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Norwalk Islands Sharpie 43

Capable liveaboard open water cruiser racer rocket ship. The famed Laser Designer, Bruce Kirby has gone back to the sheet ply hull building concept of the NIS 18, 23, 26 and 29 and blown it out to 43 feet. The design, launched in South Carolina for the first time in early 2003 is a stayed ketch rigged rocket ship.
Comfortable extended coastal and with experienced crew and good preparation, open water passage making ability. Simple construction, sophisticated Cat Ketch design with all the Kirby magic. This design could also be available with twin rudders, and possibly yawl rig.

Brilliant self steering qualities, open water sea keeping and performance.

May become available with stayed yawl rig or unstayed rig option.

Fully battened Marconi Cat Ketch. Allow 4500 hours building time. Wide load transportable without escort on semi trailer to water.

Please Note!
The NIS43 Home Building Plans for experienced amateurs now available.

'News Flash!

We can now release the General arrangement of the much awaited NIS 43. NISBOATS.COM are working with Bruce finalizing plans for the (preferred by many) unstayed version.

There is only one sailing, so far and that has the stayed ketch rig. It is in South Carolina at the moment I believe. It is very fast and has been extensively and successfully cruised already.

It is a great workable layout, and looks very pretty. The unstayed version may well be the ultimate shorthanded liveaboard cruising boat.

It does have a lead mini keel through which a swing Centreboard passes. Draft board up as designed is about 3' (1m).

A natural temptation might be to change the lead arrangements to get the draft down to 2' (600mm) or so. Dont consider it forthe time being.
Bruce fears for the performance AND overall weight of the boat, if that were done, since we'd need to up the gross ballast to compensate for the raised level, or reduced fulcrum effect of the ballast. There would also be some challenges to the amenity of the interior layout since the Centerboard case forms part of the furniture.

Construction is conventional NIS sheet ply over structural bilkheads, sheer clamps and chine logs. The ply is 3/4" (18mm) for all hull skin and bulkheads and simple cleat framing. Laminations of ply are used in some areas. The chines are well rounded, and the overall effect is dramatic and pretty.

Study sheet should be available in two or three weeks, Au$20.00 / US$15.00 inc post and pack.

Plans price and license to build one boat initially to be Au$2900.00, including air post and pack.

Carbon Masts, Mast Tubes, Tabernacles, Booms and Sails are all being developed at NISBOATS.COM.

Stay posted!