This boat was begun in July of 2004, and the launching occurred on Sept. 24, 2006. We had FIVE hurricanes here in Florida in 2004. That took some of the starch out of me, so for about four months I stopped working on the boat. After that initial delay, a full time job meant only nights and weekends to work on the craft...Still, I could have finished in a year easily, had I stuck to Devlin's plans. However, I decided to use a swing keel, and swing rudder arrangement, as most of my sailing is in pretty skinny water. Also, I added two airtight compartments, (1 fore and 1 aft), for flotation. Designing and engineering all of those modifications added some time to the job.

I chose Devlin's design at the suggestion of a friend who has built five sailboats - one a 24 footer. The Egret design appealed to me because I wanted a boat that could be towed easily, that I could easily launch and sail single handed, and that I could row, or use with a trolling motor instead of the sail. The Egret design offers all of that and more.

The boat is incredibly stiff and solid, it points up well, has a very pleasing helm, and it's plenty fast. (A beam reach seams to be the fastest point of sail). It is no problem to sail alone, and a joy with two people, even if one is a novice sailor. You may want to adjust the rear seat configuration if you do a lot of solo sailing - I found that in order to balance the boat when sailing alone, I have to move forward beyond a comfortable reach back to the tiller - so a tiller extension is necessary.

For first-time builders: Devlin's instructions are good, but if you have never done it before, it would be good if you had a friend to help you with at least some parts of the construction - and even better if your friend was experienced with stitch and glue - especially when laying the fillets. I used cable ties for stitches instead of wire as Devlin suggests - except at the stem and stern, where I used copper wire, because I had to make really tight stitches in those locations. Also, West's system has an 800 number, they were very helpful when I had any questions about fillers, bonding, curing, and painting over the epoxy. I don't want to make it sound difficult, because it is not, but the glue is not cheap, and once it cures, you're done - so it's better to ask an expert any "stupid" question you might have before you start gluing.

The mast was made from two fourteen-foot 2x4's laminated together with epoxy, then rounded off. All rigging came from a local marine salvage yard, so that the traditional design of the Egret was matched by well-worn hardware...It's a nice look coupled with the cream-colored sail; made by Gamble and Hunter, in Maine. I would highly recommend them. The sail they made is a thing of beauty, they are very familiar with Devlin's designs, and they were very pleasant to work with.

Also for first time builders: There are two things you MUST BUY: An angle grinder with a sanding disc attachment, and an hand-held electric planer/joiner. Don't ask questions - trust me - you do not want to start the project without those two tools! There is simply no other way to sand or plane cured epoxy and/or the end grain of marine plywood, and you will be doing a lot of both.

Well, I hope I have not talked you out of it - because building the Egret is work, but when you are finished, you will be rewarded beyond your expectations. Every time I launch the boat a total stranger will approach, admire it, and ask about how long it took to build... It is truly much more than the sum of it's parts. I can't wait to trailer it up to Maine!

Noel

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