Robb White Sport boat

[Spokaloo]

Hey forumites, I have a question that Im guessing may not have an answer.

Has anyone here built a Robb White Sport boat? Its a rather intriguing design that definitely has almost every good quality one can think of for inland waterways and protected briny areas. An uncle of mine has a place in Minnneeeesoter and would love this boat, so Im thinking of teaming with my aunt and building the thing for a present for his birthday (poor fellah has a dec 25th b-day) next year.

Any info on the design, people who have built it, and photos are warmly appreciated!

E

http://www.robbwhite.com/i/boatfinished1.jpg

[John Bell]

I've got a set of plans from Robb. Only they aren't really plans in conventional sense. Instead, they consist of a full size tracing of the mold stations, transom and stem profile, about 15 pages of Robb's unique narrative describing how he built the boat, and about 20 color pictures of various steps along the way. It's kind of like one of those WB 'How to build a such-and-such' articles.

I don't know if Wes White is still offering plans, though. I'm keeping mine for someday.

[najwater]

I looked over every square inch of the one he brought to Apalachicola last year and asked him questions about it till he could hardly stand it. (I'm not sure if it is exactly from the plans but I think he said it was). It looks perfect for me and I plan to start one as soon as I finnish the canoe I'm working on now. I have yet to purchase my plans though. I am guessing you know that plans are available in the classified section of "Messing about in Boats" magazine. His website says several have been built as a highschool project in Tennessee. It looks better in real life than in pictures.

[Bill Perkins]

I've rowed it (great ) and used it with a small outboard . My brother was Lucky enough to buy one of the original Aluminum ones ,from which Robb took the lines . It's somehow perfect of its' type .

[ewan]

are all the plans that rob white sells "unconventional"? i have had my eye on the little double ended sailboat (the first on his picture page 12'x40"x30#rigged) but fear i would be out of my depth if the plans are unconventional.

[Chan]

Robb white: boats built by eye for.......years. Some great designs, but I don't think he cared much for drafting. I miss his commentary everytime I open a new woodenboat magazine.

[Spokaloo]

I had guessed that the plans might be a bit, well, eccentric. Robb had a style about him that suits my particular tastes and his flow of life seems to mesh somewhat philosophically with mine. It makes sense that a stripper boat, given full size forms, will be cake as its not a terribly complex technique. On top of that, there seem to be many such strip building books out there from which I can steal the needed steps if I get lost.

Naj: I had seen plans on the website as well as in MAIB. Did you happen to have some photos?

Bill: Impressions? You noted that you had used the boat but didnt give any inklings as to opinions! This will be fished in minnesotan lake water, and probably run incessantly by overgrown adolescents.

I dont know that I can do it "by eye", but why not give it a shot?

E

[Bill Perkins]

It rows very well (this was the aluminum Grumman) .I was out in it again over Christmas . I rowed to keep warm while my brother and nephew fished . This was up in Connecticut , on the Thames River . We also cruised around with a small outboard . They're a classic . Have you read Robbs' commentary on his website ? The boat is somewhat canoelike , with less initial stability than the typical bass boat . Robb felt that CG regulations may have driven it out of production.

I think a highschool shop class built the boat in the picture .I'm sure you'll be able to do the same .

[najwater]

I can't seem to get my pictures to post. Should I ask Wes if he minds if I post them when I figure out how to get them from my computer to this server?

[Spokaloo]

If they are your photos (you took them), they are your intellectual property and can be posted at will.

You can email them to me and I will post them.

E

[najwater]

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/najwater/sw1.jpg

[najwater]

Thanks for the fishing lesson Spokaloo. Here are a couple photos I took of what I believe is the last boat that Mr. White completed. (Is that true Wes?)


http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/najwater/sw6.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/najwater/sw5.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/najwater/sw2.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r196/najwater/sw4.jpg

[Bill Perkins]

Naj ; at what show were those pictures taken ? Here's a link to Robbs' website ,with commentary on the Sport Boat .
http://www.robbwhite.com./sportboat.html

I remember him writing with enthusiasm about that trailer type ( in MAIB) , a slotted central beam onto which the necessary appendages were slid , but I can't recall the brand .Any body know ?

[AHall]

http://www.trailex.com/

Enjoy,
Andy

[erster]

The bow shot is beautifull and simular to his Rescue minor.http://www.robbwhite.com./i/rescue.minor.450.shallow.c.jpg

[najwater]

One of the things he and I talked about were his plans for a boat this size (16') but with a tunnel stearn and inboard power. A mini Rescue Minor. It would have been a treat to see. I wonder if he started it? I took these pictures at the antique car and wooden boat show in Apalachicola, Fl. The days events were capped off by getting to listen to Robb White read and tell a few stories. What a treat and we will all miss him. I would love to hear more from his boys but they probably have more important things to do than sit on a computer all day!

[erster]

I think some people are better in print, having the time to meditate and mull over their thoughts than speaking in public. I think at one time he spoke about this which I think went along the lines of the reading while doing public venures for that very reason. MAIB has been doing a mini series of some past articles since his untimely departure. My favorite building method is still strip planked construction, hince drawing me to examine some of his completed works for fun. There is a lot to be said for that method as a single person builder. This also allows for maximizing the use of marginal materials, an idea that I find fits for a poor mans addiction of boats unable to locate and buy premium stuff, too.

[Spokaloo]

Naj, excellent! Those are a totally different perspective on the boat. Fantastic photos, I will definitely be saving those. The bow looks completely different from what I thought it did, and I like it!

Is it just me or are those knees on top of the transom and gunnel?

E

[Wes White]

Man, I've got to get on here more often. Anyway, here goes.


The knees stand proud of the gunwales, but are thick enough to meet the round inner rail with a groove. The transom has a shallow motor notch, so the knees are flush with the outer edges.

We don't offer any other plans, as he didn't ever make any.

The boat was inspired by our old Grumman, but the bow is much finer (the Grumman will slap and throw water in a chop). That bow shape was a trademark of his boats. His opinion was that blunt bows would hit the back of a wave and skid off to one side or the other. His bows slice in and keep on going straight. I have never been in one of my father's boats that would root (as we call it down here).

Naj, thank you for posting the pictures. They are indeed your property, but I really appreciate your concern. Chan and Spookaloo, thank you for the nice words about his style.

Finally, it was indeed his last boat. His intention was to retire from commercial boatbuilding and just make them for his grandchildren (all 6 of them).

[djswan]

Can't help you an any questions. Spook. sweet boat!! The designer sounds like my kind of guy. A good pic of that boat needs a loon in the background behind the pike taking a popper. Once again Sweet Boat!! Thanks for the introduction. Derek

[Bill Perkins]

I’ve read the opinions (of people more knowledgeable on the subject than myself ) to the effect that v bottom boats developed for sheet construction , whether aluminum or ply , will inevitably have a somewhat full bow . I know that aluminum is ductile ,and the Grumman boat may be slightly finer than could be produced in plywood to the same design , but the problem remains . If you want a fine entry, I think the construction technique has to move beyond the application of one to a side sheets .Of course Robbs' work went way beyond .

In this era of videos about everything on line , I'd love to see film of a Grumman Sport Boat being stamped out,or however it was done . Seems possible this might exist . I'll bet they've saved the stamp or form -whatever you call it, too .Maybe when gas gets up above $4/gal. the boat will be reintroduced . There's going to be allot of down sizeing in this country . The boat remains a wonderful mass produced object .

[MTRiverDrifter]

:oThe Grumman sportboat is still in manufacture and has been for some time. I see them all over and I can point you to retailers with them on their floors.

http://www.marathonboat.com/

Marathon is the contemporary name of the Grumman Boat Company. When Grumman decided to stop being in the recreational boat industry some of their employees bought the production facility in Marathon N.Y. and kept the line going.

I have a friend who was negotiating at one time to do assembly of the sportboat in Minnesota. Shipping canoes is a real economic and competitive problem since only poorly compromised designs nest. How ever these are constructed it was very possible to ship the cut aluminum and have them riveted off-site. Their wasn't going to be a great deal of special jigs and equipment that my friend needed to buy.

These are great little boats and one of my fishing buddies gets his on plane. He powers it much higher then factory recommendation

[Bill Perkins]

I couldn't find a Sport Boat at that link .

[craigdempsey]

Punch Grumman canoes, then square stern, then sportboat. Not much info there.

[peter osberg]

They look like small freighter canoes, which are great for coastal exploring, I have built 3 ( they are slightly longer) using steam bent yellow cedar for ribs and planking and can send pictures on to you by email if you like. peter

[Spokaloo]

Sorry for the slow reply, have been out of the country for a while.

Wes, first off, thanks for making your way through. Your pop was an uncharted genius, and made his mark with authority on the boating community.

If you happened to have a photo or two floating around, post it up! If you are unfamiliar with the posting procedure, I can post it for you. Thanks for answering the questions!

Oh, and does anyone have an estimate (wild ass guess) of building time?

As soon as I finish the NINA project, rebuild my dock, a few picture frames (SWMBO), some adirondacks (SWMBO), and trim out the upstairs with bamboo, I think the Sportboat might be on the agenda sometime late fall or early winter.

Thanks again!

[Ethan]

Spokaloo,

Happen to be sitting here at lunch looking over the plans. Regarding build time, I'm thinking....6-8 mo. to do everything. That's assuming most weekends and some weeknight sessions where applicable. Do you have the plans? Robb gave some tips in the notes that I think will shave some of the time off the project.

[Spokaloo]

I dont have a set of plans yet as im up to my ass in NINA, have to resheet a dock, build a pergola, and 4 adirondack chairs for SWMBO. I do have a lust for the boat though, and will probably pluck some plans up sometime around the fitting of the interior bulkheads on the big boat. One project at a time, so she says.

I have an odd schedule that allows me to work 6 hrs a day 3-4 days a week on my boat projects. I hope it wont take me months to get a sport boat done....

E

[Spokaloo]

Just to add to the mix:

a REAL grumman SC!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/boa/278141010.html

What great timing....

E

[SScoville]

Any opinions on the stability of this design. Could one walk around in it with any comfort? I would think it would be too light and narrow. White indicated that the original Grumman "ain't no sea boat." He describes some of his boats which evolved from the Grumman, however, as "good sea boats."

[Bill Perkins]

In the photos we see that the aft end of both skegs are capped with some translucent something . Anyone know what's up with that ? Maybe just playful bling?

[John B]

Looks like bronze rubbing strip to me.

[Bill Perkins]

Oh yes John ;I see what you mean . Would protect the transom when launching or retrieving at a shallow ramp.

[paulv]

I know this is an old thread but Im intrigued with the sport boat. I thought I had decided to build a rangeley lake boat but this boat seems similar maybe even better suited to my needs.

I have a wife and three kids. Were wanting to upgrade from our 17 foot canoe. I like the idea of rowing that way one parent could deal with kids. An outboard would also be nice when were trying to get a ways back in quick.

I think I need a 17- 18' boat could this boat be streached a foot? any opinions?

I do have a 4.5hp evinrude yacht tender