Atkins Economy Jane

[SBrookman]

Anyone have any input or thoughts on Atkin's Economy Jane (http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/Sail/EconomyJane.html)? I'm considering adding that to the list of next boat possibilities. I'm getting a little ahead of myself as the sharpie is still isn't wet but should be soon and the thought of an empty workshop is unnerving, plus I need to start stockpiling lumber.

Next boat criteria: weekender/minicruiser, max 22' lod (workshop limit), double ender (just because), trailerable (sort of), salty (but not cute), intermediate skill level (while I'm getting better still not a real good woodworker)

Others on the short list: Gray Seal or smaller Oughtred, Gardner or Holme's Eel, ...

[T. Traddles]

The Economy Jane was reviewed a few years back in Boat Design Quarterly by Mike O'Brien. It might be worth your while to get a hold of that issue.

[holzbt]

Read the review in BDQ. If you order the plans you want the updated wider version. It's not listed on the website so you will need to contact Mrs. Atkin and let her know you want the wide version, either include a note with your payment or e-mail her. This happens to be one of my favorite Atkin designs.
http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/Sail/images/EconomyJane-1.gif

[SBrookman]

Read the review in BDQ. If you order the plans you want the updated wider version. It's not listed on the website so you will need to contact Mrs. Atkin and let her know you want the wide version, either include a note with your payment or e-mail her. This happens to be one of my favorite Atkin designs.

Thanks, I ordered the BDQ and talked to Pat at the WBS. She was curious about how I knew about the wider version, and even more so on why you would recommend it. Why did you? She said John drew it for a rather large customer, which I'm not. She also said she would send the plans for both.

[Ed Armstrong]

I've been intrigued by Economy Jane since I first came across her on the Atkins' website a couple of years ago. Keep us posted of your progress, if you decide to build her.

Ed

[Dave Gray]

I see that Economy Jane uses a concrete keel. Any thoughts on that? You don't see too many designs with this specification.

[SBrookman]

I just got BDQ #21 which reviews 2 versions, one that's in the catalog and another 10" wider with a lead keel. The concrete keel sounded interesting as it lessens the degree of difficulty for a home build, but I'll need more info before proceeding. I'm ordering both sets of plans.

Has anyone built one recently, or not so recently? Also curious as to possible alternate construction methods more suited for trailer life: ply, strip, cold molded?

[holzbt]

Thanks, I ordered the BDQ and talked to Pat at the WBS. She was curious about how I knew about the wider version, and even more so on why you would recommend it. Why did you? She said John drew it for a rather large customer, which I'm not. She also said she would send the plans for both.

I suppose my recommendation was based mostly on the BDQ review and partly on the fact that the lines of the wider boat just look better to me. I've some limited experience with narrow V-bottom boats with great deadrise, they heel over alarmingly without a lot of ballast down low. The wider boat has slightly less deadrise with a third more weight in the ballast keel. Generally, the more upright a boat stays the better it sails.

[kc8pql]

The concrete keel sounded interesting as it lessens the degree of difficulty for a home build, but I'll need more info before proceeding.
I built Alaya (see avatar) with an 8000 lb. concrete and scrap iron ballast keel, sealed with epoxy. It works fine . See Buehler's designs for other examples.