Perfect Pocket Yacht Search

[Buzz73]

I would appreciate any input from other builders of trailerable pocket yachts. I am looking for a design to build for my wife and myself. I've looked at a number of Catboats as well as Stevproj's Weekender series of boats. The problem with these types is not enough cabin space to fit a berth, galley, and small enclosed head. I'm not looking for a massive cabin as my wife is only 5 ft tall. But she does insist on an enclosed head. (a simple wrap-around curtain would suffice) The best I've found so far seem to be "Tango" from Glen-L Marine, and "Mist" from Karl Stambaugh/WoodenboatStore. I'm also interested in Sam Devlin's designs due to their ease of construction and aesthetics. Unfortunately, they tend to have very small cabins. If anyone knows of other good designs, I'd appreciate hearing about them. :eek:

[Meerkat]

A small trailer-sailor that I know of that has an actual enclosed/separate head is the Golant Gaffer. 19'. Happily, a gorgeous boat!
http://www.golantgaffer.co.uk/

Another excellent design is John Welsford's "Penguin" design. Also 19' and features a private double berth up forward.
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/store/plans/jw/penguin/index.htm

I think in the normal scheme of things in smaller boats, the party of the first part goes on deck while the party of the second part does the business and the whole cabin is the private space.

[garland reese]

I agree with Meerkat on the two previous recommendations. Both are very nice designs. One thing to consider is that it may be possible to modify the interior to accommodate a more private area for a w/c, whether portable or built-in. Portable heads, even if they are kept in an enclosed area are a bit less of a maintenance problem (no through hull fittings, etc). The best ones seems easy an not too unpleasant to deal with, once you get to a dump station. This would seem to work well on a weekender type crusier.
Another design that has a curtained off w/c area is the Cape Cutter 19 from Dudley Dix www.dixdesign.com (http://www.dixdesign.com)
Another nice design that might be modified to include an enclosed space is the Buck cat yawl from Tony Dias www.diasdesign.com (http://www.diasdesign.com) As is, Buck has a portable unit stowed under the bridge deck, to be used either inside the cabin or outside in the cockpit area.............not a bad way to go really (pun intended). It appears that there would be room for a curtained space though, should you prefer.
If you see a design that you like, talk to the designer. Most are happy to work with you on minor modification such as that.
Good luck, let us know what you decide on!

[Don Maurer]

Jim Michalak has a new Bolgeresque design called Picara, 18' x 6' (the web site says 18' x 7', but the plans specify 6' beam) with sitting room in the berth area and an enclosed 2' wide section between the cockpit bulkhead and the cabin bulkhead that would function well for an enclosed head. This area has the most headroom on the boat. Jim does not give any cabin layout, so you will need to work that out for yourself. Plans are $31, so you can't go wrong.
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/store/plans/jim/picara/index.htm

[ 11-01-2002, 03:30 PM: Message edited by: Don Maurer ]

[Wayne Jeffers]

Here are a few more worth at least a quick look:

http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/princess.htm

http://www.chebacco.com/

http://www.trailer-sailer.com/ and http://home.vicnet.net.au/~hart1821/plans.html

http://www.bluelightning.co.uk/

http://users.rcn.com/jgclayt/

http://noelex22.orcon.net.nz/

Wayne

[Buzz73]

WOW!!! Many thanks to everyone for the great and plentiful suggestions! Any further ideas are, of course, welcome. I'll post a notice once we decide which design to build. Thanks again!
:D

[imported_Steven Bauer]

I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned Iain Oughtred's Eun Mara:

http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/pictures/oughtred/eunmara1.jpg

I've got my plans smile.gif

[Leon Steyns]

dddmdz,

Also check at Jacques Mertens' site Bateau.com (http://www.bateau.com/), particularly the Vagabond and/or Serpentaire. If you're more into a design adventure: there's also SoDuIt!, a Jim Betts and Ted Brewer design (but maybe your wife would qualify that as an enclosed head with a sail... smile.gif )

Greets, Leon Steyns.

[paladin]

The Charles Wittholz catboats are really nice and give options of strip plank, cold molded or plywood construction and have plenty of room for the size, and are also available marconi rigged or gaff....available through Ken Hankinsons or directly from Mrs. Wittholz.

[Charlie J]

Here's a site on the building of a Vagabond. Justin did a beautiful job on it and from what I hear, the boat really sails well.

http://home.earthlink.net/~jpipkorn1/

[Meerkat]

Originally posted by Charlie J:
Here's a site on the building of a Vagabond. Justin did a beautiful job on it and from what I hear, the boat really sails well.

http://home.earthlink.net/~jpipkorn1/Moved to http://www.amateurboatbuilding.com/ProjectJustRight

[JimD]

Originally posted by Steven.Bauer:
I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned Iain Oughtred's Eun Mara:

http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/pictures/oughtred/eunmara1.jpg

I've got my plans smile.gif Steven, that is one nice lookin' boat! I can see why you've chosen it.

dddmdz - I've built the smaller version of the Glen-L Tango, the Minuet. Glen-L has a whole serious of hard chined plywood centerboarders, easy to build and trailer but lightly ballasted. The 18 ft Tango has a 400 lb centerboard as opposed to about 1800 lbs of keel on the 22 ft Amigo which I am now building. My advice would be to consider the absolute maximum weight you consider trailerable and go from there if its a true pocket yacht you want and not just a lightweight daysailer or overnighter marketing itself as a pocket cruiser.
jimd

[JimD]

Man I hate it when I make typos! A 'serious' of boats was actually intended to be a 'series' of boats, seriously.... redface.gif

[Charlie J]

Thanks MeerKat - I missed the moved notice. Got it updated now.

He did do a beautiful job on the boat and it sure looks to have quite a bit of room for a 20 footer.

I've read about some of thier sails over on Trailer-Sailor.

[David Jost]

I have recently launched a Bolger Micro that I have found quite satisfactory as a micro-cruiser. No wrap around curtain for the head, we just put the hatch board in place and ignore the user. It can be viewed at http://users.rcn.com/djost.ma.ultranet/Micro.htm

Have fun!

David Jost

[ahp]

You micht consider the Mystic II. It is a V-bottom sloop using plywood construction, about 22 ft LOA. It can be built with either twin bilge keels or a centerline keel. There is also the choice of masthead rig or 7/8 marconi.

It is a raised deck design which appears to give good sitting headroom below, a galley, and can have four births. Aux power is an OB in a well. It looks neat!

Plans are available from Tucker Designs, 15 Wrensfield, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1RN, England.

The Mystic I was originally designed and built by Robert Tucker for his own use. Also about 100 were built by a boatyard, which no longer exists. His son, Anthony made some minor changes to make it easier for amateur construction.

[Meerkat]

Any pics of the Mystic II?

[ahp]

Meerkat,

Unfortunately no. There are some photos of Mystic I in "Pocket Cruisers" by Sleightholm. I hope I have the spelling right.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by dddmdz:
But she does insist on an enclosed head. (a simple wrap-around curtain would suffice) :eek: I am resurrecting this thread because I recently re-stumbled upon the designs of George Whisstock. OK, it's slow at work and I was boat surfing.

Anyway, the subject of trailerable boats with enclosed heads is a popular theme.

The designs I found are these 3:

17'-6" 3 berth Yawl (http://www.whisstock.com/frameseti.html)

18'-6" 3-berth Yawl (http://www.whisstock.com/framesetj.html)

20'-0" 3-4 berth Yawl (http://www.whisstock.com/framesetl.html)

Doing the "Click image to enlarge" thing at each boat reveals a larger drawing showing the cabin layout and the enclosed head.

Nice looking boats, too.

Enjoy!

[Bruce Taylor]

Thanks for posting those, Wayne. I hadn't seen them before.

Some might find all that freeboard a bit ungainly, but there's no denying these are amazingly roomy boats, for their size & displacement.

I wish they'd posted sectional views & a stability curve.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Bruce Taylor:
Thanks for posting those, Wayne. I hadn't seen them before.Your welcome, Bruce. Finally one of my ramblings is appreciated.

I bet George W. would provide the information you mention if you asked. As for the high topsides, it is one of those compromises we have to accept for all of the cabin volume and the enclosed head for the First Mate.

Cheers!

[Roger LaPrelle]

Take a look at Paul Gartside's (http://www.gartsideboats.com/index.php) web site. A lot of great daysailers, up to serious cruising boats. I really like the Surprise II, a 22' cutter, and the Jessie, a 15' dingy. All really nice designs.

Regards,
Roger

[brian.cunningham]

Originally posted by Roger LaPrelle:
Take a look at Paul Gartside's (http://www.gartsideboats.com/index.php) web site. A lot of great daysailers, up to serious cruising boats. I really like the Surprise II, a 22' cutter, and the Jessie, a 15' dingy. All really nice designs.

Regards,
Roger:cool:
http://www.gartsideboats.com/pgimages/SurpriseInside1web.JPG

[Buzz73]

Thanks for the great suggestions, everyone! Please keep posting as more designs come to mind. Although I enjoy discovering new designs, I've made the decision to build the Penguin designed by John Welsford. I'm really drawn to the traditional appearance of this craft. My wife really likes the enclosed head and the queen-sized berth up front. Mr. Welsford has been very forthcoming in offering pre-sale advice. His designs can be found as John Welsford Designs (http://www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz) and are sold for U.S. builders at Duckworks Online Magazine (http://www.duckworksmagazine.com) As of now I'm saving up for a set of plans. Thanks again for all the ideas. Please keep 'em coming!

[Bruce Taylor]

Mr. Welsford has been very forthcoming in offering pre-sale advice.He's a helpful gentleman, is John. His Penguin puts a lot of boat in a small, attractive package.

I wonder how Penguin performs? How seaworthy is she? It's really the only pocket cruiser I've seen that could tempt me away from Eun Mara.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/store/plans/jw/penguin/penguindwg2.gif

[Marcio Moreira]

Hello;

The Eventide ownwers association sells various designs of boats betwen 15 to 30 feet. Wild Duck (19 feet) and three tonner would be serious costal cruising boats to you.
http://www.eventides.org/Boat%20Designs.htm

the lovely three tonner comes from the design table of Alan Buchanan:

<http://www.eventides.org/_borders/3_TONNER.gif>

[Marcio Moreira]

http://www.eventides.org/_borders/3_TONNER.gif

[Venchka]

Originally posted by dddmdz:
I've made the decision to build the Penguin designed by John Welsford.Splendid choice. 3 sail yawl rig of course?

A gentleman in Ontario is building one. He posted a question here in the last week. I'm sure ya'll will be pleased with the boat. And you can go racing against each other.

Cheers!

[Bruce Taylor]

A gentleman in Ontario is building one.That would be Jonas Abromaitis, who lives south of Ottawa.

How's it coming, Jonas?

[Leon Steyns]

Originally posted by brian.cunningham:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Roger LaPrelle:
[qb]Take a look at Paul Gartside's (http://www.gartsideboats.com/index.php) web site. A lot of great daysailers, up to serious cruising boats. I really like the Surprise II, a 22' cutter, and the Jessie, a 15' dingy. All really nice designs.

Regards,
Roger:cool:
[QB]</font>[/QUOTE]Wow, love that stove!!!

Greets, Leon Steyns.

[imported_Steven Bauer]

Penguin was the only real contender besides Eun Mara for me, too. I'm going to build Eun Mara 'cause I really just love a double-ender. I'm ordering the plans this week for Iain Oughtred's Elf, a 15' Faering. This will be my 13 year old's boat. He is going to build it I'm just the coach. :D I figure it'll be good to have some glued lap clinker ply experience when it comes to the bigger boat.

Steven

[Jonas]

I see that my name has come up in regards to building Penguin. The project is going well. The bulkheads, stem, centreboard case, transom are built, the bottom pieces cut out and ready to glue, and lumber ordered for the building frame. Waiting for the snow to melt and the weather to warm up so that I could move the whole lot up to the garage and start putting her together. It really is an "inside-out" boat. I even have the galley drawer constructed. I'm hoping that all the pieces line up fair when it comes to planking. From the photos of completed boats, I'm sure that the measurements all work. Just hope that I measured everything right. This building method has suited me really well, allowing me to construct a large portion of the boat in my basement workshop over the winter months.

[Bruce Taylor]

Thanks for the update, Jonas. It sounds like your working conditions are similar to mine. The cold snap this week has stopped me in my tracks.

What is it about Penguin that makes it possible to built "inside out," as you put it?

[Jonas]

Bruce, the Penguin bulkheads determine both the external shape of the hull, as well as the layout of the internal components. Probably most boat hulls are built upside down on molds that are later removed. This hull is built right side up, beginning with a bottom panel and keelson, the addition of centreboard trunk and bulkheads, stringers, and then planking. In fact, the designer advises that not all planks be attached until some of the interior structures are completed to ease construction and access. Once the boat is essentially completed, then it is turned over and fitted out with the keel, skeg,deadwood, etc. Lead ballast is added at the end.

[Buzz73]

Bruce,
There are some great construction photos of Penguin on New Zealand's Woodenboat site which explains its unusual construction. Try the following links: Penguin Construction Sequence (http://www.woodenboat.net.nz/Boats/BoatPenguin/Penguinbuild.html) and Australian Penguin Construction (http://www.woodenboat.net.nz/Boats/BoatPenguin/tropicalpenguinfolder/PenguinAust.html)

[Bruce Taylor]

Thanks, dddmdz. I've just printed out those pages. Very interesting indeed.

[imported_Peter K]

This thread seems to have been comprehensively covered, but where is Devlins Winter Wren ? I have a screen saver of a profile view of Winter Wren which was the cover of a magazine a long time ago. It is the most beadiful boat period. This is an objective, not subjective statement.(weeeell maybe...) I have study plans... there is even a shoal draft centreboard version. Is there something that I should know about her ? Is it possible that she might even have faults? Can anyone enlighten us ?
Regards.....

[Meerkat]

Several design alterations were made to this Winter Wren including a self bailing cockpit, an aft lazarette with hatch access, and a folding mast. http://www.devlinboat.com/homebuiltmasters2.jpg
http://www.devlinboat.com/homebuiltmasters3.jpg
http://www.devlinboat.com/winterwren.gif

[ff_franz]

-
-

I intended no offence, sorry. I was just amazed about the simmilarity in all characteristics of the designs. The Folkboat was invented in pre-plywood times.

But I also know, that "inspired by" often means straight plagiarism.

Florian
http://www.emubo.com/d/bau/logo_k.jpg
-
www.emubo.com (http://www.emubo.com)

[Sailing-Randy]

Have you checked out the various Spray designs by Bruce Roberts? I have the plans for the 27' right now, but the building is on the back burner until God opens up some free time.