Suggestion for sailing dinghy

[balood]

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

 

[latestarter]

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.

 

[michael pierzga]

Good looking modern boat by a top designer

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

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

 

[Ike]

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/

 

[WhiteDwarf]

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.

 

[WhiteDwarf]

URL correction

http://www.firebug.co.nz

 

[micah719]

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/

 

[messabout]

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.