On July 19, after clearing the paperwork through Canada Customs in Calgary, Alberta, I took delivery of Kit #3, a wooden crate containing the CNC cut plywood components plus sails, hardware, lines and fastenings required to build a sailboat. The Mana 24 is the first kit boat to be sold by James Wharram Designs. The prototype boat, #1, designed by James Wharram and Hanneke Boon, was launched in the summer of 2016 at Cornwall, England. Kit #2 was shipped a week ahead of mine to another boat builder in Norway.
On my return to Saskatoon, I unpacked the crate, moved it into our garage, and reloaded everything back in the crate until the time construction would begin. I was pleased to see the plywood components had been packaged to facilitate the construction process with parts sorted into various steps as well as port and starboard sides.
Summertime is for sailing boats, not for building them, and I still had my WindRider 17. Little did I know that my sailing was not going to amount to much – other events and the weather played a role in that.
No worries. With the kit at hand, it was now time to get prepared for the winter ahead, assembling tools and locating a heated workshop.
Village Rainbows 
September 11, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Rod:
I’m seriously thinking about this again. I’m also looking at the Tiki 26 in Ireland and have been trying to get a quote to have it shipped. If that is outrageous the Mana kit is a great option. I’m just curious about how big the crate was and what it weighed. I figure, based on our conversations, they would air freight it to Halifax.
James
September 11, 2017 at 4:14 pm
The crate measures 51″ x 103″ x 31″ and weight was given as 500 kilos. Air freight to Calgary (via DVS) was not as much as I feared it might be. The prospect of buying a boat that is built and ready to go certainly has its appeal. In my case, however, a Tiki 26 would not be a practical option. While it can be trailered, it does require considerable time and effort to set up. I want a boat that I can move easily from one lake (or ocean) to another. The Tiki 26 is well suited to coastal sailing – I like the design – but the Mana is a real ‘trailer-sailor’ in my estimation. Wishing you success which ever way you decide. Keep me posted. Cheers, Rod
September 11, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Thanks for the info Rod.
I think agree the Mana is a more “portable” option and I have a friend who want to help if I build it. I think the big determining factor will be the shipping cost of the 26 from Europe. I wonder if it could be modified to use ratchet straps like the Mana?
I’ll keep you posted and will follow you progress.
Cheers James