Sailing Skiff for Two Big Guys

[Steve Hopkins]

I really like Joel Whites 12ft 10 inch PoohDuck Skiff,the problem is that both my brother and myself are in the 220 Lb+ range(my Wife call us full figured).Would this boat be adequate for both of us and capable of transport our girth across a few lakes in Manitoba or Is there a stretch version along the same lines that may available?
Thanks for your time

[McManusBoatWorks]

Build 2 of them and then you can race.

I had a 14 footer and it was a bit tight for 2 big guys.

[perldog007]

Can, should, maybe. I am a whopping huge bastard ( that is the politically correct term btw,, the local colloquialism will not pass muster here ) and my friend Big Jim goes about 6'1" 240. We both have spent the day in my 12' inflatable Yak with a 3' beam. Caught some fish and had a good time but we both are looking for more boat next time we cruise that particular ditch.

If you both are only going out very occasionally and it's a primary one person outfit then maybe. For two good size fellows I would want more space, having some experience with cramped and more spacious boats.

To me, if you have two it's enough crew to make towing a trailer less problematic. Or you could get a quickie build like a Payson/Bolger Zephyr or a nice swampscott 17' dory ( built light of course = 100lb CLC Northeaster comes to mind ) on the roof with two lifters.

[Steve Hopkins]

Yah thats an Idea "build two" I just watch this YouTube Video and I am completely mesmerized by Joel Whites excellent design.
I think if we put both of us in it we would turn it into a PoohDuck sub.I wonder if the boat can be stretch to 16 ft keeping the same beam ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnEBACCkI-g&feature=channel

[htom]

There are some Pooduck sailors on the forum; if they don't show up soon, you might edit the title, adding "Pooduck" to draw their eye.

Think of two 220 pound as being three 150 pound, in some ways. She'd be down in the water to about her maximum load, and not as frisky as some of the videos where there's one sailing. She would be better than a 12'x3' inflatable.

[Steve Paskey]

I wonder if the boat can be stretch to 16 ft keeping the same beam?

I absolutely would NOT try to do that. Instead, look for a 15-16 foot boat that you like. If you tell us what in particular really appeals to you about the Pooduck skiff, we can suggest some possibilities.

[David G]

The Pooduck is, indeed, a sweet looking boat. I'd second the notion of building a pair of 'em and racing. More expensive, for sure, but I doubt you'd regret it.

If you are set on building a single boat, and it must carry the two of you, then I'd think Pooduck would not be quite enough boat.

There are some boats that spring to mind --

Welsford's "Houdini"

http://www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz/plans/houdini/index.htm

Welsford's "Navigator"

http://www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz/plans/navigator/index.htm

Atkin "Willie Winship"

http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/Sail/WillyWinship.html

Atkin "Jasper"

http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/Sail/Jasper.html

Note - both of these particular Atkin designs can be built with traditional plank-on-frame methods, or with plywood.

Or... maybe something like Ross Lillistone's "Phoenix III"

http://www.baysidewoodenboats.com.au/

Or, our own boat - Mik Storer's "Goat Island Skiff"

http://www.storerboatplans.com/GIS/GISplan.html

There's such a wonderful lot of plans available, I bet that you can find something that'll please your eye - as well as filling your functional needs.

[Chip-skiff]

The Goat Island Skiff is on my wish-list: good rower, good sailer, and above all useful, with a pleasantly racy look. And relatively simple to build.

One thing to consider, with two huge sailors, is the effect of sudden or abrupt changes of position. With a fairly narrow craft such as the Goat-Boat, you need to be aware of the consequences of shifting the arse-ballast too quickly and learn to discipline your movement.

A craft with more beam will be more forgiving under sail, while not rowing as easily.

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

My unon-professional judgements..
A small sailboat may be able to carry X lb. safely but for sailing purposes a much lighter load may be necessary to keep the boat agile enough to tack properly.
Stuffing a small sailboat full is not a good idea. If the rigging fouls up there has to be enough room to move around so the offending bits can be made right.
Since there is always a chance of being becalmed the fewer overheated, thirsty, unhappy passengers the better.

[kenjamin]

What you need is a Caledonia Yawl. Then you and your brother could take along a "whopping huge bastard" friend. :D

http://ford.physics.fsu.edu/Xena078.jpg

[DGentry]

All those suggestions = BOOOORING! You guys seem ideally suited for a Star boat.
http://s1.hubimg.com/u/151304_f520.jpg

Or, for an even wilder ride - a Flying Dutchman.
http://www.sailingnetworks.com/images/photo/565389.JPG

Want a boat for each of you? Forget the little dinks - go with the manly man's boat - the Finn!
http://yachtpals.com/files/userimages/finn.jpg

Yup, they can all be - and have been - built of wood. And, they are ideally suited for your sizes (though one of you might be a bit heavy for the FD).

Good luck!
Dave Gentry

[rbgarr]

I really like Joel Whites 12ft 10 inch PoohDuck Skiff,the problem is that both my brother and myself are in the 220 Lb+ range(my Wife call us full figured).Would this boat be adequate for both of us and capable of transport our girth across a few lakes in Manitoba or Is there a stretch version along the same lines that may available?
Thanks for your time

Are the lakes you mention really big ones (miles across) or much smaller?

For (rowing only with) two big guys, consider this design:http://www.brooksboatsdesigns.com/Peregrine_rowboat.html

[Chip-skiff]

All those suggestions = BOOOORING! You guys seem ideally suited for a Star boat. Or, for an even wilder ride - a Flying Dutchman. Want a boat for each of you? Forget the little dinks - go with the manly man's boat - the Finn. Dave Gentry

Since you have extensive personal experience sailing the above (?), let's take your suggestion as a cheap shot at humor.

A genuine question deserves an honest answer.

[Steve Hopkins]

Guys thanks for your suggestions,I think the Caledonia Yawl would probably be my best option or put my brother on a diet , I do already have the plans for the Caledonia Yawl and Ian's Whilly boat etc,the problem is finding the time to build.I thought maybe a cheap skiff would get me (us) on the water this spring ..Again Thanks

[David G]

Steve,

If you hustle, you could get a Goat Island Skiff in the water and sail it most of this season. And, it'll accomodate two big guys. In the foto below, Pat (at the tiller) is a scrawny fella, but Dan and I are anything but dainty:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1419/1013056384_48ddebd36a_o.jpg


And here's an interior shot - just to give you an idea:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3395269065_cd5cbd999e_b.jpg

Sounds like you already know that a Caledonia Yawl will be anything but a quick build. By all accounts, though, they are worth the effort.

[DGentry]

Since you have extensive personal experience sailing the above (?), let's take your suggestion as a cheap shot at humor.

A genuine question deserves an honest answer.


Hmm, it's St.Patty's day, kind of, so I'll assume no offense intended.

Perhaps it might be best if one merely considers that just because what I suggested wasn't the usual answer, it does not mean that it wasn't an honest answer.

The OP originally just wanted a boat suitable for two men of a certain size to sail across a lake - no?

And, while the boats I offered don't look or perform like the same old types suggested on this forum ad nauseam, the fact remains that the Star, the FD and the Finn are all fine, fine sailing machines, with a long, rich history, and are fully worthy of being built (in wood, as hundreds, or even thousands, of them have been built) by the OP.
And, of course, these boats were designed specifically for (or at least sailed best by) sailors of a certain, relevant, size.
Furthermore, they are absolutely NOT boring boats to sail - they provide some of the funnest, fastest and most technical and challenging sailing in the world. Just ask an Olympian - I have.

And, finally, I think they have a pleasantly racy look!


I clearly did not claim any experience with these boats, at all. BUT, have no fear - I do in fact have extensive racing experience in old school performance boats like these! Yay me!
I'll temper that with the fact that those three designs are built for much bigger guys than me, and, of them, I've only sailed the Finn (a manly man's boat if there ever was one!). Fire hoses come to mind every time I hear the name . . . .

Dave Gentry

PS - some of us are kind of sort of planning a CO/WY messabout sometime this summer, and I hope you'll come!

[kenjamin]

Dave Gentry,

Ya gotta like this forum for the vast diversity of opinions you get when you pose a question. My only complaint is that you called my suggestion of a Caledonia Yawl "boooring." My boat, Xena, is very rustically rendered, has an experimental mast, and a very unusual set up for auxiliary power and she's not boring at all from what I can tell. She sails on a hint of a breeze and the hull form is famous for it's load carrying abilities which was the OP's main concern. Xena is also set up for fishing with her huge live well. We're taking her fishing this Saturday. Before you call a boat boring you should take a ride in her. Xena is currently in St. Augustine, Florida and I can be reached at the Florida State University Physics Department if you want to go for a sail. My point is there's more to sailing than just speed.

http://ford.physics.fsu.edu/HeadedHome-sm.jpg

[DGentry]

Ah, yes, well my title was a bit tongue in cheek, and I'm sorry if it offended anyone. Having only built "boring to sail" boats, I was also poking a fun at myself. In any case, all those earlier suggestions were apt, but I felt that shaking up the conventional thinking here might be in order.

There is more to sailing than speed, yes, but going fast is rarely boring, while going slow often is (traffic jams, anyone?). And, non-boring sailing does also include things like being technical and challenging - things that my suggested boats offer in spades, and that ultra simple boats and rigs rarely do.

Different people have different experiences in sailboats, and expect different things from them. I'm still not bored sailing a dink . . . but I rarely feel particularly challenged in one!
And, the OP might actually be satisfied with a Poohduck Skiff, or the like, for both he and his brother. But, perhaps he'd end up pretty bored going so slow, with so few strings to pull, and maybe they'd both be much more satisfied planing upwind in a FD!

I recognize that a GIS can get up some speed, too, btw.

Thanks for the offer to sail on Xena - I'll gladly take you up on it next time I'm down that way! I've read most every thread you've posted about her here.
You should know that I've sailed Rowan . . . .:D

Dave Gentry

[kenjamin]

Thanks for the offer to sail on Xena - I'll gladly take you up on it next time I'm down that way! I've read most every thread you've posted about her here.
You should know that I've sailed Rowan . . . .:D
Dave Gentry

If that's the case, you'll have to wait until Xena gets her new toys, a more powerful birdwing mizzen, a cunningham, and a big genoa. I have my eyes set on building a mighty air flow lamination effect to give that lug head some competition! ;)

http://ford.physics.fsu.edu/Slot.jpg

[Whidbey_One]

Take a look at the Core Sound 17 or 20.

Both very capable of handling the load and good sailors.

http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/cs17.htm

and

http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/cs20.htm

[Arko]

Not to stray off topic too far but XENA always gets my vote. It's gotta be the best looking little boat here. Can't wait to see her with her new "toys". Let us know how she likes them.

[kenjamin]

Thanks for the kind words. She is a great boat but her sheer line was murdered in the build in an attempt to lower the freeboard. I hope to correct some of that before she shows again at Mystic. I'll be softening the lumpiness of her sheer and making it more comfortable to sit on her rail if the laminations and shaping go well. Looking back, I wish I had not messed with her sheer as the master, Iain Oughtred, draws a beautiful boat if you just stick to the lines and I didn't. Xena does have her own personality, though, and I can only hope that Iain will forgive me for messing with his sheer when all is said and done. Thanks again for your comment. Sorry for the thread drift.

Hey Big Guys, I ordered plans for Iain Oughtred's Shearwater which he says can take two adults and two kids sailing. That might be your best bet for a minimum-sized sailing dinghy for the two of you. Of course the Goat Island Skiff will get you on the water sooner. Good luck with your build!