Original Micro Flyer

DESIGNER PHIL BOLGER said it best! "I think this is one of the best
proposals I ever came up with.

This got done out of its turn and was taken a good deal further (to study
plan instead of just a 'cartoon') than I meant to, because it jelled
until I got hooked. I tried this and that--and one suddenly clicked.

She can sail in less than two feet of water, can suddenly draw several inches less by being tipped down at the bow or by being heeled, and can ground on rough bottom without causing any great harm. The keel forms a massive girder that allows the hull bottom to be of much lighter construction (i.e. cheaper and easier to build.) The ballast is a flat slab only 1-1/2" thick, sandwiched in plywood for attachment. She is fully self-righting which is surely a plus.Between this keel profile and the cat-yawl rig she should not only have the nice points of handling you mention, but it should be easy to get her to sai1 herself-- indefinitely with the wind anywhere forward of the beam.

The bow transom--was a definite functional plus (with built-in boarding ladder) and
struck me as being in keeping with the effect. Dan Segal of Small Boat Journal--
agreed about this, and (thouqht) the design was enchanting as a whole. The cabin
looks like a fine place to hide to me. I think there will be almost nobody who is
not impressed when they sail her, since few will expect a boat like this to be
spirited, which she will be." (end of quote)

MARTI FREDRIKSON, Chem. Engr., Lempaalant, 41, SF-37620 Valkeakoski, Finland, put
his prototype MICRO in the water in July, 1983: "Ease and pleasure of all handling
describes this boat best. Bolger's letter to La Rowe--there isn't much to add or
argue. She fulfills all he promised, and the boat really is ENCHANTING. To me the
most exciting part has been her rig. The sprit-boom concept is fascinating, simple,
and effective. It is a pleasure to pull the main snotter line and see how the main
sail takes shape. To trim the boat to track herself isn't any trick, and to steer
her with the main sheet only is easy and a pleasure. Her behaviour on water is
dominated by great buoyancy and enormous stability. Practical and even generous
deck plan/overall arrangement adds user's delight."

Martti's boat is a "gold plater," mahogany marine plywood with the WEST SYSTEM epoxy,
two-toned varnish effect (6 coats!), and five coats of 2 part poly paint plus base,
and some exotic glues out of the factory where he works. CARL ADLER, PH.D. of
Eastern Carolina University (204 Circle Dr., Greenville, NC 27834) will launch in
ihe Spring of 1984, as will I. Prof. Adler s boat is fir marine plywood, fir fram-
ing. My goal was economy with AC exterior plywood, fir framing, Wellwood plastic
resin glue, construction-grade spruce spars, plywood sealer, and porch and deck
paint. Mine will cost under $1000 including sails and lead ballast--about 1/3 mater-
ial costs often quoted in this size range, and less than production sailing prams,
rowboats, and canoes. MICRO'S free standing masts alone save a lump in rigging costs!
Unhandy, cautious beginners like me can use up 300 hours in construction, some of
which is just standing back to admire the design and one's handiwork! Carpenter types
and professionals can cut this in half, or less!

Our criteria to the Designer was "--why can't small boats be comfortable for tall,
large, senior citizens? Surely such boats would be sheer luxury for folk smaller
and/or younger!" While the MICRO plan makes fine recreational reading, like a good
book, is great as a gift to a loved one, a wonderful project for a retiree, etc.,
it is a plan from which more actual boats will get built than is usual, due to Mr.
Bolger's innovative "instant-type" construction. An ABSOLUTE BEGINNER, as I was,
can build it! Moreover, for those who don't have the time to do their own construc-
tion, in the hands of a professional carpenter it can be completed in economically
few man-hours, resulting in a fine little yacht at even less than a bargain price.

At 15'4" x 6' x 1'9" draft, MICRO is a very BIG little boat, weighing approx. 875 lbs.
including 412 lbs. of lead ballast plus a little water ballast that automatically
fills and drains if the boat is trailered. Sail area is ll9 plus 34, totalling
153 Sq. Ft. The fore and aft wells are free-flooding, so spilled gas (2-4 hp out-
board on the transom) or anchor wash water drains overboard! Berths are 6'6", with
room under bridge deck area for a chemical pottie. My galley will probably be the
portable one from our van. The spacious "hold" under the cockpit deck could sleep
a third person transversely. Mrs. Fredrikson and Martti use it as a cabin for their
two toddlers, complete with peephole windows, which may serve them right into their
early teens'. The cockpit hatchway is the foot well, with a flat or storage box
beneath for feet. Of course with this hatch and the companionway hatch closed, the
boat is self-bailing. Flooded, the boat will float it's ballast, but awash; with the
prescribed flotation it will float high enough to be habitable and self-rescuing,
but I don't know why it should ever flood, apart from being rammed by another boat.

The PLAN is certainly one of the easiest and most helpful ever done. Six large pages
include one on plywood utilization (10 std. sheets 1/4" ply) to avoid wastage,
especially important to those using the expensive types. (NOTE: The usual construc-
tion time o $60-100 worth of lumber for a jig or strongback is NOT required in
instant-type construction!) Designer BOLGER S accompanying construction key is
numbered to the Plan, along with our "how-to-do-it" comments for Beginners. Each
plan also includes information on tools, lumber, plywood, glues, nails, sources,
books, durability, fiberglassing, finishes, sailing hints, etc. This and the how-
to-do information is a bonus, often offered in book format at extra cost!

If you have gathered from all this that we are enthusiastic about MICRO, we argue
that it is the only reasonable attitude, incapable of being exaggerated! To re-quote
Mr. Bolger, "I think this is one of the best proposals I ever came up with--." Martti's
MICRO has now boiled along in Force 5-6 winds, and tacked in that wind and chop with
mizzen has sheeted in tight! Lots of good boats avoid such a challenge.