THE BOATS OF SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS

by Stuart Wier

Photo of Mike Field's Aileen Louisa

Text and drawings Copyright � 1996-2010 Stuart Wier
All photographs copyrighted by their owners.
Reproduction or retransmission of any material from this web site prohibited without prior written consent of the copyright holder(s).

Contents

Introduction

The Original Boats

The Swallow
Rowing the Swallow
Rigging the Swallow
A letter from Roger Fothergill, an owner of the original Swallow
Unknown Details
The Amazon
Sailing Performance Assesments
Design Recommendations for new Swallows
The Nancy Blackett and the Goblin

New Swallows and Amazons

The Best Boat?
Design Recommendations for new Swallows
Accounts of sailors today sailing dinghies like the Swallow & Amazon
Obtaining a boat like the Swallow or Amazon
Building a dinghy like the Swallow in Clinker or Lapstrake
Building a dinghy like the Swallow in Glued Lapstrake Plywood.
Other Building Methods
Buying a new Boat something like the Swallow

Other Items

Getting Started -- Finding a Boat & Learning Boat Handling and Sailing
Selecting a General Purpose Dinghy
Learning Rowing and Sailing
Building a boat 'just like' the Swallow
Glossary
Boat Soup - A simple substitute for varnish
Further Reading, Plan and Information Sources

Introduction