Definitions of "sail and oar" boat

[Howard Rice]

29871617_1340315696068351_7117982395688558128_o.jpgA true to form sail and oar boat on the beach, Strait of Magellan. Is she the best rowing boat I have ever owned? Not by a long shot, however this said I have done 25 mile days at the oars and am no worse for wear. This tiny boat will sail in almost undetectable wind and as an engineless craft the oars are rarely needed.

[Toxophilite]

Very Cool and pretty Scamp. I like the yawl rig. I was just reading about your trip too. Bravo!

[cstevens]

A true to form sail and oar boat on the beach, Strait of Magellan. Is she the best rowing boat I have ever owned? Not by a long shot, however this said I have done 25 mile days at the oars and am no worse for wear. This tiny boat will sail in almost undetectable wind and as an engineless craft the oars are rarely needed.

While "sail and oar" may be an accurate description of Southern Cross, somehow it seems entirely inadequate for such a capable little boat.

[john welsford]

There is some disagreement on what makes a boat "sail and oar". I think everyone agrees that it has no motor whatsoever. My own (biased) definition then includes:

1) Able to carry enough supplies for a week of solo camping, preferably able to camp aboard.

2) Light and lean enough to be a pleasure to row for 10 to 20 miles a day.

2) Plus, it has some kind of sail.

Please state your own definitions.

Rick

I've designed a number of "Sail and Oar" boats, some intended for daysailing and maybe a few hours along the coast in sheltered waters, some for island hopping ( the Maine Island Trail) and one for some serious long range cruising. Some are intended for sleeping aboard, some not.
I categorise them as 50/50 that is equally able under either, which means that they're not going to be the best at rowing or indeed under sail. Some are intended to row really well with sail auxiliary power if the conditions are right, and some are smart and capable sailers with "2 oarspower auxiliary " capability for short distances. A short distance for this purpose being a couple of hours at 3 1/2 knots or so.

I've designed one for myself which has proven to be very popular to those wishing to build a really capable sail and oar boat with capacity to carry up to half a ton of stores and equipment, with the stability and length to sail really well, set up to sleep on board, and to row somewhat better than the long range ocean crossing rowing boats, ( I've designed a couple of those as well so know the issues that face the designers of those)

So the brief above is still a bit brief, there are many possibilities within that framework.

John Welsford

[dalekidd]

I've designed one for myself which has proven to be very popular to those wishing to build a really capable sail and oar boat with capacity to carry up to half a ton of stores and equipment, with the stability and length to sail really well, set up to sleep on board, and to row somewhat better than the long range ocean crossing rowing boats...

So the brief above is still a bit brief, there are many possibilities within that framework.

John Welsford

I'm guessing this would this be Long Steps?

[heimlaga]

I saw a very old skötbåt the other day. Built in the 1860-ies. Some 21 or 22 feet long I think. The old sleek type with only 3 strakes per side. The first strake hewn to shape. Intended to be rowed long distances by two people. The idea immediately struck me that this would be a very good design for a 55/45 open oar and sail boat. For two persons out camping or a family on day trips. The only problems would be finding suitable planking stock and keeping the wide planks from cracking.