first time builder's small dink

[capn_nik]

I have a 1939 sedan cruiser that needs a dingy...I am going to go out on a limb and try to make one myself. Plan on towing it most of the time so I don't think the single sheet flat bottom designs will work. Besides I kinda think they are homely. No offense. Want to make something in the 8-10 foot range...classic looking row not sail. i have never built a boat before and don't have tons of woodworking experience so simple would be a plus. Who's got an idea for me? Maybe someone has plans for just what I am looking for...maybe...please?

Cap'n Nik
Destination Unknown (http://www.reachone.com/capn_nik)
West Bay Marina
Olympia,WA

[Grumblepunk]

Afternoon,

Hopefully a few of these will help out:

Many free dinghy plans here (http://home.clara.net/gmatkin/freedes.htm)
Blackfly - Amazing free dinghy plans (http://www.comnet.ca/~btmo/index.htm). However, she's 14' long, so you'll need to shortener her a bit.
Dixi Dinghy and Argie 10 (http://www.dixdesign.com/dinghies.htm)
Ducktrap Woodworking (http://www.duck-trap.com/dtwplans.html) Now these aren't dinghies but wherries. However, you may want to look anyway because these just need to be built. Very very nice lines and they may fit your purpose.

[Wild Dingo]

aaahhh blackfly from our own Bruce Taylor... man shes sweet! :cool:

[imported_Steven Bauer]

How about Iain Oughtred's Humblebee like Norm built? His slideshow is practically a tutorial.

Ok, I couldn't find the slideshow to post a link. Any help? Norm?

Steven

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

Don't know how much of a purist you are but here goes.
The naval architect,Jacques Mertens, designed a stitch and glue dink for his personal sailboat. It's 7' 10" by 46" and is called D5. He more recently has done an upgraded design that is 7' 8" by 56" called PK78. Both designs are row,sail,motor capable and because they are essencially built without metal fasteners are light enough for deck storage if you want to go that route.
They are vee-bottomed, can carry three in a pinch and row well in a chop.
See them both at;
BoatPlans-Online .com

Charlie

[rbgarr]

These folks are somewhat near you and this pram may suit.

http://jordanwoodboats.com/dulci.htm

[NormMessinger]

redface.gif One slideshow coming up. (http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292123583&slideshow=1)

I have not yet had enough experience with this boat to know how it performs. Iain, himself, recommended it from among his designs, as the tender to Prairie Islander. How much difference can there be from one boat like this to the next?

[DavesFlatsBoat]

For a simple first try here is Jacques Merten's N7:
http://www.boatplans-online.com/prodimages/N7_350.jpg
http://www.bateau2.com/gallery/N7/photos/N7_inside.jpg

Pure Row or 2.5hp or less - I just finished the one in these pictures - here is the link: N7 Web Site (http://www.boatplans-online.com/proddetail.php?prod=N7)

[BrianY]

What about WoodenBoat's own Nutshell Pram or Shellback Dinghy? The Nutshell comes in two sizes - 9'- 6" or 7'- 7" and is supposed to be an easy build and a great tender. If you don't like the sawed off pram look, how about the Shellback Dinghy? It's 11'2" so it's longer that you asked for, but it only weighs about 100lbs.

One advantage of these boats is that if you're nervous about finding the materials, cutting the plywood etc. yourself, you can even buy a precut kit (builidng form, plywood and epoxy) from WoodenBoat. Check out the WoodenBoat store

[ 05-03-2004, 11:55 AM: Message edited by: BrianY ]

[Stiletto]

How heavy is the N7 ?

[DavesFlatsBoat]

About 50lbs - 5.2mm ply w/glassed bottom to 6 inches above the chine and all accessable sole is glassed as well.

Dave

[Alan D. Hyde]

Have a look here:

www.instantboats.com (http://www.instantboats.com)

Dynamite is a great guy to talk with, too: much practical experience and many resourceful ideas.

Alan

http://www.instantboats.com/images/nymph1.jpg

[ 05-04-2004, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: Alan D. Hyde ]

[Venchka]

Bump.

[JimConlin]

For a first-time builder wanting a towable dinghy of 8-10', a hard-chine plywood pram is hard to beat. There are many four-panel designs around. Some have been mentioned. There's another good one in John Gardner's book, 'Building Classic Small Craft" .
A still better design, I think, is the Nutshell pram.
http://www.boat-links.com/DepoeBay/03/Brianna-1.jpg

It comes in two sizes, ~8' or ~9'6". Plans and kits are available from WB. It's a slightly more complex boat than a 4-panel boat, but the WB plans are very detailed and there are other how-to writings . I think there's a video. Because of all the how-to help, i venture that it'd take first-time builder no more time than a simpler boat.

For any of these, material costs will not vary much.

[John E Hardiman]

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