Abaco Dinghy

[SScoville]

Can anyone tell me about these boats sailing, rowing, and towing abilities? I think I might be able to buy one for a good price. The problem is, it was stored in the owner's garage for years, and has been stored in a heated and air conditioned building for the last year. I would have someone familiar with traditional boat building give it a look before I bought it. It needs a paint job and the seams have opened up a bit. I think it would be a fun restoration project. It's about 12-13' I think.

Other than performance abilities, what options do I have if I don't want to keep the boat in the water? Is it best to keep a small carvel hull like this in the water all the time?

I ask about sailing ability because I read somewhere these boats are tender.

[Loraxation]

I've got an Abaco dinghy. It's a stylish little boat with traditional lines and construction, but overall doesn't perform all that well. It's heavy for it's size, a bit tippy/wet, and maybe undercanvassed. I had the hardest time tacking it for years, especially if I had crew, with that full length keel. I read that to shift weight aft when tacking to opens up the forefoot to avoid being stuck in irons and that solved all those issues - really an important tip.

They really liked to use iron fasteners in these things so be aware of that. As far as the seams, I'm sure it will swell up or you could recaulk it without too much trouble. I personally think these boats have the highest beauty to length ratio out there. You'll turn a lot of heads for sure and get the feel of a traditional boat, but I wouldn't rely on it as a tender. It's fun little boat with a rich history.

[Tom Painter]

They had one years ago at the Apprenticeshop that I sailed a bunch of times, but that one was scaled up from a smaller (12') dinghy that Lance Lee brought back from the Bahamas IIRC. The one built by the apprentices was about 16' LOA "Emerson Albury??". The main was too small so she carried a bit of lee helm....and close-hauled meant close reach... She certainly wasn't "tippy" and carried a fair amount of inside ballast. She had a sculling notch in the transom...no oarlocks. I thought it was a really neat boat, though not "high-performance" by any standard.

[StevenBauer]

Hey, Tom, the Abaco Dinghy from the apprenticeship comes to the Small Reach Regatta. I took this series last summer:

[Thad]

Those folks are probably just showing off, but they are definitely working way too hard.

[Tom Painter]

Cool!! Thanks Steven. I haven't seen that boat in ages....looks like they modified her a bit.. brings back some great memories!