PolySail International
High Performance/Low Cost Sails for Small
Sailboats
Now Introducing the
PDRacer
Z-Duck Kit
Available
exclusively for the Family Boatbuilding event at the 2010 Wooden Boat Show
(Only 3
available)
Background
PolySail
International has supported the development of the PDRacer
for several years through donations, fundraisers, low-cost kits, and other
activities, so when this year’s Wooden Boat Show opened the Family Boatbuilding
event to multiple sponsors, we fully expected one of the well-known designers
of PDRacer plans to step forward with a kit. However,
as the deadline approached for participation, no one had yet volunteered.
Alarmed that the PDRacer might not
be represented, PolySail International sought
a license from Shorty Routh, the creator of this
simple-to-build, family-oriented, 4’ x 8’ scow to develop three kits for the
show based closely on the lines of the all-out racer, the Z-PDR shown under
construction in the photo panel below.
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Cedar framing |
Styrofoam insert |
Basic hull—54 pounds |
Finished hull—78 pounds with foils, hardware, mast,
sail, line, and skids. |
The
Z-PDR, sometimes simply called the “Z” for the elongated letter Z on its sides,
evolved from eight previous PDRacers and five other
4’ x 8’ scows built by Dave Gray, the owner of PolySail
International. Primarily intended to entice son Ryan into participating in the
2009 World Championships, the Z features transoms that cut down wind
resistance, a shape that conforms to the rules, a foam insert that provides
over 250 pounds of additional buoyancy, an extremely stiff structure, and a
very large cockpit. As a result of these innovations,
Ryan placed 4th just behind Michael Storer,
the well-known Australian racer and boat designer. A chance for a higher finish
was squandered, when Ryan came to assist his father with a sail change and didn’t get back to his boat in time for the start of the
last race. Recently, the same boat proved its racing heritage with a mid-pack
finish in a three-hour race involving many of the better known wooden boat
designs where the Z was the smallest sailboat participating among over 30
boats. Among the many boats the Z defeated were a Bolger
Surf, a Sunfish, a West Wight Potter,
and a couple of schooners that were nearly three times the length of the Z. The
photo panel below shows the Z in action.
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First test sail on the Intercoastal
Waterway |
Leaving the start line in one of the
three races at the 2009 World Championships. |
Ryan pulling away from Michael Storer
on a downwind leg of the Worlds at |
The view astern on the first leg of
the Great Florida Gulf Coast Small Craft Festival Race.
Several boats still had not rounded the island. |
Z-Duck Kit
Z-Duck
Kit allows the builder freedom to improvise. While
designed as a lightweight racer, the sit-on sides and 500+ pounds of
displacement provide room for up to 2 additional crew
members. The boat can be easily rowed from a seated
position in the hull, or a small removable rowing seat can be added. Both the
leeboard and the rudder are self-tending, kick-up style boards that help
prevent stalling and damage when used in shallow waters or when sailed hard
onto a beach landing. The 60 sq, ft, Leg o’ Mutton sail will provide plenty of
thrills in heavier winds, but dumps air in a gust to prevent spills.
Z-Duck will be very stable in nearly all wind conditions, but in the
unlikely event that it goes over, the foam flotation up under the decks helps
keep the cockpit dry while the low freeboard makes re-entry fairly
simple. Flotation tests show that Z-Duck floats on its side with only
about 2” of the 8” wide side deck immersed in water.
If
anyone in the family fishes, Z-Duck can add a whole
new dimension to the sport, poking into shallow holes and narrow spaces that
other boats can’t reach. But beware, hooking the “big
one” usually means going for a thrill ride until the fish tires.
The easily assembled, $450 kit includes
all the following:
P Framed sides,
P Framed front and rear transoms,
P Cut bottom, including skids,
P Styrofoam insert for support and positive flotation,
P Keelson and mast support system,
P Deck,
P Rudder and tiller,
P Leeboard,
P Mast,
P 60 sq. ft. Leg o’ Mutton sail,
P Lines and sheets,
P Bronze ring nails for attaching the bottom,
P Stainless steel screws and stainless rigging hardware,
P Titebond III glue,
P Colored trim tape to make your sail and/or boat unique
P Family boatbuilders are expected to provide their own hull finishing materials such as sandpaper, sanding sealer, and paint. Traditionally, the boats produced during the show are launched en masse on the final day before they are painted.
P Oars and oarlocks, or paddles, as well as personal flotation devices are the responsibility of the individual builder.
In the best PDRacer tradition, Z-Duck
Kit (Basic) will be built with selected lumberyard
materials typically available at big box stores, such as Lowes or Home Depot.
An upgrade kit that includes marine grade plywood for the sides, deck, and
bottom is available for $550.
Kit assembly instructions will be provided and
PolySail International Owner Dave Gray and
Builders are expected to provide simple basic tools (a list will be
provided), sawhorses, and a shelter for protection of their unfinished boats
and materials in case of bad weather. A tent from Wal-Mart is usually adequate
for the PDRacer. We will provide extra tools,
sawhorses, and a lean-to tarp shelter where assembly can continue if weather
conditions worsen. Our aim is to work with you to complete your boat(s) in the
least amount of time possible, yet produce a boat that that your family can
enjoy, take pride in, and easily maintain for years to come.
We look forward to meeting and working with you at the Family Boatbuilding Event at the 2010 Wooden Boat Show.
PolySail International
Email polysail@polysail.com
or call Dave Gray at 317 385-3444
PolySails–Sold on the Web since 1996. Customers in all 50 states and
around the globe.