been gilded into mini-yachts, but I prefer sparse brightwork and light/white paint. They are very (very) sea-kindly for their size and although they heel to about 15-20 degrees, their nearly 50% ballast usually stops it right there... Mast-head rigged, they have a large main and can develop noticeable weather-helm, so one reef keeps the tiller loads modest. Thankfully they aren't very popular or well-known, so you can find bargains and even top-drawer examples probably will cost less than a modest commuter car... I'm now on my second one (after having a larger fin-keel... am returning to the B24); if possible, look for one with split lower shrouds... Oh, they have comfortable 5'11" headroom, or just a fraction more,,,

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• Boat REF#  ·  261302
• Length  ·  7.04m
• Year  ·  2000
• Construction  ·  Steel
• Underwater profile  ·  Long Keel
• Sleeping berths  ·  4
• Engine  ·  1 x diesel 14hp, Nanni 2.50 HE (2005)
• Lying  ·  Lancashire

Boatshed Lancashire

This boat is off the market but here are some boats that are still for sale.

• Specification
• Additional Information

Extra Details

Engine fully serviced in May 2017, new thermostat, heater plugs, oil and fuel filters TMC 40 Gearbox The boat was rewired throughout 2015 - 2016

Sloop rigged Z Spars Aluminium spars (2014) with Stainless Steel standing rigging (2014)

Headsail - Genoa 2010 All the sails look to be in good condition

Electrical Systems

12 volt battery, 3 batteries charged by: engine, solar panels, shore power 2 x 100W solar panels with 2 x 20 amp regulators 2017

Construction

New shock proof porthole glass in 2015 Copper Coated May 2013

Accommodation

Newport solid fuel heater Neptune gimballed two burner cooker/oven Two gas bottles with overboard drains

2 burner propane Stove

4 halyard winches 2 sheet winches 2 anchors (Bruce and Fishermans 8mm Chain)

Nav Equipment

AIS Radar Midland Neptune 100 VHF Garmin 152H GPS Navman Tracker 5500 Chartplotter NASA Target 2 marine steering compass Target 2 depth Target 2 wind Ray marine ST2000 Tiller Pilot

Safety Equipment

2 bilge pumps (1 manual / 1 electric)

Seago Valise 4 person liferaft Fire extinguisher and blanket

Broker's Comments

This Graham Shannon / Bruce Roberts designed was built to a professional standard by the first owner and is a vary capable sea going boat with a surprising turn of speed for such a small and heavy boat. This boat has had 3 owners in all and she has been to the Azores and the Caribbean and back and is ideal for single or double handed sailing.

The boat was de-masted in a storm in 2014 whilst on the hard standing and had a new Z Spars mast and new standing rigging in fitted in July of that year.

The boat has not been used since 2014 as the owner has been partly re-fitting and improving the boat and has now decided that he will not have the time to sail her.

These boat details are subject to contract. Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.

Please note this comments section is public . Please do not post your personal details here. To enquire about purchasing this boat, please contact the broker directly at [email protected] Please read our commenting guidelines before posting.

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Sailboat Plans 18-30ft

Bruce Roberts sailboat designs

Boat plans 18 - 30 ft .

This section of Bruce Roberts sailboat designs and boat plans cover the following vessels in the range of 18 to 30 foot. The Roberts, Adventurer, Tom Thumb, and Canoe Stern. Boat building plans using steel, aluminium, fiberglass wood/epoxy, depending on the design, are available. Information and prices are on each individual design page.

Study Plan Packages contain all the sheets #1 from the actual plans. Sail Plans and the various accommodation layouts pertaining to the design are shown on these sheets. There may be anywhere from two to eight #1 sheets which are all to scale and which measure between one meter and two and a half meters long each. They are intended as a more in-depth overview of the design in which you are interested.

Material Lists for the basic materials required to build the hull, deck and superstructure are included in the study plan package to help you with your budgeting. Where Fibreglass is mentioned as a material this means Balsa sandwich / Foam sandwich, Single skin or C-Flex. Most steel plans can be adapted to aluminium construction. Both moulded ply and strip plank can be used in conjunction with the wood epoxy saturation method. Sail and rig details are also shown on the study plan sets.

As the Study Plan Packages include the basic measurements in scale for the accommodation layouts, you can customize the layouts to suit your needs if what is presented is not exactly to your liking.

The link to download the Study Plan Packages is emailed to your email address and generally within 24 hours, The link to the Full Plan Sets is also generally emailed within 24. All study plans and full plan sets are downloadable in .pdf format for you to have printed at a nearby print shop. The study and full plan sets are available on CD's on request with postage cost depends on country.

To View drawings , photos, information and prices of the design that interests you just click on that design.

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Roberts Adventurer 18 Trailer Sailer This design is available as two different concepts, Version ..

Adventurer 19 Trailer Sailer Boat Plan

Roberts Adventurer 19 Trailer Sailer This design is available as two different concepts, Version ..

Adventurer 22 Trailer Sailer Boat Plan

Roberts Adventurer 22 Trailer Sailer This trailerable sailboat has been very popular and performs..

Adventurer 24 Boat Plan

Roberts Adventurer 24 This sailboat has been very popular and is a joy to build and sail. Suitabl..

Adventurer 24 Trailer Sailer Boat Plan

Roberts Adventurer 24 Trailer Sailer This trailerable sailboat has been very popular in both it's..

Tom Thumb 24 Boat Plan

Roberts Tom Thumb 24 Designed by Canadian Graham Shannon this boat was originally designed to be ..

Roberts 246 Boat Plan

Roberts 246 This sailboat has proved to be an exciting little boat to sail. The drop keel version..

Adventurer 25 Trailer Sailer Boat Plan

Roberts Adventurer 25 Trailer Sailer Over 1,000 examples of this design have already been complet..

Tom Thumb 26 Boat Plan

Roberts Tom Thumb 26 Although an enlargement of the Tom Thumb 24 the Tom Thumb 26 is a completely..

Roberts 27 Boat Plan

Roberts 27 This nifty earlier design is available for either fibreglass or wood epoxy constructio..

Roberts 28 Boat Plan

Roberts 28 Designed for multi-chine steel construction only, this design is available with both l..

Roberts 29 Boat Plan

Roberts 29 Another early design that still makes for a pleasant, safe, family yacht that is easy ..

The small rowing boat bought out from England by George Bass

The Tom Thumb was a tiny boat owned by a 24 year old George Bass from Lincolnshire, England, where he first met Matthew Flinders.

Almost immediately, Bass and Flinders left on their first exhibition in 1795 – against the elements in a miniature vessel Bass had bought out with a single mast and sail. They were away nine days and traced George’s River about 32 km further inland than hither known.

The two friends set out again in another Tom Thumb, one of similar size that had been built in the colony to locate a river which had been reported south of Botany Bay. A breeze blew them much further south than intended, almost as far as present day Port Kembla. They suffered shipwreck, had a tense encounter with some Aboriginal people and came across Lake Illawarra.

On their way back north they were almost wrecked by a wild southerly buster. They reached the object of their voyage, Port Hacking, on 31 March 1796.

Excellent centre and well worth a visit. Thank you Craig for showing me around and sharing your personal experiences of sailing and building the Norfolk replica.