The Design.
Development.
Specification.
There is a lifting rudder with metal stock and
detachable tiller with tiller extension. Nylon blocks
are fitted under the gudgeon and pintle and all fittings
are bolted through with s/s locknuts. Terylene toe
straps are adjustable fore and aft with 5mm
pre-stretched polyester rope. Marine ply floorboards
with non-slip finish are supplied with cut-outs for
Super Maxi bailers, that are now fitted as standard. A
keel band is fitted throughout the length of the boat.
Genoa fairleads, jamming cleats, drain plugs, allow
mainsheet track traveller with end chocks and control
lines are all fitted.
The
centreboard has a fully adjustable friction pad and is
made of 24mm selected marine ply. All fastenings
are bolted trough with s/s nuts and washers that are
used extensively throughout in place of self-tappers.
(For single-handed sailing or for family cruising,
Wanderer also has the option of fitting as an extra, a
galvanized steel centreplate. Weighing 85lb, this
increases substantially the already high stability of
the boat making a capsize virtually impossible.
The
Rig. |
Wanderer - new version.
In 2007 Phil Morrison was commissioned to look at the design of
the Wanderer with a view to giving it a modern appearance, clean
interior and safer buoyancy character. At the same time
consideration was given to the production time and thus cost of
a new Wanderer. The end point of this re-design is shown below:
It can be seen that all woodwork and therefore upkeep has been
removed from this new dinghy and this has been matched to a self
draining and open interior. The rear seats and rear storage tank
are removable and are accessories that can be added to the basic
Wanderer.
Yet the boat can have a conventional or asymmetric spinnaker
added to the basic sail plan. A large spinnaker chute ensures
that this sail is as easy to use as possible.
Both centre mainsheet or transom mainsheet can be offered whilst
the genoa sheeting remains simple but effective.
GRP centreboard and rudder blade are matched to this low
maintenance concept.
The boat has plastic self bailers mounted into the floor to
drain any small amount of water that may come on board.
Should one ever push the design to the edge and a capsize result
the boat is capable of being easily righted by just a youngster
on their own - and then the water disappears out of the drain
scuppers under the tank and out of the transom. This makes the
design a winner with training centres where capsizing is part of
the curriculum.
Even though the boat looks very different the weight, speed,
hull, mast, sails, centreboard and rudder all remain exactly as
they have always been. Likewise the new Wanderer can be fitted
with oars, genoa furlers, slab reefing, mooring cleats and
fairleads and even an outboard. However with this enlarged rear
storage a 4 stroke can be hidden away when not in use.
Lastly this work has seen the basic price of this dinghy come
down which in turn has seen a turn round in new boat numbers.