17' Ultralight Cruiser

[Joseph L. Papiez]

I've been ruminating over daysailer plans these past two months. I'm impressed with Robert W. Stephens Ultralight Cruiser. I built a Nutshell pram about five years ago and the process was very enjoyable. She has served us well as a tender, but now I'm looking for a fun trailer boat that will handle four adults on an outing. Nutshell won't do that. Ultralight looks a bit more challenging to build and sail, but I think is about right for me. Has anyone out there built or sailed one?

[JimD]

Include me among the rabble who knows nothing of this boat but is posting in your thread anyway, but do you have a link to a pic or line drawing? I'd be interested in having a look.

[Flying Orca]

What Jim said.

[Thermo]

Here's all I found
http://books.google.com/books?id=TmoV9c1oWsAC&pg=PA56&lpg=PA56&dq=robert+w+stephens+designs&source=web&ots=2P2-10aA3c&sig=jJ9AVoVgF6GMyIrCw4Ws5Rni3Ns#PPA56,M1

Aren't cold-molded hulls kind of an intimidating project? Looks like a beauty though.

[JimD]

Here's all I found
http://books.google.com/books?id=TmoV9c1oWsAC&pg=PA56&lpg=PA56&dq=robert+w+stephens+designs&source=web&ots=2P2-10aA3c&sig=jJ9AVoVgF6GMyIrCw4Ws5Rni3Ns#PPA56,M1

Aren't cold-molded hulls kind of an intimidating project? Looks like a beauty though.

Thanks, Thermo. At 600#s its not quite what I'd call ultralite but a very nice looking boat.

[Joseph L. Papiez]

I was thinking of building the strip planking version. That seems simpler to me. I haven't yet inquired for a source of 3/8" red cedar, however. Clear stuff may be hard to find? It sure smells good though.

[JimD]

Joseph, whereabouts are you located? Plenty of clear cedar around here.

[Joseph L. Papiez]

I'm in southern Idaho, near Boise. When building with strip planking, does it require a lot of scarfing?