Modified Skipjack

[buck]

I am building a modified Skipjack for my son from "Sailboats you can build". He wanted a small cabin boat to camp in. We decided on a removable cabin lid but it necessitated a centreboard rather than a daggerboard. In the photos you can see the long slot needed in the keel. The keel 2 layers of pine with a 1/2"ply layer in between. We will build up a box on the other side. Will post more pics as we go.

http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi

http://community.webshots.com/photo/79584416/79584618VnsIVO

http://community.webshots.com/photo/79584416/79584702rEFDeg

[Robert Cox]

Looking good Buck. What are the deminsions of the boat? It looks small in the pictures.

Bob

[Frank Hagan]

Wonder if Mike is lurking about ...

The Stevensons were thinking about drawing up "Super Skipjack" plans a while back. It still is a great looking boat, kind of the granddaddy of today's Weekender.

Anyway, looks like you're making good progress! Should be a fun boat to launch with your son.

[buck]

Thanks Frank. Robert the Skipjack is 12' on deck 5' beam (see fast daysailers on the Stevensons site). I have drawn a picture of what I hope it will look like:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/79608050/79608108EpYRZK

and the centreboard plan: http://community.webshots.com/photo/79586377/79586530SQrnzU

[Frank Hagan]

Looks great, Buck. Wish I could use the graphics programs that way ... when I try, the pictures actually look worse than my construction! :roll:

I'd be interested to hear how the Skipjack sails compared to the Weekender. Its a much smaller boat to build, and could be a great first boat for someone trying to decide on a Weekender or Vacationer.

[Johannah]

Nice work Buck! But don't plan on taking a break because I'll bet his little brothers will want one, too. Where are you going to put the fleet?? By the way, the amazing Kauri bowl that John bought from your brother-in-law (?) is sitting in the center of our dining room table. Everyone who sees it loves it. Please pass my thanks on to the artisit.

[waynemunro]

looking good buck... hope the recent cold snap has not put a dint in your boat time. I know it has in mine.. though winter is finally here.. yee haa.. got about 5cm snow at my place in the weekend.

Wayne

[MikeStevenson]

Cool: A mini-Weeeknder! You've come at the problem in much the same way we did, and ended up with similar solutions. We had to go to the jacknife centerboard on the original Weekenders as we didn't want a daggerboard in the middle of the cabin. It would stil be in the plans if it were enough of an added advantage. In your twelve footer you may find it's still worthwhile.

Nice work. I'll show this to Peter as I'm sure he'll want to know about your new concept.

Mike

(added bit) As far as the Super-Skipjack goes, I don't know what we'll do. We did do a whole new boat about a year ago. We're undecided about it. Peter doesn't like it much, I'm not sure. It was really fast in the short test sail day we had it out, but insanely tender. We ended up with a sailing canoe. I had said I wanted to make something like this, so I think we erred on the slippy and skinny side subconsciously. I'll give it more tests at some point, but we don't have any time to spare for the next couple of months.

[buck]

Mike,

I got the idea for a fold down centrboard from the Skipjack Insignia, which clearly shows a fold down CB. The cabin will be removable (i.e. bolted on) so he (my son) can sail with his mates as well. Unfortunately the way he's growing his head will stick out the end, so it'll have to have a wee boom tent as well. Never mind he definately wanted a cabin boat and I wanted a boat that was light enough for him to manage himself. I'm also putting floor boards in mounted on 2"x4" wood to raise it above the bottom. I find all boats get water in, luckily mostly rainwater. Thanks for your comments.