If I Were Building A Boat Again...

[WI-Tom]

Wow, three of mine on your list! Thanks for the compliment Tom.

John Welsford

I wish I were more of a builder--then I'd have one or two of yours in my yard ready to be sailed. From what I can tell, you seem to understand the sail-and-oar mode as well as anyone does, John.

Scamp is oddly compelling, though not so good at rowing distances. If a used one came up nearby, I'd probably think about buying it.

Tom

[WI-Tom]

I confess I've never liked rowing on a boat with a sail. Unless careful stowage methods are devised, the oars are in the way when sailing and the sail is in the way when rowing.

That has not proved to be a problem for me in the Phoenix III or the Alaska. Not at all. But I can see how it might seem that way until you try it and see for yourself. I'm sure there are boats where that is a problem, just not my boats.

As a lifelong bicyclist, I'd like to try a Hobie Mirage Drive or similar pedal power in my next boat. No awkward transitions between rowing and sailing, and fairly easy to do both at the same time.

A sleek rowboat, narrow at the WL but with good secondary stability, and simple downwind rig per Clint Chase.

The Mirage drive looks interesting. Not really my thing, but it does seem to move boats along pretty efficiently.

As for the rowboat + downwind sail, that makes a lot of sense to me. I just don't think I always want to row to windward. So often on my trips I can hold a heading closehauled without tacking, and cover lots of ground. But then, when I really need to get directly to windward, rowing is by far the fastest for sure.

Tom

[Jack Loudon]

A sailboat using oars as backup for when the wind dies makes sense, the Sail-n-oar type. I have not taken to using a sail on a rowboat, though, despite several attempts at downwind rigs. I have tried a simple square sail, a dihedral twins rig, a kayak type deck level pop-up, and even a parafoil traction kite. Each of them worked, but it never seemed worth the fuss to bring one along after the first few outings. Rowing downwind is easy anyway, and the extra speed from a sail was minimal.
- Rick

I may have a lower tolerance for hassles and complexity than most people. For an afternoon on the water, if it's a good sailing day the oars stay at home, or visa versa for rowing. If becalmed under sail, a canoe paddle is far easier to deal with (for me) than oars, and it's not at all hard to cover a mile or two. When rowing I rarely regret not bringing the sail, because there are a lot of loose parts to secure; the sail, mast, boom, sheets, halyard, downhaul, daggerboard, and rudder.

You have a point about rowing and sails. The best thing about rowing is its simplicity, and any kind of rig takes away from that.

[Rob Hazard]

There are times when the ability to switch seamlessly back and forth from oars to sail can be very handy.

I recall one day when John Hartmann in his Ilur and I in my Coquina rowed and sailed from Butter Island in Penobscot Bay to Atlantic Boat Company on Herrick Bay. That morning we had fickle whisps from the south, so we sailed when we could and rowed whenever the wind faded, deploying the oars every 15 minutes or so.
The wind filled in from the east as we passed under the Deer Isle bridge and we had a beat all the way to WoodenBoat School, whereupon it faded away again and we rowed most of the rest of the way back to the boat yard.

A well laid out sail & oar boat thrives in such conditions!

[John hartmann]

‘Twas a long day, but a good ‘un.

[Jack Loudon]

There are times when the ability to switch seamlessly back and forth from oars to sail can be very handy.

I recall one day when John Hartmann in his Ilur and I in my Coquina rowed and sailed from Butter Island in Penobscot Bay to Atlantic Boat Company on Herrick Bay. That morning we had fickle whisps from the south, so we sailed when we could and rowed whenever the wind faded, deploying the oars every 15 minutes or so.
The wind filled in from the east as we passed under the Deer Isle bridge and we had a beat all the way to WoodenBoat School, whereupon it faded away again and we rowed most of the rest of the way back to the boat yard.

A well laid out sail & oar boat thrives in such conditions!

Thanks Tom and Rob (and Rick),

I stand corrected; in a properly designed and rigged sail & oar boat, the transition from sail to oars works very well. My boat is very short at 9.5 ft (a stretched Lillistone Alby) so the oars do get in the way, as does the rig when struck. My next boat will be better

[WI-Tom]

I may have a lower tolerance for hassles and complexity than most people. For an afternoon on the water, if it's a good sailing day the oars stay at home, or visa versa for rowing.

Jack,

that bolded bit might explain something about our different perspectives. I tend to think in terms of multi-day, or multi-week, trips. On those occasions where I'm out for a day, I agree that bringing the sailing rig along is a set of complications that is often not worth it. THIS THREAD has a lot of little trips I made without the sailing rig along at all.

Tom

[Dolfiman]

I designed this Dolfi R&S for a friend, for a strip-planking construction, not yet built (he is waiting for his retirement time !) :
Loa 4,79 m Boa 1,34 m Light weight 91 kg Sail ~ 5,6 m2, Load ~ 100 kg to 130 kgR&Z-V12-1-vue babord dessous avec voile (1).jpgR&Z-V12-1-vue arrière babord dessous.jpgFore sections.pngAft sections.png

[Andrew2]

I love the idea of the cuddy style boats from John, but with my advancing years and creaky joints, a closed cabin was the choice. So, I looked at Bolger's Micro, which has always caught my attention. The square sections were a bit too much, so it has some flair and a sharper bow. Transom is leaning aft too, with a return, bit like the Drascombes. It has been a hobby for quite a few years, but will be launched in April. Same rig. Sails from Frank, who had some returned in good condition.
Just about to cast the keel.. Last big job.

[JimD]

Something with a tent would be nice

[Woxbox]

I love the idea of the cuddy style boats from John, but with my advancing years and creaky joints, a closed cabin was the choice. So, I looked at Bolger's Micro, which has always caught my attention. The square sections were a bit too much, so it has some flair and a sharper bow. Transom is leaning aft too, with a return, bit like the Drascombes. It has been a hobby for quite a few years, but will be launched in April. Same rig. Sails from Frank, who had some returned in good condition.
Just about to cast the keel.. Last big job.

Woah! You can't share all that without pictures.

[Clinton B Chase]

I designed this Dolfi R&S for a friend, for a strip-planking construction, not yet built (he is waiting for his retirement time !) :
Loa 4,79 m Boa 1,34 m Light weight 91 kg Sail ~ 5,6 m2, Load ~ 100 kg to 130 kgR&Z-V12-1-vue babord dessous avec voile (1).jpgR&Z-V12-1-vue arrière babord dessous.jpgFore sections.pngAft sections.png

Nice! High aspect foils, enough deadrise to make for a seaworthy hull -were you looking at a CIY 16 at all by chance when drawing?

[WI-Tom]

I love the idea of the cuddy style boats from John, but with my advancing years and creaky joints, a closed cabin was the choice. So, I looked at Bolger's Micro, which has always caught my attention. The square sections were a bit too much, so it has some flair and a sharper bow. Transom is leaning aft too, with a return, bit like the Drascombes. It has been a hobby for quite a few years, but will be launched in April. Same rig. Sails from Frank, who had some returned in good condition.
Just about to cast the keel.. Last big job.

If I remember right, Ross Lillistone had very good things to say about Micro's (maybe Long Micro? can't remember for sure) windward abilities. An interesting boat for sure, and likely a better performer than its looks suggest.

Tom

[WI-Tom]

Something with a tent would be nice

Already got that, kind of...

boat tent.jpg

An aside, not meant to be a value judgment: for whatever reason, I find multi-hulls uninspiring. I suppose that's because all of my cultural roots are almost entirely monohull-centric. But multis, for all their obvious practical advantages, just don't hold any attraction for me. One of my many failings...

Tom

[mattglynn]

This is such an interesting thread. I've realized from this forum how difficult it can be for people to be honest with themselves about what kind of boat they need, and what they will realistically be using it for. Hearing people explain why they picked a design, how it has worked out, and what they would like to change/what design would better fit their use case is endlessly entertaining.

I find Myst and Coquina to be stunningly beautiful, I don't care if they fit my needs at all, I just want to experience building them, and then sit and look at them. As a woodworker I would love to have a project worthwhile enough to justify using expensive, beautiful materials, and taking the time to do everything the "right" way.



We have so many wonderful cruising areas to choose from, the Scandinavian Archipelagos, the Frisian islands in the North Sea, the area around Rügen on the Baltic, and The Croatian archipelago is only a days drive away. For years I've thought that Walkabout would be an ideal choice for solo cruising in these areas. Realistically we would build something like the Calendar Islands 18 because my wife and I always cruise together. Does anyone have a better suggestion for a two person Sail and Oar type boat?

Also, although it is ugly as sin I think Marsh Duck would make the short list because it is so practical. Having a small cabin (coffin) really makes the shoulder season sailing more enjoyable on the North sea/Baltic. I hate having to stow wet tents and sleeping bags, sailing all day in the damp gray, and then pulling out the musty still wet gear to camp again.

[Dolfiman]

Nice! High aspect foils, enough deadrise to make for a seaworthy hull -were you looking at a CIY 16 at all by chance when drawing?

Thanks for your kind comment, coming from a professional designer !

I was not aware of your production that I discover through this thread, your CIY 16 looks great and well adapted for a broad programme.

For my Dolfi R&S, the average deadrise is ~ 70° at bow section regularly decreasing to ~ 11° at midship and reincreasing to ~ 22° at transom, associated with an accentuated round bilge close above the waterline to favor the dynamic stability.


Some comments about my guidelines and choices :
** For the rowing performance, my rationale was to consider that an average rower can sustained during one hour or more a speed of about Froude 0,30 (on calm water no wind,here for Lw 4,35 m >> ~ 3,8 Knots). For that kind of speed, a prismatic coefficient Cp 0,52 is optimal, no need to search for more Cp, that helps to have less wetted surface and finer water entry.
** The delicate point is the trade offrowing versus sailing : it is an hybrid programme with the risk of poor performance for both functions, and which can be resumed mostly by the beams issue :
** For Dolfi R&S, a 15,7' with Beam at sheer 1,34 m and Beam at waterline Bwl 1,03 m (for the designdisplacement 191 kg = boat fully equiped 91 kg + sailor 80 kg + itsroaming equipment 20 kg), I think we are on the rowing side of the programme.
** With about 15% more Beam at sheer (let say Beam ~ 1,55m) and at Bwl (let'say ~ 1,18 m), then I think we are on the sailing side of the programme.
** Both extra beams are important for the sailing programme :
Bwl is important for the intrinsic stability : when sailing, the sailor is not always sit low in the boat as a rower, you need to give him a more stable platform.
Beam at sheer contributes to give him more righting moment when heeling under sails, and dynamic stability during tacking or gybing.

Dolfi R&S waterlines :
Waterlines.jpg

[JimD]

Already got that, kind of...

boat tent.jpg

An aside, not meant to be a value judgment: for whatever reason, I find multi-hulls uninspiring. I suppose that's because all of my cultural roots are almost entirely monohull-centric. But multis, for all their obvious practical advantages, just don't hold any attraction for me. One of my many failings...

Tom

Know what you mean. I used to have something against multi-hulls, too. They just weren't salty and traditional enough. Now I wish I had been able to see beyond that prejudice because it turns out that a catamaran would probably be the best boat for me at this point, now that it's too late to start a new build.

[stromborg]

If I were looking for another sail&oar boat to build John Welsford's Rogue would be high on the list. The flat bottom would let her sit on a beach nicely, there's a little decked area to keep stuff relatively dry or at least out of the way. I also like the seating arrangement, there would be a bit of faffing about to fill in the cockpit well if one wanted to sleep aboard but I don't think that is insurmountable. It is also under 15' so it sails under the radar as far as licensing/registration goes around here.

[JimD]

This is such an interesting thread. I've realized from this forum how difficult it can be for people to be honest with themselves about what kind of boat they need, and what they will realistically be using it for. Hearing people explain why they picked a design, how it has worked out, and what they would like to change/what design would better fit their use case is endlessly entertaining.

I find Myst and Coquina to be stunningly beautiful, I don't care if they fit my needs at all, I just want to experience building them, and then sit and look at them. As a woodworker I would love to have a project worthwhile enough to justify using expensive, beautiful materials, and taking the time to do everything the "right" way.

I hear ya. They would be amazing boats to build and fawn over even if they didn't get used much.

[WI-Tom]

When deciding on my "real" boat around 2007-ish, I narrowed it down to Myst or Alaska. I thought Myst looked like a more capable boat, maybe, but Don Kurylko assured me that Alaska would be plenty capable, and that if I wanted good rowing performance, Alaska was by far the better choice. I think he was right on both counts. But man, Myst is a beauty! (Too many strings to pull to keep me happy these days, though).

Coquina is amazing, too. I'd rather have a lug rig than a gaff, but the hull shape is beautiful.

Thinking back, I really hadn't thought through whether I would like a mizzen mast in the cockpit, as with Alaska and Coquina. In practice, I don't want that at all. Which is why I sail my Alaska with just the mainsail in the alternate center mast step shown in the plans:

Alaska.jpg

Tom

[AJZimm]

Thanks for your kind comment, coming from a professional designer !

I was not aware of your production that I discover through this thread, your CIY 16 looks great and well adapted for a broad programme.

For my Dolfi R&S, the average deadrise is ~ 70° at bow section regularly decreasing to ~ 11° at midship and reincreasing to ~ 22° at transom, associated with an accentuated round bilge close above the waterline to favor the dynamic stability.


Some comments about my guidelines and choices :
** For the rowing performance, my rationale was to consider that an average rower can sustained during one hour or more a speed of about Froude 0,30 (on calm water no wind,here for Lw 4,35 m >> ~ 3,8 Knots). For that kind of speed, a prismatic coefficient Cp 0,52 is optimal, no need to search for more Cp, that helps to have less wetted surface and finer water entry.
** The delicate point is the trade offrowing versus sailing : it is an hybrid programme with the risk of poor performance for both functions, and which can be resumed mostly by the beams issue :
** For Dolfi R&S, a 15,7' with Beam at sheer 1,34 m and Beam at waterline Bwl 1,03 m (for the designdisplacement 191 kg = boat fully equiped 91 kg + sailor 80 kg + itsroaming equipment 20 kg), I think we are on the rowing side of the programme.
** With about 15% more Beam at sheer (let say Beam ~ 1,55m) and at Bwl (let'say ~ 1,18 m), then I think we are on the sailing side of the programme.
** Both extra beams are important for the sailing programme :
Bwl is important for the intrinsic stability : when sailing, the sailor is not always sit low in the boat as a rower, you need to give him a more stable platform.
Beam at sheer contributes to give him more righting moment when heeling under sails, and dynamic stability during tacking or gybing.

Dolfi R&S waterlines :
Waterlines.jpg

With the relatively flat sheer forward, combined with the very fine lines and lack of flare in the bow sections, I would be worried that, when sailing to windward, the boat will roll bow-down when heeled over under the pressure of the wind on the sail. It will be a wet boat going to windward.

I am also not sure what that combination will do to the feel of the helm. If the changed underwater shape results in too much weather helm, with a daggerboard instead of a pivoting centreboard, there is no ability to raise the board to compensate.

[JimD]

When deciding on my "real" boat around 2007-ish, I narrowed it down to Myst or Alaska. I thought Myst looked like a more capable boat, maybe, but Don Kurylko assured me that Alaska would be plenty capable, and that if I wanted good rowing performance, Alaska was by far the better choice. I think he was right on both counts. But man, Myst is a beauty! (Too many strings to pull to keep me happy these days, though).

Coquina is amazing, too. I'd rather have a lug rig than a gaff, but the hull shape is beautiful.

Thinking back, I really hadn't thought through whether I would like a mizzen mast in the cockpit, as with Alaska and Coquina. In practice, I don't want that at all. Which is why I sail my Alaska with just the mainsail in the alternate center mast step shown in the plans:

Alaska.jpg

Tom

It's hard to beat the simplicity and ease of a single sail

[Jack Loudon]

We have discussed Long steps, Walkabout, Scamp, and another couple of other JW designs. But I've always been drawn to his Tread Lightly; at 13 by 5 ft, a foot longer and slightly narrower than Scamp, but with an enclosed cabin shoehorned in. Both Long Steps and Scamp opted for a hard dodger so maybe a dedicated cabin involves too many compromises? The main compromise I see is the large bridge deck (necessary for leg room in the cabin) that encroaches on cockpit space, though it does seem to make a nice seat for rowing and a place to set a hot beverage & paper chart. All in all, I think a lovely boat for the solo sailor in a rainy climate like the PNW. I'm tempted.

[rgthom]

Also, although it is ugly as sin I think Marsh Duck would make the short list because it is so practical. Having a small cabin (coffin) really makes the shoulder season sailing more enjoyable on the North sea/Baltic. I hate having to stow wet tents and sleeping bags, sailing all day in the damp gray, and then pulling out the musty still wet gear to camp again.

The Marsh Duck, and the Row Cruiser, are boats I might well have chosen if they were available when I was deciding on a boat long ago. The dedicated cabins of these designs seem like a good idea for the reasons you mention. Since I went with the Walkabout though, I now feel that for such small craft it makes for very cramped spaces to have separate cockpit and cabin. With an open boat you get the full cockpit during the day to stretch out and move around, and a spacious cabin with at least sitting headroom at night. We amateur boatbuilders work hard at our woodcraft, that is the main focus of this hobby (craft, madness...), but I think we sometimes miss the opportunity to be as careful and creative with folding soft covers and dismiss tents as leaky and not secure enough. My own early attempt at a folding dodger/tent was not the best looking, but by combining completely waterproof vinyl coated material at the dodger with breathable fabric for the rest I had a flexible cover which could fold in several sections. On rainy days I left the dodger and aft section up, this kept a lot of the water out of the boat. Most of it would dry quickly if the rain stopped, and I put the bedding up on the side seats until it was dry. To me this is the way to go until the boat gets big enough to support full size cabin and cockpit, but then you are usually big enough to need a motor.
-Rick

[WI-Tom]

Rick,

I really like (and am a bit envious of) your tent system--very cool, I think.

My own background as a lightweight backpacker has given me lots of faith that I can keep myself dry and warm with a simple single-wall silnylon tarp. For that to work, the boat tent I envision (but have never progressed past the mock-up stage) needs lots of ventilation to avoid condensation problems. My last attempt uses tent pole "arches" (steep sides, but about 12" flat on top) that seat into grommets in flat webbing which has one end anchored under the gunwale inside, and the other end outside the gunwale. That outer grommet is where the arches go. So, you get a ventilation gap all along the bottom of the tent, but below the sheer. Open, but dry.

I've also never used a boat tent with closed ends. For my summer cruising, I've never had a problem staying dry even with the tent ends open.

How important have you found it to be able to close off your entire boat, as your tent allows?

Tom

[mattglynn]

That looks awesome! I know John drew a similar looking cockpit tent for walkabout, were you able to use his plans, or did you have to pattern it yourself?

My own background as a lightweight backpacker has given me lots of faith that I can keep myself dry and warm with a simple single-wall silnylon tarp. For that to work, the boat tent I envision (but have never progressed past the mock-up stage) needs lots of ventilation to avoid condensation problems. My last attempt uses tent pole "arches" (steep sides, but about 12" flat on top) that seat into grommets in flat webbing which has one end anchored under the gunwale inside, and the other end outside the gunwale. That outer grommet is where the arches go. So, you get a ventilation gap all along the bottom of the tent, but below the sheer. Open, but dry.

Its hard to beat a tarp tent in warm weather. What you describe is almost exactly how our system works, however the dimensions on our boat ended up being perfect to use a 30€ Decathlon tent. Its a two pole dome style, so we drilled holes 3/4 through gunwales, added small weep holes, and just stick the poles in. Next we cut the floor out of the tent and installed grommets along the edge. A piece of shock cord runs through the grommets and loops around hooks on the underside of the gunwales.


IMG-20211116-WA0000.jpg

The guy lines really help keep the two layers from touching each other. We also use a small candle/lantern that swings from a hook and that really helps in keeping the damp away.

[rgthom]

Rick,

I really like (and am a bit envious of) your tent system--very cool, I think.

My own background as a lightweight backpacker has given me lots of faith that I can keep myself dry and warm with a simple single-wall silnylon tarp. For that to work, the boat tent I envision (but have never progressed past the mock-up stage) needs lots of ventilation to avoid condensation problems. My last attempt uses tent pole "arches" (steep sides, but about 12" flat on top) that seat into grommets in flat webbing which has one end anchored under the gunwale inside, and the other end outside the gunwale. That outer grommet is where the arches go. So, you get a ventilation gap all along the bottom of the tent, but below the sheer. Open, but dry.

I've also never used a boat tent with closed ends. For my summer cruising, I've never had a problem staying dry even with the tent ends open.

How important have you found it to be able to close off your entire boat, as your tent allows?

Tom

I usually leave an open flap on one side, but have closed it up completely for three reasons: bugs, raccoons and rain. There are places like Tomales Bay where the raccoons swarm our boats at night and grab anything tasty or shiny. I do not want to wake up with one of those guys looking at me. If it is not raining the Weathermax fabric breathes enough that condensation is minimal. In rain it is wet, but better than uncovered.
For rain in light wind I can see your ventilated tent working fine. Out on the water in strong wind, could you keep it from flapping?

[rgthom]

That looks awesome! I know John drew a similar looking cockpit tent for walkabout, were you able to use his plans, or did you have to pattern it yourself?

Not to plan, I just used the idea. My coaming is not to plan, and Johns tent was not designed to fold.

[WI-Tom]

I usually leave an open flap on one side, but have closed it up completely for three reasons: bugs, raccoons and rain. There are places like Tomales Bay where the raccoons swarm our boats at night and grab anything tasty or shiny. I do not want to wake up with one of those guys looking at me. If it is not raining the Weathermax fabric breathes enough that condensation is minimal. In rain it is wet, but better than uncovered.
For rain in light wind I can see your ventilated tent working fine. Out on the water in strong wind, could you keep it from flapping?

My typical routine "at anchor" is that the bow of the boat is tied to shore with the painter, usually in an ultra-sheltered spot just big enough to fit the boat in. No tides to worry about. Step out in shin-deep water. Sometimes have a stern anchor to hold the boat off the shore, sometimes tie up right beside a rock shelf. Very very sheltered, little wind exposure.

I do get good tension on the tarp, though. I think it would do OK in some wind. How much is the question, I guess.

A bigger issue is mosquitoes. An open tarp does NOT help with that. Fortunately, in mosquito-ish waters, I'm often able to camp ashore in a backpacking tent.

My "next boat" (hypothetical)--might be nice to have something like a Long Steps/Scamp cuddy to anchor a tent to. With mesh options to keep bugs out. That would suggest a fully-enclosed tent set-up like yours.

Tom

[rgthom]

The little cuddy looks like the best plan, some shelter is always there and it supports a tent when you want more.
For the tiny cabin boats like the Row Cruiser, would condensation not be a problem just as much as a tent? And if the bedding gets damp, how to dry it without an open cockpit? I am struggling to see an advantage to this method.

[mattglynn]

Condensation is still a problem in small cabins. The difference is that stuff can air out over the day while you are sailing even in bad weather. A little mushroom vent or cracking the hatch a little lets the air circulate throughout the cabin, and your things don't have to be stuffed into a bag and stored throughout the day so it doesn't get musty. None of this really matters for summer sailing, but the shoulder seasons around here can be very wet and cold so having a cabin extends your season a month or two on either end.

[jshaley]

Ok, Tom, you are scaring me. Have watched closely your enjoyment of the Phoenix III and then of course Alaska. I was initially alarmed that if you could not settle on a boat, my situation was helpless. But then I turned it around: if you can't settle on a boat - I'm doing just ducky:

Shellback (current boat):
+ Fantastic oar / sail camper, have dragged it over beaver dams in NY's Adirondacks
+ Great lines
+ Can be launched at "cartop" boat launch sites
+ Super easy to store, tow & launch
- Can't sleep aboard
- Tight sailing two up
- I have fenders lashed as flotation, but I would not want to flip her
- Small for Lake Ontario

Next boat possibilities
Scamp: I feel a bunch of bright people asked the same question - what makes a good adventure boat. And Scamp was the answer. Rowing holds me back.

Walkabout: The brief is very much what I am interested in and this is always towards the top of the list.

Scram Pram: Based on Bolgers birdhouse design. Aside from lakes and ivers I am close to several canal systems that need exploring. The privacy of scram pram is appealing. No oars though.

Seil 18: Viviar's longer pram. Rows well, Boomless lug sail, well documented build. Higher capacity for friends. The cost for plans & patterns is steep but if that is holding me back I need a different hobby. Cheaper than kits. But the "pay as you go" option is attractive to me. Freeboard a bit low (I think th wife would like the shipiness of Scamp)

Oughtred's double enders: 'nuff said

First Mate: Sails, rows, motors, sleep on board, "easier?" to build than Phoenix.

I just recently discovered Clark Craft is just down the road. I was looking at the Hartley 16. Again, not rowing

Welsford's Sweet Pea - again, not rowing. Modern refactoring of the Hartley in some ways.

Tom, I'm with you. When I over night in the canoe or Shellback I do not know what weather awaits after driving 6-8 hours. We have launched fully reefed. And you could get out there and next morning have no wind for the next few days. So the oars come up.

[Wayne Poulsen]

Next boat possibilities
Welsford's Sweet Pea - again, not rowing. Modern refactoring of the Hartley in some ways.

Once you move away from rowing...
Did you consider Welsfords Pilgrim?
Which may also be seen as a modern Hartley 16 kind of thing, perhaps with a Scamp style cuddy.

[Dave Hadfield]

Nobody has mentioned a walk-through cabin of the Michalak type.

Normsboat Plans PDF (duckworks.com)

[Rob Hazard]

I think some of Michalak's ideas in Norm's Boat derive from Phil Bolger's Birdwatcher. The slotted coach roof with the sailing rig and centerboard both offset to one side, which allow walking access to the bow, are novel features. I've never been moved to actually build a Birdwatcher, but I always wonder how good she'd be as a pocket cruiser.