Grey Seal? Meaban? Jewel? Penguin?

[Andrew2]

Have you looked at Deben River aka George Whisstock's site? Lots of interesting boats from his board. The 'previous' boat I mentioned above was one
Here:
Whistock Boats and Boat Plans (whisstock.com)
Boat in question was No. 055. Strip with two layers of cold moulded veneer + glass.. First build for him.It is the first photo here: Downloadable Sailboat Plans by George Whisstock

I have the plans for the CH21 and was planking the hull, before life got in the light..
In retrospect, the centerboard case and low headroom loses out to Meaban The forward twist on the hull is a problem for the ply. I used 6 + 4 mm laminate, that got round it.

On any boat, the hull is only a % of the build, so a bit longer on getting the moulding right with Vivier's methods will not slow down the build much.

[Bruce Bateau]

I'll add that building a boat is wonderful thing. Dreaming about how and where the boat will be used is a part of the pleasure. And then of course, there's actually using the boat.

Several of the designs mentioned above could be functional, especially the larger ones. My solo experience on small boats has had a very different enjoyment point than being on small boats with others. I think the family's interests and comfort are going to be equally or even more important to the design you choose than your own desires. You didn't mention how often or interested they are in sailing, so that could certainly sway things.

Out solo, I can put the potty bucket in the middle of the cockpit and take care of business. With three more aboard, how would that work? Same with actual stowage of equipment in addition to sleeping. Sure it can work, but recognizing that in a small boat, one area often transforms into another during the course of a morning or a day. Where do you put the extra people, their stuff, and the dirty dishes? When the changeover is happening?

And then there's the question of a way to get ashore? Will you use a hard dinghy for two, an inflatable that can be stowed aboard (need room for that)? All are solvable, but may be primary considerations.

After several seasons of cruising with my, wife on 19' Bolger Chebacco, I've started think that a nice day sailor with some beach rollers, and camping ashore would simplify so many things!

Here's the cockpit in day mode:

luna at dock - 1.jpg

And here's what it's like at dinner time with the cover on:

dinner cockpit - 1.jpg
Still, there's a joy in the independence and possibilities of anchoring out! It's just figuring out the logistics of it all

-Bruce

[Bruce Bateau]

And here's the cabin with the bedding removed and gear organized:

empty cabin - 1.jpg

And here's what happens after we're too lazy to put bedding away and toss things from the cockpit into the cabin for sailing on a cruise:
stuffed cabin - 1.jpg

There are lots of way to do it right. Our way is The Messy Way.

John Hartman who is on the forum has a lovely Jewell that is about the same size but is much more organized.

[WI-Tom]

Wow, that Chebacco cabin is really spartan as far as furnishings go!

I can imagine it feeling cozy for one, and crowded for two.

I had an interesting time on my summer trip to Georgian Bay--instead of a two-boat trip with my brother (he ended up not being able to go), I brought a good friend along and we shared my boat.

It's MUCH more complicated, messy, and crowded to manage a long-ish trip with two aboard. And we were camping ashore every night--sleeping on the boat would have made things even more complicated.

I guess it's a good thing that almost no one I know is interested in coming along, mostly!

Tom

[neil.henderson]

One comment about the Jewell - you can buy a pre-cut plywood kit in a few countries. Must admit I love the lines & practicality of the Jewell.

Regards Ndeil

[skuthorp]

I came across a bloke whose built a ply Gartside day sailer (don't know model). 18" and beamy, open cockpit is big enough for a decent party. Unpainted and no rig as yet but he made all his own SS fittings. I think he knows what he's doing
Hull looks similar to this.
image.jpg

[rgthom]

A note on tenting a cockpit - on my smaller boat part of the tent was made with heavy vinyl coated polyester (Sailrite's Shelter-Rite). That stuff is completely waterproof, with bimini fittings and some kind of struts you can make a folding enclosure that is as waterproof as a cabin. And it can be bonded with vinyl adhesive, no sewing needed. Just a thought....

[Zane Lewis]

Cockpit back rests. Be careful as while they may be comfortable at anchor with the boat sitting flat, How will they be with the boat heeling over.
a light day sailer is an easy in and out job rigging etc, however something serious enough to overnight 4 in a cabin is going to be 20-22' long and that's not something you set up from scratch, go for a 2hr sail and come back and de-rig. If you think you want to do short sails then look for a hard stand you can leave you boat rigged up over summer.

actually the little Hartly 18 will sleep 4, 2x quarter berths and a Vee up front. Not as attractive as some you have listed.

https://hartley-boats.com/product/hartley-18/

Z

[John hartmann]

Good point about rigging time. I put a lot of time and thought into arranging the Jewell for ease of setting /striking the rig to speed things at the ramp. A tabernacle, carbon spars and dyneema shrouds are a big part of the equation, along with a zip on cover that allows me to leave the roller furled jib attached when over the road. On a good day, I can manage a 30 minute arrival at the ramp to splashing.
The cockpit will be fine for sleeping two less than adult sized children.
My current boom tent is a minimalist rig, that works remarkably well. The hoop is a bit of sail batten with pool noodles to prevent chafing of the sil-nylon fly. As Ben recommends, the batten ends drop into oar lock sockets.

[AJZimm]

No one has yet commented on John Welsford's Penguin. I've never built one or owned one but I have had a good look over one in the flesh, as it were. I think it would be ideal for your purpose. The CB is much less intrusive than you would think. It's a proper little ship.
Building time would be significant though. Designer Tad Roberts uses a rule of thumb of 1 - 1.4 lbs per hour of build time for us amateurs. My recent build of one of his designs in the same size range came in at about 1.1 lbs per hour. That would put Penguin at somewhere well north of 2300 hours.

[Woxbox]

I've always been a fan of this boat, the Trailer Sailer 24 from CMD. It fits all of your requirements, and is specifically designed to be easy to tow and set up.
image.png

[Andrew2]

I looked quite hard at Penguin, but was worried about the internal lay out and a 'little bit' about the outside 'look', so bought the Dix Cape Henry 21 plans. Likely the Penguin would have been a slightly more comfortable cruiser.

[wend]

Dix has done several versions of the Cape line, up to a 32, all of which can be cut as a kit by CLC, which is a pretty appealing speedup for the larger boats. I also like the lines of his didi 29 retro.