Some of these photos were taken before digital cameras were affordable, unfortunately the scanning of paper photos didn't improve their quality! The Sagitta and the Eclipse are very similar, so check the Eclipse building photos page for more details

Although many of these photos show a grp Sagitta, the home built wood ones  and have proven to be just as fast and seaworthy.

The major difference between the two versions is that the wood boat has a more angular coach-roof, so that it can be readily built in plywood.

A Sagitta hull with planking finished after turning over and before glassing the inside. The boat isn't really that big! It's a 10year old girl in the hull

Right way up and int inside has been glassed ready for fitting out

 

Setting the two hulls up with aft beam, mastbeam and front of cabin bulkhead

Cutting the hole for the forward netting beam. this is also a structural beam, it does more than just hold the forestay

 

The netting beam is well glassed to the hull sides. Simple deck framing for the plywood decks is being installed

 

The bridgedeck floor is fitted ready to take the saloon furniture

The daggerboard case goes on the outer hull side so it does not intrude into the accommodation. It can either be a curved board, as here, or rectangular. If it is curved the board has to be made first, so it fits the case. If it is rectangular then the board can be made later, but the hole in the hull is larger so needs a faring added. Note temporary sole

An aft bunk showing storage and rudder access at the far end

Starting on the galley, the square hole takes the eye level oven. Note mast beam end on left just visible and daggerboard box to the right

Galley worktops now installed. Its best to build from the floor up, leave the decking until last

Inner galley side with big storage lockers at a convenient height

The aft bulkhead and cockpit. Note this boat has the longer cabin with only one companionway entrance, the standard is two, one above each hull. That means there is less ducking when crossing the cabin. Steps make it easier to reach the winches.

The central engine nacelle in the back of the cockpit. Your choice whether to fit one or two. See the deck and interior photos for a twin engine installation

The engine nacelle looking aft

and looking forward. The critical measurement is the diagonal from engine pivot bot to bottom front corner of the aft beam. This must be more than the engine or it won't tilt up! Engine nacelles always look harder to make then they are, the tricky bit is holding a heavy engine in position while installing it

The cabin roof being fitted, the front window panels can now be made to match the deck camber

The anchor lockers on the foredeck. This boat has a flat panel ply bridgedeck front, but you can also made a longer curved one in cedar. More elegant, more locker room, more work

Looking into the port hull, the aft bulkhead on the left, the mastbeam and saloon seat to right. Daggerboard case and head compartment are now fitted.

The cabin roof finished

Note the wide sidedeck and daggerboard slot

The transom steps and slot for kickup rudder

Launching is always challenging! Our Sagitta was built in the garden of our waterfront house. It saved money and travelling time, but it was quite a drop to the water! The boat was moved and launched by "manpower" alone. Actually two men and two women for no crane or tractor could get to our house. (If it survives the launching it will survive anything.)

To avoid launching over a cliff(!) it is possible to build a Sagitta in sections and assemble at a waterfront boatyard. Several Sagittas and Eclipse have been built that way.