Skin on frame catboat?

by Zach
(Saint Joseph Michigan)

Hello DIYhard boat builders! I'm back again with another question.

Last summer my daughter and I built the Bolger dory and much rowing ensued.

We explored up and down the river and had lots of daddy daughter time.

My shoulders aren't ready for the onslaught this year...
Which brings us to the present.

My kiddo wants badly to build again.

Like a budding naval architect she is talking about building an 18 foot cat boat.

Last year almost killed me.

I had no idea how to build a boat before we started and we pulled through.

This year?

I was hoping to use the easy button.

SO here is my question:

Can I build this thing as a skin on frame boat?

I know she won't carry much sail because she'll be light and won't draw much water but I think it would be the fastest way from start to finish.

I thought it would be clever to have a small ring of thin deck around the edge to hide our positive boyancy.

I was hoping this would weigh in less than 100 pounds as well - at least the hull.

I can make all the parts come off/out.

Our experiences with the dory and trailer have been less than fantastic and I would prefer to car top.

The design she has picked out is the south bay cat boat.

Any and all comments, questions, howls of indignation, and (hopefully) simple pictures with labels and instructions are welcome.

See above the boat she wants to build. (Gilbert Smith's Great South Bay Catboat (images © WoodenBoat magazine))





Comments for Skin on frame catboat?

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Aug 04, 2022
 skin on frame sailboat design from Platt Monfort
by: LR

I realize I'm a bit late to the party.

I've seen the Cricket 12 when it was under construction, and was struck by it's beautiful shape.
https://www.gaboats.com/boats/cricket12_design.html
https://www.gaboats.com/boats/cricket12.html
The prototype is currently offered for sale. I think it deserves a wood mast and a prettier sail.

I would look carefully at the structure to see if it's adequate when the sail starts twisting it.

We had a Cartopper 9, or perhaps it was an 11, that wasn't up to the job of sailing with two hefty people in a strong breeze, and the gunwale started to come apart. It hustled right along and was easy to keep flat before the gunwale started to go.
https://www.gaboats.com/boats/cartopper9.html
https://www.gaboats.com/boats/cartopper9_design.html

https://www.gaboats.com/boats/cartopper11.html
https://www.gaboats.com/boats/cartopper11_design.html

The Cricket's deck, of course, gives a convenient place to add some strength, and perhaps it was beefed up compared to the Cartopper.
Jan 03, 2022
 Skin for lapstake
by: James Anthony Prendergast

I have built lots of skinboats. Once you have the gear for bending the ribs it is easy. For a Sailboat that pushes the hull hard against the seas you will need strong stringers and many of them of Ash or White Oak. The ribs must be ash tied off with 300lb test waxed yarn. The heaviest hemp fabric bent-on hard and well fastened at the gunnels. That is what you need.
The stringers must follow the pattern of lapped strakes. They must be yar.
You may still find good lead-based fill paint at canoe stores and of course spar varnish over that.
A full-length keel-runner and chine runners would be necessary for beaching. Copper bands.
Weight should come in about 600 lbs without trimmings.
Maybe Ill build one!
Aug 11, 2021
 would like to connect
by: Mark L

Brian S, I would like to know whether you have found any resources online about adapting skin on frame to small sailboats.

I have looked and have found mostly sites geared toward kayaks and canoes.

And I would love to see your work. could you email marklackley@gmail.com.
Thanks
Mar 24, 2020
 Skin on frame
by: Brian S

Hi Zack,
I've recently finished my third skin boat and am nearly finished with the fourth. These last two are open boats, an 18' wherry and a 12' sailing dinghy. I have built from scratch without plans. Sailboats, obviously, add a whole bunch of complexity, but building in skin on frame is very doable. I havn't posted here before, but I'll put up some pictures in the "Your Pages" section. I know I can use advice on the sailing dinghy.
Brian
May 11, 2016
 Thanks guys!
by: Zach

I will certainly try to keep working on this but Im having more medical issues this year.

I'll keep you in the loop if we start this project.

Right now it doesn't look good.
May 10, 2016
 hotrodstudie@hotmail.com
by: skin on frame cat boat

Zack just to see whats out there not a nail in it and as large as you wish click on thumb nail www.skin on frame. org these are all about nots.
Cal
May 10, 2016
 skin on frame catboat
by: Cal

Zach just had to look but didn’t think there was a school for skin boats and some of them much larger the one would think even the boat you and your doughtier built but in skin can be held over your head with one hand.

So, have a look at Pinterest skin boats a few girls there doing just that.

Good luck Zack thinking of building a pirate ship for my grandson eight x thirty with Center board house work on the stern he loves the shallows we do have a lot of marine life her in BC.

Cal
May 04, 2016
 Anything is possible! :)
by: Zach

That's what I keep telling the kid.
Do you have any more details about this 20 foot skin framed catboat? I would love to hear.

I did a little tape measure/living room arithmatic last night and I think a waterline of 15 feet and overall length of around 18 would suit us fine. I figured 7 or 8 foot beam but I will have to look at more plans.

When kiddo comes for the weekend we can talk it over. I think she's excited. I was wondering if there was a way to get the centerboard trunk lower so I could put some oarlocks in ;)
May 03, 2016
 skin on frame catboat
by: Cal

I have seen a twenty foot Whitehall with skin fabric and this may be a challenge but nothing is impossible.

The word can’t for smart boat builder is only a glitch.

If she is going for it get her to connect with the architect put it on google + Pinterest wooden boat, you will find skin boats as a car top boat.

There are some new gadgets to get it loaded but for me the trailer the is the way to go, it just takes practice.

With a skin boat you need to be twice as careful when loading unloading, sharp objects.

A lightweight sail like a surf sail could be made, the frame also could be laser cut or steam bent and bolted.

The center board would be your weak spot to seal but not impossible with a gasket.

Like to hear what mike has to say but did enjoy your first build, my oldest daughter loved working on my boats but will not go out on the water.

Like to hear how she makes out.
May 03, 2016
 Plans
by: Bill

Hey, hadn’t heard of them before.

Why don’t you get in touch with them see if they can help?
May 03, 2016
 If only if it was so simple!
by: Zach

Bill,
Thanks for your response!

Truthfully the Bolger dory is almost too small for us. :/ I'm a big guy and she's already 5'4" and just turned 12. Viking blood...

So neither of those would work out for us.

Plus we have been skulking around in the shallows up and down the saint joseph.

That's why I figured the catboat might be doable.

The little 12 footer would just be comically small. Like a clown car small.

I was hoping the SOF would let us get a little more room with less weight.

I saw the Chamberlain Gunning Dory from Gentry Custom Boats and I figured that would be about the right length.

We just need a little more width.
May 03, 2016
 Car Topper
by: Bill

Hi Zach, your ‘kiddo’ certainly has an eye for a pretty boat.

However, you would have problems trying to build a boat like that as skin on frame.

And I don't think you would get plans for such a project anywhere.

You could rig your dory out for sailing.

But if you want a car topper how about something like Chesapeake Light Craft’s Outrigger? http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/development-projects/outrigger-jr.html

Or Glen L do a cat rigged car topper but it is only 11ft, http://www.boatdesigns.com/11-Topper-car-top-cat-rigt/products/466/

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