As I wrote recently, Brandon Davis and I have been hard at work on a new kit-boat design we’re calling the Old Salt. Our design goals remain crystal clear: prioritize ease of use, comfort, and stability—so that an older sailor, possibly with some physical limitations, can handle trailering, mast-raising, rigging, launching, and sailing in a variety of conditions.
Still looking good at 15’, thanks for the update! Another humble suggestion, optional cockpit/boom tent professionally made? I can cut, glue, sand wood reasonably well but I’m not ready to learn how to sew a proper tent. Overnighting on the Old Salt will need that. Cheers!
The lengthening should also be recognized for its role in minimizing material waste.
It would be great to suggest side projects for the offcuts—whether that’s something fun to add to the boat later, a small standalone project for before or after the main build, or ideally, quick “practice pieces” to work through techniques needed for the more challenging parts of the upcoming construction.
Thoughtful changes. I have always been intrigued by water ballast, But I am not sure how it works. Does the water drain out of the boat as you pull it up onto the trailer? Do you have control of how much water is taken on? Thanks for doing this project. Not surprised there is great interest. Jim Smith.
For the fwd end at the cuddy, if the bulkhead just forward of the mast is raked aft to match the rake of the mast, it would provide support for the mast as well as adding a raked forward face of the cuddy and eliminate the odd space above the deck between the forward rounded face of the cuddy and the bulkhead. The cuddy sides would still have curve going forward to the bulkhead. Seems it might be easy given CAD. Aft, make the aft face of the cockpit along a tranverse bulkhead and extend the cockpit coamings just beyond with a small, nicely shaped ending.
Looks like a good design. Don't make it too big or heavy. I like the idea of having removable hatch tops to allow better access to the foredeck hatch and sail handling. I like the idea of a two part mast with a loose-footed mains'l. Looking forward to test sailing. At 64, I am a certifiable "old salt" and I am looking for a good boat for camp cruising. Question is: how well will she row? I'm not a fan of motors.
Hey!!! how about a pre-release price, or re-bate for those of us who would bring it to a boat show? Even if not yet finished, a group of boats would show different stages of "sail fever bliss."
If this is trully an "Old Man's Boat" you need to equipt it with semi-enclosure for a Porta-Potty in the bow. I am looking forward to seeing one at a boat show!!!
Another option for the mast raising issues is to add a V-shaped spray deflector ahead of the mast as a stop to secure the mast while walking it up. In addition, the mast opening can have a small keyhole cutout aft to allow space for a line to pass down the aft side of the mast. This line is then secured to, or near, the base of the mast and cleated (cam cleat?) just aft the opening. Its function is to 1. hold down the foot of the mast during raising and 2. to ease the mast into the step more slowly and deliberately. This takes the strain off the forward mast box and allows lowering the mast into its step in a more controlled manner. It also eliminates the mast box for more space below. Just some thoughts.
Interesting clew on the sail. Change grommets to adjust sail shape? Maybe a feature of full batten sails I'm not familiar with..... Good looking boat! Can we come to see the prototype going together?
What ever happened to Skate? Crickets on the WWW. I saw the development in foam, but is it available in ply? The “Old Salts” are kicking my butt around the cans on production sport boats. Is this design growing, shrinking or dead? If it’s alive some YouTube could be great.
Skate kits have been mostly foam. There are 3 nearing completion, so it’s been on the back burner a bit until those launch. But a revised plywood version is going to be offered eventually.
That looks like a very interesting little craft. With one boat under construction and another 4 waiting in the wings having this little beauty still in the prototype stage is perfect for me.
Still looking good at 15’, thanks for the update! Another humble suggestion, optional cockpit/boom tent professionally made? I can cut, glue, sand wood reasonably well but I’m not ready to learn how to sew a proper tent. Overnighting on the Old Salt will need that. Cheers!
I’m ready to place an order.
The lengthening should also be recognized for its role in minimizing material waste.
It would be great to suggest side projects for the offcuts—whether that’s something fun to add to the boat later, a small standalone project for before or after the main build, or ideally, quick “practice pieces” to work through techniques needed for the more challenging parts of the upcoming construction.
Thoughtful changes. I have always been intrigued by water ballast, But I am not sure how it works. Does the water drain out of the boat as you pull it up onto the trailer? Do you have control of how much water is taken on? Thanks for doing this project. Not surprised there is great interest. Jim Smith.
While the rounded feature of the cuddy fwd and the coaming aft is beautiful, would not planar ends be easier to build and simplify construction?
For the fwd end at the cuddy, if the bulkhead just forward of the mast is raked aft to match the rake of the mast, it would provide support for the mast as well as adding a raked forward face of the cuddy and eliminate the odd space above the deck between the forward rounded face of the cuddy and the bulkhead. The cuddy sides would still have curve going forward to the bulkhead. Seems it might be easy given CAD. Aft, make the aft face of the cockpit along a tranverse bulkhead and extend the cockpit coamings just beyond with a small, nicely shaped ending.
Hi Steve. Not sure I fully understand the second suggestion. Can you send me a sketch? josh@smallcraftadvisor.com
Looks like a good design. Don't make it too big or heavy. I like the idea of having removable hatch tops to allow better access to the foredeck hatch and sail handling. I like the idea of a two part mast with a loose-footed mains'l. Looking forward to test sailing. At 64, I am a certifiable "old salt" and I am looking for a good boat for camp cruising. Question is: how well will she row? I'm not a fan of motors.
Hey!!! how about a pre-release price, or re-bate for those of us who would bring it to a boat show? Even if not yet finished, a group of boats would show different stages of "sail fever bliss."
If this is trully an "Old Man's Boat" you need to equipt it with semi-enclosure for a Porta-Potty in the bow. I am looking forward to seeing one at a boat show!!!
Another option for the mast raising issues is to add a V-shaped spray deflector ahead of the mast as a stop to secure the mast while walking it up. In addition, the mast opening can have a small keyhole cutout aft to allow space for a line to pass down the aft side of the mast. This line is then secured to, or near, the base of the mast and cleated (cam cleat?) just aft the opening. Its function is to 1. hold down the foot of the mast during raising and 2. to ease the mast into the step more slowly and deliberately. This takes the strain off the forward mast box and allows lowering the mast into its step in a more controlled manner. It also eliminates the mast box for more space below. Just some thoughts.
Sounds great. Glad to see it's a little longer. The other improvements sound good, too.
Cool! Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Interesting clew on the sail. Change grommets to adjust sail shape? Maybe a feature of full batten sails I'm not familiar with..... Good looking boat! Can we come to see the prototype going together?
Yes. Hoping to build prototype at the Northwest Maritime Center.
Very interesting... I'll await the updates.
What ever happened to Skate? Crickets on the WWW. I saw the development in foam, but is it available in ply? The “Old Salts” are kicking my butt around the cans on production sport boats. Is this design growing, shrinking or dead? If it’s alive some YouTube could be great.
Skate kits have been mostly foam. There are 3 nearing completion, so it’s been on the back burner a bit until those launch. But a revised plywood version is going to be offered eventually.
I’m keeping an eye on this!
That looks like a very interesting little craft. With one boat under construction and another 4 waiting in the wings having this little beauty still in the prototype stage is perfect for me.