Preview: The Phoenix III By Ross Lillistone

33 Responses So Far to “The Phoenix III By Ross Lillistone”

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  Barry Sherwood says:

  I would like to ask John a few questions – is it possible to have my contact info sent to John indicating i would like to discuss his build?

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    Steve Stone says:

    Hi Barry. I sent your contact info and comment to Jonathon.

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  John Haughey says:

  Beautiful boat,
  May I ask about the sail position.
  Is the mast stepped in the mainsail position only or positioned to accommodate mainsail and jib combined.

  And when you drop the jib as 1st reef does this give a lot of weather helm.
  Im thinking of starting off with a balanced lug, and may in the future add a jib and pull boom back to a standing lug type to allow jib to tack.
  Just want to know where I should step the mast.
  Mast is well raked on the balanced lug only plan would a more vertical mast be better for jib.
  Thank you

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    Allan Burke says:

    Just saw your post John so this is a very late reply. The mast position suits all sail options. After building Phoenix3 I asked Ross to ad a jib which he did & it is on all new plans’ It is 15 sq/ft & when set simply rig main as a standing lug as Johnathan has done in this video. The centreboard is raked back to allow a wide C of E position so no need to move the mast. Handy to rig the jib in light to medium breezes or leave up you you like a wild ride in stronger breezes. The balance lug on it;s own powers the boat very well in ALL breezes.

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  Barry Sherwood says:

  does anyone know of detailed construction videos for the Phoenix lll and is there contact information for Jonathon McNally?

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    Ross Lillistone says:

    Barry, I have hundreds of photos of the building process for Phoenix III and Periwinkle (her 17′ x 5′ cousin). In addition, there are a number of Youtube clips describing the boat and her rigging in some detail. If you want more information about the designs and the philosophy behind them just drop me an email at r.lillistone at gmail.com My website is no longer running as I’m retired from building boats professionally, but my plans are available from Duckworks or directly from me.

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    Allan Burke says:

    Barry, You’ll find Ross’ archived facebook site at: facebook.com/RLBuilders & his old blog as stated above.There are many builds of Phoenix3 on the web if you care to search. I am a mate of Ross’ here in OZ & built my Phoenix3 some years ago which you will see on his old facebook site. Be sure to read some of Tom Pamperin’s beautifully penned tales of sailing adventure’s in his brother’s Phoenix3.This boat design is a successful & easy to build modern classic, IMHO, suitable for builders & sailors of all skill levels.

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  Robert Von zuben says:

  love this video and boat design , love the simplicity of the mast set up too- no need for help when launching or heading home.

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    Barry Sherwood says:

    Tried the link for Ross Lillistone’s web site – domain seems to be owned by someone else – is there another link I can try

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      Steve Stone says:

      Thanks for letting us know, Barry. It’s changed, so we’ve updated the link above. The link will take you to his new site/blog.

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        leoncio vergara says:

        It seems Lillistone website is no longer active, I know he archived his Facebook page, the link takes to his blog site. Would like to know where to look for plans fir his designs

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          Jonathan McNally says:

          Many of Ross Lillistone’s plans (including Phoenix III) are now available in pdf format from duckworks.com.

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  Neil Henderson says:

  Just wondering if the Phoenix III would sail differently with a gaff rig? I am planning to build a glued lapstrake sailing dinghy of about 14-15′ which I can either sail myself, or with crew. But I have never tried a balanced lug rig…………….

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    Steve Stone says:

    Hey Neil. There are as many opinions about which rig to have on a small sailing and rowing boat as there are strands of thread in a halyard, but having sailed a gaff, gunter, sprit, etc. etc. on small boats of this size, the standing lug wins for me on most designs hands down. Many of the top designers have been gravitating en masse to the balanced lug in their designs (for good reasons). I’d encourage you to sail a good boat with a balanced lug before ruling it out. A shorter mast that’ll fit inside the length of the boat when you row is just one benefit. Ease of use. Efficient performance. One halyard instead of two on a small boat is big, etc.

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  Stewart Simpkins says:

  Got up, got coffee, and saw this video.
  This is a fine way to start the day. And probably good at the end also.
  Thank you.

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  Harvey Kail says:

  I’m torn between building Phoenix III or Francois Vivier’s Ilur. Any thoughts?

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  Clint Chase says:

  Jonathan is a great sailor and has really made his Phoenix his own. Thanks for showing us. I like the floorboard/sleeping platform arrangement which I do in my boats. Like the thick boards.

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  Tom Pamperin says:

  Great video–thanks.

  My brother built a Phoenix III a few years back (76 sq ft balance lug rig), and with lots of time sailing it on double/solo cruising trips (including the Everglades Challenge and the Texas 200), I have to say this is as close to perfect as a sail-and-oar type cruising boat can get. Anything I’d be brave enough to try in a small boat, I’d try in a Phoenix III.

  Fantastic boat, and Ross is a first-rate designer and all-round good guy.

  You can see some of my trip reports on the WoodenBoat Forum here:

  http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?186576-A-Phoenix-III-in-Georgian-Bay&highlight=

  http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?196489-A-Phoenix-III-on-Lake-Nipigon&highlight=

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    Chris Noto says:

    Thanks, Tom, for the links!

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  Dan Taylor says:

  Good video. I built a Phoenix III in 2009. Loved it, but didn’t use it enough as I was always on to other projects. Started out with the powerful sprit rig and converted to a lug as I got older. It is now in the hands of my son and his wife on Orcas Island and should see more use. The lug and jib is a combination which may be of interest to them.

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  Steve Stone says:

  I’m currently building a Phoenix III. What a nice boat. Ross’s plans are dead on accurate, which made the build go smoothly. Also, great tech support from Ross…

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    Steve Stone says:

    PS: I’m a different Steve Stone than the one associated with OHC

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    Allan Burke says:

    I’ll second all that Steve.I finished my Phoenix 3 nearly a year ago & found it to be an easy & enjoyable boat to build & a joy to sail.I’ve known Ross since about 2002 & have made a number of his designs since then.Interestingly,while in Queensland,Australia the last two weeks,I and Paul Hernes , (the builder of he first Phoenix 3), drove out & visited Ross at his home & had a greta day just catching up.He is passionate about designing & building wooden boats & is a most sincere & generous bloke,as you have already experienced.He is the real deal.AL.

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  Mark Freeland says:

  Thanks Nathan and OCH for the informative video. I have a set of plans, and am setting-up my shop to begin building this boat. This video has confirmed that I chose a good one for my first sailboat.

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  David Pearson says:

  Great boat. I think this would be a good option for the Hauraki Gulf NZ. We live in a windy little spot and I think that hull will cope well around our coastal bays and islands. Nice video.

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  Alan Lasseter says:

  Love this video, and really appreciate the information presented about this boat… And you can tell the owner he loves that boat. This was very helpful to a novice like me looking to buy or build a camp cruiser soon. Thanks OCH!

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  Robert Wilson says:

  Great video of a beautiful boat! Looks like it was thoughtfully designed and built; five thumbs up (out of 5!).

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  Tim Leary says:

  A very pleasant watch.
  Nice hull and sail plan.

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  Chris Noto says:

  She looks like a fine little boat, well designed, well built, and continuing to be developed by her owner-builder. I love his calm, thorough, and affectionate descriptions. Thanks again, OCH. Well done.

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  Dave Dickmeyer says:

  Another nice craft and video…as always!
  Thanks. Breakfast on Sunday morning is always clear sailing with OCH!

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  Steven Wallace says:

  SO SWEET.

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  Harris Bucklin says:

  We can attest to her speed; last leg of the 2017 SRR from Pond Island, with a great beam reach, she sailed merrily by us, you should have seen the grinning captain!

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    Charlie McLaughlin says:

    Nice !

    Thanks again OCH