Ace 14, Penobscot 14 -- crew capacity?

[Charles Neuman]

It seems I've caught the boat bug, along with everyone else here. Now it's my turn to pour through designs and think about nothing else until I have a pile of lumber in my back yard.

I'm considering the Arch Davis Ace 14 and Penobscot 14. They are very different boats, but they would both suit my needs. I'm curious: how many people can you fit in each of these boats? I'd mosting be sailing alone, but I'd like to be able to fit 4 people in the boat if I had to, maybe just for an hour sail in light wind. The Ace 14 is wider, but the Penobscot 14 is all open, so they each have pros and cons for holding several people. Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Charles

P.S. Boy, that Penobscot is one pretty boat...

[ 12-05-2002, 05:34 PM: Message edited by: Charles Neuman ]

[mower]

Charles:

I am comfortable sailing my Penobscot 14 with my Wife, two kids, and myself, but no more. Total combined weight is approximately 450 lbs. I have sailed with four adults, but I find the freeboard uncomfortably low with that much weight.

Paul Mower

[Charles Neuman]

Thanks for the info. That seems about right for a 14' boat. Did you have fun building it? Why did you choose this design over others?

When I ordered the study plans from Arch Davis, I spoke with him a bit. He said the Penobscot can hold more people because it's more open than the Ace 14. Two adults, two kids, no problem. He also said the Ace 14 is more of a performance sailing boat. The Penobscot, on the other hand, is more versatile. When used as a rowing boat, you can carry even more people.

Charles

[Railmeat]

Charles -
I've been building my Penobscot (on a very part-time basis) for about a year. I am a novice boatbuilder, and I have loved every minute of this project. I've had a few problems along the way, but nothing so far that I haven't been able to handle.

I went through a similar debate between the two boats before I chose the Penobscot. In the end, I just thought the the Penobscot was such a pretty boat. The sailing scenes at the end of the video that Arch sells are pretty convincing, too.

Don

[Steve Lansdowne]

Having a boat be large enough to accommodate a given number of people and actually being able to sail comfortably with that same number are not the same thing. You may find that a smaller number can comfortably sail a boat than can fit in it when it is rowed or motored.

[Shalfleet]

I have just built a Sand Dollar with my son and I found Arch to be wonderfully supportive and knowledgable throughout the building process. I studied both the Ace and the Penobscot 14 and think that the 14 will be more fun to build and a lot better to row, while the Ace will be faster and generally more sporty (which might be a problem when loaded up with family in a stiff breeze). If you want a traditional boat that is both pretty and versatile, and you prefer oars to a stinky outboard, then the 14 is for you. By the way, we have just come back from the beach with the Sand Dollar and almost everyone that walked by took their picture with her, which was sort of nice…:) http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/n/dnewnham/Varuna.htm

[Tydarby]

Charles, I am building an Ace 14. I can say this without any doubt. An ACE 14 is not what you want. It is made for two adults and a small child, MAX. I'm on the down hill slide with it, about 75% done. The cockpit measures 4' x 6'. However the only place to sit is on the deck. Kinda like a big laser on steriods.

Tyler's Ace 14 at OFOTO. Join for free to see pics. 87 pics. (http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?UV=774090045955_38701483603&US=0&collid=69298395503)

Ace 14 AOL pages. But may have problem seeing. (http://hometown.aol.com/tylerdarby)

Tyler

[Charles Neuman]

Thanks. I have enjoyed your site. Keep us posted.

I agree it's not the best thing for the boat I want to build now. But it does seem like a fun boat, so maybe for my next one! I wonder how many people actualy BUILD that second boat they plan before they've started their first boat?

[Dalan]

Charles, have you considered Iain Oughtred's Gannet? At 14'5" X 5'8", it's only slightly larger than the ACE but appears to have a much more open cockpit plan owing to the glued plywood lapstrake construction. Also show fore & aft seats rather than gun'l tanks.

I'm waiting for my Gannet plans to arrive from Iain. I was originally going to build the Acorn Dinghy from plans that I got from WoodenBoat, but decided I wanted something a bit larger.

[sseay]

What about the Penobscot 17? It's been wispering to me for awhile now. Anyone built one?

[John M]

I'm building a 17, though only half way to completion. If you build one, contact me as I would have some suggestions for you.

John M.

[Shalfleet]

There is a guy in Barcelona who is building a 17, (Manel?) a found the thread with a search. His pictures were wonderful but they do not seem accessable now.

On Charles' point, I would recommend building the boat you really want first (within reason), as you may find you don't have time, money or family support for two! All are true for me :(

[ 01-22-2003, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Shalfleet ]

[Charles Neuman]

Dalan, thanks for the tip. That Gannet is a nice boat. I'll put it on my "todo" list. Are you going to build it?

[Shalfleet]

I also like the Gannet, but she will not be as nice to row as either Penobscot (14 or 17). If you like Iain's work, I think the design most like the Penobscot 14 is the Tammie Norie which will also row well. Gannet is more of a pure sailboat but will be fast when the wind picks up....see you really do need two.... ;)

[sseay]

Not attempting a hijack here. I've been thinking along the same lines, as to capacity. My wife is insisting on comfort while sailing(I guess she has a right to that opinion) also would like to have another couple on board occasionally. Wondering if 17 feet of open boat is around the size to be looking at? Rowing and trailering? Any other thoughts Mr. Neuman?

[Railmeat]

Four adults is a tall order for these boats. I would look at 17 feet as a minimum for designs such as these. Or look at catboats, as they tend to be much beamier (and roomier) and less tender.

Don

[Charles Neuman]

sseay, feel free to hijack, or join in. From what people have told me (and I think most of that is seen above), I would agree that 17 ft would be a good minimum for four adults to fit comfortably.

I'm not as concerned with comfort. I'd like to be able to fit another adult and maybe two kids for an hour sail, or something like that. I think the Penobscot 14 will serve that purpose.

In theory it would be nice to have a boat that fit four adults if necessary. I think what you can actually "fit" is different than what will be comfortable. You can probably fit three adults in a Sunfish if you try, and even sail around a little bit, but not for a whole afternoon. So if the water is warm and everyone can swim, why not try it?

The Ace 14 seems more like a performance sailboat for 1 or 2 people. I'd love to build that someday. I'll add it to my list.

I just reread all the posts, and it seems I haven't said anything new here. Oops.

One thing I've learned from boat shopping and reading plans is that there isn't one boat that can do everything you need. A few months ago I bought my first boat. I never dreamed I would ever want more than one boat. While shopping, I wanted a boat I could easily single-hand but could also fit a family comfortably. And I wanted an active local racing class, etc etc. My wife said she was not all that interested in sharing sailing with me, so I ended up getting a Sunfish. And then I started getting interested in boat building. So the idea is that for now sailing is not a family activity. But by the time my son gets old enough, I hope I will have built the Penobscot 14 or a similar boat for some family fun.

Charles