Chad -
just an opinion - be careful of how you list this forum addition - since the word “plan” can have many meanings to a lot of people… mostly based on experience. The following IS NOT related to only the FOOTY Class !
I can probably step in, and using a top, side, front view of a boat - be able to pull off the lines needed. Someone else may only need the lines and their experience provides them the opportunity to build the boat. Others may need the line drawings, and perhaps station shadows/templates, while others yet again may need not only the photo, drawings, templates - but also the written “step-by-step” text. Finally there are some who, provided with ALL of this information, can hardly make it through a plastic kit assembly.
TomoHawk - While a bill of materials needed may be helpful, any associated costs are likely to change, as are construction techniques. To try to tell someone how to build a boat, will generate all numbers of responses, making the process even more confusing, and thereby intimidating, no matter how difficult it really is. Just look at any forum topic in general and you will see the wide variety of opinions. Insert a “newbie” into this and I don’t think it will be helpful - just confusing.
Chad, I would recommend an agreement among subscribers, that they can post of plans in whatever their format, having the poster give a brief overview of what is included/not included in the plans, and a way the potential builder can contact the poster and they can deal one-on-one with “HOW” to build. To try to go beyond that is more than most plan services can do - and that’s their specialty.
Thus I would see …
CLASS
DESIGN NAME
LINK TO PLAN
POSTER’S NAME/METHOD OF CONTACT
DESCRIPTION OF PLAN
Might look something like this … (example only)
Class: F-48 / Mini40 Multihull
Design: GHOST TRAIN
Link: http link to plan
Posted by Dick Lemke (PM/or email contact info)
1.2 meter/48 inch sized multihull (trimaran - 3 hull)
includes line drawings, station templates, rig design,
multiple sail area plans for different wind strength.
Plan Format: DWG format and PDF
NO written or step-by-step instructions
Primary Use: Racing
Recommended: Experienced Builder
This would provide as much info as needed by potential builder to decide - and eliminate discussion. There are plenty of provided “discussion” capabilities in your forum, so keeping this one to a “Post Only - No Reply” should be considered.
Again - only my opinion if you proceed to open for all classes of boats - great idea by the way !
Dick