Intro + question about Tiki 21

[Kristian Paulsson]

Hi Everyone!

My name is Kristian and i live in Sweden. I have been lurking around here for a while as I am interested in the James Wharram designs. The simplicity appeals to me.

 

I used to sail small dinghys when I was young and later on I had a Hobie Cat 18 ft. I used to windsurf a lot too. I have had a 16 ft motorboat for a couple of years now, just to be able to go fishing and swimming with my family and friends. That boat is sold now and I am looking in to getting a Tiki 21 (buying not building). It is really shallow were I live and there is no dock (otherwise I would probably prefer a Tiki 26). Now to the question:

Can you have strips of planks between the two forward beams instead of netting? What is the down side to that?

 

Thanks,

/Kristian.

[Rogerio Martin]

yes you can, but use strong, lightweight wood and made in a grid format, see a Tiki 31 example:

[Ann and Neville Clement]

Planks would be heavier than net, and on such a small boat it might make the boat bow heavy.  Has anyone on this web site tried it?  If so, how did it work?

[paul anderson]

I was looking at a blog the other day about a tiki 26 that sailed up the east coast of oz and they had a full slatted deck which was mighty appealing.I think for sheltered waters this is fine,but not for the open sea.Both scott williams and myself have been agonizing over a full deck and have decided against it,partly for this reason,weight being another.The tiki 26 may be able to do pretty much what the 21 will do in your situation ,although i would add a sacrificial keel ie stainless steel strip over  another strip of hardwood.

good luck

paul.

[Kristian Paulsson]

OK. Thanks everybody. I should probably get the boat first before I start to think about modifications.....

/Kristian.