Your Boat Builds and Other Projects

Thanks for sharing!

We asked “Whatcha Building?” and we’re sure glad we did! As usual you responded with some fantastic projects. Small-boat builders are downright productive! —Eds

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Let’s start off with this little gem built and designed by Herb McLeod:

I have launched my self-designed 3.6 metre camp cruiser Omakayas. The attached photo with the sail up was taken by a neighbour just after I completed its first capsize test. Omakayas passed the capsize test with so quickly  that my spouse missed getting a photo when it was on its side in the water.

There is a 1.9 by 0.75 metre sleeping platform inside the cuddy. It carries a 10 square metre Chinese lug rig and the 2.4 metre long oars can be stored inside the boat without impingement on the sleeping platform. The cabin height is 1.1 meters so there is lots of room to sit upright with the hatch in place.

A lot on the design elements (rudder, leeboard, offset mast) come from Jim Michalak's designs. I must say thanks to Jim for all his essays on boat design as they were integral to the success of this project.

I just returned from a 4 night trip on a reservoir north of Ottawa that boasts 484 square kilometers of water. I was in the company of a San Francisco Bay Pelican and our conclusion after 5 days on the water was that the boats are very closely matched in performance. The Pelican may have an edge close hauled Omakayas might be a bit better downwind.

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And here’s this lovely and wildly ambitious project from Peter Roach. Be sure to check out his detailed photo page:

In Manitoba /NW Ontario, I modified a 1960 Canadian Navy Whaler (27') found in a farmer's field; by widening the hull, removing the centerboard, adding ballast, a deck and cabin. Twin keels will be added in the future. Ted Brewer was my advisor providing expertise and advice. The intended usage was for use on Northern Ontario lakes, as a photography platform, for fishing or just to have fun. My Flickr site has over a hundred photos and videos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjphuopS.

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More of your projects in the next post….—Eds