HOME - Dream Catcher Model Sailboat  Kits Ready For Christmas!

sternsailart3S.jpg (49905 bytes) Summer Breeze! - This is the story of an 11'8" long 50" beam 16" sides, 500 lb capacity skiff from two sheets of 1/4" 4x8 plywood. Award winning - She won the 2001 Duckworks design contest. 
   
Introduction
Getting started
Sides 
  Skarfing
Frame
Transom 
Stem
Bending
Chines
Bottom
Gunwales
Breasthook
Quarter knees
Seat
Mast Partner
Keel&Skeg
Mast & Spars
Leeboard
Rudder
Sail 
Floatation 
Painting 
Resources 

Mast:  

   The mast is as simple as it gets. Use as clear a 10 foot 2x4 as you can find. Taper it starting about 3 ft above the base, to 1.5" at the top. The 3.5" dimension runs athwartship (side to side) so it's strongest side takes most of the stress. A 3/8" or 1/2" hole is drilled in the top for the halyard. If you round it with a quarter round bit it becomes a pretty smooth "fair lead." If you end up in conditions you think are going to break your 2x4, get out your oars and get home!

Spars:  

    Both my spars - the yard and the sprit are bamboo. I know most don't have access to bamboo, so the yard can be made of closet rod if you can find it in 10 ft lengths. You can also make it from 2x2 which is 1.5"x1/5". Round the corners to cut down on sail abrasion. The sprit can be made of the same, but you can also taper it starting about a third in from each end. Taper to 1" square. Find the clearest wood you can.

 

   
 

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