Amphibicon

[ishmael]

Any experience or comments on this design? For the day, light displacement, reverse sheer, strip planked, shallow draft (fin keel with a centerplate). 26 ft on deck.

[pjwalsh]

I had the pleasure of taking a course in small craft design from Cy Hamlin who was, along with Farnham Butler, the mind behind the controversy and amphibicon family.
Cy was very proud of that design. He always said that practical design considerations should drive aesthetics and not the reverse. He used the controversy 26"? to illustrate that a reverse sheer could be quite attractive if it was designed to be a planar curve.

The amphibicons have a lot of space below for such a small boat. Never sailed one so I cannot comment on their performance. A freind rebuilt one a few years ago - some of the plywood used had decayed badly. Probably the result of indifferent maintenance as opposed to poor quality. They sure are cheap to buy, might be a very inexpensive way to get a decent coastal cruiser.

[Tom Lathrop]

I read a book by Bill Robinson (I think) where he describes building and sailing an Amphibicon.

Written in the 1960s, at least that is when I read it.

[Venchka]

Did you look here?

Amphibi-Con Association (http://www.amphibicon.com/)

[rbgarr]

My family owned two of them in the late 50's/early 60's and we cruised from Long Island sound to Maine each summer (two adults, three or four children). Our boats had the fabric tent over the cabin top which we often removed on sunny days, creating a virtual jungle gym for us kids to swing around on. Alot of room for the length. We had an 18 hp outboard in the well which pushed her along great when the wind died. Not a 'great sailer'to windward, but she'd reach or run splendidly. The shallow draft was a real advantage in Nantucket Sound anchorages where we could anchor close alongshore, particularly at lunch stops.

Bill Robinson's boat was an Amphibi-ette, a bit shorter and with less freeboard.

[ 05-07-2003, 05:29 PM: Message edited by: rbgarr ]

[Tom Lathrop]

RB,

At this point in my regressive memory faculties, I take that as a complement.

[ishmael]

Hey, thanks for the info. and the link.

What's the board up draft on this boat? I couldn't find a list of particulars on their web-site.

[rbgarr]

My recollection is 30-32" board up draft, but there are dimensions for the Controversy 26 or 27 in one of the WB Design series books, if you can look at one in your local bookstore... or call the research librarian at WB? Or contact Cy Hamlin or someone at The Landings School in Kennebunk where he can sometimes be found(?)

[ 05-08-2003, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: rbgarr ]

[Crimson Tim]

Amphibicons are great! In fact, it's killing me that I have to sell mine. I believe the draft is 2'-4" with the centerboard up and 4' with it down, though it's been a while since I looked at the specs.

This beauty comes on a trailer with an extendable tongue.
She has a set of sails, a set of severe weather sails, plus a few extraneous sails (a spinnaker, perhaps?)

She also comes with a great Honda outboard in the motor well. Electric start. Runs great.

One of the great things about the Amphibicons is that it is small enough to go on a trailer, but it is big enough to have stand-up headroom in the cabin.
This one no longer has the canvas top, but has a hard-top that raises and lowers. I've never experienced the canvas, but I think this is a much better set up. It gives you a place to stand when you raise & lower the mast!


She comes with a couple boxes of extra paints, varnishes, spare parts, tools, etc. We bought a water system to install, but have not gotten around to it.

One unusual item that she comes with is a fairly complete set of the original construction plans! From 1959! She was built by Vator in Helsinki!

Now the downside...
What wooden boat doesn't require some work?
The oak frame around the transom has gone soft. Done much of the work of digging out the plugs to get at the screws that hold the transom planks on, but have not started any disassembly yet.
should be a pretty straight forward repair. Easy access while on the trailer--right at shoulder height!

The oak stem has gone soft. I have not done anything with this yet, but again, it looks like a very straight forward repair. It's basically two 2" thick oak planks that have bevelled edges. Again, easy access while on the trailer.

The hardest one will be the centerboard trunk. I have gone through the process of pulling most of the keel bolts (let me tell you that was a chore!), and done a fair amount of prep work for the replacement of the center board trunk. The repair itself will be pretty simple--again, the whole think is simply built up of 2" thick oak planks. However, I didn't find a satisfactory way to lift her so that I could proceed any further with this repair.

Cedar planks are good, though seams could stand to be re-glued. Interior is great. Topside is great.

In spite of these few tasks, she's really a beauty. I hate to sell her, but must.

Email me for pictures! jewellbarber@juno.com
Make me an offer. I need her to go to a good home, where she'll be cherished for the unique bit of history that she is.

[Canoeyawl]

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/shangboat/Scot.jpg

[frank pedersen]

There was an outstanding article by Dan MacNaughton in WoodenBoat several years back: "The Light Displacement Controversy," 1984, No.61, pg.42-50. It has interesting discussion of the merits of light displacement designs as well as lots of information, photos,etc. on the entire Controversy line of boats. I have been impressed with the line of reasoning. It takes courage to have a boat with a high sheer line, even more so with a reverse sheer, when there is such a strong pull for a traditional sheer, low freeboard, and long overhangs. When I feel in the minority, I always remind myself that a traditional sheer came about mainly to make it easier to haul in the fish.

Frank

[frank pedersen]

Ishmael,

Amphibi-Con Particulars: LOA 25' 5"; LWL 21' 8"; Beam 7' 9"; Draft 2' 4" (board up); Sail Area 259 sq. ft. ; Displacement 3,500 lbs. ; Displacement/Length ratio 154

Frank

[ishmael]

Thank you, Frank. Boy that's light. Cedar strip planked IIRC.

I've only been aboard one once, and it was a bit sorry. Hurtin' around most of the edges. Potentially interested in buying, and the guy was a nice fella, but the boat had sat in the Chesapeake through a few too many summers without paint and polish.

Interesting boats. The reverse shear sets some jaws wagging, but if you think about it it makes a lot of sense. I'm not a boat designer, but why not gain that volume at the expense of little topside weight? Plus it makes six feet of headroom, aboard a 26 ft. boat, without a outrageously tall doghouse.

Cheers,

Jack

[Lewisboats]

Personally I have not one problem with reverse shear...some of my favorite "pretty drawings" use it. I think the benefits outweigh the disadvantages in many cases...The biggest current it has to fight is that is doesn't look "Traditional". Since pleasure boating/yachting is a relatively recent thing that doesn't necessarily rely on pure function for the design, I don't see why the only beauty that is truly recognized and ranted over is the swooping shear and low freeboard found on most traditional yachts. Sometimes this is actually counter intuitive to the idea of pleasure, luxury and comfort when you barely have room in a 20 something ft long boat to sit properly or stand without being bent near double. Incorporating a raised shear cabin with a reverse shear can get you significant headroom at the expense of relatively moderately increased windage. A few inches here and a few there can certainly make life a bit less of a crick in the back, while increasing the available interior room. Incorporate some lighter colors and shades and a small boat can be made to feel down right roomy. I've posted pictures of some of my "Gems" which make use of this to provide full sitting height on the berths in under 18' length...near standing room in 20' and 6 ft standing in 24'. Would that I had the money to build a proof of concept for each...perhaps when I win the lotto.

[rbgarr]

The AC's biggest sister, the Controversy 36, is what I'd call 'striking' in looks. It has three cockpits (bow, steering and aft) that make it a lot of fun to sail, especially for children. http://www.macnaughtongroup.com/controversy_36.htm

http://i45.tinypic.com/2jf144m.jpg