Bullseye Sailing Boat

Bullseye sailing boat

The BULLSEYE is modelled on the Herreshoff BULLSEYE of the same name and is therefore a semi-scale model. The model construction has been adapted in many places compared to the original design in favour of a lighter superstructure, although the good sailing characteristics of the BULLSEYE have been retained.

Original:
Nathanael Greene Herreshoff was one of the greatest and most important yacht designers of the 20th century, who lived in Bristol Rhode Island on the American east coast. He designed many successful regatta yachts and dominated and shaped the Americas Cup with his J-Class yachts, among others. However, this great man also loved small sailing boats and brought some very successful standardised classes to the American east coast. One of these is the Herreshoff 12 ½ footer, which has been built since 1914 and is still very popular today. Mr Herreshoff developed the Bullseye from this boat, of which the Herreshoff shipyard built over 300 units.

The Bullseye has the same hull as the Herreshoff 12 ½ footer and also two of its rig variants. The early boats have gaff sails, the more modern boats have high sails. A major advantage of the Bullseye over its forefather is the wider side deck, the larger foredeck and aft deck and the enclosed benches. There is also a version with a slip cabin, but this is not very visually appealing. The Bullseye is still very popular today, and there is a very active class association and shipyards that are still building new boats.

The model construction:
What makes the Bullseye better than its ancestor is its wider side deck and closed seat thwarts. This means that no water can get into the cockpit when sailing and there is less water in the cockpit if it does get in. The result is safe sailing. The good sailing characteristics of the original have been retained in the model. It sails like the big ones, but also needs to be actively steered. The sails have to be opened to drop and tacks require tight sails. Gusts have to be sailed out by flapping the sheets or by lightly luffing. This ensures sailing fun and long-term enjoyment of the model, which can be sailed safely up to three Beaufort. The model also looks cute and has the potential to realise your own ideas. There are also no transport problems with the Bullseye, as it fits in the boot of a small car and can be rigged up and ready to sail in less than three minutes on the lake.

The ABS hull is finished, absolutely smooth for perfect sailing characteristics and fast construction progress. The construction for stiffening the hull is mounted on a supplied slipway and fits into the hull with millimetre precision. This ensures the necessary stability of the hull and support for the mast. The instructions describe all the construction stages in detail and give tips on how to assemble the model successfully. A recess is provided at the lowest point in the fuselage so that even the last drop of water that may have got inside the model can be removed. For ballast, 3kg of iron shot should be included and glued into the keel with resin. The stand supplied aligns the model precisely. The sail can be adjusted using 2 servos with a long lever, the installation is prepared and the rigging work is well described in the instruction booklet.

All laser-cut wooden parts for assembly and disassembly, laser-cut sails, mast, fittings, boat stand and 3D building instructions are included in the kit.

The Bullseye is a model for modellers who like to build according to specifications. On the other hand, the model offers plenty of scope for your own ideas and special solutions, especially for the interior. Built according to plan, the result is a well-functioning sailing boat model that is fun to build and fun to sail.

Technical data:
Scale: M1:5
Length: 1000mm
Width: 360mm
Mast height: 1350mm
Draft: 115mm
Sail area foresail: 4980cm²
Displacement: 5.7kg
Reefing limit: 6 m/s (3Bft)