Roberts Tom Thumb hull under construction

The below Tom Thumb 24, was built in Northern New South Wales and launched in July, 1997 to fulfil the owners boyhood dream of circumnavigating the globe. Note the outboard on rails on the transom and the self steering vane. Graham, the owner skipper is also 6' 4'' tall! We wish him all the best.

Roberts Tom Thumb 24, was built in Northern New South Wales and launched in July, 1997 by Graham - 01

Roberts Tom Thumb 24, was built in Northern New South Wales and launched in July, 1997 by Graham - 03

IN 2000 Graham wrote: The hull and deck were professionally built there for a friend who could not finish it so I bought it and fitted it out myself with the very best of everything. It is a fantastic little sea-boat. I sail alone most of the time and never steer. The trick is to limit heeling, as the beamy hull picks up weather helm quickly if you sail it on its ear. (I have a wind vane and an Auto-pilot). The fully battened main and other sails from a top racing loft helps performance too. However, I like alternative rigs - I have a friend with a junk rigged Tom Thumb 24, "Minke", and have sailed in company for hundreds of miles, comparing the rigs. I walk away from "Minke" in light head-winds and smooth seas. In boisterous open sea conditions to windward I always fall off onto a very close reach (45 degrees apparent) and then there is very little in it. Downwind we are evenly matched. I can creep away at times because I have no inboard engine and don't drag a propeller, but if we have to throw in a gybe or two to clear a reef etc, "Minke" gets ahead while I am running around changing headsail poles from one side to the other and resetting guys etc. If you want to direct Australian clients to have a look at "Arion" you would be welcome, I keep the boat at the Breakwater Marina, Townsville, and won't be off cruising again for a couple of years or so. Contact details, Graham Cox PO Box 655 Townsville QLD 4810 Australia, phone : 0419436711. Cheers Graham Cox

2014 Update: Graham dropped in this year during a cruise along the East Australia Coast with his new rig. 'Arion' now carries a junk rig. Graham reports it has taken some time to really become acquainted with the peculiarities of this rig after so long with the bermudian sloop rig but for short handed sailing with minimal effort he felt that it had advantages over the bermudian rig.

Roberts Tom Thumb 24, was built in Northern New South Wales by Graham - hull construction 01

All you really need is a power supply and a piece of land.
Time and money also come in handy.

Roberts Tom Thumb 24, was built in Northern New South Wales by Graham - hull construction 02

One of the best little pocket cruisers around.

Roberts Tom Thumb 24, was built in Northern New South Wales by Graham - hull construction 03

Foredeck details. Note the mast tabernacle, pin rack, grab rail on cabin roof,
toe rail, fore hatch and protectors over the dorade vents.

Roberts Tom Thumb 24

Designed by Canadian Graham Shannon this boat was originally designed to be built using frameless steel construction techniques although many builders do prefer to make permanent frames and leave them in the finished vessel. The original object was to provide the undoubted strength of steel while allowing the construction to be kept relatively light although it has been well proven that this vessel will perform well regardless of whether the frames are left in or not. This design does displace 3,590 kg and the waves think twice about throwing her about, making her an ideal small ocean crosser.

The large scale plans include full size patterns for all frames thereby saving much time in lofting out. This design does make for a ideal first steel boatbuilding project that is sure to provide many hours of sailing enjoyment.

There are several alternative accommodation arrangements and a choice of sail plans all of which are included in the one plan package. While this design was designed for steel construction it is also suitable for aluminium construction with a main materials list provided for this material also.

The study plan has complete details of the construction techniques in steel and includes a main materials list, accommodation layouts, sail plan, building drawings, photo's of finished craft and ones under construction plus other miscellaneous information regarding this design.

This really is a great little boat with many making ocean crossings as well as prolonged coastal passages.