BF 1479 Fidelity was among the last of the zulus to be built. In 1936 plans were drawn by Mr. P. J. Oke from measurements he made on the actual boat, by then converted to power.
Edgar March in his publication Sailing Drifters, used information supplied by W.R. McIntosh b1879 (son of the builder of many of the boats on this site) to describe many of the features of the Scottish Zulu.


Some interesting facts about Fidelity
BF 1479 Fidelity(see plans opp) - April 1904 for Joseph & David Smith, Portessie.

Launched in April 1904, Fidelity was among the last McIntosh built Zulus. She had taken about eight weeks to build at a cost to the owner of £500 including the spars. Building had taken place in a shed (it is unclear whether she was built at Portessie or Ianstown) using the following timber.
KEEL - beech;
STEM, STERNPOST & FRAMES - oak;
BEAMS - Scotch fir;
HULL & DECK PLANKING - larch;
MASTS - Norwegian white wood (from a single tree trunk);
YARDS - larch.

Fidelity's mast was almost 2ft dia. at the base & 64ft long, unsupported by any standing rigging!

About 2,000 super ft of larch planking had been used.

Ballast was stones from the seashore & carrying capacity was around eighty tons.

The bowsprit was 52ft long, 1ft dia. at its thickest & was reeved in & out with the steam capstan.

The jib was only used on long trips & then rarely used at night for safety reasons.

Six 26ft long oars were carried along with two 36ft long push sticks "wands", a 36ft long spar for use on the jib when running before the wind & a 14ft boathook.





Plans of BF 1479 Fidelity
Sources & acknowledgements
Edgar March "Sailing Drifters"

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