Ptarmigan 17, Selway Fisher

[altfj]

I was wondering if anyone has built the Selway Fisher Ptarmigan 17 in the yawl version? I'm looking to build a small cruiser with with a cabin and this looked like it might fit the bill. However, I"m curious about the building process, how well the plans are laid out and after completion the sailing qualities of the boat. Any information would be appreciated.

[neil.henderson]

I think Steve Price in this forum is building one.

[Steve TN 15]

Yes, I've started one http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...lapstrake-yawl

I'm not far into it yet but have all the bulkheads and frames cut out and glued up.

Instructions aren't bad so far, a little rudimentary but workable if you have some experience. The plans mainly cover the two strake stitch and glue version but I'm doing the 4 strake over frames version which is much prettier. You're a bit on your own with that though. I've built a Tammie Norrie previously so I know what I'm doing with it.

[altfj]

So, is the 4 strake version in the plans. I've only built CLC kit boat so this would be a new build for me. Did you find much information on the sailing qualities?

[biglad]

I've been building a Selway Fisher Clyde 18-motorboat with small cabin/wheelhouse. It's my 3rd boat, after a stitch and tape SF highlander dinghy and a Caledonia Yawl. The plans and building notes have had all the information on them. Paul's written a few manuals which I often refer to. I've not found anything impossible, there's definitely been some head scratching moments, but thats half the fun.

[Steve TN 15]

Yes the four strake and yawl options are included in the plans, you'll have to get the strake lines off the hull but that isn't too difficult.
There isn't a lot written about the boat but as I said in my thread, this article in Small Boats Monthly helped make my decision for me https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/ptarmigan-17/
The boat can be self righting which I wanted, good sitting headroom in the cabin which a lot this size don't have, quite shallow draft for beaching and flat bottom for stability. All indications are it's a "stiff" boat which can handle quite a bit of wind.