First KIWI PDRacer Pics - Launch in the USA

[Mike]

This thread is for those who love the little PDRacers. As most of you know, John has dived in and designed a new one that complies in every way with the class rules but is markedly different to its predecessors. He called it the 'Kiwi PDRacer' and we have posted elsewhere here on the prototype build by Jackie Monies.

John has just sent me some material with the first pics he has of a Kiwi PDR getting her bottom wet for the first time. The owner/builder is a chap by the name of Christian Early who has kindly shared some commentary and authorized publication of some photos on launch day. Our sincere thanks to Christian for his generosity. Here are the photos:

Sure looks like Christian's family like the boat, doesn't it? And she's definitely a step up in appearance from earlier models.

Here's what Christian said in correspondence with JW:

Hi John,

Here are some pictures of our first sail with the Kiwi PDR. Those are my three boys Lukas (in the back), Joshua (my red headed Viking), and Oliver (with the goggles).

It sailed beautifully windward and down wind. I kept stalling on a tack once, but I've thought of a couple of reasons: I had my wife in the boat also and I didn't have a good feel for when I should move my rear end over, it may be the weakness of the leg-o'-mutton rig that it has a "bad" tack, and the wind had shifted a bit so I got confused about where I was in relation to it.

Thank you for designing such a beautiful boat! I couldn't be happier and my boys absolutely LOVE the boat.

All the best,

Christian

John said:

Thanks for the email and the photos Christian, really good to see and really good to hear that she sails as she should. A thought on tacking, these PDR boats are all of them sensitive to weight distribution, and if you have the combined weight too far aft she wont tack reliably so try shifting your weight forward before putting the helm over. Its also possible that the center of effort of the sail is a little further forward than the designed one which will affect things a bit.

We are past 60 sets of plans out there now, and at least a dozen getting close to launching, but yours is the first one I have photos of.
Do you mind if I send your pics to Duckworksmagazine? There are lots of people who'd like to see what their projects are going to look like.

Yours,John W

And Christian replied:

Of course you can send the pictures to Duckworks. Of course!

Yes...I only got stalled on a tack when I had someone in the boat with me. I attribute it to my inexperience as a sailor. I grew up in Denmark and so have been on boats my whole life, but only now am I learning how to sail. It is more fun than you can shake a stick at.

The boat really is beautiful, almost sexy with all those curves. And personally that is exactly how I like it. I'm all for practicality and being utilitarian, but looking good...well...that just makes the world seem all right.

All the best,

Christian

I am very pleased that John has sent them over to us here at BBJW as well as to Duckworks.

For the enthusiasts, here is a study drawing and John's complete build instructions, kind courtesy of JW (and free too!). Note this is not a high quality attachment. When you buy the electronic download of the Kiwi PDR, you will get the high quality Building Instructions, together with all 13 of John's highly detailed A4 drawings that you can print out on your own printer at home.

Kiwi PDR Build Instructions (2).pdf

Let's see how many of us Brits are up for the same kind of fun build. Go for it, guys 'n gals!

Best wishes

Mike