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Re: Moulds for RL 24
Would this do everyone for a standard cockpit.
Luke Ratcliff 12-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
Luke.
As I understand it the moulds for the RL 24 were destroyed in a scrub fire whilst hidden away in a paddock on the Sunshine coast some years ago, and from enquiries that I made the design rights had expired many years befor that, so, there is no reason that I know of that would prevent a new mould from being constructed.

I was led to understand that the keel extrusion on your boat was origonally made in Sydney, but the rights were sold to someone in the US and was no longer available here.

Personally I would like to see someone with the enthusasm and skill take on the building of the 24s again and update them to more modern ideas.
Rob Legg12-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
Luke, regarding building a new or new RL24s, I would be interested in holding a positive discussion regarding whatshould be included in a new RL24.

Many of the strengths of the old RL24s should be retained but in my opinion new technologies should be included assuming thy are robust.

I have RL434 which was a factory built Mk4 which includes most of the developments before the foam yachts.

For what my opinion is worth, the cored hulls (and I've owned other brands) are more trouble than they are worth.

I'd be happy to offer INMA for measurement. I have a spare holmes Bros keel and rudder plade that is available if anyone needs to use them to make moulds. For all the new developed keels, most people would agree the Holmes Brothers foils got it right for the hull speeds the RL24 cruises and races at.

I would like to see more effort put into improving the outboard in the well so modern 6hp outboards can be tilted under the tiller and inside the stern with a simple arrangement to close the hole.

The standard RL24 cockpit is prettygood, I'd like to see a shorter boom to allow a robust (light) bimini to provide protection for crew.

A full hiegt box for the keel would help clean up the inside of the cabin. Keep it simple with bunks and bouyancy down each side.

The forward well is good but make sure it has the best drains possible.

Definitely a bow sprit for the asy spinnaker.

The skif rig is good but try and use a 16ft skiff carbon mast and sails with a big reef for cruisers.

Consider redesigning a trailer because the biggest problem most owners have is trailers, not the yachts. I am happy to explain this at length, there is a lot that can be done to make the RL24 a better yacht based on easier launching and retrieving and no damage from trailer rollers.

Cruisers like poptops, there is a poptop mold on offer here in Melbourne that is available for use for the right person who would look after it.

I can't see a new RL24 being economical here in Australia with the trailer yacht market struggling. Boats like the bigger Elliots struggle to sell and technically they ar a lot more developed than a person in Australia could achieve.
Greg12-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
What we might do is start a brief to be forwarded to the boat builder. Rob what' sort of info would you require as a boat builder.
Luke Ratcliff 13-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
Great to see someone wanting to remake the 24. Dad; you should be a lot of help. I am sure the demand is out there for a modified RL.
Jenni 14-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
Luke.
I have answered your request direct to you, and leave it to you as to whether you want to add the contents to this discussion.
Rob Legg14-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
It would be interesting to see what price point you think you would need to come in at. In US dollars, it would have to be very cheap in light of the fact that I can get a F22 boat in a box for $35K US. As much as I love my RL, if I were spending real money on a sailboat, the decision would not be difficult as to what I would buy.
Daveinet15-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
I love that Luke is pumped to build new RL 24'S BUT: if you put a new 24 on the water it will cost upwards of 40k.You can buy a lot of newer designs for the same money and look at the ts fleets these days...Marlay pt used to have 600 boats, now they struggle to get 100. I think for the money you would be better off re-building older boats or just get more existing boats out on the water. Dont get me wrong the RL is an awesome design and have had some great racing within the drop keel fleet over the years.I don't see it being a viable exercise.
Lofty16-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
I just went to the Strictly Sail boat and RV show in Chicago this weekend. They had a Hunter 22, which has a super small stubby cabin at the front of the boat. It was advertised as a show special for $29,000. Based on that, the RL would be slightly more, which makes it a difficult sell, especially in today's market. Grant it, I would much rather have the RL than the Hunter but RL having no name in the US would be difficult to compete. To build an RL, you are going to be competing directly with a glut of used boats in the $5K and under, most with more well known names. S2, 6.7, 6.9 comes to mind, which is almost nearly as fast. For those who don't care about a cabin, a Holder 20 is right in there as well. Most of those used boats were kept up, as they are commonly raced.
Daveinet19-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
The RL24s were built in the States in the 1980s. Crazy idea maybe; but is there a way to have them built in another country that have lower sales tax and Labour costs and have them imported?
Jenni Legg Buckley19-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
Not that crazy, the F22 has been built by a Vietnamese company who sells them all over the world. There is some cost savings, but not a ton. Raw materials seem to be a significant part of the cost. That along with the cost of sails and rigging. There is almost no savings on the mast and rigging, the assembly has very little labor involved. Probably the cheapest way to do it would be to manufacture unfinished boats and sell them as kits. Sailing requires a certain level of mechanical aptitude, therefore many sailors are DIYers. There may be a valid market for a boat kit, rather than a complete boat. I feel the intimidating aspect of boat building would be the fiberglass layup. Getting that part right and having the space to do the work is difficult. Final assembly could be done in one's back yard - outside.
Daveinet27-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
I see that Dockside Boat Sales of Paynesville have the fast mark one RL24 'Sasha' for sale (mark 1 fitted with a drop keel). The price is $11990. Google 'Dockside boat sales' and speak to a bloke called 'Lofty'
Alastair28-Jan-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
Given that the original Australian moulds are gone forever, what happened to the US moulds?
Mike6-Feb-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
Mike.
Some 30 years ago I was led to understand that the US moulds were warehoused awaiting sale, and since then was told that they had been acquired by a certain well known boat building Co that created a new deck and interior and used the hull moulds.
After legal consultation I was advised not to consider taking the matter further, as the costs of taking any action in the US would be prohibitive.
Rob Legg9-Feb-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
Are the line drawings or plans still in existance for the 24? Rob?
Matt15-Feb-2015    Edit    Delete 
Re: Moulds for RL 24
Matt.
A copy of all of the drawings were given to the new owners of the business when I retired, and the original plans were consumed by silverfish many years ago.
Rob Legg15-Feb-2015    Edit    Delete 

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