Silhouette Technical Articles


This is an index to various technical articles from the SOIA archives.

History of the Silhouette

An investigation into the development of yacht building, with particular reference to the small sailing cruiser known as the Silhouette.
Dissertation submitted in part-fulfilment of the requirements for the B. Ed (Honours) degree of the University of Exeter. David A Reeves, May 1979.
Copyright 1979 David A, Reeves

This electronic copy is provided solely for the technical archive of the Silhouette Owners International Association and for the personal interest of members.

Silhouette History Part 1, Silhouette History Part 2, Silhouette History Part 3, Silhouette History Part 4

The Best of the Silhouette Builders

A compilation of articles by SOIA members who built Mk II Silhouettes, and also one by Robert Tucker. Intended to be the nearest thing to a building or rebuilding manual. Published February 1996.

The Best of the Silhouette Builders

Silhouette Make & Mend Sheets

These cover a variety of aspect of maintaining and updating Silhouettes, mostly about Mk II's but Mk III's are also discussed. Note these files are between 1 and 4 Mbytes.

1. Rudders
2. Rudder Stocks & Tubes
3. Skegs
4. The Ballast Keel
5. Bilge Keels
6. Pulpits & Pushpits
7. Quarter Berths
8. Keeping the Boat Dry
9. Mast Supports
10. Shrouds and Stays

Mk III Rebuild

This is a series of articles written by Denis Heald describing some of the typical steps involved in a rebuild of a Mk III Silhouette. However, much of the information will also be relevant to the Mk II, particularly those built of G.R.P.

1. Preparation / General
2. Windows
3. Deck Lockers
4. Under the Floor
5. Rudder Assembly
6. Rubbing Strakes and Handrails
7. Mast Supports and Deck Drains
8. Mast and Standing Rigging
9. Boom and Slab Reefing
10. Deck Fittings
11. Upholstery

Silhouette Mini-Plans

These plans are photocopied reductions of the full 30" x 22" originals drawn by Robert Tucker. The plans were quartered, reduced to half size, assembled and then reduced again. In consequence they are not to scale and are not intended, nor should be used, for constructional purposes. Despite this most Silhouette owners will find these plans useful and interesting. Full size plans can be purchsed from Tucker Designs.

Mark II Plans: Sheet 1, Sheet 2, Sheet 3, Sheet 4, Sheet 5, Sheet 6, Sheet 7, Sheet 8, Sheet 9, Sheet 10, Sheet 11, Sheet 12
Mark III Plans: Sheet 1, Sheet 2, Sheet 3, Sheet 4, Sheet 5, Sheet 6, Sheet 7, Sheet 8

The Silhouette Handbook 1999

To quote from the first page: "This edition of the Silhouette Handbook aims to address the most frequently raised qustions received from members today - acquiring a boat, differentiation between the various successive marques, boat handling in and out of the water, and carrying out modifications and improvements.". Note this file is 5 Mbyte.

The Silhouette Handbook

Miscellaneous

Fitting an Electric Bilge Pump
Building a Trailer - 1990
Silhouette Mk III brochure
Silhouette Mk III review
Silhouette Mk IV review
Mark V information from Varne Yachts: Sheet 1, Sheet 2, Sheet 3, Sheet 4, Sheet 5, Sheet 6
Mark V information from Beresford Marine: Sheet 1, Sheet 2, Sheet 3, Sheet 4, Sheet 5, Sheet 6

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