Stevens Project Boats

**sidneyhuskey** · 09-20-2003, 03:00 PM

Have a few questions...

1) Has anyone heard of, tried, built, or know much about them?

2)For anyone that answered yes to the above...did you build the boat as per their specs with exterior grad plywood and plated screws...has the boat survived?

The boats seems very interesting and easy to build, however, I would be more inclined to use marine plywood and slilicon bronze screws. If I am going to all the trouble to build the boat might as well use materials tht will last and endure the water/environment.

Any other thoughts anyone might have about these boats would be appreciated.

**Scott Widmier** · 09-20-2003, 04:11 PM

I build a Stevenson designed Pocket Cruiser and was delighted both with the building process and outcome. This was my first boat to build and I found their directions very straightforward and illustrations very helpful. The hull of the Weekender is basically a dory with a full length keel for lateral resistance. The Vacationer is a larger version but with a sharpie hull shape. Finally, the Pocket Cruiser is a single-chine catboat hull. Though they are simple boats they have some wonderfully salty details that attract admirers at the launching ramp. How many 16' boats have you seen with a cabin, stearing wheel, and bowsprit?

All three of the pocket cruiser designs perform well under sail. The light unballasted hull is not self-recovering but it does have great stability due to the flat bottom single chine hull. The Pocket Cruiser and Vacationer are more stable than the Weekender because of their beam. All of these boats put out an enjoyable turn of speed though they won't win any races. Though the Vacationer is a really fast boat... They are a delight to launch taking fifteen mintes (or less in my modified boats case) to launch. Gives you the ability to go out for an afternoon sail. The flat bottom of these boats means you do get pounding in chop but having wind in the sails corrects this both because of the power it gives the hulls to plow through waves and the heel it gives the hull. I have had my 14' Pocket Cruiser on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie in 2-3' waves without any problems. Just not as comfortable a ride as a round bottomed boat would have given.

As far as quality of materials, it depends on your intended usage. Most people who build these boats are going to trailer sail them. So, AC or even BC ply is acceptable if the exterior is glassed. However, if you are anchoring the boat then marine would be appropriate. The screws are not structural but hold the wood together until the glue dries. However, I would pay the extra for stainless screws especially if you might sail on salt water.

Are the Stevenson boats the best ones out there...no. However, they are excellent boats for the money and building effort. Easy to build at a low price and gives you decent performance and overnighting capability.

There is a great association of builders of Stevenson designed boats that has fleets around the US and sponsors boat sheds and sailing regattas. Check it out at: byyb.org

**Chris Gerkin** · 09-20-2003, 04:56 PM

I will have finished my vacationer within 24 months working most weekends and some at night. This was a great experience with a design that I could change just a little to get the boat I was looking for. The construction was straight forward and the cost was very reasonable. I have found that this is one of the easiest ways to get into boat building. I can't thank the Stevensons enough for their approach.

Please E-mail me with any questions that you may have.

[ 09-20-2003, 05:58 PM: Message edited by: Chris Gerkin ]

**Robert Cox** · 09-20-2003, 05:31 PM

I too am building a Stevenson Projects boat. I'm building the Vacationer. I've also had the pleasure of sailing on two Weekenders.

These boats where origanally designed so that the average do it yourselfer could go to the local hardware and buy the materials to build a boat. Most of the builders do upgrade to marine ply and good stainless hardware and fastenings.

The best feature of these boats are that they are simple, easy to build, relatively inexpensive and get you on the water fast. Oh, they do sail very well.

Before starting my boat I looked up someone to take me out on ther're boat. I would suggest you do the same. There are several boats in your area and I'm sure the owners would be more than happy to take you sailing for a day.

Take Scott's suggestion and check out the BYYB forum and get to know the people there. Through those contacts you'll find someone willing to show off their boat for you.

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgDcAvYXXrjTSkIOrTNdfRes0VfovOipNSx*VyNVBIZwZ*iDU iOLuit5XfF*xlgwzHYANFKLKW!TuGezjM9qollEXXW5680hnnu i1yItLXc6Q2jZqBnxCw/Vac950.jpg[/img]

Don't you just love those lines.

Bob

[ 09-20-2003, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: Robert Cox ]

cs · 09-20-2003, 08:48 PM

I too am building a weekender and I'm pleased with it. This is not my first boat. I've built a SH-14 stich & glue and a Stich & glue canoe. I'm also working on a strip canoe. The weekender is just another step in my boat building career.

BTW I'm using exterior grade plywood and glavanized deck screws. The whole boat is generously coated with epoxy and the exterior is covered in 5 1/2 oz glass. Can't tell you much more than that cause thats about as far as I've gotten.

Chad

**T. Crisp** · 09-20-2003, 10:33 PM

I built a Weekender, launched it July, 2000. I built mine with lauan underlayment plywood, white oak keel, epoxied the heck out of everything.

The support for the builders at the BYYB website and forum is tremendous. These are great little boats. Here's mine at a BYYB regatta a couple of years ago.

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TAAAAOgXfqzruc74qsnTf*vdWZPl2bnbHnBG8j86VSljmTn*S ptzzP4J0s*K9G*u6riA3D1EExur5Jl1oBQvELvpQnqxMwMGlPS wGSjK7063Is4GJDpIzw/phil2.jpg[/img]

**High C** · 09-21-2003, 11:25 PM

Here's my Stevenson Weekender, almost ready to launch!

My Weekender Site

**Mike Field** · 09-22-2003, 01:41 AM

And there's at least one earlier thread on the Stevenson boats too, so it would pay to do a search.
.

**Johannah** · 09-22-2003, 09:15 PM

And the Weekender "Penelope" features a work of art boathook from Mike Field! Not that anyone is allowed to touch it. [img]tongue.gif[/img] It is Mum's boat jewelry.

[ 09-22-2003, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: Johannah ]

**MarkC** · 09-23-2003, 04:52 AM

I have heard of these boats, read all the discussions about them and argued with the vocal proponents of them - but I personally would not build any.

Don't get me wrong, I love cheap boats, love plywood, I love 'salty' designs, love easy solutions, but there are better options! - for example the excellent kits and plans from CLC, my Chesepeake Light Craft kit was well-designed and went together like a dream. There are a full list of boat kit suppliers on www.boatdesign.net. (click on Directory).

With all the excellent designers to choose from in the US and Canada, with all the good plans offered by Woodenboat for beginner-builders, with all the cost effective, well-designed kits offered in the US and Canada...

Choose carefully.

**Scott Widmier** · 09-23-2003, 10:23 AM

I have heard of these boats, read all the discussions about them and argued with the vocal proponents of them - but I personally would not build any.

Of course, this begs the questions of if you have ever sailed on one of these boats, observed them on the water, or even seen one of these boats in person. Stevenson boats do fly in the face of tradition and it is hard to believe how good they look and how well the perform unless you have really seen one in action.

**On Vacation** · 09-23-2003, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by MarkC:
I have heard of these boats, read all the discussions about them and argued with the vocal proponents of them - but I personally would not build any.

Don't get me wrong, I love cheap boats, love plywood, I love 'salty' designs, love easy solutions, but there are better options! - for example the excellent kits and plans from CLC, my Chesepeake Light Craft kit was well-designed and went together like a dream. There are a full list of boat kit suppliers on www.boatdesign.net. (click on Directory).

With all the excellent designers to choose from in the US and Canada, with all the good plans offered by Woodenboat for beginner-builders, with all the cost effective, well-designed kits offered in the US and Canada...

Choose carefully.

And then how can you speak with such forked tongue, of a boat that has so many boats on the water? A learning curve starts somewhere. Low end mistakes, low end designs, have made many memories last longer than the boats themselves, when people have outgrown them. But as example is on display here, a lot of pride, and time, can be put into any set of boat plans. That is more than half the fun of being on the water, when you get to enjoy the results of your own labor, building oyur own boat, many times built as a family project.

As you can see, cheap is not on display, with teak decks, varnished trims, of fine woods, and and smiles that are priceless.

Read the forums, and filter through many of the comments, and then form your own opinion, as if the boat is right for you. Have you ever tackled a project of any boat? Remember one thing,if nothing else. Be patient and don't rush the work. Fit things, and recheck things, before gluing and screwing. Measure twice or three times, before cutting wood. Good luck with any project you choose to do.

**MarkC** · 09-24-2003, 08:50 AM

Forked tongue?

RUBBISH

I have sat and PAITENTLY read while these boats have been promoted - this site, however, is a discussion forum (the last time I looked anyway).

Let me repeat myself;

With all the excellent designers to choose from in the US and Canada, with all the cost-comparable, good plans offered by Woodenboat for BEGINNER-BUILDERS (sharpies, dories, even a skipjack!!), with all the cost effective, well-designed kits offered in the US and Canada...

You can lead a horse to water.

**Dave R** · 09-24-2003, 10:29 AM

So Mark C, perhaps, rather than slinging mud, you'd actually care to make valid comments regarding the Stevenson designs? Otherwise your remarks are worthless. The way your statement reads to me, you have nothing concrete to say and are just trying to stir a hornets nest. Have you ever even sailed one of these boats?

I recently launched my Weekender and have sailed it every weekend since. Last weekend we had 5 adults on board and had a great time with no threat of the boat sinking or any other problems.

While it may not be built using conventional or traditional boat building methods, the Weekender and its siblings are safe and usable boats. They look great and are certainly an inexpensive way to get on the water. Even with all the mahogany, harken hardware, trailer, sails and everything, I have less than $2700 invested. The boat gets lots of positive attention at the boat ramp. I enjoyed building it and it's fun to sail.

The last part is what it's all about. Fun.

Mark, you can be a snob if you want and turn your nose up at the boats the Stevenson's designed but keep it to yourself.

**NormMessinger** · 09-24-2003, 11:13 AM

So, MarkC, would you point us to some boat designs that you think fit the same nitch as a WeekEnder? That'll give us something to discuss.

**John of Phoenix** · 09-24-2003, 12:11 PM

One VERY strong point in favor of Stevenson's boats for newer builders is the detail of the plans. Of all the plans I have, six and counting (

or

) the two Stevenson's designs, Weekender and Skipjack (free for the downloading, btw), are hands down the most detailed. Also, you'll not find a finer builder's forum than Frank Hagan's messing-about.com for Stevenson's and other builders. Got a question? No problemo.

http://www.messing-about.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1

Thanks again Frank. [img]smile.gif[/img]

**On Vacation** · 09-24-2003, 02:33 PM

I have always stated that there is a boat for every person, and their needs. That being said, you added nothing to back up your attack on the boat, and design. Further more, you admitted you had never spent one minute on or around one, that you stated, in your first response. As far as Frank's forum, I for on, did not mention it to him, because Frank's forum is probably the nicest online forum, so far, that exist, for any design. What he doesn't need is this approach. Keep talking with some knowledge, and we may listen and discuss it, in return.

Buzz,, Buzz, I think I hear a hornet flying here.

**Johannah** · 09-24-2003, 02:33 PM

It's really the two online discussion groups that speak so strongly for these designs. The generosity of the builders, whether finished or still sanding, is remarkable. The occasional misprint in the plans will be pointed out promptly to any new builder who checks in and the Stevensons provide prominent links to these Bulletin Boards from their website. Mike Stevenson participates regularly in discussions. Tips and encouragement are always available, literally if the upside-downians are online. Someone will pipe up to say "There are no dumb questions." I was tentative about participating because we bought our Weekender and my preference is for repairing rather than building from scratch. Turned out to be a non-issue. I have learned a lot and shared many stories and laughs. I grew up on the water (coastal Massachusetts) around old-timers who were none too tender about correcting error. It's nice to have discovered a group of enthusiasts for wooden boats who would rather build one another up than tear down.

If you go to Frank Hagan's site, listed above, you'll find a similar support group for B&B designs with the active participation of the designer and the same spirit of cheering for one another.

**Scott Widmier** · 09-24-2003, 07:57 PM

There are a whole bunch of active builders who get together to build and sail these boats. The Back Yard Yacht Builders held several regattas this past summer and more will come this summer including a large regatta on the Chesapeake Bay. The Stevensons are planning on attending this event. Should have around fifty boats, several races, cruises, and expert speakers on topics such as racing and navigating.

**whb** · 09-24-2003, 10:57 PM

Well you know with all the talk I just had to go look. So I spent a couple hours looking over the Stevenson's site and at their plans.

I really like the vacationer and the weekender.

For someone like me on the praries where many lakes are never deeper than 10' and often less than 4' over much of the lake they look perfect.

Also, with the bowsprit et.al. I think they look very salty for their small size.

Two thumbs up for the design and site.

Howard

**Chris Gerkin** · 09-24-2003, 11:41 PM

On several occasions I have posted pictures or notes on the work I have done on my vacationer, I don't engage in commentary, but I have to here.

Whether people build a Stevenson plan or something else the end goal of this forum or the main tenants of the magazine are served. Boats constructed of wood are being built. I would think the important thing is that people understand that they can build boats. I searched for a long time for a production boat that I could live with. I couldn't find one. There are so few people willing to endure the consequences of building a boat that it seems a shame to discourage any one of them.

There are more designs than one can build in a lifetime. The magic come when you find a design that fulfills a life long dream and you can make it a reality. This dream is not based on something external but the very thing that drives you to undertake a project that sets you apart.

I am sure that once a builders decisions are made it would be better to guide him on the path than tell him that his decisions are wrong. This is no less than the Wright brother would attest to.

In the future, I would suggest less turf war over the relative merits of a design and more support for what calls all of us to this forum,

Design/Plans.

**George Roberts** · 09-25-2003, 12:59 AM

I am going to agree in part with what MarkC said.

Two comments were made with respect to the design.

1) The boat is not self recovering.

2) The boat handled well in 2' waves on Lake Ontario(?).

The first is a reason to not build the boat. There are better designs with respect to that issue.

The second is not high praise for a boat. The little lake (3000-5000 acres) here often has 3' waves. The Great Lakes have 5' chop often enough that a boat there needs to handle it well. (I don't know where the original questioner lives so I don't know if it is important to him.) Again there are better designs if these conditions are important.

If one wants to simply build a boat $2700 for 24 months (using figures others have posted), is a cheap hobby.

You look at your needs and your resources and find something that works. There are at least 2 trailerable cruising sail boats under 1500# and 22' that would suit my needs better than the boats posted here.

**MarkC** · 09-25-2003, 08:09 AM

The pictures posted in this thread show the care and skill of the builders. If I offended these builders, then I apologise.

I reserve the right, however, to comment on these designs when they are being promoted as an option for others to build. I have gained a lot of useful info from this forum and noted the comments of others in this forum (not always positive) concerning these project boats. Caution.

Please consider what Ted Brewer has to say, from 'Understanding Boat Design - 4th Edition' 1994, International Marine - P103;

'Too many plans for the amateur bilder are for very simple, boxy boats touted for their simplicity of construction. That may be fine for those who possess only simplicity of mind or skills, but we have found that the average amateur builder is capable of much more. Provided the plans contain sufficient detail and the designer is willing to provide telephone consultation, and even special sketches if necessary to explain some part of the vessel, the amateur can produce professional results from professional plans...

Since it takes as long to build a good design as it does a bad design, and the resale value of the good design is much higher, it behooves the amateur to be choosy in selecting a set of plans...'

- And a viable alternative from p105;

'This chine version of the Cape Cod catboat has been the single most popular stock plan I have ever done. More than 300 have been built by professionals and amteurs, from Europe to Australia and points between. Construction is on the husky side with commercial 2 by 4 framing and heavy plywood planking for strength, durability and simplicity. There is nothing in this design that cannot be handled by a competent amateur builder....tremendous stability... able, comfortable, and simple to build'

Please read and consider the following alternatives from 'Forty Wooden Boats, woodenboat magazine 1995;

24' open/cruising boat paketi by David Payne

'...David Payne has given us a handsome, easily constructed boat with lots of possibilities...the ballast shoe will add comforting stability, and well-flared topsides contribute reserve buoyancy and good looks...Construction is plywood planking over sawn frames and stringers - a simple, straightforward system with a well-proven track record...building Paketi should not prove beyond the abilities of anyone with a little wood-working experience and some perseverance.'

And then;

19'6 Sloop Mist by Karl Stambaugh

'...this is a handsome little cruiser...'

'In some ways, Mist awakens old memories of the plywood sloops that filled the pages of Popular Whatever magazines in the years following World War 2...easily stepped mast...might be the ideal trailerable cruiser.'

And;

19' Cat Schooner, BOAT by William Garden

'... simple enought to be put together in a garage...BOAT's plywood-over-sawn frame construction is straightforward and should not prove beyond the abilities of anyone with a little woodworking experience and the enthusiasm to see this project through.'

And;

22' Fox island class sloop by Joel White!

'...Although not specifically drawn for the beginning builder, the Fox Island class would not be a difficult boat to build...glued-lapstrake plywood construction method is one of the best for amateur builders. The fin...cast to order...if you're short of time or unsure of your skills, Skiff Craft of Ohio...offers Fox Island boats at any stage of completion, from pre-cut parts to completed hulls...'

And, my favorite;

16' Perfect Skiff by Stephen Weld

'...winner Woodenboat's 1991 Skiff Design Competition...good first project for the beginning boatbuilder...her construction is exhaustively detailed in WoodenBoat nos. 111 and 112...'

And, a bit dated but still actively built and raced;

14' or 16' Hartley and Brookes trailer sailer - Plywood multichined - main and forsail.

Other designers of note:

Ruel Parker
Selway Fisher designs (UK)
Charles Whittholz
Richard and Lilian Woods (UK)
Bolger
Paul Gartside (Canada)

And the many others? - and to jump to another argument - the designers graduating from the various US design academies/universities/design schools?. I mean, what chances will they get?

Yeah whatever - live well.

[ 09-25-2003, 09:27 AM: Message edited by: MarkC ]

**NormMessinger** · 09-25-2003, 09:19 AM

There are at least 2 trailerable cruising sail boats under 1500# and 22' that would suit my needs better than the boats posted here.

Would it be giving away professional secrets if you named the designs you have in mind George?

Good on yer, Mark. Those are all boat worthy of consideration. I wouldn't be so bold as to suggest to someone who has already built a WeekEnder that they should have built any one of them, however. It's the horses and barn doors thing, you know.

All other considerations aside, a nicely built WeekEnder is a thing of beauty and joy forever... to my eye.

**Scott Widmier** · 09-25-2003, 11:40 AM

George, your comments are well said. Good designs are good designs because they meet specific objectives. That means they have strengths in some areas and make sacrifices in others. The objective of the Stevensons when they designed these boats was for an easily (or quick to build) boat that doesn't cost much but looks good and performs well (not super--never ment to be an openwater boat). My Stevenson boat (a pocket cruiser) was my first boat to build and it took me around 7 or 8 months to build for under $2000 trailer included. If I had chosen another designs, like some of the excellent designs Mark listed, I probably wouldn't have finished my boat and would have given up on this hobby. As it was, I finished the boat without my wife divorcing me over spending too much time and money, I got the excellent feeling that comes from having your handywork admired on the water and at the launch, my family got to learn the thrill that the time and money spent on this hobby will bring them, I have learned the fun of sleeping at anchor, and I have more boats building in my garage as well as in my head. Now I am here an posting on woodenboat! I think we can all agree that these are all good things and the Stevenson's designs performed their function admirably at least in my case.

Thus, their designs are an excellent design in that they meet their objectives really well. For other more experienced builders, the Stevenson boats represent something that is very quickly and inexpensively built that they can get out on the water with. These boats are also a wonderful canvas for people to display their unique abilities and artwork on as we have seen in several of the pictures posted here. These boats come together so quickly that a little extra time can be spent on wonderful details and additions without delaying the gratification of getting it into the water.

What do I really want to build? Ian Outread's Grey Seal for one because it is a wonderfully beautiful design that can handle rougher water than the Stevenson boats. However, I don't have the 1,000 hours or the place where a boat could be while it is being built for 1,000 hours (3 to 5 years with my schedule). Until I get my seperate boatbuilding workshop, more time, and more money, my life and my wife (she likes to park her car in the garage---ugh!) demands a good, easy to build, and inexpensive design while my pride demands something that looks better than a clorox bottle and performs well on the water.

My final word, everyone is correct on this thread depending on their evaluative criteria and what they are wanting out of a good design.

**Ed Nye** · 09-25-2003, 01:08 PM

Weekender's are good looking. How they sail is reputed to be great.
A couple of comments. Opal is not self recovering, fill her with water and she'll sink like a rock. 90% (or more) of all sailboats are not. Self recovering from my point of view is not a big deal in anything bigger that a skiff. Maybe self righting is what was meant, that would be needed in a boat that sinks if she fills (so she will come up before she fills). Does the weekender?

Second, since waves and chop are measured from the mean water surface, a 5ft chop is one hell of a lot more water that I would want to sail. In twenty foot boat, you hide from that 10 ft of up and down water. 3 foot waves (6 top to bottom) are not soft ride.
Ed

**Scott Widmier** · 09-25-2003, 02:32 PM

Stevenson boats are unballasted and made out of wood which means they will float if swamped and not filled with too much junk. There are also a lot of spaces where extra floatation can be added to let them ride higher for bailing out. However, the initial stability of the flat bottomed sharpie shape combined with the low CE of the gaff rig means very few knock downs have been reported. Only two that I can recall and both happend due to accidental jibes in changing wind conditions with inexperienced sailors.

The negative of the unballasted design comes out in your other post. An unballasted boat will ride the contour of the water to a much greater degree than a ballasted boat. So if the surface is choppy you can expect a bouncier ride in a Stevenson boat than a ballasted design. However, having wind in the sail alleviates this to a certain extent since it gives the hull power and tension which acts just like a lot of ballast.

The most uncomfortable day I have spent in my Pocket Cruiser (or Jim has spent in his Vacationer since he was along with me) was on a smaller lake with no wind and a lot of motorboats. This means a lot of chop and no wind to power through it. A full-keeled Herreshoff boat that was sailing on the same lake had a much smoother ride but he wasn't enjoying it much either.

On the other hand, the most fun I have had in my Pocket Cruiser (or Jim had in his Vacationer since he was sailing with me once again) was on a 14,000 acre lake with 10 hp limit, high winds, and 2-3' wind created waves. My boat had the power to plow through the waves (jumping over some) and the wind held everything in tension so no thrashing boom.

The unballasted hull has other advantages like light wind sailing and easy trailering behind any car.

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