Design Suggestions, Please

[Tammany]

I am new to this forum and would appreciate some suggestions for a first time builder but long time woodworker.

I would like to build a traditionally styled dinghy/daysailer to keep on a mooring off of our beach on the tidal James River in Virginia. Have been a serious woodworker for 25+ years and have a large, well equipped shop in which I have produced dozens of boat related projects, including a couple of interior refits for large cruising boats (Jeanneau 41, Cal 33). I am a good cabinet maker used to working with curves and have worked as part of a volunteer building crew on a large wooden schooner; also have worked on some re-planking of an older boat. I have not, however, attempted to build a boat from scratch.

In terms of design, I love catboats and Havens and would like to find something similar within reach of my skills. Can someone please help open these doors for me? I am overwhelmed about where to start.

Many thanks.

[Hwyl]

Caledonia Yawl

http://www.grapeviewpointboatworks.com/images/2caledonia/cy2_0.jpg

[andrewe]

You need to decide if you want traditional construction or modern glued. The Caledonian Yawl is glued plywood lapstrake. If you fancy real wood there are many designs out there. I will stand back for others.
A
Some reading might be in order. From our sponsers: Greg Rossel's the Boatbuilder's Apprentice give a lot of info on methods, which might direct your skills.

[rbgarr]

Can't go wrong with that design for all around ability, and I envy the shop capacity.

How would you use the boat (i.e., sailing up to the beach, long sails on the river, light winds, lots of family?) and what are the weather and current conditions like on the river? Would you want it to be self bailing? How much room can you give to the project in your shop?

[TerryLL]

Welcome to the Forum.
Having the shop space, the tools, and the woodworking skills really opens up the possibilities for you, and expands greatly the number of designs that may be suggested. The more information you can provide about intended use, capacity, crew, conditions, winter storage, trailerability, size, preferred building method, etc, etc, the better.

[Tammany]

Thanks for these replies.

The river where we live is relatively protected--many creeks, smaller tributaries and beaches. Water is typically flat but we are close enough to the ocean to get stronger breezes. When we have had small boats before we have kept them on a mooring and also sailed them off of the beach.

In addition to my 30 x 20 shop (much of which is taken up with floor tools and benches), I have a 15 x 20 garage in which I could build. It is hard for me to answer question about construction technique because that is part of what I am asking. I don't really like the looks of most stitch and glue plans I have seen. Strip built appeals to me but I am not certain about the size/load limits.

I have been looking at the Joel White plans for a 15 foot Marsh Cat which I understand can be strip built. Not sure how difficult that would be for a first effort.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:X0V4VY_wk1s6uM:http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/413710122_e0c4ed8c0f_m.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/413710122_e0c4ed8c0f_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kmacdonald1234/sets/72157594575397172/&usg=__GdziHDpn31NvuuHhQNft8Eumxh0=&h=240&w=180&sz=11&hl=en&start=6&um=1&tbnid=X0V4VY_wk1s6uM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=83&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmarsh%2Bcat%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26 rlz%3D1T4SNYR_enUS319%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1)

[pcford]

Lapstrake real wood is my vote. Stay away from plywood and epoxy as much as possible and your life will be a happier one. Good luck!

[Tammany]

Welcome to the Forum.
Having the shop space, the tools, and the woodworking skills really opens up the possibilities for you, and expands greatly the number of designs that may be suggested. The more information you can provide about intended use, capacity, crew, conditions, winter storage, trailerability, size, preferred building method, etc, etc, the better.

Thinking about a two to four person boat. Don't care about trailerability and, in fact, may end up dry sailing the boat from a sling lift. This will be strictly a daysailer for after supper sails and picnics.

[rbgarr]

I like catboats but the Marsh Cat design just doesn't appeal to me somehow. Personal preference of course. Bill Garden is said to be coming out with a larger version of his 12+' foot Tom Cat, which is designed (optionally) for strip planking. He's written and illustrated a wonderful book/building guide for it: http://books.google.com/books?id=PM1LyiVma-0C&pg=PA2&lpg=PA2&dq=bill+garden+tom+cat&source=bl&ots=lESESu1-9j&sig=GkDWsvqMN0xENX1uN6Wb5iQl294&hl=en&ei=BLRPSpuBEsOHtgeEy8WxBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2:

The plans and book are also sold through the Woodenboat Store: http://www.woodenboatstore.com/12-4-Catboat-Tom-Cat (http://www.woodenboatstore.com/12-4-Catboat-Tom-Cat/productinfo/400-143/)

Paul Gartside has some nice designs, including a strip planked double ender suited for a beginning builder, which would have the advantage of being more easily rowed than a cat boat: http://www.gartsideboats.com/catsail.php
Other designs of his could be built strip method and he'd probably be happy to talk about that.

Good luck in any case!

[TerryLL]

A lot of new builders select Swampscott dories as their first build. They come in all sizes and shapes and are fairly easy to build, using either traditional materials, or epoxy-ply construction. Since you're thinking of dry sailing it, you might consider a building method that can stand extended periods out of the water, like strip, cold-molded, or ply-lap.

The Dory Book by John Gardner would be a good investment. Some of the clearest explanations of the dory-building process and many traditional dory designs.

The designs of Iain Oughtred, such as the Caledonia Yawl above, should be looked over:

http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/boatsearch.asp

[Woxbox]

The Marsh Cat came to my mind before you mentioned it in the later post. Also interesting are the Wittholz catboats. The 14 footer has a small cuddy to keep the gear dry in, and it should go together pretty easily since its a chined hull. Study info in "50 Wooden Boats" from the forum sponsor.

If the boat is going to live outdoors, two features are really nice to have: a dry space to lock up gear, and a cockpit that will easily take a cover to keep the rain out. If you dont have that, it quickly becomes a chore carrying all the gear to and from the boat and then bailing out the rainwater when you get there.