Michael Storer talks about his evolution from a dinghy racer to a designer of multi-role boats

This is a recording of the talk that Michael Storer, the boat designer, gave to DCA members at the 2022 Dinghy Cruising Association AGM.

[@cricciethcastle5077]

This is absolutely brilliant stuff! I'm using butt joints in an 18 foot glued ply clinker dinghy. There is a lot of fiddly work doing neat scarf joints in planking, and single handed (building upright) I can only glue on a max 8 ft length of plank at one time, so the joints have to be made on the job not on the bench. So I'm very heartened to hear that one of "the greats" also uses this method. I have a staggered planking diagram for the locations of the joints. I don't care if the blocks are visible (they are only 1/4 inch thick anyway). Having them visible is "honest labor" in my book. I also have a trick for getting the joints absolutely fair. I won't bore you with the details.

[@wailinburnin]

I tell people, just from watching Video Rambler GIS videos that it looks like the quest for the perfect, fun, performance, two sheets of plywood length sailing dinghy design has been conquered! This interview and the Welsford one are fantastic, what personable geniuses, such insight, Roger, you are amazing, bravo.

[@The1stGurehaundo]

Awesome, Mr. Storer! It's fantastic that Philipino kids will fall in love with sailing thanks to you.

[@TheBoatRambler]

Thanks Roger, thanks Michael! Great Interview. 😉

[@christophernoto]

What wonderful stories! I'm less than half way through watching this, but I'm just bubbling over, and couldn't keep myself from posting a comment! I've loved Mik's designs and blog, and figured he must be a nice fellow, but what a lovely personality! Yay!

[@davehayes8812]

What generous sharing of knowledge!
Thanks Michael.

[@simonmoody2649]

Hi Michael, Simon from 'Kareelah' here, thanks for all the help sailing from Adelaide to Sydney, so long ago!! , great trip in a leaky boat, sitting on board her in Tin can bay at the moment, good to see you still have the fire to design innovative boats .S.

[@MikStorer]

Hi Simon! Very glad that you and Kareelah are still an item. That is heartwarming in itself! Best wishes!

[@chrismurray7094]

Inspiring independence of mind with heart warming humility. A number of v. quotable lines and the oft repeated reminder that it's not a race - even when you are racing! - it's a community progressing together through sharing.

[@colrodrick8784]

That was one rivetting lecture. I don't know how I missed it until now.

[@davidladd6266]

Thanks Roger and Michael. It helps me learn.

[@alexandershaikasperski1643]

Huge respect... thanks for sharing this!

[@williamokeefe918]

Wonderful talk, like last year. Thank you Michael

[@chrisclarke5040]

Great stuff. Thanks to all involved.

[@aljo54]

Fascinating talk. Thanks for putting it up there.

[@Tyr-not-mars]

As water moves in the opposite direction in Southern and Northern hemisphere ,,and as the Philippines is in the Southern hemisphere as well as Australia ..I am sceptical that this would be the same in the Northern hemisphere..Great to hear from Mr Storer ..I had no idea he had so much experience and I am giving his boats another look... Volcano scene on lake sounds like the man has arrived in many ways ..Wood and sailcloth knows and rewards it's masters

[@alphasxsignal]

The Core Sound 17 is a exploring designed boat. Freestanding catketch rig. Great for shallow water people.

[@proutsos]

Regarding the last question of registering, I had to hire a local naval architect and get him to do all the necesary steps to produce documents to proove seaworthyness as if it was his design. I had to test it, flood it etc. It all took a year but it is now registered. (I am based in Greece) Happy sailing!

[@user-kl8ug5bc6t]

좋은 정보 공유 감사합니다^^

[@ncarstens]

This was great! Thanks Michael. What is the boat on the thumbnail???

[@DinghyCruisingAssociation]

If you mean the opening page with the title, it is a Goat Island Skiff.

[@simonhoulder2494]

Wooden scantlings can be checked for compliance to the RCD in Europe by reference to ISO 12215 Part 3, maybe you will need to employ a Naval Architect, then share the results with others, like Michael Storer suggests many times in this illuminating talk!.....

[@beorbeorian150]

Trying to get into sailing. This was a brain dump. Thank you. I am thinking there could so cross over from cycling with sailing. Rigging inside the mass, like how Klein bikes had gear cables inside frame, change the thickness of the mast wall in areas that take most stress and thin in other areas, larger diameter mast but thinner walls.

[@MilesCobbett]

Is there a popular sailing area/community in the Philippines?

[@grahamfisher5436]

My mother's side are
Storer
😊

[@user-ku7dg4wq8g]

👍✊

[@ketch_up]

Pinching in gusts is good, actually, if you're overpowered.

[@bobcornwell403]

Am always interested in what Mr. Storer has to say, even though we come from different approaches. Mine is simple, strong, and cheap. I'll sacrifice a point or two of beauty, and maybe a little bit of performance, to get lower cost and simpler construction.
But weight is always an issue. A little too much can be tolerated. Way too much is unacceptable. And Mr. Storer is a master of weight saving.
My present boat, which is now nearing completion, is heavily influenced by his structural thinking.

[@johnnorris1983]

Please design a cruising dinghy I can
Sleep on
I can pull by hand easily single handed up a ramp.
Sea worthy good sea keeping properties.
Be as good upwind as down.
Easy to single hand..
Speed is not the issue.
Please…
We all buying one…

[@AndyJarman]

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[@cornishhh]

Matt Layden's Enigma.