Uncle Gabe's skiff

[Gavin Atkin]

Has anyone built an Uncle Gabe's skiff as presented by Rabl in his famous 'Backyard' book? How did it row, sail with the drawn rig, and how did it look?

Thanks, Gavin

[Dean4140]

Gavin,

The only thing I have seen is at this google web site:
www.messingaboutinboats.com/archives/issuemay99.html (http://www.messingaboutinboats.com/archives/issuemay99.html)

Dean

[Steve Paskey]

Dean's link doesn't work for me. Try this:

www.messingaboutinboats.com/archives/mbissuemay99.htm l (http://www.messingaboutinboats.com/archives/mbissuemay99.html)

Note that this fellow built it with a two-masted rig, which is not what Rabl shows. No comments on the performance, except to say that the centercase leaked and it didn't sink.

[ 04-15-2005, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: Steve Paskey ]

[Brian Palmer]

I built a 15 foot sharpie with nearly the same rig about 20 years ago and kept it for a few years. The rig is nice. It sailed well and was easy to handle. The club at the end of the boom gives you more sail area on shorter spars. The horizontal sprit was great because it always kept the sail flat with no twist.

With the balanced jib, you could actually heave to really well for fishing, something I did a few times on Chesapeake Bay.

The rig was a bit small for really light air, but a boat like this should row well if you keep the weight down. Mine was probably overbuilt by about 100 lbs.

I can dig out some old photos and scan them in if you are really interested.

-- Brian

[Dave Carnell]

I built the rowing version of ¼" plywood instead of 1" lumber in hull lengths from 10' to 16'. It rowed nicely and was a very stable platform for hauling moorings, etc.

[Gavin Atkin]

Thanks fellas - that's just what I needed.

I recently suggested to someone that the Uncle Gabe's skiff might be a good choice for someone who wanted to build a good boat in a hurry, and I my real motive for asking was to make sure my suggestion was the right one!

And I think it was. And, as so often, I'm suddenly tempted to make one for myself...

Gavin

[Gavin Atkin]

I'm more and more tempted by the idea of building this boat. And I've found a source of cedar that isn't exactly cheap, but local and low enough in cost to be interesting...

This could be a very cool project. But aren't there a lot of other things I should be doing?!!!? :))

Gavin

[Steve Paskey]

But aren't there a lot of other things I should be doing?!!!? :))
No. Build it! We want pictures, and a full report.

Actually, it's something I've thought about building myself. Now that I have a garage . . .

[Gavin Atkin]

That's easy for you to say Steve P. I've got a kitchen that needs attention, and a garden that needs drastic action. And then there are the other boats that need to be built... So you seem, for a boat nut I'm quite sensible. :)