designing a fast rowboat

[skinboatman]

A.K., thanks for the link. It seems we come in pretty close to each other, weight wise on the Wee Lassie ( I call mine the Free lassie, due to the fact that I've reworked it to fit my construction methods). I f I rememberrightly, the last time I weighed it without the skin, it came in at eleven pounds or so, but then there's the skin and varnish... I use heavier skin than Gaboats, because I like to hit things with my boats, which is also why I use a heavy duty paddle...I feel better reading your comments about showmanship, because, I've got to tell you,I've really been at a loss to figure out how to make it lighter in wood, what with the nails and finish...I'm not sure about the politics about this forum, but if you'd like to see what the fourteen foot Rushton rowboat looks like, you might want to visit my site www.dreamcatcherboats.com. I also have the plans for the Sairy Gamp, the Princess and Adirondack guide boat, which I keep promising to put up for free with the video, among others Kayaks soon, too. I just have so much more fun in the shop I don't spend enough time on the computer. Norvindcrew really managed to put a bee in my bonnet about the (Garside) Flashboat, though: part of the quest to make something which works for everybody, kinda like the Holy Grail. Cheers, Brian

[ancient kayaker]

I've visited that site several times, very impressive. Didn't realise it was you ...

[mike1]

Clint, and others,
another site worth monitoring is http://www.biorow.com while it seems to focus on sliding seat , Dr Kleshnev is quite approachable and very knowledgeable,, you may not agree whith his findings but they are backed up with facts..
mike

[skinboatman]

Ak , thanks for the nice comment, coming from someone with your experience, it counts a lot. As for me, I've tried whittling down the problems with construction to a nubbin, as well as dispelling a lot of the mystique. Completely incidentally, without trying, and by following the KISS principle religiously, it turns out I basically reinvented a traditional method of construction, which, with the application of some modern materials, has, I believe, come up with a boat superior in many ways to other methods. I love the fact that they weigh nothing, and yet are so amazingly tough and lively. Also the fact that, as I keep telling people,you can build them in your living room with hand tools, and that a kid can carry them to the water and "fly" them as well as an adult. I was overjoyed to read that it was in a slightly larger one of these boats that St Brendan sailed to Newfoundland five hundred years BEFORE the Vikings, and found Irish monks already waiting for him (The Brendan Voyage)!!Cheers, Brian, www.dreamcatcherboats.com

[ancient kayaker]

Skinboatman, I don't really have a lot of experience yet but I am working on it. Done 6 boats so far. I working on several experimental sail rigs currently, including one for a kayak, then I want to get on with the Wee Lassie which has been waiting for an opportunity window since I completed the design in 2008. Construction method will be unique -if it works- see Zipper Seam Construction

[skinboatman]

Ancient Kayaker,quite the concept! I followed your link and read about zipper seam construction. It sounds like your woodworking skills are akin to J.H. Rushton's himself! I believe most people would rely on a coating of glass cloth on the outside , and probably on the inside to make the boat tight, and pins to hold the hull to a mold while everything dries (even Rushton used a mold)but , I guess, Rushton didn't have a computer driven CNC router to fair his lines.. In any case, planing that many seams fair over that distance is a real tour de force in my book, and I envy anyone who can do that. Quite honestly, aside from that, I can't see anything wrong with the principle, and the only other caveat I have is that the glue from the carpet tape is quite messy and hard to get rid of, and I'm wondering how you're going to do that without running the risk ofdamaging the plywood or the finish? Cheers, Brian

[ancient kayaker]

Brian: I'll answer your post on my thread at Zipper Seam Construction

[skinboatman]

AK, I read your post: there's a lot of really interesting information there.. All I can say is "Wow"!

[mike1]

Hi Clint,
I see that you are contemplating another row boat design , this time a real fast one.
I really liked the Sausolita wherry , but there are no plans available, and I was pointed to Petaluma , design by Simon Watts, a quick recreational rowboat.
Maybe a good place to get input from, of course you would use modern woodworking method,, ply and epoxy instead of traditional lapstrake.
I have ordered a set of plans from Simon, whith out ever seeing a picture of one, the dimensions for a single wherry of "old" are about 6500 mm max length, 600mm max beam
Regards to all keep well over this season .
Mike

[Clinton B Chase]

Mike, Yes, I have found the one (there may be more, but so far this is the one..) it is the Pete Culler Otter, a very simple bateau but from what I here it is about as fast as you can go without being in a sliding seat boat. I did a write up on the Otter on my blog.

I like the idea of the simple construction and tradition in this boat.

[nordvindcrew]

I can't say that I'm too dismayed by the kayak crowd on the thread. THe coinversation about lightness and strength is pertinant to rowing also. I'll be interested to see The "Otter" when Clint finishes that project and lets us know how it performs. That design caught my eye too. Just sent for the plans for the six hour canoe. It's time the grandkids in North Carolina got out on the water too. I'll pre-cut the parts at home and take them on the cars roof rack for assembly there. My oldes grandson is pushing 8 now, so he will be able to take part in it as well as his younger sister. I think it's a good idea to get kids doing something that results in a real outcome. A boat is one such outcome where the whole family will benefit.I taught my three daughters to use basic hand tools, do basic auto maintenence, How to fish and shoot hand guns, rifles and shot guns. They all have a basic confidence level that reflects those experiences. New years Day row was a pleasant one. cold; about 27 degrees F but sunny with no wind. We rowed about 4 miles across Kingston bay then went up to the boat house for a toast and some good chow. I had pictures fron The Weir River race blown up and framed. They really give a good idea of how rough it was that day If you haven'y done so yet, Google Halloween Rowing and click on the rowinf for recreation site. Under the photo of a gig, there is some text. Click on the highlighted word "Here" for 3 pages of photos of the race.I am in the last 3 on the second page and first 3 on the 3thd page wearing the soaking wet rust colored shirt. Take a look at all the pictures. A couple og gigs launching off a wave are real good. Check back soon, Jeff

[keith66]

Just looked at those photo,s, looks like a superb event & as you said pretty rough!, what was the four oared gig in photo no 87 ladies crew grey with blue sheerstrake, nice sheer.
Re Pete Cullers Otter, interestingly she bears an uncanny resemblence in form to a Vipera a type of fast Venetian rowing boat. These were somewhat longer, i believe a replica was built a few years ago.

[Clinton B Chase]

I am also keen on a 20' version of the Otter Pete Culler drew. In fact, he drew that first. Otter is a shrunken version he did fore himself. It'd be fun to build a sliding seat rig and put that into the 20' er with traditional cross planked bottom. Would be a nice boat.

I am watching closely the Finnish boats that were in this long thread at some point.

http://www.puuvenepiste.fi/index.html

They look like good boats, straightforward to build, fast to row.

I'm working on a new design with a colleague that will be "out" soon. It is a 14 1/2' rowing skiff that is pretty and practical and will be quite capable. I'll be putting two of these together after the March Boatbuilders Show (which I will be displaying at so look for the Clint Chase Boatbuilder banner) for a couple in Martha's Vineyard for their beach skiff/tender/rowing-for-pleasure boat.

Looks like fun was had in the rows I missed. I'll get down there more this season as my schedule is much more flexible. Can't wait.

[sailing canoe]

Thanks for the tip Jeff. Looks like a good time. If maybe a little too exciting. Nice photo's. Nick

[sailing canoe]

Mike1 - I can send you some pictures of the 'Petaluma" - at least the bottom of it. It hangs from the ceiling of the local brew pub. - Nick