A Coot by any other name ...

[DaddyRabbit]

While snow-bound here in the south, I decided to build a model of the 22 Ft.Coot (from the poly-sail site). When I scaled out the hull outline, I found that it had the almost exact outline as the Row-Sail Dory !! The 11 Ft. R-S Dory is credited by the builder as being a slippery little fish.

I think that some people may be put off by the name "Coot", as in "Old Coot", which many of us don't want to be classified as. Maybe this boat would get more study if it were called "Flaming Star" or something.

Anyway here is the model I'm working on.

I built it with twin center-boards, to open up the center of the cabin, more keel and less skag, so that I could take some of the rake out of the masts.

[Guest LeeH]

That's cool. Looks kinda like Hitler standing in the cockpit. Are you going to build her full sized now? If so, why would you take the rake out of the masts? Seems like that would unbalance the sail plan, and might cause you to have to rethink your shroud arrangement.

[PAR]

I'm old enough to remember seeing and sailing a few of these around when the "craze" was in full swing. Coot is a handy little craft, but she's a lot heavier then you might think. What I remember most about this design is everyone changed the rudder right away for better steering response. I also remember as many where built without the cabin as with.

[DaddyRabbit]

I don't see myself building a wooden boat that large. I just don't have the time or resources. But if I did, I'd build an eleven footer first, half-size if you will, to workout the sail placement and balance. As far as practicality goes, the Vacationer is a better boat, way-more room in the cabin and fewer lines to handle. I can't help but think it would make a spiffy little pirate ship though...  Hitler !!? that was supposed to be my mother-in-law... oh, wait I see how you could be confused...

[Guest LeeH]

DR, you're havin way too much fun . You may need to meet up with this guy (run his slideshow. Absolutely unbelievable model making!).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24796741@N05/sets/72157604247242338/with/2346008881/

[GWB]

Hey DR,

I also did a model of the Coot between 8 and 10 years ago.  You might possibly say it was my first build.  Scaled it to be about 3' in length.  I tried to include every detail that I could.  The companionway, rudder and centerboard are all functional.  I made the dead-eyes, made cleats and even made blocks out of brass and solder.  The sails did not turn out well as I would have liked and I lost interest it the finest of the details.  I dug it out of storage, rerigged it and took a couple of pictures.  The jib club and mainsail are missing and I never rigged the sheets for the main and mizzen.  Hope you enjoy the pics and don't think I'm trying to upstage you.

Paul, how were the rudders typically modified.  I assume for a higher A/R.