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In the Works: "The Wooden IOM Construction Manual"

This is months away, if it ever actually gets completed, but I thought I'd try to get some input on what should be included in "The Wooden International One Metre Construction Manual" for building... get this... a wooden IOM. I'm over 60 pages so far, but it's good to get other ideas and input.

This is the third RC sailboat construction manual I've written, and it's the most accurate. But it's also the one that I have the most anxiety about because I'm still a rookie in the IOM world and others are building such gorgeous boats. Unlike Star 45's and Vintage Marbleheads, which are great but not raced as much, IOM's are still very popular. And everyone has their idea of what's best.

My goals though are to:

1) Help grow the class and help people get into what is a very competitive and rules-based class. It's a very tough class to fully understand and to compete in. I'm still learning the racing side of IOM's myself, but I can at least build a decent wooden boat.

2) To guide first-time builders. Lots of people wish to build a wooden IOM but there isn't one place to start. I hope to help with that.

3) And to focus on wooden boats. If you are building from fiberglass then this isn't for you.

The Wooden IOM Construction Manual


Don't look for it yet... it's not finished. Just a very rough draft of the cover so far.



Cheers!



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Comments

  1. Capt Colby28 April, 2020 10:04

    Hi Steve,
    I have your "Vintage Marblehead how to build manual" very well written.
    For my age now this IOM size would be much better and I love to race.
    Living in Arizona I think racing is more available with this class even if
    it is a woody. I love wooden boats and have all materials for construction.
    I want to buy your Manual when its out.
    Thank you,
    Christopher Colby
    whidbeyiga@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Steve12 May, 2020 09:40

    Thanks Christopher,

    There will be a lot in common between this new IOM manual and the Vintage Marblehead manual. The guidance for how to use epoxy for example, is taken straight from the earlier manual. But most of it is focused specifically on IOM's.

    Keep in mind that IOM's, while smaller than VM's, are a really rules-based class and they're always talking about weight and such. It's a much tougher class to get into than most others, except maybe modern M's which are crazy expensive.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kyle06 July, 2020 07:28

    Really looking forward to seeing this once you are finished. Starting my Wooden build now, which is both exciting and a little scary

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown03 February, 2021 09:49

    I would be very interested to read this! Keep up the great work and looking forward to when this comes out!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dion18 May, 2024 07:21

    Dear Steve, I have a quick question regarding the IOM construction Manual. Is it available for purchase?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Steve18 May, 2024 08:18

    Hello Dion. Thanks for asking. No, it is still not available. Someday hopefully, but my current life situation isn't allowing me to work on it. If you want though, you can purchase my Vintage Marblehead manual. It has some of the same information regarding the laser cut frames, hull planking, hull fairing, fiberglassing, etc... but does not have anything specific to IOMs. You'd need to do all your own research.

    ReplyDelete

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