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Roy A Schreyer's avatar

I have had my head down, working away, as opportunity allows, on a new Camper-Boat Design. MiniD. This idea was to create a boat with the comforts of a camper, in as small a package as practical! 14ft x 6ft, 4in wide, with 5ft, 2in interior headroom, but with pop-up sections for full standing room, where needed, when camped or anchored! MiniD will be easy enough to tow and fit into a standard garage if set up on a low bed trailer. Two 7ft bunks to sleep or drop back cushions down to make up a full "queen bed" or berth! An enclosed head and a small counter to cook too. The cabin space transforms to your living room during the day! The hull and cabin are now complete, with finishing touches to come. I just put a deposit on a used trailer, which I'll pick up this week and MiniD will be moved onto it and out of my shop! It, the shop, can finally get a good cleaning and the smaller projects will get tackled on the build! I'll send you all a few picks. I'm excited how she turned out and hope you all will be too! AllthebestRoy

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May 3, 2024
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Roy A Schreyer's avatar

Our DIANNE'S ROSE turned out well and is on her 10th season. I first thought to build another, but bigger. But after ten years use, I think smaller makes more sense for most budget minded folks! The trick is, whether it can be made to comfortably accomodate two, be sound on the water and easy to set up at a camp! From what is done to date, I believe MiniD will work well. Stay tunned. AllthebestRoy

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Ben Bierman's avatar

Just finishing up a Jimmy Skiff 2. Is there a way to post a picture?

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Joshua Colvin's avatar

No way to post in comments, but send to josh@smallcraftadvisor.com

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Scott Jones's avatar

Coming to the finish line on my Wharram tiki 21 I started over 5 years ago. Trucked with me over a multi state move and finally getting back to the build after almost 3 years of storage in a barn. Hoping to launch this summer!

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Eric Devoe's avatar

Wait, you can build just ONE boat???

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Eric Russell's avatar

I am currently having a 15' x 42" version of figure 72 from American Small Sailing Craft built. This is the New York Whitehall. I have had three of the 14' x 48" hulls from Jim Thayer over the years and have loved them. Each of them was developed from its predecessor to address specific issues. I have used them for rowing and sailing in smooth and rough waters.

The latest set of modifications is meant to address sailing and weight issues. We cartop and a lighter boat is called for. We are not getting younger. Also, a narrower beam makes shifting weight when tacking easier. As a canoe sailor, I am comfortable with this.

Last weekend I dropped off the modified table of offsets, most of the furniture and hardware at the Village Community Boathouse in New York City. Unfortunately, I do not have a convenient space for building near me.

The boat will be strip planked with 3/16" wood, either cedar or okume.

It will be set up with a leeboard, rather than a centerboard. Holes in the boat let water in.

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John's avatar

Last build was a gliued lapstrake version of Herschoff 10ft pram

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Dan Pence's avatar

I’m modifying Gingers rudder. Reshaping the flat 1/4” steel plate into a NACA foil. Hoping it will make the boat even more slippery and turn better.

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A. Haberland's avatar

Unfortunately, I am not building right now, but refitting a Montgomery 17. Replacing the tired and broken hatch with a modern aluminum hatch with a lexan window. The crazed flush mounted plexi ports are also being replaced with opening versions to make sitting at the dock or anchor more enjoyable.

I might be building a new kayak later this summer, something to do in the evenings or before work when I can't get too dirty.

I am just one of those people who seem to enjoy working on boats more than using them. I also enjoy varnishing, so I know there is something seriously wrong with me.

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don dill's avatar

Just finished a restoration of a 14ft teaditional crabbing skiff built a chesapeake bay maritime museum in the 1990s.

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Mark Baker's avatar

I started with a Millstream 16.5 kayak from CLC and then immediately went on to build a John Welsford Long Steps with plans I got from Duckworks. I have now sailed the boat 4 times and just learning how to manage it on the water under sail and oar.

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May 1, 2024
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Mark Baker's avatar

Sorry, Mill Creek (we have a street near us called Millstream :) I build the kayak from plans as I wanted to develop skills in working with the wood. It only required basic tools. I only had to buy an orbital sander. So the step to the sailboat wasn't as big as you would think. Same basic skills, just longer build process. Very satisfying now that I'm sailing it. I'm starting to miss building again!

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Peter Stockless's avatar

In addition to the constant upgrades and modifications on my personal fleet of home built or restored boats, I am part of a high school boatbuilding class in Kittery Maine. see traip academy boatbuilding on instagram. The class has built two 20 ft surfboat, a banks dory, almost complete on a rustic colonial bateaux to re-enact the siege of Quebec in 1775. I am leading out the modification of an old evinrude 6 that is being converted to 48V 1000W electric power. our next project is a big Lumberyard Skiff to be used in the schools aquaculture programs.

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RonB.'s avatar

Re-building my Cal 20. While fibreglass seems to last a long time I’m still finding plenty to fix! Also, selling off the bigger boats to focus more on the little ones. Possibly a birdwatcher (kinda) in my future.

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Ron Newton's avatar

Downsizing to a Waters W17 trimaran from a 46’ Newick 3 Cheers

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RonB.'s avatar

Interesting! I have my white wings for sale. Tough sell, these winged contraptions.

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Denis Wang's avatar

I'm adding a cabin and pilot house to my John Gardner Downeast workboat, Moon Lady. Original design using Golden Ratios to create a half-scale lobster boat. She has a bench seat for three and space for sleeping two. Mostly marine plywood construction with an epoxy-foam pilot house top.

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Doug Cameron's avatar

Building a Spindrift 12 designed by Graham Byrnes of B&B Yacht Designs.

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