Firebug Downloads

Numerous articles relating to the 'Bug, it's designer John Spencer and associated events have been written. Some have appeared in various publications and are reproduced here with permission from the publishers: 'Australian Amateur Boat Builder', 'Boating New Zealand', 'Practical Boat Owner', 'Messing About in Boats' and 'Windling World'. Others have been written as a good tale that should be told. Just click the link to download and have a read!

The popular FireBug Newsletters appear twice a year and recent issues are now downloadable from the Newsletters page.

Irakli – My Sailing Journey Part One Format: PDF - Size: 177KB Irakli Kutsia builds a FireBug against-the-odds in the Republic of Georgia and learns to sail. Click here to download

Irakli – My Sailing Journey Part Two Format: PDF - Size: 266KB Irakli Kutsia makes friends in yacht racing circles, spends a night sailing on the Black Sea and wins a medal. Click here to download

LIndisfarne Sailing Club Mass 'BugBuild Success Format: PDF - Size: 442KB Lindisfarne Sailing Club in Hobart Tasmania gets a boost with lots of new, keen boat building and sailing members. Click here to download

FIREBUG SOUTH ISLAND CHAMPS 2009 - 2010 By Tom Arthur Format: PDF - Size: 212KB The forecast was atrocious predicting southerly gales with rain spreading… Click here to download

HOW TO GET THE BEST FUN OUT OF YOUR FIREBUG By Ray O'Brien Format: PDF - Size: 584KB Ray O'Brien from the PPYC in Christchurch NZ advises on getting the best sailing performance from a FireBug.… Click here to download

FIREBUG BUILDING PROGRAM - MORDIALLOC SAILING CLUB MELBOURNE By Richard Lozell Format: PDF - Size: 241KB On the 6th of February 2010 we launched seven new FireBug dinghies… Click here to download

SAILING WITH MOKO THE DOLPHIN By Stepnane Tiedemann Format: PDF - Size: 241KB We do most of our sailing at Mahia, on the East Coast of New Zealand, which happened to be the home of Moko the dolphin… Click here to download

2005 CHAMPIONSHIPS Format: PDF - Size: 241KB 2005 South Island Firebug Championships Click here to download

AABB #30 Article Format: PDF - Size: 222KB The FireBug Introduction, The clever design, The FireBug project, The design and the designers. Click here to download

AABB #31 Article Format: PDF - Size: 287KB Building the 'Bug, Getting started, Glossary, Assembly on the building jig, How it goes together. Click here to download

AABB #32 Article Format: PDF - Size: 294 KB Finishing and Rigging. Centreboard and Rudder, Painting, Attaching the fittings, Rigging it for the first time. Click here to download

AABB #33 Article Format: PDF - Size: 260KB Head for the Beach! Clever design features again, Racing and tuning your Firebug, The basics of How to Sail. Click here to download

John Spencer 1931 - 1996 Format: PDF - Size: 288KB John Spencer, the FireBug designer was renowned worlwide for radical dinghies and keel boats. Click here to download

PPYC FireBug Building Scheme Format: PDF - Size: 260KB Ray O'Brien writes about how the 'Bug reversed a b membership decline at the Pleasant Point Yacht Club. Click here to download

The Scow 'Owhiti' Format: PDF - Size: 191KB One of NZ's last sailing scows 'dead on the beach' after two careers, one in shingle, the other with Hollwood! Click here to download

Ron Wilkinson - Real Sailor Format: PDF - Size: 159KB Ron's first job was on a scow under sail Auckland - Tauranga twice a week with a cargo of drums full of petrol. Click here to download

The Plywood Car Format: PDF - Size: 116KB John Spencer best known for designing boats puts his skills to making himself a plywood car! Click here to download

Ray O'Brien 'How to Sail' Format: PDF - Size: 159KB Ray O'Brien from the PPYC in Christchurch NZ advises on getting the best sailing performance from a FireBug. Click here to download

Dutch Regatta Format: PDF - Size: 340KB Peter Tait describes a 3 day Old Boat Regatta in Holland on board with Koos Winnips and Bert. 250 amazing old ships and even the Queen was there with hers. Published on the web with permission Boating NZ Magazine. Click here to download

Baltic Sea Part 1 Format: PDF - Size: 381KB Peter Tait describes the first part of a 700 mile cruise in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, including Wilhelshaven and the Kiel Kanal ! Click here to download

Baltic Sea Part 2 Format: PDF - Size: 378KB Peter Tait describes the second part of a 700 mile cruise in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, including Stralsund, Rugen and parts of the old Communist East Germany. Click here to download

BugBuild in the Netherlands Koos Winnips describes building a FireBug in the living room of his 4th floor apartment then the delights of sailing a self-built boat. Photo galleries too. Click here to view article

Building Boats at School Build a boat at school and see new life in the classroom. The ministry of Education provides full funding for FireBug building at school and YNZ can assist with Learn to Sail programs.o. Click here to download