All images courtesy Svenson's
Michael Bogoger, aka DoryMan, and I seem to have overlapping predilections in boats. He's avidly posting at his weblog DoryMan and I am really enjoying his subject matter. I thought of him soon after running across this old Howard Chapelle design, for which the plans are free as a download from Svenson's. They publish plans from older magazines of the Popular Mechanics type like "Science and Mechanics" and "Boatbuilder Handbook" which were published with the homebuilder in mind. Don't let that put you off, there are some very nice things here. While I don't know what Michael will think, I'll say that I think this is a sweet and compelling little minicruiser, a 'dory/sharpie' with an unusual sail plan, which might lend itself to junk rig or batwing type sails in addition to the configuration shown. There's also a gunter rig included with the plans. Take a look at the Svenson's site for a lot of older designs available free or you can get a CD of all the designs for a nominal fee. If anyone has built one of the Chapelle boats, please send me some photo's!
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8 comments:
Thomas!
Thanks for thinking of me. In fact, there is an old Bristol Bay schooner for sale in my neck of the woods that is very similar to this design and if it's available, I'm sorely tempted.
This one appears to be clinker, which suits me just fine. You are perceptive! How else would you know I'm in the market for a boat?
Chapelle had an eye like no other.
The Bristol schooner's a nice looking boat. Open, but big, perfect for some camping and big enough for a party. Just depends on what you plan to do.
As for the Chapelle,I think the plans indicate traditional plank on frame but it's a fairly simple hull, which could be redrawn for lap ply, strip or even stitch, with a little care.
I'm a bit doubtful about this particular Chappelle design - though I can certainly see its appeal.
I guess my big concern is about whether it really can stand up to all that sail area.
Have you seen my posts on this boat?
http://intheboatshed.net/2008/02/16/howard-irving-chappelles-intriguing-southwind/
http://intheboatshed.net/2008/02/19/redmonds-elver-is-it-a-relative-of-chapelles-southwind/
Thank for weighing in, Gavin, and the links. I had missed them before. I would never have made the Elver connection. To me these two boats have a very different 'feel'.
Don't know what I was thinking! Clinker indeed. Maybe that was wishful thinking. I do love a lapstrake boat! But you're right it's plank on frame, which could be done easily with strip planking to make material less expensive. Gavin is probably looking at the fine aft sections and skeptical about reserve buoyancy. It's a dory all right, and you'd have to reef early. You know my prejudice though - I'd trust my life to a dory.
Well, blow me down!
Reflective rumination reveals that the clinker build I was talking about earlier was the Bristol Bay, not the Chapelle. Bad syntax caught me out; and you, too, Thomas! I apologize for the confusion.
May I take this opportunity to thank you (and Gavin, too, if he's still listening) for some very fine writing? Always a joy.
It's funny, I thought this boat was lap or clinker at first, without really looking . Seemed logical, I guess, but I wasn't considering the time frame. Do believe it could be, and today, maybe should. Certainly, I had no desire to catch you out, but it would mean some work to redraw the plans. Nevertheless, it's an elegant boat with possibilites, and if Gavin's right about her being overcanvassed, I'm sure that could be corrected. = Junk.
thomas
thomas
Turns out the Bristol Bay boat is plank on frame, too -- so confusion reigns. I must need new glasses, these little pictures are fuzzy.
I talked with the elderly owner who's selling it last night. He's had this 80 year old boat for 50 years. He's not feeling well, but when he's better, he'll be calling me.
The boat is already calling me!
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