Other Recent F-33 News
October 16, 2003 - Hull No. 1 - Shadowfax - 7 months on
The prototype F-33 Shadowfax was imported to the US (Seattle) by Del Jacobs (story link at bottom of page) and has been sailing on Puget Sound for the past few months. Del now has about 14 nights sleeping on Shadowfax, and 9 days sailing. Shadowfax has only a main and jib, but best speed seen to date has still been 18 knots (in 18 to 20 knots of wind). Del writes that overall he is extremely satisfied with Shadowfax, and only significant concerns have been noise from the compact Bukh diesel inboard, and the overall cost.
The inboard noise may be a drive train issue, but was disappointing and the diesel option has now been suspended until this can be addressed by the manufacturer. Cost concerns will of course always be an issue with any boat that has three high-tech lighweight hulls, a folding system, four carbon fiber beams, and built from premium materials. This was also the most common concern with the original F-27, but the expected high resale value of a unique quality boat such as the F-33 should eventually eliminate such concerns, as was the case with the F-27.
Shadowfax at its dock in Port Ludlow
Heading out from Port Ludlow on a rather cold but beautiful Fall day. Del's custom made
pushpit with pilot seats is visible (Del at right), and works very well. It's a great place to sit,
with excellent visibility. Not the best place for weight if racing, but the F-33 is big enough to
take it, and cruisers won't care! A similar pushpit is now a standard F-33 option, the aft cockpit
version having two seats per side.
Precourt deadeyes with synthetic stays now fitted to carbon chainplates replacing the original optional
stainless steel turnbuckles and wire which Sydney owner Peter Wesley had preferred. The deadeyes and
synthetic rigging are the standard and recommended system, being lighter, plus they make folding easier.
October 11, 2003 - Shipping the F-33
Brian Haynes's F-33R main hull fitted on specially designed shipping cradle
First float in position on float cradles
Second float being positioned
Not much room this side ..... .... or on this side, but it fits as planned
..not much room to spare up here either - but the finish on that float side sure looks good!
Sliding the cradle into place and almost there. The F-33 is probably the biggest trimaran
one can fit inside a container, and designing it for this was an important key to the success
of utilizing the lower cost Australian manufacturing environment. This easy shipping factor
will enable the final price for overseas markets to be kept very reasonable for what is a
premium quality and 'state of the art ' boat. Containerizing also helps prevent any shipping
damage, and the boat can be delivered to both the West and East coasts of the US for about
the same price, avoiding high cross-country delivery fees. Shipping from Australia, and all
custom fees, duty etc. are included in the US list price - only any delivery costs from
port of entry to final destination are an extra.
All packed away and being lifted on to the truck
On the way to be the first F-33 launched in England. Almost a sad occasion for the
factory crew, as having put so much effort and attention to detail into these initial
boats they become almost like a member of the family.
Sigi Stiemer's F-33R kit has also just been delivered in Montreal, Canada
Sigi's boat will be finished off by Erik Precourt of Precourt Systems, Quebec.
October 7th, 2003 - Progress
Brian Hayne's new F-33R nearing completion and to be shipped to England in early
October. Brian has previously owned and successfully campaigned an F-28R.
The quality of finish is simply superb, inside and out. These are exciting boats, light and strong,
and being built by a dedicated team of highly skilled multihull enthusiasts.
Bow detail - clean and simple
Aft view with optional (and all new) molded carbon fiber traveler horse just visible on the aft cabin.
A better view of the carbon fiber traveler horse and cockpit area
Main companionway hatch - very sleek and with low drag
Factory News as of October 7th, 2003
Tom and Linda Bragaw's F-33 in background, next for painting, with Paul Hofman's F-33R in the
foreground, hull halves joined and almost ready for final lamination. Tom and Linda's F-33 will be
shipped to Florida, where it will be available as a demo boat early next year. Paul's boat will be
shipped to Holland as a kit (Paul previously built an F-25A from scratch). Both of the above boats
are aft cockpit models with an enormous amount of room inside.
A seamless float in process - the new vertical joining method is simple and tremendously strong.
One can just see where the sacrificial bow caps will be glued on, these being an additional safety
factor, and easily repairable after any collision
Container cradles ready for use. The F-33 is probably the biggest boat one can fit inside a container,
with just millimetres to spare, and a special cradle has been designed just for this purpose. This
allows the main hull and floats to be slid inside as one unit, and easily slid out again at the other end,
with virtually no risk of damage.
September 20th, 2003
David Miller's F-33 Now Launched In Seattle!
David Miller has now launched his F-33 'DanGereaux' in Seattle. This has been finished off from a
bare painted shell kit, and only the rig needs now needs to be fitted before going sailing
The christening by Julia Miller
.....launched and floating high with forefoot knuckle still out of the water. Rig still has to go on, but all
deck gear, two large batteries, wiring, instruments, and six winches are all aboard at this stage.
This is another LIGHT boat!
Earlier News: