building a boat! need help!

[sail102]

hi guys! I want to build a small sailboat no longer than eight feet or so. I want it to have a square sail, and small cabin up at the bow. can anyone help? thanks

[PAR]

Check out some of Bolger's mico designs. You'll find it near imposable to place a cuddy on the bow of an 8' dinghy and a square rig, while still having room to sit at the helm. An 8' boat is just barely able to handle to adults and a bag of groceries, let alone the weight of a cabin structure and square rig.

[rberrey]

Selway Fisher also has a micro 8 and micro 10 . rick

[sail102]

hopefully I will have some pics of the boat soon, thanx fore the helpful infoI also could make a triangular sail. or the whole boat could be covered and the whole boat be the cabin would that work/

[lumberjack_jeff]

How about ten feet?
http://www.microcruising.com/

[lewisboats]

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/ko...orer/index.htm

[sail102]

But coul I make the cabin. Like built into the boat?

[sail102]

What do I skin it with ply. Steel. Canvas. Leuon?

[troy2000]

I hate to sound like some of the more crotchety old designers and builders on here, but your questions indicate that you're pretty clueless on this particular subject. Which isn't to mean I think you're any sort of dummy, by the way. I just mean that boat design and building isn't a field you're knowledgeable in.

So you need to either start sorting through the available plans out there, or do some serious study before you start trying to design your own (or have us design it for you). If I were you, I'd start by looking up the craft lewisboats posted.

For a beginner, a plywood boat is the way to go. And for something as small as you're thinking of, you might use canvas over light hoops for an enclosed cuddy or cabin -- and maybe even make it so it folds down out of the way, like the top on a convertible car. Or you can make a canvas boom tent, that you can put up while at anchor or on the beach.

[liki]

I think you would not find investing 4 USD into these two digital booklets wasted.
http://www.woodenboat.com/wbstore/in...g289j342mknpa5
http://www.woodenboat.com/wbstore/in...roducts_id=670

[sail102]

thanx, Ill think about it. probably a canvas cabin would be easy to design, but if you have any good cabin designs already then pleas show me. this is my first attempt at building a boat and it is a teeny bit frustrating. I am not building this boat to be able to make a trans atlantic voyage. just to be able to be able to go a few miles offshore. if you have any suggestions on how to make the rudder, keel, or sail please show me!

[nordvindcrew]

A few miles offshore? An 8' boat for that must be of a specialized design that is virtually unsinkable. Well beyond the design capabiities for most of us pure ameteurs. Stay close to shore or go with a proven design. Saftey first!

[sail102]

safety is key

[sail102]

Originally Posted by nordvindcrew

A few miles offshore? An 8' boat for that must be of a specialized design that is virtually unsinkable. Well beyond the design capabiities for most of us pure ameteurs. Stay close to shore or go with a proven design. Saftey first!

thanx but what about the keel, rudder, sail?

[sail102]

here is boat