Gee, how much time was involved. I actually lost count. I've bought the plans from AHPC early 2001; and I'm still doing my mast. So at least some 2.5 years. You know maybe the amount of actual hours is not that high, certainly the other guy building here in NL does it alot quicker. He started early this year and is putting on his decks the comming weekends. If show the same speed in building up the beams and mast than he will be ready this winter and I have to take care that his boat sees water before me. No, my platform took a long time to come to be. Mind you, many homebuilders of these plans haven't builded a boat before. It is not that it is difficult; okay every job has it tought parts and the building plans could use a update; but you don't need to be a professional builder to get the job right. But I will echo the other builders in saying that a homebuilder must be willing to put in the time to finish the platform. Some say it will take 150 hours to complete; but these are continious hours and can (as in my case) quite rapidly translate into 2 years building when you don't commit yourself to building a significant amount of time each week.

With respect to costs ; don't expect to save to much on the whole project ; I think a achieved some 20 % savings. But I did get the craft that I wanted; in every detail. That was more the reason for homebuilding than the aspect of saving cost was. Right now AHPC has sold a Taipan 4.9 is full F16 format (wider, other rear beam, different mainsail etc) to another Dutch sailor and if that option was available at my time I may have decided to just purchase a boat rather than build it. Having said this; the platform does receive alot of complements on the beach and she does looks really well. This is very valuable in itself too. My main point is that one should caution against thinking to lightly about home building but when one is determined then one should not hesitate and just do it. And the Taipan building plans in combination with some careful building will produce a fine and dependable platform. At least that is my opinion.


>>2) Is the layer of glass on the decks for wear resistance/ protection of the ply underneath?

Yeah, and also for some stiffness and strenght. A bit of everything really. It doesn't weight much and it can have only positive effects. Mind you it is only on the deck between the beams.


>>I'm looking forward to your reports on how she sails.

Yeah me too !

With kind regards,

Wouter