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album albumnav closeup clasic testsail wheels building planning history
Planningplanning The current incarnation of the Microship project has its roots in three earlier epochs, which can be thought of as either false starts or fundamental research, depending on your perspective. Naturally, we didn't just jump into fiberglassing once a design was established. We first had to acquire the substrates, mock up the whole ship in our CAD system (Cardboard Aided Design), and spend long hours staring and imagining...
Buildingbuilding Time to get dirty. As the task list unfolded, we delved deep into composites fabrication, machining, finish work, hydraulics, and all sorts of fabrication jobs. This page is filled with shots of late nights in the lab and various work-in-progress closeups
Wheelswheels The landing gear began with the simple idea of adding retractible wheels to allow unassisted haulouts and self-portaging, but behind this notion lies a quagmire of complex packaging problems, huge stresses, and the need to include active steering. Here are a few views that help answer the ancient question: "Why don't boats have wheels?"
Europa

europa


Adventure!
test sails
On-water tests provided our first positive feedback for years of development work -- confirming design choices and refining future directions. This page at last shows the boatlet in her element... and rolling down the road on her landing gear!
CLASSIC
classic
Every photo album needs a place for random favorites... and here they are.
CLOSE UPS
steering
For some of the closer aspects of the boats



NOTE:  This page hasn't changed in a while... there is more current information in our resources area.