Obscure Boat Design

[frank pedersen]

I'm pretty impressed that a Forum member could identify a source of plans for "Starlite" - and at no cost. So here is my challenge: Does anyone know information (study plans would be enough) about "Plyboy," a 23 ft. sloop built (naturally) of plywood and frames? All I know is the designer's name, Giancarlo Coppola, and that the design won a 1978 Cruising World design competition. An ad for plans appears in WoodenBoat, #29, pg, 123. The vendor listed appears defunct. There may be a write-up and drawings in some book of plans, but I have nothing to go on.

[Captain Blight]

There also seems to be something about him on page 20? At least the master index shows that. Seems to have designed a ketch called FARMILY. Seems to be Google-proof though Lexisnexis and Dogpile are showing tantalizing traces of information. Problem is, "plyboy" is too close to "playboy"; and Francis Ford Coppola's son who was killed on a boat was also named Gian-Carlo; obviously, both of these things complicate matters a bit.

I'll keep looking. My kung-fu is strong today.

[seanz]

You may as well mention the name of the vendor as someone else may have their business or knows someone, who knows someone etc.

Nobody, under any circumstances, should type "Plyboy" into Google.....
:D

[Captain Blight]

My kung-fu very weak. No joy.

[frank pedersen]

Yes, my Google search turned up Playboy and Francis Ford Coppola, but it didn't register that his son matched the same first name. The vendor is Custom Plan Service, 11304 E. 7th St., Tulsa, OK 74128. Not to be too elitist about it, but is Tulsa a hotbed of wooden boat builders?

[soba]

No, but Tulsa is a hotbed of frozen glop powerboats because of nearby Grand Lake.

My search came up with a few boats...a thirteen foot Playboy runabout, and a 23 foot plywood "plyboat" which is not a sloop, but a cuddy cruiser.

I also found lots of connections between Francis Ford Coppola, Tulsa, and Custom home plans.

This is a challenge, so I have 'bot running on it...

[Captain Blight]

This is a challenge, so I have 'bot running on it...
http://www.squarezebra.co.uk/allyourbase/allyourbase.png




I love this place.

[Brumenschenkel]

I have a two page spread on Plyboy in Danny Greene's "THe art science and Magic of Cruising boat design. A reduced study plan, some photos of the designer and the prototype, basic specs, and a short commentary. Unfortunately my tech support is sleeping in today due to school closings. I will ask her to help e with getting a decent image up after she rolls out of bed. "And the winner is"!

While this design doesn't appeal to me on an aesthetic level I have always liked the design. We'll hook you up shortly.

[rbj37]

You guys are unbelivable! Can you do it again? I've been looking off and on for years for any information on "Little Darling" (plans, build, performance, etc.) which appeared in Small Boat Journal pp 64-69 October/ November 1982. I've found very little about the designer, William H. S. Oehrie and nothing about the the design/boat. Can anyone help? My thanks in advance.

[frank pedersen]

Thank you, Brumenschenkel. That was amazing. I had not heard of that book, but I found it readily at Amazon. I will add it to my Christmas purchases. By the way, if others are interested, the full title is "Cruising Sailboat Kinetics: The Art, . . . etc." Amazon needed the words before the colon to bring it up. Thanks again, Frank

[soba]

Do any of you use 'bots? I have to admit, it didn't turn up anything useful that wasn't already known, but it DID turn up some interesting pages...ones that have ABSOLUTELY ZERO in common with the search. And a lot of info on plyboo, playbu, and photos by ply_boy.

I find that my particular bot engine (hyperbot 7.0) works better with numbers and number strings. Anyone know of a better one? Ooops. Don't mean to hijack the thread, back to business...

couldn't find anything at all on the "Little Darling" plans. You DO come up with some good ones...

[rbgarr]

I've been looking off and on for years for any information on "Little Darling" (plans, build, performance, etc.) which appeared in Small Boat Journal pp 64-69 October/ November 1982.

Are you seeking that issue of SBJ or other info not included in the article?

[rbj37]

rbgarr: I have the issue and the article, but I've always wondered about the boat, itself. and I've never been able to find anything beyond the article. Thanks for your interest.