We launched Linda's Petrel late last summer but she only got to paddle it a couple of times before winter and the winds set in. However this all changed when we went away with Tony & Kate Calvert to Golden Bay and the Abel Tasman National park for a summer vacation over the Christmas holidays. The Petrel performed exceedingly well, especially when the winds got up and Linda feels very comfortable in it. We even did an overnight trip with it. It's a great boat Nick.

The only change I made was substituting strip timber for the ply coaming base and recess upstand, which the plans allow for. This is my first strip boat and it's fair to say the build hasn't been plain sailing. It's only thanks to Tony and Pete Notman that it got finished at all. It's built from WRC and uses Paulownia for the light accents. For the trip I fitted a fixed skeg duct taped to the keel but something more long term is needed.

Details of the build are here.
http://stejdor.googlepages.com/guillemotpetrel2

Pics from Golden Bay and Abel Tasman National Park can be found on the link below.

Thanks also to those of you who made suggestions or replied to my emails. This forum is an invaluable resource and support service for builders.

Regards

Steve Dorrington
Wellington
New Zealand