RE: My newly built Dumas Ace Sloop
Yes the instructions could have been a bit more informative & confusing for first timers.....Heres some pics I took for you.
I screwed up a few monor things. I forgot to use the small brass S hooks supplied in the kit. I still have them and I'l get around to putting them on. The lines are tied to them then the S hooks go onto the screws thats attached to the deck...try not to waste any of the supplied line as Dumas gives exactally whats needed to get the job done and spares no inches....I used a $8 hand held pin vise to make the holes in the plastic used for the bowsers and I cut mine 5/8" each. The plastic is somewhat soft and can break easily if your not careful. I would use 1/16 ply cut to teh same size next time.....I applied SIG clear dope over each knot and clear RTV silicon on the ends of the threads to waterproof them and keep them in place, also be careful with the line as it unravels easily, another reason why i used the dope, as it helped alot when i had the thread a oversized needle to sew on the sails...
I plan on refinishing the deck on mine. I was going to laminate some thin mahagony ply and clear over it with finishing resin , keep the sides and the bottom the way it is....
Its a really cool sailboat, easy to build and alot of fun!