Oughtred's ACORN dinghy

[Bernadette]

I know there have been many of these built and many posts regarding the Acorn dinghy....but I was wanting comments about the 'worthiness' of this little dinghy (the 7'5" version in particular) in terms of how well she sails, how many adults can she carry safely, what is she like to row, what sort of loads can she handle...etc. etc. Any comments or information would be appreciated. If anyone cares to post a photo or two: this would be also be appreciated.
Thanks.
Bernadette.

[ishmael]

I've only seen one and not rowed it or sailed it. Handsome, chubby little dinghy.

There was a discussion here awhile back about the relative virtue of glued lap v solid planked dinghy. Maybe Andrew C-B can tell us where, it was his glued lap that was having problems which made him swear he'd never have another.

[Cecil Borel]

I built an 8' acorn dinghy with strip plank/fiberglass and epoxy. I really like the way the boat rows and tows, but sailing is only adequate. As I build her, she is too heavy for two people to lift easily. She would carry three people easily if rowed. I am going to build another one for cruising. This time I will cold mold her with veneer, add positive flotation, and skip the centerboard and sail.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid81/p4d6016ff54454070bea4ba5bce6cb799/faf2c5e5.jpg

[JimC]

Would the Acorn be able to handle a little 2 HP?

[ishmael]

Yes.

[Lion]

Bernadette & David

Assume this equiry is for a tender for the marvellous Malabar! When looking at this topic of a small tender a while ago I searched out all the options that seemed to be available and ended up concluding that Paul Gartside's plan #135 for clinker glued ply was the best all round choice. At 8ft was just about right, light wieght at 50lbs, inbuilt bouyancy chambers and good looks. www.gartsideboats.com (http://www.gartsideboats.com) Although not shown on the plans she can be fitted wuth a centreboard and sail.

I particularly like Pauls lines and sheer that he brings to his designs and he has other options including a neat traditional clinker pram. BTW my next choice was the delightfull Acorn !

Lion

[Chadd Hamilton]

I've got two sailing dingies, an old 8' Seafarer dinghy made in the 60's in Sweden, and an Acorn Dinghy that I built a few years ago. The Acorn rows better, sails better(balanced lug), and is less-tippy than the Seafarer.

As mentioned above the Acorn can fit 3 average sized people under oar, but she's really a one-person (and a small child) sailer. Sailing is a blast in this fun little boat.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/pded27cec7517afe76347fabbd59c958e/fdd0bd2f.jpg

[Mike Field]

.
Lovely-looking boat, Chadd. Congratulations.

But it's nice to see a sculling notch in Paul's design #135 -- no dinghy should be without one, I don't think.
.

[landlocked sailor]

I built Iain's AUK 3 years ago. I followed his plans for glued lap-ply. The boat rows like a bigger boat solo. and we have had 2 adults & 2 kids in smooth water. I originally built "Surprise" without a daggerboard and sailed her with the lee-board, but this was a PATA. I just finished adding a daggerboard trunk/board and sailed her last week. This was a vast improvement. She also tows well. Rick

[Mike Field]

.
And a beauitiful job you made of her too, Rick. (Auk is the dinghy that I've got in mind as a tender for myself one day.)

I don't know why you didn't post a photo of her for us, but I'll do it for you --

http://www.woodenboatfittings.com.au/public/auk3.jpg
.

[landlocked sailor]

Thanks Mike, I had the pictures on a website but it expired so now I have only "hard copies" again.Rick

[WFK]

Here's my acorn I finished off this spring, and after using it now for a season as a tender, I'm very pleased with it. If you're going to tow, she tracts beautifully, and rows rows very well, whether by yourself or sitting up in the fwd. seat and the passenger back aft. I think she'd be a great choice for your Malabar.
Bill http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid82/p7e1fa8496b442dd09429cefefd029b53/faee43ee.jpg

[Mike Field]

Originally posted by landlocked sailor:
Thanks Mike, I had the pictures on a website but it expired so now I have only "hard copies" again.RickWell, she's on a website again now Rick, so be my guest.

What a lovely craft, and a credit to her builder.

Bill, the same comments apply to your Acorn. (But I do miss that sculling notch....)

Mike
.

[ 10-03-2003, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: Mike Field ]

[Bernadette]

Bill, what size is your ACORN?
She is very beautiful...a credit to you.

[landlocked sailor]

Thanks Mike, I've bookmarked it! Rick

[WFK]

Hi B,.....sorry to take so long to reply, my Acorn is the 7'10" version. It seems to me that there was a guy up in the maritimes (canada) that had built the shorter boat and loved it. I think if you search back in the archives you'll find a picture of his boat with 3 people in it.
And by the way I love your Malabar!

Bill

[Wilson Fitt]

Here is the picture in question. A great little boat. We squoze this one down to 7' so it would fit on deck.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid42/pdfd662b7113bb2978bfa6580b2e42a36/fced0529.jpg

[ 10-09-2003, 08:46 PM: Message edited by: Wilson Fitt ]