Hot Rat

[salty hoosier]

Has anyone out there in the Forum built or sailed a small scow called "Hot Rat" designed by Gavin Atkin? He has a few designs in Duckworth's mag.

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

Mr. Atkin certainly doesn't have knack for nautical names. "Hot Rat" sounds more like an appellation for a rap star.
Charlie

[salty hoosier]

Mr. Atkin certainly doesn't have knack for nautical names. "Hot Rat" sounds more like an appellation for a rap star.The boat is a version of a line of boats know as "mouse boats".
I guess its one big, nasty mouse.

[johnw]

Oops. Thought this was a cooking thread.

[PaulC]

I built a mouse several years ago, and have put a lot of miles on it since then. It is a pleasant little paddle boat. I have come to really enjoy paddling. I have also built the mini-mouse so that I can have paddling companions.

Gavin's plans have been accurate and gone together easily. The mini-mouse tends to plow the water a bit more with the flat scow bow. It's not real bad, and if I didn't have the regular mouse, I doubt I would have thought the mini-mouse any problem at all.

I do not have any experience with the rat. There is not a lot to them. Why not build it and let us know how it works out.

There is also a yahoo mouse group where you could get some feedback. Go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mouseboats/messages

Gavin pops in here once in a while too.

Good luck with your project.

[salty hoosier]

Paul C.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

[Gavin Atkin]

Well, I just thought I'd pop in to say hello.

You're right Chuck - 'Hot Rat' doesn't sound exactly nautical but it might make marginally more sense if I explain the original purpose of the design :)

I developed this little boat for a chaplain with the US Army in Iraq - a sailing enthusiast, he knew his troops' morale was in danger of falling too far, and had the idea that he could organise some racing on nearby lakes in the desert. There were no boats available, so my brief was to create something suitable for fit young soldiers that would use the minimum of materials available from the Army's stores.

I think the Hot Rat meets the brief: it uses three sheets of ply, has enough sail area inn the simplest of rigs to stretch a young man's muscles, and it's clearly a wet, fun little boat. Actually, I think it adds up to one of the simplest and cheapest club racers you could imagine.

In thinking of the name I was reminded that the British soldiers in the desert during WW2 were called 'desert rats', and though I didn't think that name was quite appropriate I did think 'Hot Rat' came pretty close. The project was never completed, as the gentleman in question and his troops were moved to Liberia before building could start. I sometimes wonder what happened to them all...

Anyways, that's the story. I'm delighted to hear that there are people interested in this little boat, and would be grateful for building and reports, and photos. And I'd certainly echo everything that has been said about the excellent mouseboats Yahoo group - they're a really good bunch of people.

Gavin