Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailor

[BiggieSmallBoat]

There's a small wooden boat available nearby at basically a give-away price. It looks like it's a cold molded construction, and just needs some cosmetic love, and maybe a few repairs to the rub rail.

In any case, I'd love to put a box with a drop-down skeg in the center, and then rig it up with a sail. I just don't know a lot about sailboat design, and whether the hull shape would be conducive for sailing or not. Not trying to go fast, not looking for performance to windward.

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[Peerie Maa]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />
She would sail well with an appropriate rig. A standing or balanced lug would be best.
I would put some stringers in the bottom to rest your heels against when sitting out as well.

[Treeguyus]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />
Am jealous what a find for you...congratulations...with little work it will become a prize

[Besserwisser]

No chines, so might have a few swims. Suggest buoyancy tanks north & south.

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[robm]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />
It will row very nicely, too!

I recommend adding a daggerboard, not a swinging centreboard. Smaller hole in the hull, easier to install, and will affect performance less under oars.

Another idea: The keel/keelson is very narrow, it will be impossible to put a slot in it without compromising its strength a lot. So put the daggerboard trunk just to one side of it. The asymmetry will be undetectable in use.

[Besserwisser]

Second thoughts: I wouldn't mess with it; looks beautiful for what it's designed for. Keep it for that purpose. Cos unless you're a super craftsman, conversion would ruin it imho.

There're plenty of cheap purpose-built flat-bottomed sailing dinghies about if that's what you're after, rig included.

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[JimConlin]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />
That could be a nice boat. A good find!

The process of inventing and incorporating the sailing bits- Daggerboard and its trunk, rig and the structure needed to support it, rudder, flotation, etc. will be a lot easier if you shamelessly copy the corresponding parts of a single similar boat. We can help you find the design. Woodenboat sells plans for some good choices.
A few suggestions:
Ian Outhred’s Acorn
Joel White’s shellback

Other suggestions, folks?

[BiggieSmallBoat]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />
Yes! I'll definitely need to be borrowing from other designs here, so bring them on.

As for mounting the daggerboard off-center -- would a sufficiently built and re-enforced trunk not be able to take make up for the slot in the keel?

[wizbang 13]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />
She look like she be too cranky for sailing .

[john welsford]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />

It will row very nicely, too!

I recommend adding a daggerboard, not a swinging centreboard. Smaller hole in the hull, easier to install, and will affect performance less under oars.

Another idea: The keel/keelson is very narrow, it will be impossible to put a slot in it without compromising its strength a lot. So put the daggerboard trunk just to one side of it. The asymmetry will be undetectable in use.

I'd be as concerned about the integrity of the cold moulding when cut away from the keelson, if I were being "non traditional" I'd put several layers of glass on the inside, from a foot or so ahead of the proposed daggerboard slot through to about the same aft of that. Then I'd be looking at putting floorboards in, and bracing the seat where the mast went through
This lovely little ship would sail well, but she's built and stressed for rowing and sailing puts a much heavier load on the structure.

John Welsford

[BiggieSmallBoat]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />
John, as in re-enforce the area with glassed in wood before cutting through? Would it also make sense to install a few ribs, with one in this area to more evenly distribute the forces from the trunk box (e.g. like in the photo below). As well as do something similar for the mast location.

IMG_3639.jpg

I would also plan to install a shallow floor I think, if nothing else than to allow me to secure some ballast.

[willin woodworks]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />

Yes! I'll definitely need to be borrowing from other designs here, so bring them on.

As for mounting the daggerboard off-center -- would a sufficiently built and re-enforced trunk not be able to take make up for the slot in the keel?

I'd take big hunk of wood and make a continuous bedlog coped to fit the curve of the hull and flat on top, wide enough to mount the trunk. Hog out the slot for board and build the trunk on top with a thwart. Dagger board will keep it simple.

[johngsandusky]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />
You might use leeboards. Rig and sail it like a canoe. The rig and boards can clamp on, requiring no surgery.

[gizmojoe]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />
I agree with Mr. Besserwisser.

[Autonomous]

Re: Converting this small wooden boat into a casual sailobr />
A conversion can be done. I converted a small boat designed for sail & oar but only built to row.
That hull looks like a slippery rowboat, I would not butcher her. Give her some loving maintenance and enjoy her or sell for some boat dollars toward a real sailboat.
Suspect she'd annoyingly tender under the press of sail.
By the time you add frames, build up the keel and sheer to handle the torque imparted on the mast partner, step, daggerboard case and hull and then determine if the transom is up to a rudder, you will already have impacted her ability to glide.
Then you hope your calculations are correct for CLR vs. CE. Hopefully you will have bult enough flotation in the right places and have not placed the daggerboard box top too low so she can be recovered from a capsize by a normal person.