DIDI 26 CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS

Page 1 - Bulkheads & stocks
Page 2 - Hull stringers
Page 3 - Hull skin
Page 4 - Deck skin
Page 5 - Keel foil
Amateur projects and Amateur websites & blogs for more construction photos.
Sailing photos
Interior photos
More interior photos

1~ MINI CONSTRUCTION
You will get some benefit from visiting the Didi Mini Kit Construction Project for photos and explanations of the Didi Mini under construction. Some aspects are similar to building the Didi 26.

Also visit our radius chine plywood FAQ section for answers to questions raised by other builders.

2 ~ REVISED KEEL BOX DETAILING
We have modified the detailing of the keel box. This was to add more safety factor to cater for navigation or boat-handling errors that could result in groundings or serious knockdowns. The changes have added structure in areas that would be under stress in a grounding or serious knockdown, with minimal changes to structure that may already have been built.

We have attempted to send the revised drawing by email to all builders of the Didi 26. It has not reached some builders, due to incorrect or non-existent email addresses. Those who have not received it must please email us to request the drawing.

3 ~ DIMENSION CORRECTIONS FOR TOP OF KEELBOX
Some drawing sets were issued with incorrect dimensions for the top of the keel box on drawing No 4 sheet 2. At time of printing, the dimensions of that section of the drawing were set to an incorrect scale. This error was corrected for drawings issued since then. The correct dimensions are as shown on the diagram below. If your drawing shows different dimensions, please change them to those below.


4 ~ KEEL GLASS COVERING
The dropkeel drawings show a glass skin over the wooden core. This skin must be over the entire keel and must be continuous between the lower foil portion and the upper rectangular section. The easiest way to do this transition is to splay the wooden core at 30 to 45 degrees then do the glassing. Before the last layer of glass has cured, add filler to take it back to the correct 90 degree step. The filler must be epoxy high density filler, with glass strands mixed in to strengthen it.

5 ~ DIDI 26 FORUM
Eirik Naese in Finland hosts a Didi 26 forum on his website. This forum has been replaced by the one run by Mike Huelke, after the passing of Eirk Naese. See the top of this page for the link.

6 ~ FIBREGLASS REINFORCEMENT OF RUDDER
We have added glass reinforcement to the rudder construction drawing after two boats broke rudders across the lower pintles when sailing in surfing conditions. The addition is a layer of 450g/sq.m fabric over the whole rudder, followed by a 2nd layer from the top of the rudder down to 200mm below the step and a 3rd layer from the top of the rudder to 100mm below the step. Any owners who would like the revised drawing, please contact Dudley by email to request it.

7 ~ MAST STEP REINFORCEMENT
We have modified the structure in way of the mast support, to better take the loads applied if the rig is over-tensioned or the boat raced hard in heavy conditions. The revised details will be sent to all email addresses that we have on record for Didi 26 builders. Any owners who don't receive them, please contact Dudley by email to request them. Changes should be made to existing boats to incorporate these basic modifications.

8 ~ NEW RONSTAN HARDWARE REFERENCES
Some of the Ronstan hardware listed on the deck plan has been replaced by new models. Here are the replacement references.
RF 980 = RC7250
RF982 = RC72580
RF986 = RC72533
RF1278 = RF40151
RF1444 = RF40300
RF1445 = RF40312
RF1449 = RF40130
RF7000 = RC1220
RF7003 = RC12220
RF7013 = RC12210
RF7059 = RC12285
RF7060 = RC00411
RF7061 = RC00421

9 ~ KEEL LIFT MECHANISM
Some owners have reported problems lifting their keels, so we have redesigned the lifting tackle and added Teflon glide blocks to ease keel movement. The existing blocks can be modified to the new details and the Teflon blocks can be retro-fitted to existing boats. Any owners who want to make the changes, please contact Dudley by email to request them.