Stretched out Nutshell

[Clinton B Chase]

I was wondering if anybody can comment on my idea to extend my 9'6" Nutshell by 10% to get a pram that is a little longer and thus a bit faster to row and sail. I would probably make her 10'6" maximum, probably a little less. I figure that I'd like the performance benefits, I wanted a Shellback size boat with the pram look, and I am scarphing up the plywood and will have plenty to workwith so why not. All other dimensions would stay the same. i would need to add some sail area, which I wanted to do anyway as I feel the original plan was too little to sail my 6'6"/215 lb frame around (another major reason I want a little more length). Thanks.

Cheers,
Clint

[mmd]

Why not a Herreshoff pram - no messin' with he plans, and it sure looks fine. I got plans for a sail rig for it, too.

[ 10-26-2005, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: mmd ]

[Bob Smalser]

The Herreshoff Pram has been on my to-do list for decades...just a matter of getting to it.

Why guess at something that one of the great's has handed you on a platter? Few boats handle as bad or are more potentially dangerous than a bad pram.

Sure would like to see a plan for a sail rig done for it by a pro. ;)

[mmd]

Herreshoff pram by Kevin Wambach (Lahave Marine Woodworking) with gaff rig by mmd

http://www.boatdesign.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Pointing_upwind_on_maiden_voyage_2.jpg

http://www.boatdesign.net/gallery/data/500/medium/bow_quarter_view_afloat.jpg

[Clinton B Chase]

Very nice boat but I am wedded to Joel White's Nutshell Pram...I don't think I have room to build the Shellback. Tx for ideas.

Cheers,
Clint

[Steve Lansdowne]

It is your life, money, and time so go ahead and build from altered plans a proven winner from the drawing board of a well respected designer. I can't imagine you'll notice the difference in "speed" from extending the boat by 10%, though it will not be the same boat as Joel designed.

[ 10-27-2005, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: Steve Lansdowne ]

[essaunders]

Is the 'wedding' due to already having purchased plans? Remember, plans are the cheapest part of the boat -- your materials, labor are much more. Being about to properly enjoy of a quality-designed finished product are not worth saving the $75 for the plans (I suppose if you dropped $1700 and purchased a kit you'd feel 'wedded' but perhaps build the kit as is and then build another?). Even if you paid for molds they can't be more than a couple hundred....

You will long forget the dollars saved when cursing the poor performance.

Of course, people strech boats all the time. Go ahead, just remember you aren't building a nutshell.

[almeyer]

That is a pretty looking pram! The earlier comments about the cost of plans versus the cost of materials and the hours of labor to build the boat are spot on. A good set of plans makes all the difference. But if you're extremely frugal, the lines and offsets for Herreshoff's Pram are in John Gardner's "Building Classic Small Craft." You'll have to do the lofting, but there's a good explanation of that in Greg Rossel's book (both books, by the way, conveniently available from our sponsor :D )
Al

[Figment]

Clint,

I agree with Steve above, I doubt you'll realize any speed increase from a 10% increase in length. Sea state affects speed more than anything else with a small pram like this.

I can understand, though, if you're modifying the design in order to make the tender work better with the mothership. For example, I increased the beam of my pram by 6" so that when I take it on the foredeck it "captures" nicely between the uprights of the bow pulpit. Handy.

MMD, that herreshoff pram is a beauty. Do you have any info (or even a ballpark guess) on her weight?

[ 11-01-2005, 08:03 AM: Message edited by: Figment ]