Hi Chuck,
Which study plan do you want? Have you decided which boat to build yet? There are lots and lots of plans. Perhaps we can help you make the selection. Weekends are free calling for me on my cell phone. 401 261 7816. Most people try to build a boat much larger than they need and the larger plans take a lot longer to build and there is more material to buy too. If you are not living on the boat full time, perhaps a 38 would be a better choice than the 46 in the Tiki range, for example. The classics are nice too. There is a Narai that is good. Also the Pahi range is good. But you will have a dream which may not want to be compromised. Just don't make the project so big the dream turns into a nightmare.
The study plans are not a whole lot more info than what you can get off the Wharram web site ( just google in James Wharram Designs) and you can see lots of photographs and the basic idea of each design is there there. There is a design booklet that you can browse through also.
Probably the easiest way would be for you to order on line and for me to let Wharrams know you come to them through me. They will then send me a commission which costs you nothing. IF you buy plans through us, we will be eternally grateful and answer emails and phone calls offering technical advice throughout your build.
Here in our summer mooring, we have 3 Tiki 46s starting to be built right close by within an hour of us. So it is a little boat building community here and lots of fun.
This might be a good time to build because a lot of stuff is not as expensive as normally. I am about to suggest a discussion sujbect about managing finances for a build in these hard times. The basic suggestion is that some folks might want to start building the smaller pieces of the boat like in a garage. These things take time but are not as expensive as starting with the hulls in a large building. The little things like deck boxes, engine boxes, deck houses (pods) or crossbeams can be built in the basement or garage and covered in a tarp in the back yard until there is time or money to build the hulls. Even building the wheel takes time. Not much cost there.
I will write Wharrams tonite and let them know you are considering purchasing study plans. Your cost is the same but you help our budget and for that I say, Thanks!
Ann and Nev

Hi,
The problem with having somebody build a boat far away from you is that you cannot be there to see how they are working. If you build it yourself and maybe hire a helper as needed, you are in charge, you know the best work is done following best practice. When you are in a storm at sea, you know it is built right.
The thing to do now is to get a copy of the Gugeon brothers epoxy book and read it as your falling asleep reading. We read it out loud to each other each night from the time we started thinking of building a boat. We then have to suggest, sadly, that you not use West System glues which are caustic and quickly cause allergy issues. If you use MAS epoxy, that is just as good glue but it is not as caustic. My husband is highly allergic to West but can use MAS with no trouble. Always wear gloves, wash with vinegar when finished, take a bath, and have a super ventillated work area.
Read that again!
We have no trouble with steering. Come see us.
If you have a V bottomed dinghy, it will not fit on the ramp unless you have short tillers. We like long tillers because of an innovation we have on our boat regarding steering issues. Our flat bottomed inflatable works fine. It has served us well for over 30,000 miles of cruising. We live aboard so it is our car equivalent.
The problem with head sails on the Tiki 46 is that the sprit is shorter than it needs to be and the angle for the jib is too narrow at the top. This results in the sail being smaller than it needs to be and it also is blanketed by the foresail. So we suggest to our builders that they lengthen the sprit a couple of feet. This improves the angle, opens the jib to catch more wind, and also supports the foremast better. We also have a suggestion for the foremast case. Well, lots of suggestions but I think most of them are already in the plans since Wharrams agree with us now.
If you can make some time, it would be great to have you come see Peace either here in RI or else when we are in Florida on our way to or from the Bahamas. Bring Jen and her husband.
If you have a lot of visitors, the 46 would make that easier on you. Also if you ever need to have the boat earn her own keep, you can use the extra guest rooms for paying customers. If you ever look at the cost of chartering a boat, you will see that even one week a year of paying guests can make a great difference. Our annual budget for cruising full time is about 15,000 currently but we have done it for half that. We anchor out and eat aboard and do all our own boat work, but it is affordable and we feel free. One can spend lots more by eating out and using marinas. Lots and lots more. But there is not the simplicity and free feeling that way. Whatever suits!
Keep in touch. Ann and Nev

Received my study plans today....I wasn't expecting them till the latter part of the week at the earliest. This idea seems to be taking hold with me.... Turned 55 yesterday and think I need some adventure in my life.
I've always wanted to spend more time sailing, it's time may have come.