Bull's Eye by André Moos
28 September 2006
I wish to thank you for helping make a long time dream of building my own boat a reality. I have sent along a few pictures of my Bull's Eye.
I stuck fairly close to the design details from your plans, but with some variation to the detail on the thwart. I primarily used Honduran Mahogany and Fir, along with Brazilian rosewood for the motorboard and the top of the daggerboard trunk, mainly because I wanted something very hard and strong to take the abuse of motor clamps and the strain from the mainsheet.
I started the project on Labour Day, 2005, and finished in July of 2006, with a break in construction during the winter months. I would have continued over the winter, but unfortunately I don't have a heated garage, just the space under my deck.
I found your plans and instructions to be very easy to follow and understand. Also, whenever I emailed with a question, I always got a prompt and friendly reply with just the answer or advice that I needed.
The last picture, in the set of photos I sent along, is from the day of the maiden voyage. I was excited but at the same time somewhat nervous, however that quickly gave way to sheer joy as soon as the sail caught the wind, and the boat eagerly moved forward. So this is what it's like sailing your own boat! The whole experience had me grinning until my cheeks got sore. I have since enjoyed sailing my Bull's-Eye a few times more this past summer, and hope to get out again soon before the cooler weather arrives.
Over the winter I might modify the rudder to flip up, because there are a lot of very shallow banks in the area that I like to sail.
I think I'll also spend some time this winter reviewing other Glen-L designs, and contemplate my next project.
Finally, I can heartily recommend the Bull's-Eye to anyone thinking about building their first boat. The easy stitch and glue construction and versatile row, sail, or motor design is a sure winner.
André Moos
North Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada