Thom delForge

North Fort Myers, FL

United States

Profile Information:

I am:

A home builder, I own a Wharram

What boat (s) are you building or do you own?

Tiki 31 TIKI THOMCAT located North Fort Myers, FL

Country, City, and State?

USA, North Fort Myers, Florida

About me or us?

I started building my Tiki 31 1995-ish, due to an accident I had to spend a lot of time recovering between surgeries -- but finally launched in 2000. I have self taught myself to sail -- picking up a lot of bad rabbits, but always returning to port under my own 'steam'. Due to another round of surgery I have had TIKI THOMCAT on the dry and a few hurricanes have taken it's toll. The refitting has begun -- so far not as bad as thought -- a little rot here and there but over all pretty solid.

Looking to?

As part of my refitting I have elected to build composite beams. I have them nearly finished making them to the same dimensions as the original timber units. They seem very stiff, but super light -- I imagine less than 50 pounds!
The next major program is to build a deck 'pod' similar to the TIKI 38/46. The location will be the forward deck reaching to the cockpit deck. I plan to move the cockpit lockers to the center deck making them just deep enough to hold the batteries and fuel tanks -- say 8 inches below and 8 inches above deck. the idea is to make a more usable space between the hull cockpits and incorporating the entire space. The steering wheel is to be just forward of the center beam and about 20 inches behind the 'pod'. This will require raising the masts about 36 inches -- from 24 feet to 27 feet. I would appreciate any input on these modifications -- The Tiki 31 seems to sail well, considering I am a novice sailor I have had 'saltier' sailors aboard and they seem reasonable impressed.

Website:

http://DONE and ready to sail.

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