FAQ
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Q: HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE PUUR?
A: Just like you pronounce “pure” — as in pure water, pure air, etc. We chose the name because we love the essence of sailing, not all the nonsense of gadgets and tuning the rig and saving 10 grams on a shackle. We wanted to create a sailboat that allows you more time to focus on the wind, the water, and moving through them in harmony. We stripped away everything we thought was a distraction from the essence of sailing, until we were left with sailing in its pure form.
Q: Can I just buy the plans?
A: Our sailboat kits are designed specifically to take advantage of our precision manufacturing process, to facilitate a high-quality build by amateurs. Consequently, most of the parts are too complex and precise to cut by hand, even from plans or templates. We want you to build a beautiful boat that endures, so we don’t sell plans.
Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO FINISH?
A: When we build a hull for a customer, it takes about 250 worker-hours. The average customer build takes about 400 worker-hours. Most assembly steps can be completed in 1-2 hours; a few take 4-6 hours. If you spend a couple of hours each weekday and one day per weekend, you should be able to complete the hull in about 16 weeks.
Q: what are the safety issues?
A: Working with wood, epoxy, fiberglass, paint, and power tools can present safety issues that you need to manage. We recommend all workers wear safety glasses, a NIOSH-certified respirator with organic and fine particle filtration, gloves, and toed shoes at all times in the work area. We also recommend maintaining a clean work area, with regular shop vacuuming and trash disposal. And, always read the original manufacturer’s manual on any product or tool. If you ever have a specific safety question, we’re always available to talk you through it.
Q: CAN I BUILD IT alone, without help?
A: 80% of the steps can be done solo by the average builder. But, even an experienced builder will require at least one helper for some of the steps, such as applying fiberglass cloth to the hull. A few steps, like flipping the hull, require several helpers. Finding helpers usually is not a problem, because everyone thinks what you are doing is unique and cool.
Q: HOW MUCH SPACE DO I NEED FOR BUILDING THE SAILBOAT?
A: The average builder will need the space of a 2-car garage to complete the project comfortably. It is possible to complete the project in a single-car garage, but it is not much fun. The builder must be extraordinarily organized, and the work schedule will be much slower. A little more space will make a lot of difference in the enjoyment and pace of the build.
Q: CAN I BUILD IT OUTSIDE?
A: For the best result, we recommend building the boat indoors. If you live in a climate where the temperature will remain above 50F during the entire build (including nights) and where humidity is rarely above 50%, you can build the boat outside. We still recommend you erect a shade/rain cover over the work area, for your comfort and for the protection of the materials.
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