22 ft Double Ended Cutter, Design #106

Construction: Cold molded

This is a design for a roomy trailerable weekender. The client lives in the interior of BC, so this one is likely to see lakes as well as coastal cruising. She is designed with a diesel under the bridge deck for punching into lumpy head seas. In the meantime she has the capacity to ride happily on her trailer to parts of the coast we might never have time to reach otherwise, and explore every nook and cranny, anchoring close into shore. Between journeys she can be kept at home where she is easy to care for and right there to admire every time we pull into the driveway.

Construction is triple skin red cedar, with two diagonal layers and one fore and aft. A pair of longitudinal stringers plus bulkheads and joinery provide the stiffening. There is an external lead keel of 900 lb. with the slot for the centerboard cast in. The centerboard is wood to avoid the need for a lifting tackle and the possibility of its getting bent and jammed in a hard grounding.

The rig is a straightforward gaff sloop, with a topsail. One could add a reaching spinnaker on an outhaul to the end of the bowsprit to add to the fun.

22ft Centreboard Cutter Design #155 New

Construction: strip planked/cold molded

A powerful half decked racing cutter of similar model and rig to #93 drawn some twelve years earlier.  This one is roomier, with capacity for a party of six.  On a windy day they will be guaranteed an exhilarating time of it.  Construction is straightforward and rugged: one layer of strip planking followed by two cold molded layers laid up over laminated frames. The lead ballast casting is slotted for the laminated wood centerboard.  Spars are hollow wood and the mast is mounted in a tabernacle on the keel for easy of lowering and raising.

22 ft Gaff Cutter "Surprise II", Design #131

Construction: Strip planked/cold molded

The original "Surprise" was built in spare time for our own use. She has been in the water almost a year now and is proving to be a delightful small cruiser.

This new design is an updated version incorporating lessons learned in launching and sailing the original. It is specifically aimed at the home builder using a strip plank/cold molded planking system laid up over temporary molds and bulkheads.

This set includes plans for beaching legs.

Photos of Surprise I, construction and sailing, are available in the Custom Building Projects section.

Beaching legs, Design #131/8

Beaching legs are a safe and simple way to get a deep keel boat ashore, either for winter storageor just between tides for bottom work. Carried aboard when criosing they provide independence from haul-out facilities and a measure of insurance in the event of an emergency.

In Europe they have been used for hundreds of years, but for some reason are much less common in North America. We are frequently asked for details of their construction and setup.

This single-sheet plan gives full details of the legs used on the 22 ft cutter "Surprise". While actual dimensions must be tailored to the individual hull, the proportions and attachment detail shown on the drawing will work on most long keeled boats.

One sheet, insluded with "Surprise II" plans, or available separately for $30.

24 Ft Gaff Cutter, Design #98

Construction: Carvel on bent frames

Generous beam and high volume for the length are the features of this husky cutter.

The design was recently re-worked for improved performance. The result will be a most able little boat with a comfortable, traditional feel and simple gear.

24 Ft Canoe Yawl, Design #82

Construction: Double Planked Cedar over Bent Frames

This is an updated version of a design done several years ago, modeled after the canoe yawls popular in England around the turn of the last century. The combination of narrow beam and shoal draft requires high ballast ratio to gain sail carrying power but the result is a boat that should be a delight to sail - ideal for exploring areas where draft is restricted.

Construction is double fore and aft planking over bent frames. The centerboard, wood weighted with lead, drops through a slotted ballast casting. This is an intricate piece of work that will be great fun for the experienced builder or someone looking for a challenge.

The cabin has two berths and amenities for weekend cruising. There is no inboard engine; a pair of sweeps provides auxiliary power. This is one for the sailing purist.