Suggestion for sailing dinghy

Hi

I am new at boat building and am looking for my first project. There are so many designs out there that I am not sure what to build. I am going to build it for a friend and she wants something the size of a Laser Sailing Dinghy. I would like it to fulfil the same functions as well.

I looking for something of a simple plywood construction. Stitch and Tie method if possible.

Does anyone know where I can get free plans. I willing to pay for plans if they come with full sized patterns. I have looked at Glen-L and Devlin Boats but don't know which one to choose.

Thanks for any advice
Balood

 

Welcome balood.

You really need to set out in more detail the requirements of your friend to give us a chance to give relevant advice.
Will she be single handed or with others, car-topping or trailer, racing or cruising, sea or inland etc. What experience does she have in handling boats?

Full size patterns can be a problem unless on a special plastic as on paper it will vary with the weather.

At present I am building a canoe to plans by Selway Fisher who has a range of dinghy designs and all types of boats.

http://www.selway-fisher.com/Dinghies.htm

Good luck.

 

Good looking modern boat by a top designer

http://ptwatercraft.com/ptwatercraft/PT11_Spear.html

http://ptwatercraft.com/ptwatercraft/PT11Description.html

 

Chesapeake Light Craft has both sailboat plans and full kits. You might be better off building a kit since this is your first project. Plans http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boat-plans/sailboat-plans/ http://www.clcboats.com/shop/wooden-sailboat-kits/

Bateau.com also has plans. I built one of their rowboats. The plans were very complete and they have a forum if you need help http://www.bateau.com/products.php?cat=13#.UZvJ4rW1GSo

There are other plans available. http://www.boatdesign.net/Directory/Boat_Plans/

 

Start small and work up

Balood,

If you fail to complete a project, chances are you will never get to do another, so start with a small one. Spem Successus Alit (Success Nourishes Hope)

I knocked out a Firebug in a few weeks, it was only an eight footer which avoids the tiresome business of scarfing plywood; but proved a lot of fun to sail. You can get plans and patterns for $90 (Last time I looked.)

http://www.firebuz.co.nz/

Now I can point at it and say "my next build will be..."

Good luck.

 

URL correction

http://www.firebug.co.nz

 

Ben Cranshaw built a "Light Trow" and sailed it in the Western Mediterranean. Nice lines, simple boat.

Plans for the MkII version after Ben's feedback:
http://intheboatshed.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/lighttrowmk2planspackage.zip

Ben's Blog:
http://theinvisibleworkshop.blogspot.de/

 

Take a look at the Bolger Gypsy design. It is an able boat that will sail well and row decently. Simple to build, there are a lot of them out there. You can Google to find several sites that feature Gypsys. Plan set for stitch and glue method and all the details is modestly priced.