Cart Before The Horse

[jimwalkersails]

Some of you may think this is putting the cart before the horse so to speak but today I started construction on wooden rowing / sailing dingy of my own design that will someday carry me to and from the cruising vessel I plan to own. The Best part is most of the material for the dingy project is being recycled from scrap wood collected after hurricanes Katrina and Ivan. "Kativan" is a project that has been in the planning stages for nearly two years. The original plan was to build a 20' LOA glass over wood Catamaran day sailor but I have decided to scale the project down to something I really can use once I find that Pearson Triton of my dreams. My only concern is weight. I will need to be able to launch and stow "Kativan" single handed and not break winches, rigging, tear the mast down or kill myself.

Any thoughts?

JW

[Stillraining]

A horse with out a cart is just a pet that eats you out of house and home..

Dont need to ask me how I know...

[sailingdog]

Stitch & Glue laminated plywood boats can be very light boats, if properly designed.

IMHO, a bigger concern is what dimensions are you going to make this thing, and if it is a single piece, will it fit whatever boat you are eventually looking to buy. A hard dinghy is something that can be very difficult to stow on a smaller sailboat. I know a lot of people who have <30' sailboats that have to tow their dinghies for just this reason...

[jimwalkersails]

G'mornin dog,

Yeah I have that concern too. I found a two piece design over on another site last night that really got me thinking. The bow section fits right into the stern section when not in use. That seems as handy as a shirt pocket.

JW

[sailingdog]

IIRC, Valiente ordered an NN10 nesting dinghy... rather pretty dinghy, but a bit pricey.

[moanasailing]

You should consider a nesting dinghy. I would also measure the deck of your future boat to ensure it will fit. Most cruising sailboats under 35 feet really are better off with an inflatable dinghy as it is hard to find a place on deck and heavy to use a hard dinghy. One more thought -a heavy hard dinghy on the cabin top of a small sailboat will change the center of gravity and make the boats motion a little worse and less seaworthy overall.

Just some random thoughts. Hope that helps.

--Sam

[LarryandSusanMacDonald]

Sounds like you have your project already designed if you've started on her - so best of luck. If you're looking for ideas check out Chesapeake Light Craft
Chesapeake Light Craft » Welcome to Chesapeake Light Craft » Boats Plans Kits Kayaks Canoes Sailboats Rowing Boats Boatbuilding Supplies Accessories

The make kits and plans,hold classes, etc. I've seen their boats and they seem like well-built, traditional designs. Worth looking at.

[soulesailor]

I also wanted a nice, small, hard dinghy to bring on deck of my B27, nearly identical to the Triton just 1/2 size smaller. Here's what I did:

I created a pram of my own design which I made as big as the space would allow. The fore-deck offered far more space than the cabin top (boom vang and future dodger) so I mocked up a boat that could be stowed forward and still allow room to get to the bow from either side deck with room to handle sail changes and anchoring. I went to work on my custom pram, building it from 1/4" plywood stitch and glue method. The hull came out beautifully with nice curves and big chamfered corners but with one exception: IT'S TINY! It looks more like a baby cradle than a dinghy. I wouldn't want to paddle that thing with anyone in it with any kind of sea.

I've been on several Tritons and they do have a little more space but not that much more. It will be difficult to stowe a one piece hard dinghy of any size on deck. I've resigned to the fact that my on-board dinghy is an inflatable. Since I keep my boat on a mooring I do still have use for a nice hard dinghy, though, as my shore tender.

[jimwalkersails]

Thanks for the link!

Most of the stitch and glue plans I have seen, calls for 1/4 marine plywood but the plywood I have saved up is all treated 1/2 inch. Unless I want a dingy that weighs more than I do, I better scrub that idea until later and go ahead and build a 18 or so footer as I originally planned. I helped my dad build a 22' commercial mullet boat back in the 70's. I think I can use what I learned from him plus info I have gained via the internet to build a small sailboat. We'll see...LOL

JW

[luckytexan]

I think you are actually on the right track for a couple of different reasons.
First is that if you build this thing you will get pretty familiar with wood work, epoxy, and fiberglass work.
You will learn basics such as tabbing to a hull, making a nice fillet, how to properly laminate wood and FG to make a very strong composite, getting the right amount of epoxy in the glass etc.

This in my opinion is going to make it easier when you walk up to that 35' boat you plan on buying and when you see a repair or change that needs to be make you already have a good idea what it would take to fix it, how difficult it will be, if it is something you can handle or have to hire out.
When you see delaminated/ crushed/ cracked fiberglass around the companionway sliding hatch you know it is/is not going to be a bear to fix, you know right then to tell the owner "hey that is going to cost me a lot to fix and take quite a bit of work to get it fixed so it won't leak!"

learning things like that, or just the knowledge that you don't really like working with that kind of stuff after all! Which leads you to the realization that you would be better off looking for a somewhat newer boat.

I really don't see a downside except what you build may end up not fitting what you end up buying. But maybe the experience is worth it, and perhaps you can sell it for enough to cover most of a walker bay Plasti-bote!
FYI there are a lot of designs out there which you can build that will use 1 sheet of 1/4" plywood. So the wood cost is pretty cheap, it is the epoxy that runs up the price and weight. Good luck whatever you decide.