I built a Weekender, and it doesn't really fit your requirements ...
in my opinion, the cabin is too small for a table inside of it
(remember, it is really a 15' 9" boat, and its hard to find anything
with a usable cabin at that size). While the mast is still stayed, it
folds over onto the boom, so you can rig and launch in about 15
minutes (12 minutes from parking to rig to floating the boat off the
trailer was my personal best). Still, its a pretty good choice for
daysailing ... I love the boat.
For something different though you might check out the boats at B & B
Yacht Designs,
http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com ... especially the
Core Sound series at
http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/cs17.htm and the
Belhaven at
http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/bel.htm The Belhaven is
a lot of boat in 17', and has an unstayed cat ketch rig. Pretty
interesting concept.
I host the support forum for B & B at
http://www.messing-about.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2 and my main forum
has a lot of Weekender buiilders. We're not an association of people
devoted to the boats so you'll find some honest appraisals from people
who built all three boats, including the negatives such as the lack of
ballast in the Weekender.
On 2 Feb 2005 14:27:17 -0800,
wrote:
I'm in the process of trying to decide what to build next.
Requirements:
Sail: Would prefer an unstayed mast, or a mast with simple standing
rigging. Gaff or Bermuda. Ketch/Yawl acceptable.
Length: 14-16 ft LOA, would like pretty close to that on the waterline.
Beam: 5 ft-ish
Draught: 18-24" to keel or retracted centerboard
Displacement: 1400 lb range at DWL - closer to 1000 lb lightweight for
towing
Simple cabin: sitting room with space for a little table or like /
sleeping bag or bunk
Cockpit: sized for 2 adults (3 if cozy)
Usage: large inland lakes / waterways / stays up to 2-3 days.
What I've found so far:
Bolger Micro - I've been looking at these for years... aside from the
looks - I don't like the free flooding end sections, and I don't like
the completely flat aspects. *slap* *slap*
Weekender - nicer looking boat - but doesn't seem as seaworthy as the
micro.
Macnaughton Farthing - A little heavy and a little too much draught. I
also don't like the bubble and internal cockpit. I very much like the
general hull profile.
Macnaughton Silver Gull 19 - two to three feet too long. Just a tad
too big... now if there was a 16 ft blend of this and the farthing...
Bateau AD14 - right qualities, but the design doesn't fit my fancy.
Dix Cape Cutter 19 - nice looking boat once again, but a smidge too
long.
Given my rough requirements and comments on these other designs - can
anyone recommend a design or designer that I missed? I'm considering
shifting my window up a few feet to include the 18/19 ft range. Seems
to expand my possibilities a bit.
Thanks!
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