Construction

Conway One Design Construction

COD’s were designed to be built in wood, the material of choice in the early 1900’s.

The final design came after The Conway Yacht Club first experimented with sailing the ‘Conway River Restricted Class’ in 1910, of which none remain. The club then tried the Fife One Design still sailed in the Menai Strait but their fine lines made them rather too wet and unstable for the local sea conditions. They finally decided on the current design in 1928. ’

All but the last two COD’s were built on a keel of oak or Canadian rock elm, with the bow ste stern knee and floors of natural oak. Planking near the keel was of elm with the rest mahogany, all fastened with roved (riveted) copper nails to 38 steamed ribs that crossed the boat.

American elm or pitch pine bilge and beam stringers provided fore and aft strength. Nail holes were filled with white lead putty and the hull planks caulked with ‘best cotton wick’ or thread.

It was said that the design of the keel was well ahead of its time being placed towards the rear of the boats.

The design is well suited to local waters and fortunately good looking too.