BOAT BUILDING PLANS BY "Stevenson Projects"---let me know what you think...great site...

JUST DO IT!!! Life is too short.

-- Drink once, cut twice. New website up.... lazylarrywoodworks.com.au

lol…thanks…but do you know the company?? I agree…I am just checking with my 10,000 strong army of woodworkers to see if any know about these plans/boats?>?

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

I built a Weekender from their plans and I know of quite a few others around the world. I’ve also sailed a Weekender that was built sans cabin—better arrangement for a boat that size. They’ve designed boats that are indeed easily built by beginners. The hulls are sturdy and stable. I know of a Weekender caught in a blow on Lake Superior a few years ago. Larger boats got knocked down but the only thing that happened to that Weekender was a blown out jib. He did get a ride toward Canada but that’s not so bad.

My boat:

It’s modified a little from the original plans. Mast is taller, longer bowsprit, cabin corners squared off, seats open underneath, roller furled jib, larger, flat topped companionway hatch. extremely beefed up steering assembly.

I’d forgotten it but the Stevenson’s gave us a page on their website for pictures. These are from before the motor, tanbark sails and roller furling. In fact, they are from launch day. It was blowing like stink by the time we got the boat ready to go. Made for an interesting ride. I was a little embarrassed that I forgot to stow the fenders that day.

You’ll enjoy building a boat from them. You really ought to be asking on the forum here about the boats and the company. Enjoy.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Another website is…

http://www.bateau.com/

-- T. Nelson

WHY NOT !!!

Every guy in the Bay Area should have something to put on the water!

Good luck & hope it turns out JUST the way you want it.

Take a few pictures along the way.

WAY, Way COOL PROJECT !!!

-- Eric

All great success to you Matt.
I’ll be a sideline groupie…
Extremly bold of you!

-- "Even small steps makes a distance." (Shawn Phillips, musician)

Alright, Matt!!

What a neat project and learning experience!

Just don’t build it in the basement and have to cut it in half to get it out ;^)

Lew

Matt, a couple of questions.

1. Can you swim ?
2. How long can you tread water? in present condition?, after 2 year diet and exercise program ?
3.where does the motor go ?
4. Have you had your head examined ?
5. How much fishing tackle does it hold ? (you are going to take Grant aren’t you)

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

It figures that DaveR has built one. He probably drew it in Sketchup first ;)

Seriously, I’ve been thinking about this project a lot. My girlfriend even wants one now, and we have a nice fiberglass 21 footer. I would build the Vacationer. The way it’s built is actually a whole lot easier than more classic methods like what mattd is doing with his awesome tender project. Of course, he’s also getting that classic boatbuilding experience too.

The things I like about this design is that it’s been modified to be very easy to build, it looks like a miniature Ted Brewer ketch (without the mizzen) with that clipper bow, and it doesn’t look like your standard plywood, hard chined Glen-L boat. This is a boat you can be very proud of and put a lot of your own details into. Some people have carved decorative trailboards to give it that Errol Flynn clipper look. If you couple all this with the fact that it will be great for the kids, I think it’s a no-brainer. If we didn’t already have two boats, and weren’t saving for our 40+ footer, I’d be building at least one of these. I may have to build one of the models to get this out of my system.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Actually I have drawn it in SketchUp but that was well after I built the real one. ;)

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

You’ve seen this sailboat Matt, but you might as well see it again.

This is a great boat for a beginner.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Thanks everyone at work right now so cant comment…but thanks!!! Will ask more questions later…

Matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Matt, drop me a PM and maybe we could talk on the phone if you want to chat about Stevenson boats.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

THANKS EVERYONE I was at work so i could type too long…DAVE R….I SAW THAT BOAT on the website a few days ago and looked at the pictures over and over not knowing it was you…

I had been getting ideas and feedback from scully since I know he sails and found out that he manages a fleet—-and thus knows a lot about boats!!! He was giving me the encouragement but best of all he took a lot of his time to investigate the website to see if these boats look buildable and sea worthy…

After a few days of investigation I thought it was time to turn it over to LJ;s hoping to hear that some have built one or could tell me about other sites OR that these boats are worthless (I would rather know that now, lol)...

DaveR I will send you a PM…thank you so much…so far the forums have been dissappointing—-but I think I am so used to LJs where so many peeople are active…many of the links on the forums were old…but I will keep checking in there too…

Scully…I am definitely leaning to the Vacationer right now…

matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

I was originally turned off by the fact that the Vacationer was “twice the price” to build of the Weekender, then I found that at the beginning of the decade the price to build was $1600 and I thought to myself, then that makes the Vacationer $3200 in 2002 dollars. Even if it’s four or five grand now to build, that’s not shabby for a 24 foot LOA/21 foot LOD boat. I’ve got a 21 footer that I paid $25K for in 2001 (and am still floating the boat note on).

BTW, DaveR, now I know where the Herreshoff table came from. I’m contantly amazed at how deep the bench is here on LJ’s…

Matt, after looking at how small the guy looks in the cockpit of the Weekender, I have to agree. I know they have warm fuzzies about the Weekender, but the Vacationer is just a bit more bang for your buck.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

I looked at this project cam, & it made me kind of excited for you.

If I were you, I wouldn’t put it off too long.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

What? No lofting, no mold, what kind of boat building project is this? I’m about to order some marine grade plywood. Somebody stop me!

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Looks like a great project and lots of fun when your through.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

It’s a funny thing. You build the keel and screw down the bottom, add the bulkheads, transom and deck and thing is floppy as all get out. You add a few pieces of 1/4” plywood (on the Weekender anyway) and the thing becomes rigid. And it’s also left right side up until you’re ready to glass and paint the bottom. I built mine on a dolly on wheels so I could move it as needed. Even rolled it out into the driveway when the weather was nice. Most boats you can’t do that with.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

i am more excited with every comment…thanks…

DIck…that is a cool cam…i spent 12 hours on the site on sunday—-read every word and looked at every page…when you get into the sample boats they often lead to individual stories and building pictures…it is pretty impressive…

Chris—-CAPT…I am still going vacationer…I got a PM from someone on the forums for this and he said the dvd is for the weekender but same construction techniques…but the plans are a little harder to read on the vacationer as if they have not upgraded them????

Daver…..your right—-of course lol YOU BUILT ONE…but in all the literature they talk about the rigidity as it all comes together…they keep mentioning as long as you keep all pieces on a “center line” then you will be fine…

I got a message from MIKE STEVENSON HIMSELF too…on the forum and he still pushed Weekender…but he sounded cool…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

I would definitely build the Vacationer. It is most likely large enough to handle SF bay. You sill need to put as large a motor as possible to fight the currents. I remember racing 50’ to 65’ sailboats in the bay and dealing with the strong currents. Have fun and let us know which one you chose.

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca

I think you’ll be happier with a boat that has a cockpit large enough for the whole family to be on deck at the same time (although the kids are usually being entertained by something below). We can figure out the differences between the Weekender and the Vacationer as needed. I was actually late for work today because I was going through the builder cam photos. Very cool!

If you mix a filler into the epoxy, this will allow you to make fillets that greatly strengthen all the intersecting planes. She should end up being pretty stiff. I noticed she has almost no garboard and absolutely no deadrise, which should make her pretty initially stable (meaning the wife and kids will feel safe). I’ve been percolating on what (if anything) I would change if I was to build one. I think maybe a boom gallows over the taffrail would give her a nice look and assist in trailering without a crutch.

The difficult part is picking a name. At least you don’t have to go through the procedure of changing a boat name if you build it.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

lol…thanks guys…

Vacationer it is…pretty darn certain…

Chris what do you think about John’s concerns on the currents in the bay….I know nothing about sailing…and the SF/San Pablo bay will be my playground—-if these boats cant sail there safely and enjoyably then all bets are off…I cant see myself trailering the boat and traveling a long way to a big lake and using it…

I would/will do that at times…but the main use would be on the bay…

mat

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Good for you Matt. Don’t worry about the tidal currents. Six knots at max flood/ebb close to the Gate. That boat can sail at six knots downwind if needed. You’ll be fine up in San Pablo. At worst you’ll need to plan your outings around these kind of issues, like we all have to do. We have a boat in Emeryville that we can’t take out at a negative tide. You just account for things like this.

As far as a motor, you’ll probably need a 5HP four-stroke for the Vacationer to be able to safely take her where you want to go. I wouldn’t even think about a trolling motor for a boat that size considering there will be munchkins aboard.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

thanks…i got a little worried…even though the boat is big—-they keep talking about it being VERY light and not needing a big engine…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

See edit below:

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

I built a 16’ cabin cruiser sailboat from Glen-L designs. You should really consider their plans. They offer plans for all skill levels and specialize in “backyard” boat builders like us. My grandpa and I built it when I was a teenager. They are very helpful and their plans are easy to read. They also come with more instructions than most boat plans.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

With a displacement of 750 pounds, with gear and crew, you could probably get by with a 4HP (1500 pound total displacement max). With a LOD of 21, even with a relatively lightweight boat, that should be plenty of power. There are just some times that you need a little more oomph (i.e. a cross-breeze and current in the fairway as you’re motoring toward the ramp).

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Looks like an exciting prospect, I look forward to progress pictures!

-- ...it's rennovation time!!!

CaptianSkully, what’s the deal with the little boat with the square sail. Does it have a keel to keep it upright?

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Hey Matt, Let me know when you’re going to start, I’ll give you hand.
-Rabbet

Hey TopomaxSurvivor, that’s mattd’s tender (another LJ’s blog, see link above). It uses the skipper’s body weight and displaced water weight to keep it upright. It has just enough sail to move, but not overpower it. The center of effort of the sail is low to reduce heeling. Larger boats have a much more dynamic balancing act. If you’ll notice, Napaman’s boat has a gaff rigged sail plan (top of triangle is chopped off at an angle, see DaveR’s pics). This keeps the center of effort lower and reduces the leverage on the mast.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

re: a Moter. Captain SKully is corrrect. You could probably get by with a little 4HP motor on a Vacationer. The 45 lb thrust electric I put on my Weekender moved it along quite nicely.

Regarding keeping the boat upright, in addition to what the Captain says, the dory-style hull which is the what both the Weekender and Vacationer have will roll over just so far and then it stiffens up. I could stand on the gunwale of my Weekender at the beam and although the boat would heel, it wouldn’t even get the rail to the water.

Besides, in my mind the gaff rig is about as cool as it gets. The only problem I had with my boat was rigging it. At home I could rig the boat ready to slide off the trailer in about 10 minutes. At the ramp it would be more like 45 m inutes or an hour. The neighbors were so used to seeing me with the boat, they ignored me. Folks at the ramp would always stop and talk about the boat.

For what it’s worth, the sail on the tender is a sprit rig (yes, that’s spelled right) Good for a small boat like that one. The rigging is simplicity itself and the spars can be short enough to fit inside the boat when it is time to go home. that one appears to have a boom but often small boats with sprit rigs have no boom. Much easier on the brain bucket when you tack.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Matt,

What a great undertaking that I know you are up for the challenge. Knowing absolutely nothing about sailing or boat building I am in complete awe. I spent about an hour last night on the site that you are looking to buy the plans from and about equal looking at the Glen-L site that Blake mentioned above. I was dreaming last night about building a boat and what a labor of love it would be. I cannot wait until you start. Looks like you are getting a lot of great advise.

-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com

Hey Rabbet—-thanks!!! I would love all the help I can get…

I think this is the best part—-all the help…Thanks everyone…actually part of my excitement carried over to work and another teacher wants to build one too…so this could be a great group effort!!! Joey is a teracher too…so we time off together with many full days of work instead of just weekends…

Capt——I like the sounds of “Napaman’s boat has a…” thanks for the confidence…hope you are enjoying NEW YORK…

DaveR…thanks…I am enjoying all the information…like I told Cap Scully some of the boat terminology is over me but I will catch on…

One question (my wife asked the death question)—-How much will the vacationer/weekender cost in 2009 dollars…???

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Brian…I looked at the Glen L site too…it looks good…it was harder to tell about the skill level needed and support given…with the stevensproject boats there seems to be a lot of support on the forums…

matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

I have always been fascinated by sailboats. Just too far down on the priority list. I was just wondering if I could rig a sail on my 12 food Starcraft when I saw the picture of the tender. U any give it a try, but we normally don’t have much wind on the small lakes during good weather around here.

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

I just spent awhile looking through the Glen L and the Stevenson designs. They both have some very interesting designs. I still prefer the sleek lines of the Vacationer by Stevenson. It has very appealing and classic lines. I don’t think it will be too hard for you to build. The project cam really shows how to build it and looks pretty straight foreward. Not too intimidating. Let us know which one you choose.

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca

Wow…thanks john…I am soooo amazed at all the people who have helped…all the time that many of you have spent just looking at and investigating the designs—-I cannot tell you all how much I appreciate these efforts…

This is really important to me because I am a novice wood worker—-thus knowing how solid these boats are by reading the plans is not possible for me at this stage…knowing for sure whether I can build this is not possible yet…however with all this help I am gaining confidende…

TOday DAveR spent 2 hours on the phone with me…it was really great…I learned a lot…

John I respect your work and experience very much—-so I thank you for your comments…I am leaning heavily towards the vacationer…just a bit bigger and since I see myself on the SF Bay with this as opposed to out on Lakes I think this is a good move…

Its bigger—-but in multiple places I have read that the cost is doubled and time to build is doubled…(not sure why doubled when boat is not double the size…)...

But knowing that I may have some physical help here in Napa (Rabbet is a great guy with a lot more skills then me…and if my colleague Joey wants to move forward I wont be alone)...

I should be pulling out my credit card this week for plans and the dvd…

When and if that happens…I will start the official blog…of course both our wives (Joey’s and mine) have reminded us of all our other projects…yada yada yada…lol….

well…just wanted to thank everyone…I trust all of your experience and knowledge much more then my own so this has been a lot of fun reading all the posts…

JOHN—-will we see you in SAC for the wood show…is that next week??? Yikes….

Matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Hey Napaman,
Less talk…and more action….get on with it my boy…....you will love the experience and end result.
Best of luck.

-- I will just keep doing it till I get it right.

lol…hey..its only been a week…lol…but I am on it…went from a five year plan just 10 days ago…to buying plans THIS week…not fast enough???

love you splint!!! tonight i am making the free paper model from the web site…sounds dorky but helping me with the terminology…

thanks all…

matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

I’m listening for the sound of a Shopsmith fireing up…

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

woooooof…was just about to turn off my noisy comp when I checked my computer and saw the BIG DOG chimed in…

cant wait to see you next week my friend…I have moved a bit past pens with this endeavor my friend!!! lol…

ok.,..got to log off…but thanks so much for checking in…

matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Hi Matt
As you can see I found Lumberjocks.com OK
Have joined the site under nick name > Oberon

Ric Essler
from Down Under

I’ll be building the model myself soon too, but probably out of wood (I also plan to build a half hull). Way to go Matt! Get those plans in the mail. BTW, I TOTALLY understand about those other projects. I promised a new dining room table by Turkey Day, but all of these other projects just popped up. I obviously am not going to argue with the Stevensons, but there is not an exponential relationship between boat length and expense/build time. If you had to buy 10’ plywood instead of 8’, I could understand the extra expense, but the comparisons of the plywood are probably the most expensive differences. I’m really excited for you and I think this has spurred a lot of interest and ties in nicely with pashley’s thread about our dream projects. I may have to head up to Napa once in a while…

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Hi Matt!

Once you start building this boat, you won’t have to call yourself a novice anymore.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

true Dick…I dont know if I want to ride in a boat built by a novice!!!

Thanks Capn…I didnt think “double” could be accurate…John Ormsby sent me a PM and took some time (THANKS JOHN) at looking at the page and feels like it should come in at $5000 or less…

ANd everyone is in agreement that its the plywood that will be the big part of it all…

One last concern—-sent a PM to Mike Stevenson (designer) since he replied on one of my BYYB (Back Yard Builders Forum). I questioned him on the SF BAy…and my question to you Chris is, with your experience in sailing, can I go anywhere and everywhere in the SF Bay…or just pockets…I know NOT THE GATE…but can a take this boat and zig zag all over…

This is a big concern to me because I anticipate that this will be my playgorund…I dont see myself using the boat enough if I am taking it to lakes all over the place…on trips…I WILL DO THAT AT TIMES…but I know that the SF BAY which is huge and will keep me busy will be my playground…

Mike made a comment on BYYB that made it sound like (or just has me concerned) that there are soooome places in the bay that would be great—-does this mean the bay is too rough to go all over???

I know I wont be just using it to go all across…but I want that ability…when my sailing skills rise it would be fun to hop down to SF…Sausalito, Alameda, San Mateo (my sis is there), San Jose…

Also—-what is a BALL PARK figure on a slip??? Talkng to DaveR yesterday (THANKS DAVE) he said that the boats are definitely sailable on your own—-BUT getting them in and off the boat ramps on your own can be hard…on your own…that made me think it my be worth it to looking into a slip in Napa or Vallejo…then I could go out on my own whenever I wanted (assuming its a lot easier to launch from a slip)....

Ok…so many questions…lol…but this aint like building an adirondack chair!!! (that’s a joke for Rabbet)...

matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Matt, if you could find a place to slip the boat, that would indeed make it easier to single hand. If you do that however, plan to paint the boat with proper marine paint and paint the bottom to the waterline with a real bottom paint. I’d use VC-17 over an epoxy barrier coat of Interlux 2000e. These products aren’t cheap but they will protect the hull and prevent stuff from growing on the bottom.

I’ve been thinking about your plans to single hand the boat. If you’re going to do that, I would suggest replacing the steering wheel with a tiller since you’ll be the movable ballast and will likely want to sit farther forward. With a wheel, you’ll end up sitting in the stern sheets which isn’t where you’ll want to be most of the time.

If you build the boat with a tiller, you might be able to fit a small outboard in the lazerette (that compartment between the cockpit and the transom. This would be a good thing for security reasons.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

good ideas Dave…not sure on any of this…I am a thinker….too much…but I want to look at all angles…

I think for sure regardless I will need a motor…or is an outboard something differnet?...and the tiller was one question I was going to ask and forgot yesterday when we were talking…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

It is good to look at it from all angles, Matt. I would plan to work out the motor business early in the process because you’ll probably need to work out some details while you have access to the laz.

In the case of the Vacationer, I think you can refer to “motor” and “outboard” interchangeably. Larger boats might have an inboard. My C27 has a 2-cylinder Diesel, for example. You could also use an electric trolling motor as an auxiliary but considering where you’ll be sailing, I think a gas outboard would be better. Get one with reverse.

I’ve continued to think about this in relation to the Vacationer. I like the idea of putting it in the laz. It would go in a little off center so the shaft would come down along side the keel. The fuel tank would go on the other side.

I’ve got all sorts of ideas about this.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

I agree with DaveArrgh. Now is the time to make those executive decisions like auxiliary power & tiller vs. wheel. Many sailboats have wells for an outboard to mount and drop the shaft into the water. You just have to make sure the well is above the waterline (no prob). Tillers will take up more precious cockpit space, but you’ll feel the boat better.

Everything about boats is a trade off. If you tuck the motor in the laz, you’ll have to have crew move to start/kill it. I like the idea of using the tank to counterbalance the motor. A transom hung rudder can add to the looks, and if you balance it forward of the gudgeons/pintles, underneath the transom, it’ll be very user friendly.

I forgot to add in my previous post that $4K is what I’d shoot for, depending on the outboard. Slips for a boat that size will be about $200/month, depending on location. Loch Lomond might be someplace to check out.

You will be able to go anywhere on the Bay that you want, you’ll just have to be careful of the Slot in the summer (like we all do). I like the idea of lengths of chain in the bilge for additional, easily removable ballast.

OK, I gotta run. We’re heading to McSorley’s!

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

CaptS, are you saying you can fully build and rig the sail boat for 4K ?

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Just a couple of FWIWs based on Captain Skully’s post. The rudders on these boats are transom hung so that takes care of that. They are also kick up rudders so the blade is pivoted inside the rudder box. I put some lead in my rudder to keep it down. The rudder is intended to be removed for trailering.

I think you could easily remote the throttle and transmission controls to make them accessible from the helm if needed. Skully’s right about the tiller consuming space in the cockpit but from personal experience, with a steering wheel it is difficult to balance the boat when you are the only movable ballast aboard. Unless you have the arms of an orangutan, you’ll find you can’t reach the wheel if you are sitting far enough forward to balance the boat.

Since I was using a trolling motor, I put the battery in the forepeak to offset the weight of the motor hanging off the back. If you could put the motor in a well, it would bring it forward a bit and covering it would help to reduce noise.

As to chain in the bilge, that’s an interesting idea but these boats have no real bilge. I don’t think I’d want chain loose on the bottom of the boat.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Ok…more good info…

Good news…I can go anywhere in the bay—-that moves the plan forward…that was the question I was going to post to you Scully…that is my big concern to spend all the time and money and then not be able to go 20 minutes to use it…

BTW what is the “Slot”??? I am assuming a faster moving area that pulls you out to the gate?

On this note I spent some fun time on google earth—-soooo cool…just to look at the bay…its funny how when you imagine it is not the true shape…the upper part called the San Pablo Bay is rather circular and has its “neck” almost completely closed on the south end which I assuming will make it a good place for me to get started with and safer then the lower bay near SF??? But this was just a dumb history teacher looking at a map/picture of the planet…

$200 a month seems a bit steep…that may mean I am going to be a trailer hound and storing it in my back yard…which does bring me back to the original question to Dave——if I am thinking I may be soloing this thing from time to time maybe I should go with the Weekender…but you seemed to mention that the solo vs help is most necessary for the launch/retreival at the ramp. Thus if the need for assistance is at the ramp then does it make a difference with the Vacationer…sorry—-this seems like the same question…i have already asked…lol

JUST BUILD IT ALREADY right SPLINTERMAN!!! ????

And BTW….I did have the all important talk with the boss…still a green light… :)

So Dave—-is there no anchor for this boat???

Again thanks guys…I am going to buy plans this week…today I worked on a back yard project I had neglected…so this is going to be good motivation…

matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Matt, it would probably be easier to launch and retrieve the Weekender solo than the Vacationer but I think for where you want to sail, you’ll appreciate the extra size of the boat. Either one would be easy enough to single hand on the water. I would definitely recommend the roller furler for the jib so you can put it away with a tug on a line from the cockpit. The boat is easily rigged so all the halyards come to the cockpit. I used cam cleats on mine so I could scandalize the main (drop the gaff peak to depower the sail) or drop the sail altogether very quickly.

If you use the club foot on the jib, it’ll be self-tending so you’ll sail with the main sheet in one hand and the tiller in the other. Easy peasy.

You’ll put reef points on the main so you can reduce sail area if the wind goes up and if you have a tiller with an extension, you’ll be able to sit up on the side deck to balance the boat.

As to an anchor, there’s no reason you couldn’t have one. My reference to the chain was just that there’s no bilge in which to lay it. I had a plastic tub up in the forepeak for anchor, chain and rode although where we sailed, I usually just beached the boat. that also reduced the amount of muck I would dredge up from the bottom when hauling the anchor aboard.

Remind me next time we talk to tell you about the wild ride we had the day those pictures above were taken.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

I just spent some time on woodenboats forum…and lol…the comments were scaring me…

Here is the thread I was reading through…most of the negative thoughts were by people who had never built or sailed one…but not all…

once again…the sailability question concerns me on SF BAy…(SORRY SCULLY)...I will trust you…lol for sure…you know the bay and what I need…

ok..i gotta log off for the night…too much time on this…lol…sorry for keeping you all busy too!!!

matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

How is the sailing in Lake Berryessa? That should be fairly close.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I told you about WoodenBoat. Not one of the naysayers has ever sailed one of these boats. Most have probably never even seen one. I learned long ago not to talk about them there.

Whatever you do, don’t build a Raw faith. LOL.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

lol…I know…I know—-it was exactly like you said…I was checking it out because Mattd who is building his awesome boat wrote me a very nice PM…and there were lots of good comments…but…not all lol…

Wayne—-yes Lake Berryessa would be very close…and so is Tomales Bay which is a part of Pt Reyes…North of SF…those would both be good…

I just see myself going up and down the Napa river and into the bay…or launching at vallejo which would be 20 minutes…

all good options…either way its my FIRST BOAT right??? lol…ok…now I gotta log off before I go crazy…lol…

thanks…I WILL BUILD IT>>>>lol…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Boats are fun. A LOT of work. A LOT of problem-solving. No matter how good the plans/instructions/support are, there will be a lot of self-teaching involved.

If you’ve never built a boat before, take the time and money you estimate that it will take you to build it and multiply by 4. I’ve built two now.

I didn’t read the thread closely enough to catch whether you’ve ordered the plans or not but choosing a plan is the most crucial part of the whole process. There is a lot to consider. It is easy to outgrow a boat before you’ve even finished building it. But if you choose a plan too big or complex, you may never see it finished.

A MUST HAVE book collection for any prospective boat builder is the trilogy by “Wooden Boat”: Thirty Wooden Boats, Forty Wooden Boats and Fifty Wooden Boats.

Even if you think you know what plans you want, these are a must read ahead of time. You will get all kinds of insight as to the variations that are out there, and some examples of REALLY good design.

Another nightstand essential is How to Build a Wooden Boat by David C. McIntosh. Its beautifully written and illustrated, and will HUMBLE you like you wouldn’t believe.

That ought to get you started.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Thanks Blake..I agree…and thanks for the book links…I will take some time and look at them…the last one I had from the library and flipped through it (it may still be in my stack—-I better check lol)...

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

I rec’d a PM from Frank who started one of the forums (messing about) on home boat building and he built one and has sailed it off the coast of Santa Barbara (area)...

His two cautions were 1’-2’ chop…above that he said it gets scary…and 11-12 knot winds would be max…

SO now the question is—-how do the conditions on the San Pablo Bay and SF Bay compare to those…

A colleague of mine thought I needed to go not further then checking out the Napa Marina and asking the people who go out there all the time…

He also thought I could have A LOT of fun just running around the Napa River area…lots of areas to boat around in that could be fun…

thanks everyone…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

There is also the delta and a number of lakes around….

Looking forward to seeing the progress on this once you get started…

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Santa Barbara gets offshore swells. The Bay is almost completely sheltered. It changes the wave dynamics seriously. I’m going to use my Precision 21 for tiller boat lessons on the Bay (after I put a 2nd reef in my mainsail). You do have to be careful, but they sail 505’s, Opti’s, windsurfers, Lasers, Sunfish, Hobies, etc. on the Bay all the time.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

I forgot to mention that the Slot is a stripe of stronger wind across the Bay that blows East across the Bay from the Gate.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Okay…going to make the call tomorrow (wednesday my school is out for Veteran’s Day)...

Here is a recent message I got from a Weekender owner:

“I know for a fact that these little boats can handle most weather like champions! Annie is a Weekender and has been through some rough weather herself. I also know a group that regularly takes theirs out in blue water!!!! Not only that but they cross the notorious passage between Newport and Catalina every year! I personally, think they are insane. (mostly because I am not skilled enough to join them) But they do it.”

Since I have been to Catalina twice—-I know it is out there pretty far—-26 miles if I remember the song right…

So Like Scully also mentioned to me—-not all days but most days inside the bay should be fine…

WOOT…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Ok…the deed is done…I just ordered the Vacationer Plans and dvd…have been working all day planting trees that are in wine barrels out in our yard to clear the patio…now on to complete the dry creek bed…

I will be a slave to all the side projects—-which I wanted to do in the first place…

But I am excited…of course owning plans does not mean building a boat…but the research, advice and feedback from the last 2 intense weeks was enough for me to spend the money at least on the plans…

thanks everyone, matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Congratulations Matt!

I hope you don’t wait for those trees to get big enough to become boat lumber before you start your construction. :)

Don’t worry about those projects. I think you’ll have some time to work on them. You’ll want to spend some time poring over the plans so you know where all the details are.

If you want, I’ll make a sketch of the dolly I built for my boat. I described it to you on the phone but a drawing might help too.

When we get to chat again there’s a list of things we should cover. Things you’ll want to consider before you start cutting plywood.

Dave

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

thanks dave!!! I am tired after also finishing the digging of a dry creek bed which is one of the last areas of our back yard in a 2 year makeover…now all we need is gravel, river rock and crushed granite…when that is done we will have more room on the patio as we continue to move off plants and other items…so to say in the least—-I worked all day outside…but it really is for the boat…

I took a measuring tape on the now cleaner patio to get a visual of the size/foot print of the boat…its big…the website says a beam of 8’ and 24’LOA…its big…and it will fit but take up half the patio or close to it…so finishing the area just past the patio (river bed and crushed granite area) will give me a lot more room if I put it on the rolling dolly…

If it is on a rolling dolly I can put it right up against the side of the garage and rolll it back so that it hangs over the river bed area…

SO YES…I would love a sketch of the dolly that would be really helpful…

I just cant wait to watch the dvd 50 times…

Ok…steps were taken today…feels great…

matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

You go boy! Can’t wait to see the blog postings start to scroll down my screen. Pics, video, and commentary with trials, tribulations, and accrued wisdom as the project progresses. I gotta know what I’ll be dealing with if I ever build one.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Here’s a drawing of the dolly I made. I omitted the casters in the interest of speed but they were mounted at the ends of the cross bars. For the Weekend I built this with 4-8 foot 2×6s. I cut two of them in half for the ends. They were screwed together with lag screws. I used joist hangers along with a long lag screw into the long members of the dolly. Plywood scraps screwed to the corners helped keep it square and were handy as shelves for tools and epoxy when I was working in those areas.

I’ve shown the keel in place on the dolly. There are vertical pieces screwed to the ends to keep the keel upright. Later, when the bottom was added, I screwed supports to the sides of the dolly to support the bottom panel.

When it came time to roll the boat over for glassing the bottom, I lifted the boat off of the dolly. Then I modified it with supports that hit right at the front of the cabin and in the cockpit. I strapped the dolly on top of the boat in an inverted position and then rolled the boat over onto it. My wife and I did it the first time and I did it alone when it was time to get the boat right side up again.

After the boat was finished enough to put it on the trailer, I disassembled the dolly. Some of the wood was used as a sort of boom and mast crutch for trailering the boat. I ended up with a sort of an A-frame saw horse with a curved top rail that had notches for the mast and boom.

By the way, in the drawing of the keel, there’s a light colored triangle. The plans indicate that area is to be cut away. I left it and bolted the bitts to it. this made it much easier to do than to mount them as the plans show. I don’t know what the Vacationer plans show in that area but if it’s the same as the Weekender, I would recommend that change.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Keeping the alleged offcut of the keel assembly to act as a kingpost/samson post to mount the bits is an excellent idea, and exactly the kind of advice I look for on this site.

My question: what do yo do with the volume forward of the forward bulkhead? I can see an anchor locker, but is there some storage up there to free up cabin space, or is it just buoyancy? The sails store on the spars, right?

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

The main is stored on the spars normally. I laced the main on my Weekender although they show making mast hoops. I didn’t get them done for launch and decided that I liked lacing better. I put a roller furler on the jib and, when trailering, I laid the furled sail along the side deck. The entire boat was covered with a canvas cover. Sort of looked like a sailfish going down the road.

On the Weekender the forward bulkhead has openings to provide access from the cabin so it wouldn’t be good for flotation. I put the battery up there for the trolling motor I used as an ‘iron genny.’

Clearly the Vacationer is a bit different from the Weekender. I don’t know if the bulkhead is different on purpose of is only shown that way for simplification. the mast box runs up the front side of the forward bulkhead and the rake of the mast is determined by the angle of that bulkhead so it’s placement is fairly critical.

What that drawing doesn’t show is how the keel and stem are laminated from three layers with crossing joints. It makes for an extremely strong assembly when finished.

Also, in the Weekender, the cabin bulkhead has cut outs so that one can stick there feet out into the box built under the seat. I opted for the slatted seats that are open underneath (You can see it in some of the pictures) and left the bulkhead much like the one in the drawing you show.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

THANKS GUYS!!! The drawings are much appreciated…with the two of you involved I know I am in good shape…

The dolly looks great—-just to check on the ends—-are the 2×6’s doubled all the way across??? was not sure…and do you think this length will work for the Vacationer? I will be building on my patio so this will be really handy!!!

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Hi Matt,

Yes, the 2×6’s were doubled all the way across the ends. For the Vacationer, I would stretch the dolly to use 12’ 2×6’s. I used 4 eight footers for the Weekender. I’d probably just go with four twelve footers for the Vacationer.

Also take the weight of the finished boat, add your weight, the weight of tools and the dolly and find casters to suit. Use casters with hard wheels. Soft ones will get flat spots on them and make it difficult to move.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

This is getting to be an interesting thread, with all of the expert advice.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I would check into opening a Port Supply account at West Marine for the epoxy, paint, fittings, etc. This may be a bit premature, but you can get trailer kits at Tractor Supply. I recommend large diameter wheels. Are you going to be able to get this thing out of the backyard? I know a guy who built a helicopter in his basement, then had to cut a big hole in the wall to get it out.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Dang it Dave, I can’t think about building boats now!!!

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

“Dang it Dave, I can’t think about building boats now!!!”

Why not? I am thinking about it all the time. I don’t get to act but I’m thinking about it. Long list of boats to build, too.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Scully…

I am pretty sure I can get it out…I built a HUGE rolling gate (see my projects) because we had to get a huge tractor in our yard 2 summers ago…and the gate opens up 180 degrees…

The boat is pretty long though…so will make sure before I get toooo far…

Matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

You can always hire a crane to lift it up and over the house. :-D

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

wow you have a .skp of your boat! holding out on me huh?

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

It’s an old, lousy model. I drew it from the plans back when I had the boat.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

I think if the size is a problem I could do a lot in my back yard and then pull it to the front yard…drive way…

but my gate is pretty big…drive way is narrow…

OK—-PETER STEVENSON E_MAILED ME TODAY:

“Plans will be shipped this week!!!”

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Actually, the Colgate 26’s I teach on have a crane hoisting point tang built into the keel. Not a bad idea. We thought about crane launching my Precision 21at Grand Marina in the Estuary.

Some other thoughts I come up with while I’m driving to the marina:
Check out www.tarsmell.com for authentic looking line & www.sailrite.com for tanbark colored Dacron. You can start on some of this other stuff ahead of time.

BTW, it’s Skully (like a skull), not Scully (like X-Files) ;)

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Another good source for hardware and sails and other boat building stuff is Duckworks. Here’s the link for the sails for the Weekender. The Vacationer would be similar.

Raka.com is a great source for epoxy, too.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

whoooops…sorry SKULLY…i just looked back and I wrote scully a lot…whooops…

sails??? already…yikes…lol…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

I showed my sailing buddy the site, and he wants to order plans for us to build a couple. Yikes! I’m not anywhere near ready for a project of this magnitude. We already have two boats we’re not using enough.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

lol…wow…this makes me feel better…

One bad note…the buddy on my end decided he was not ready to build one right now with all his other projects…So I will be going solo…of course I have everyone here…so I will never be alone!

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

That’s a bummer, but I understand. I may be able to help during the week once in a while. There are times when you just need a hand (like flipping a 24’ boat over).

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Way to go Matt! Great decision. Now that the tough part is over, it’s all easy from this point on. ;)

-- Matt - Syracuse, NY

Check out this one man attempt
Needed more than a buddy to help him flip his boat.
http://www.brewcrazy.com/lmt/index.htm
Keep the momentum Matt.

-- "Even small steps makes a distance." (Shawn Phillips, musician)

ive always had the urge to build boats but specificly canoes ever since I was 6 years old when I was on a family trip. My dad had took me and my siblings up to the middle of nowhere in algonqua ontario and we had stopped at this canoe/boat shop by the lake and outside the shop there was a craftsman stitching up the wicker seats with a liquor finish at the same time and it caught my attention much. Also right beside him was the frame of the next boat he had to put the siding on which i found nuts. Ever since I’ve wanted to do it myself.

-- Good, better, best; Never let it rest until your good is better and your better best! Mark, Windsor, Ontario

PLANS ARRIVED…today after a long day at school (including having to put on my spare when I found my tire totally flat) I came home to see that my wife had put a box from Steveson Projects…

I barely looked at it…there are 2 DVD’s for building the Weekender…and the Plans for the vacationer…

Of course I am exhausted after MONDAY…and my wife is out at a class on monday nights…so I am not even going to try looking at it anymore…

I also have to say that I may be “cooling my jets” a little…a good friend who has a full sailing license to cross all the oceans. He has taken year long sailing adventures and crewed as 1st Mate on some big boats in the Mediterranean suggested I take some time…he said he looked at these plans a few years ago and loved the boat—-he did not suggest that I dont build the boat…but he suggested that I start sailing—-and lol since I have never even been in a sail boat (my dad had a power boat when I was a kid) that should be my first step…

Try it…take some lessons…he suggested I start with the smallest boat possible and work my way up…and after sailing for a while I would have a better idea of what I want…and need…and that it is something I would really enjoy…

I really take all of his advice—-and everyones to heart…so…my next step is to get in a boat as soon as I can…

This actually doesnt slow me down because I was never plan to start until winter break…if then…or this spring…so if I can take some lessons between now and then I will be on the same schedule…assuming that I enjoy the sailing…

Ok…patience…my plan this week is to try and watch the DVD once this week…and I will report to you how it is…

thanks for all the time and advice…I am still excited…looking forward to getting in a boat!

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Very good advice. The problem is your tastes mature with your experience. Get some tiller time under your belt. I’d rather spend a few grand and a few hundred hours building a boat than spending tens of thousands of dollars buying a boat that you’re not happy with. Everything is a journey, and there are always trade offs. You can always sell the boat for what you spent on materials.

It sounds like you had a rough day. Relax for a bit and look at the plans at your leisure. No rush. When you’re in a better place, it’ll all come together if it’s meant to be. I believe strongly in parallel solutions.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Good words Chris…

I sat tonight and watched the 1st DVD…it was really great…none of it will be easy but it all looks doable…and I havent even really looked at the plans yet…but wanted the overview…the dvd is about building the Weekender…but clearly the boats are similar except for size…

BTW…i have 4 new tires and rims…car is looking pretty spiffy…have never been a car guy…my little honda has been with me for 11 years…so…spent a little money on her today…and she looks good…lol…better then yesterday trying to get those damn lug nuts off in the parking lot…

Ok…looking forward to dvd #2…and maybe this weeekend I will take the plans out to the shop where I can spread them out…

So Chris—-lets talk tiller time!!! lol….

Matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

notottoman—-I finally had a chance to look at that link…holy cow that was a boat build!!! Awesome…that clip made me feel quite confident…!!!

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...