Ideas for my next project.....

[Caldera Boats]

Since my current project (21 foot power Semi-Dory) has reached the halfway mark, I have been thinking about my next project.
So far I have came up with a list of what I would like in the design in order to sail the lakes in my area.

14-16 foot range
Stitch and glue marine ply with no more than 3 strakes per side
Open daysailer (no cabin but a forward deck ok)
Swing keel (centerboard) for shoal draft waters, beachable
Gaff rig with possibly a headsail on a sprit
It will live on a trailer when not in use.

I really have not found many designs that have all these features.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

[tamkvaitis]

What kind of boat are you looking for? One which rides sporty, but wet and bumpy, or slow, but comfortable. there is a huge diference beetveen theese two concepts.

[Caldera Boats]

Slow and comfy, more for enjoyment than racing.
thanks.

[Caldera Boats]

I may have found a good canidate:

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/vector/index.htm

But, I am kinda leary about plans that cost only $22.50.

[Caldera Boats]

Well, I went ahead and ordered the plans. Worst case I would only lose $22.50, heck I spend more than that just stopping by the pub.

Happy Building

[Raggi_Thor]

Looks like a nice little boat. Please tell us how you like tha plans.

[Caldera Boats]

Originally Posted by Raggi_Thor

Looks like a nice little boat. Please tell us how you like tha plans.

I will.

I found a builders site on this boat here:
http://www.geocities.com/michsand@sbcglobal.net/

[Chris Ostlind]

Here's my contribution to the derby.

I chose to optimise the design for the least amount of material for the builder and still have a great looking boat. This boat is 15'4" LOA to allow for the longest hull panel on two sheets of ply.

Easily built in S&G construction with a centerboard and flip-up rudder. The sail plan can be any of several with the plans drawn for marconi sloop, gaff sloop or gaff yawl. All plans feature a small bow sprit.

I have drawn a simple boom tent for on-the-water camping.

Chris Ostlind

[Caldera Boats]

Nice looking boat Chris,
That was the idea I was looking for. Something easy to build and cheap enough for a trainer. So when the kids smack it on a rock, it wont hurt quite as much.
Do you offer plans? or offsets? a .dxf?
I could build a prototype???
Thanks

[Raggi_Thor]

Very nice boat, Chris :-)
Maybe I can make a laser cut kit for it?

[Chris Ostlind]

Hey Raggi, D.M.

D.M: Yes, the plans can be sent to you for building. Why don't you write to me off-list and we'll arrange something. Chris at wedgesail dot com

Raggi: I'd be delighted to have this boat available as a kit. I also have an answer to your other letter. I will write you off-list in response.

Thanks you guys,

Chris

[Caldera Boats]

I received the plans for the Vector sailboat from Michalak. They look like typically detailed plans, enough information to build this boat. Really not a bad buy for $22.50. I have spent many times more on plans that were almost unusable.

One thing I have never understood, coming from an aerospace background, is why most boat plans are not fully defined. On an airplane every single measurment is detailed for every part. I have yet to see a set of boat plans that do that type of detailing. With the use of CAD, this should be very quick and easy. Creating scaled drawing is out-of-date and behind the times.

[Tim B]

A good point. I was always tought that everything should be dimensioned. However, if you have multi-page plans, then you SHOULD find relevent dimensions. Thicknesses often change, especially the hull-skins, and may need to be scaled off the plan, but they should be given in a table to keep the actual drawing clear. If not, ask the designer.

Tim B