Looking for a project

[Guest Erik le Rouge]

Hi Folks,

I am new to boatbuilding. My only experience is of building a 17' stitch and glue Pygmy kayak.

I need a family boating project, and yet two designs seem to meet my expectations : Headland Green Island 15 and Jordan's Footloose.

I need a boat not more than 16' long, able sailer and capable of handling up to four adults.

If anyone could give some piece of advice...

Ease of building and low cost are issues....

Regards from Qu

[Frank Hagan]

I took a look at both boats, and of the two, I think the Green Island 15 looks a bit more roomy. The problem you will have is fitting 4 adults in any of these boats ... it can be done, but its cramped.

I'm building one of the cradles from Jordan Wood Boats, and the plans are good on that ... not sure about his boat plans, but it looks like the Footloose uses newer building techniques (the cradle I'm building uses more traditional construction like copper rivets, which are a pain!) He's been very good to work with, though.

You might also take a look at the Pocket Cruiser by Stevenson Projects (see it at http://www.stevproj.com/PCPics.html) The Pocket Cruiser has more room in it for the size, and I think is roomier than the Weekender many of us have built. The Weekender would be another good choice, but to be honest, with 4 adults it is cramped.

[Greg Luckett]

Nice looking cradles, Frank. Which one are you building?

I agree with Frank about the problem with 4 adults having enough room to move about. It is an important consideration.

[ChrisObee]

Try this boat.

http://boatplans-online.com/proddetail.php?prod=CV16

I have seen pictures of it underway with 6 adults.

[Greg Luckett]

Try this boat.

http://boatplans-online.com/proddetail.php?prod=CV16

I have seen pictures of it underway with 6 adults.

That has been an interesting boat to me for years now. I built a PK78 from Bateau (my first boat) and it was a good learning experience for me, but I was not completely satisfied with the plan set. It left key areas out, such as gunnels (all I can recall at the moment). I did not like the attitude of the designer with regard to questions either. On the other hand, he has a nice web site and lots of information, and some nice looking designs, and he does a lot to educate builders. A guy in Hawaii who built a CV16 had some nice shots and good things to say about it. Someday, I may build one anyway.

My old links do not work anymore, but try this one:

http://chrisobee.com/caravelle.htm

[Frank Hagan]

Nice looking cradles' date=' Frank. Which one are you building?

I agree with Frank about the problem with 4 adults having enough room to move about. It is an important consideration.[/quote']

The "Baby Tender II", which is this one. This is the latest picture but its out of date; I'm actually done with the hull but my wife has it to make the mattress and bedding for it. I'm working on the rockers and the davits right now.

[P Doug (WA)]

I hope you have checked out the Coresound 17 and Coresound 20 from the other forum here. :wink:

[Frank Hagan]

I hope you have checked out the Coresound 17 and Coresound 20 from the other forum here. :wink:

I was thinking those don't fit is 15 foot requirement' date=' and are much bigger boats. But there is Graham's Coresound 15 (I keep forgetting about it!) Its described at [url']http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/cs15.htm[/url] and has the advantage of the cat-ketch rig that would be very friendly to sail with 4 adults. In fact, its rated for 5 people.

Sailing with 4 aboard a Weekender or any of these boats can be a bit hectic when you need to come about, with very specific directions for each person and some timing to worry about. But the cat-ketch rig makes that much easier.