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WoodedBoat Forum... Hello!
I've been soaking up the knowledge contained herein for many years now (at my grandpa's knee, almost, were he a boatbuilder or an internet user....) At long last, I find myself possessed of a question that must-needs-be asked in these byte-worn pages.
So... the age old question; what is the best boat.... for "x"?
And before you ship your tobacco-stained piped, hike out starboard (to balance my disappearing weight), and toss me overboard for asking such a lubberly question (pretty much used all the good nautical terms there, I think) read on. I actually have a list of requirements. In order of importance, no less!
1st. She must be a sailboat. See point 3. And besides... sailboat.
2nd. She must be buildable by a very capable amateur, but quickly and without steamers, arcane hand-tools, or exotic timbers. I live in Texas and have a full-time job; I'd love to build a period-accurate replica of a pilot cutter that would shame the Bristol channel beauties, but it's not practical. Plywood desired, nail-and-glue preferred, but stitch-and-glue is acceptable.
3nd. She must be less than 14ft OA; I'm not a-feared of the eye of the lawman, but neither do I court it. In Texas, one must humbly request that the game warden approve one's craft if she be o'er 14 ft in her lines. This also applies to any form of boat with motorized contraptions applying forward pressure to her stern or interior crossmember to allow one to get where one is going without resorting to vagaries of the wind. I'd rather not have to get 'er registered, inspected, etc. One day, with another boat, but not at the most.
4rd. Simple traditional rig, no stays. Preferably sprit-sail or lugger. Sailing is the priority, not playing with my bits of rope at the boat-ramp.
d. She should be of fairly shallow draft; Texas lakes run deep in places, but they have many a shallow bay perfect for modern day buccaneering.
5th. She should capable of carrying a substantial load (2-3 adults) and still make way to windward. Speed in doing so is not a priority; being able to get back to her trailer BEFORE the weekend is over is. I have all day, I don't want to spend it worrying if I'll miss work on Monday because I was marooned upwind of the boat ramp.
6th. Preferably no cabin; wide side decks and foredecks for comfort in a blow or cold weather, yes, but if I need to overnight, I'll do so ashore in a tent, or with a custom made cover pulled over the whole boat. I have more need of elbow room (2 daughters and a wife) than I do of questionable sleeping room.
With these mild and not at all demanding specifications in mind... where might I find plans for such a craft? I've perused many websites and seen many good craft. Weldsford's SCAMP, many of Selway-fisher's designs, several of Bolger's boats, even a few fiberglass wonders I considered purchasing, and of course the lovely small boats of Atkin's (I know, not plywood). In the end, I found myself with the same issue with all; for their length, they don't look very big. And when they look as though they would feel big, they are too long. (looking at you, Selway-Fisher Skylark 16).
I am currently building a second Bolger Elegant Punt to complement my first (wonderful little craft, these but they aren't the sort of thing two adults would spend much time in). Multiple punts, multiple adults, racing each other would be a recipe for great summer fun. However, in the cold waters of wintertime Texas, racing such small craft is likely to end up chilly and wet. In the summer, one has plenty of friends and bystanders who are eager to learn the joys of sailing, but whom one wouldn't trust alone with a 70sqft canvas in a 8ft boat. Liability being what it is these days, not to mention the likelihood of loosing a pleasant little boat.
I now want something bigger. Help?
I've been soaking up the knowledge contained herein for many years now (at my grandpa's knee, almost, were he a boatbuilder or an internet user....) At long last, I find myself possessed of a question that must-needs-be asked in these byte-worn pages.
So... the age old question; what is the best boat.... for "x"?
And before you ship your tobacco-stained piped, hike out starboard (to balance my disappearing weight), and toss me overboard for asking such a lubberly question (pretty much used all the good nautical terms there, I think) read on. I actually have a list of requirements. In order of importance, no less!
1st. She must be a sailboat. See point 3. And besides... sailboat.
2nd. She must be buildable by a very capable amateur, but quickly and without steamers, arcane hand-tools, or exotic timbers. I live in Texas and have a full-time job; I'd love to build a period-accurate replica of a pilot cutter that would shame the Bristol channel beauties, but it's not practical. Plywood desired, nail-and-glue preferred, but stitch-and-glue is acceptable.
3nd. She must be less than 14ft OA; I'm not a-feared of the eye of the lawman, but neither do I court it. In Texas, one must humbly request that the game warden approve one's craft if she be o'er 14 ft in her lines. This also applies to any form of boat with motorized contraptions applying forward pressure to her stern or interior crossmember to allow one to get where one is going without resorting to vagaries of the wind. I'd rather not have to get 'er registered, inspected, etc. One day, with another boat, but not at the most.
4rd. Simple traditional rig, no stays. Preferably sprit-sail or lugger. Sailing is the priority, not playing with my bits of rope at the boat-ramp.
d. She should be of fairly shallow draft; Texas lakes run deep in places, but they have many a shallow bay perfect for modern day buccaneering.
5th. She should capable of carrying a substantial load (2-3 adults) and still make way to windward. Speed in doing so is not a priority; being able to get back to her trailer BEFORE the weekend is over is. I have all day, I don't want to spend it worrying if I'll miss work on Monday because I was marooned upwind of the boat ramp.
6th. Preferably no cabin; wide side decks and foredecks for comfort in a blow or cold weather, yes, but if I need to overnight, I'll do so ashore in a tent, or with a custom made cover pulled over the whole boat. I have more need of elbow room (2 daughters and a wife) than I do of questionable sleeping room.
With these mild and not at all demanding specifications in mind... where might I find plans for such a craft? I've perused many websites and seen many good craft. Weldsford's SCAMP, many of Selway-fisher's designs, several of Bolger's boats, even a few fiberglass wonders I considered purchasing, and of course the lovely small boats of Atkin's (I know, not plywood). In the end, I found myself with the same issue with all; for their length, they don't look very big. And when they look as though they would feel big, they are too long. (looking at you, Selway-Fisher Skylark 16).
I am currently building a second Bolger Elegant Punt to complement my first (wonderful little craft, these but they aren't the sort of thing two adults would spend much time in). Multiple punts, multiple adults, racing each other would be a recipe for great summer fun. However, in the cold waters of wintertime Texas, racing such small craft is likely to end up chilly and wet. In the summer, one has plenty of friends and bystanders who are eager to learn the joys of sailing, but whom one wouldn't trust alone with a 70sqft canvas in a 8ft boat. Liability being what it is these days, not to mention the likelihood of loosing a pleasant little boat.
I now want something bigger. Help?
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