My first Home Built Skiff - Photos !!!

[Larry Exum]

I finally got around to taking pictures of the Dinghy for my Chris Craft Constellation Motoryacht. I will be buiding a Mahonany Davit system to blend well with the yacht next month.

This Dinghy / Skiff is built from two sheets of Plywood and plans. The plans called for it to be 14 feet, but to make it fit better as a dinghy, I shortened it to 12 feet, moved the seats forward a bit for better planing and balance, and added a trunk. The seat tops and backs are Cherry, varnished. The wife insisted on Adirondack style seats, for ventilation. We named the Dinghy "Yes, Dear".

All one has to do to steer is lean to one side six inches or the other. She curves in the water nicely. Powered by a new Honda 9.9 Horsepower 4 cycle engine.

We had a mishap last week when the dinghy fell loose from the straps (Nylon Strap broke)holding it to the swim platform, and she broke loose from the big boat, and floundered in the prop wash and wake. She then began to sink and flipped turtle. However with all the wood, she floated til I got back and Re-tied her on. We righted her and she floated barely an inch above the water. We pulled her up on plane with the big boat and the built in Bilge Pump (Rule 500) dried her out before we could get back to the dock. I had to change the oil in the engine to remove the water, cleaned the plugs, and emptied the fuel bowl, and within 15 minutes had her running perfect again.

I had already designed the Dinghy Davits in Mahogany, but it will be June before they are finished to install. In the meantime, I will just drag "Yes,Dear" behind with a long line.

http://www.gngems.com/Catalina27/YesDear1.jpg
http://www.gngems.com/Catalina27/Yesdear2.jpg
http://www.gngems.com/Catalina27/Yesdear4.jpg
http://www.gngems.com/Catalina27/Yesdear5.jpg

[Donn]

I like the Adirondack seat backs, but I'd bet they're painful during tiller operation. The gunwale guards on the bow and stern corners are faintly reminiscent of rubber dock corner guards.

Nice little skiff...she must fly with that 9.9.

[Larry Exum]

Tiller operation is limited to Leaving and returning, as the boat steers very well with a slight lean in the direction you want to go. Very fun. The seat backs are very rounded (Router, and hand sanding) so even bare armed it is comfortable.

And yes, good observation on the corner guards. At $13.00 each, they were a good choice. I did have a 1950 Packard Swan hood ornament on the bow, but it got lost when she capsized. I have found another and will return it to its rightful place next week.

[wolfietuk]

Be real careful with that lean and steer system. Jad a local crabber get killed a few years ago doing that. You might think of a steering stick. Wakes will be your biggest problem. other that that, I really like it, listen to SWMBO, She is right about the seats. Looks classy.

Rick

[Larry Exum]

How did the crabber get killed? Drank to much adult beverage and leaned over the side? Fortunately, "Yes Dear" is in Lake Lanier. Fresh water, no waves, no swells, and my 45' Chris Craft puts out the biggest wake. One of the reasons I built her was that I could not find any dinghy big enough, and I do not like sitting on an inflated air bag. SWMBO is air bag enough, but at least she does not get my butt wet..... well, most of the time not.

[Alan D. Hyde]

Nice dinghy.

And I'm not gonna touch that last comment.

Alan

[Allen Foote]

Nice dinghy. :D It oughta look good from the Chris. I'm interested in your davit design and hope you'll post pics of them when completed.

[Carl Stone]

Was just about to ask a question before I read Allens'. Can you share your davit ideas with us?

[Stargazer14]

Looks great - my only question is how do you find time to take care of a large 1960 Chris and build your own dinghy??

[Larry Exum]

The davit idea is a personal design, since I could not find any readymade davits which would extend out far enough past the swim platform. My davits will be operated by an ATV 1500 pound electric Warn winch (OH NO NOT HER) Which is mounted to the stern deck edge. I am welding some stainless steel for inner strength, then covering it with layers of Mahogany, so as to appear to be one solid piece of mahogany. It will look a lot like an inverted Chine Knee, only much larger. The Davits are to be attached at 6" above the swim platform and that will be the pivot point. The length of them will allow the release of the dinghy OUTWARD first then down to the water, and if I measured correctly, and SWMBO re checked my measurements (found me lacking) then the dinghy will touch the water 3" outside of the swim platform.

This was done for two reasons, Looks to correspond with the boats history, and (Two) how else would I get my 200 Pound Great Dane from the dinghy to the boat. When the davits are lifted up by the winch (there she is again), it will put the dinghy at the exact height for the dog to step off onto the deck.

It will be pulled in close and I will install a fitting which will lock it into position so rolling in storms will not allow it to move. Of course there are two cross braces to prevent either from twisting.

Pictures will follow as I get to the point of having something visual that makes sense. Right now, I have all the measurements, and have made a bolt together template with which I have verified the validity of my measurements.

[Larry Exum]

Stargazer, I have multiple personalities, and I give each one a job to do and the boss personality makes them do it. It is a real sight to see, SawZall in one hand, sandpaper wrapped around the foot, Screwdriver in the other hand.

Put another way, it IS a labor of love. The big boat looked downright scary when I first saw her, but her survey was excellent, needing only 22 feet of new rubrail (wood) and 5 planks. She had never been out of salt water in over 40 years, so is today extremely dry in the bilge, except when I have rain very heavy. There are some leaks at the forward deck hatch, and along the sides where water pools during a heavy storm. I mentioned in another post that I had reduced the pooling of water by 90% by installing copper tube drains down each side allowing the water to run off instead of running the entire length of the boat and down the transom. It has helped, but I still will address the WHOLE deck this summer.

To be continued, and continued, and continued.

[LisaS]

Have you actually had the Dane IN the dinghy? I can't imagine taking my bloodhound that's about half that weight in a dinghy...

Lisa

[Larry Exum]

Yes, he enjoys the ride. Ears flopping, sniffing the air. He usually sits in front of the front seat. Weight wise, it is no problem, as this is a 12' long Dinghy with 4'6" width. I calculated the weight carrying capacity at 700 pounds (that is pushing it) on a very calm water. I typically only have Me, the dog, and the wife on board for a combined passenger weight of 570 pounds.

Here is a picture of Scooby Blue (blue eyes) when his ears were being cropped as a puppy. It is hard to imagine a 65 pound puppy isn't it!
http://www.gngems.com/Catalina27/DaneBlue039.jpg

[ 05-15-2002, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: Larry Exum ]

[Donn]

Originally posted by Larry Exum:
Yes, he enjoys the ride. Ears flopping, sniffing the air. He usually sits in front of the front seat. Weight wise, it is no problem, as this is a 12' long Dinghy with 4'6" width. I calculated the weight carrying capacity at 700 pounds (that is pushing it) on a very calm water. I typically only have Me, the dog, and the wife on board for a combined passenger weight of 570 pounds.

Getting real close to the weight capacity, Larry. Start with 570# of passengers/pawsenger, and 90# for the outboard, and 40-45# for 6 gallons of gas in a can, and you're right on or just over 700#. There must also be oars, anchor and rode, cooler full of something...etc...etc :D

PS..adorable puppy!

[ 05-15-2002, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: donnwest ]

[Larry Exum]

Correction to my weight calculations. I meant that to say 700 pounds of People/Dog capacity. I had already figured the weights into the plans for the engine, gas tank, and battery. I tend to play it safe except when dealing with flamable materials. (prior post joke)

[Allen Foote]

:D Glad those copper tubes worked. :D

[warthog5]

Hey Larry I want to see a pix of you, wife and dog all in the dingy. Have someone on the big boat take the pix as you are aproching the big boat. That should be good for a laugh. HeHe Thanks

[warthog5]

There he goes again. My buddy Custom Skiffs. HeHe I was supposed to go on a charter sunday. Suprize birthday party for my brother who turned 40. The boat called and cancled trip. Seas 4ft inshore and 7ft offshore and I want to go and pay good money to get the crap beat out of me. NOT!

[Albie]

Nice job.

[Larry Exum]

Thanks Guys, Per your requests, I have posted a separate message with a photo of the dog and wife in the boat. No smart remarks about which is which, OK?