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Workshops are really the
best way to learn how to take full advantage of the KSS method of home boat
building construction developed by Derek Kelsall. Three to four days of intensive
hands on instructed process, remove the time lag from embarking on such a project.
While its all very good to hear or read about building processes, nothing beats
being there, and participating directly.
Over 75 people have attended the seminars in the USA New Zealand & Australia, typical size is from 10-25 folks, come to work and enjoy the company of others that like yourself are looking for a cost effective way to get onto the water, but also want that production finish to the boat. The Kelsall Swiftbuild Sandwich is really the only way to achieve this, time effectively.
See you there!
USA Workshop Tour 2001
THE PROGRAM. With the exception of Ca. the workshop will be three full days, starting at 10 am on the Friday. The workshop consists of alternating between hands on and talk/discussions. Informal and relaxed approach.
The objective is to introduce the materials for those who have not worked with them before and to show how KSS works in producing the whole of the boat structure. We aim to complete the program early on the Sunday afternoon. Often we work on the table and other preparation work into the evenings – depending on how the project progresses.
TOPICS COVERED. General introduction to the materials, design and designer. The Foam sandwich materials. Handling the materials. Making the sandwich panels on the table. Working with panels. Shaping the hulls. Assembling a catamaran. All aspects of catamaran sailing will be discussed.
KSS – stands for Kelsall Swiftbuild Sandwich – producing hulls in a quarter of the usual time and catamaran structures in half the usual time.
Derek Kelsall. British multihull designer, since 1965. Pioneer and innovator, now resident in New Zealand. Built first boat in Texas in 1961. Pioneered foam sandwich. The firsts to race across the N. Atlantic without ballast – OSTAR 1964. The first to win a major open race – Toria in 1966 – first own design and first foam sandwich. Designer and/or builder of Sir Thomas Lipton – 58 mono winner of OSTAR 68. GB11 winner of first Whitbread Round the World race (7 more times round the world etc,.)., GB 111, GB 1V Round Britain winner. Legs of mann 1,11, 111 and 1V, VSD etc., for Nick Keig to win major prizes in RBR, OSTAR, Azores etc. Trifle, Trumpeter, VSD, William Saurin (93ft.). – amongst many others – and they are just the racers. KSS designs cover the whole range. From day cats to 82 ft. power to trailer/sailers. Custom designs welcomed. All benefit from the quality and time savings of KSS. Power and sail. Pleasure and commercial. New designs being added regularly. KSS builders include both first time and professional boat builders. KSS kits are becoming available, which will enable the builder to have hulls to show within a week or two and complete shell in a month or two. KSS is the new way (“the only way”) to build catamarans. – Perfectly fair without jig. Gloss finish to topsides without long-boarding.
For those who have not been involved with custom boat building before, I should explain that the long-board is usual called the “torture board” – and not for nothing - and it goes on for hundreds of hours. Every part of the KSS cat’s structure starts as a flat panel on a mould table.
We have shown KSS directly to more than 120 people in workshops and visits to existing projects. Not one single person who has seen KSS in operation has suggested that there could be a better way. Many have been inspired to think of other ways and uses of the principles of KSS. Nicely shaped, round bilge hulls are formed from two flat panels and the shaping process happens in an hour. A “great week-end” was had by all. At the end of each workshop, we ask a few questions. The responses we have received so far have been 100% enthusiastic, endorsing both the workshop and KSS. When asked re. value for money we get the same response. A small group came together as strangers and became friends in the co- operation involved in hands on building. There are obviously limitations to the size that it is possible to build in 3 days. The host’s own project may fit but otherwise we will make a 20ft.+ hull. Probably similar to the one that we built in California lasts year.
In California the plan is to build a second hull and to start towards completing the two hulls into a novel arrangement of trailer sailer. Come see. Information on local accommodation available will be put together with details of how to find each location. This will be available shortly. The workshop is for anyone interested in boat building. For the professional it could be the chance to break into the ever expanding catamaran market, either pleasure or commercial. For the owner builder who has ever fancied building an own boat – as I did many years ago..
Derek Kelsall
Sample Workshop Projects
Deck Edge Radius diagram
