Category: Modern boatbuilding

Modern and plywood boatbuilding and plans

Alan Stancombe builds his second Cinderella – and does a super job

Alan Stancombe's Cinderella canoe

Alan Stancombe's Cinderella canoe Alan Stancombe's Cinderella canoe Alan Stancombe's Cinderella canoe

Alan Stancombe's Cinderella canoe

As usual, click on the thumbnails for much bigger images that in this case reveal just how smooth and sweet Alan’s seams really are!

Most first-time boatbuilders find themselves saying how much better the boat would be if they could do it all again, both because of the different choices they would make but also because of the techniques they have learned and improved. Many then go on to build different boats, but Alan Stancombe has built a second Cinderella to the free plans I drew up – and a great job he has done.

The difference lies in his use of tongue depressers as spacers between the strakes, which he says enabled him to produce smooth taped seams on the inside of the boat.

However he did it, I’m thinking he could give lessons in building Cinderellas!

For free plans for this easy to build 12ft stitch and glue open canoe made from plywood and epoxy, click here: Cinderella download

For more examples of the Cinderella, see the free plans page link at the top of this page.

PS I was also chuffed today to hear from Dave Stone, who sent me a Sketchup model of the sailing version of the Ella skiff that he’s been working on. Well done Dave! Plans for the Ella skiff are available from the Free plans page – see the link at the top of this page.

Ella skiff sketchup model

 

Embarrassing RN submarine grounding in the Kyle of Lochalsh

[ad name=”intheboatshed-post”]

Kyle of Lochalsh

The story of high-tech Naval submarine HMS Astute getting stuck in the Kyle of Lochalsh is possibly disappointing for  tax payers who paid for all the technology and training that’s meant to prevent this kind of thing – and probably even worse for the officers involved.

Still, it does make me feel a little better able to forgive myself for all errors I’ve made in sailing over the years – and leads me to fervently hope all my future mistakes will have equally minor consequences. I also recommend reading Ewan Kennedy’s musings about the event – he knows the area, and argues that it is in fact well charted though it’s lucky the big, expensive boat hit gravel and not rock. My thanks to John Lockwood for tipping me off about this.

One other thought thought is this. I’ve never has occasion to look at a map of the area before, but I must say the Kyle looks like a super cruising ground for small boats.

PS – Thanks to John again, I’ve learned that the sub got damaged by the tug that pulled it free.

A raid in paradise: Tawe Nunnagh

[ad name=”intheboatshed-post”]

It’s chilly, raining and grey here in Kent as cruel winter descends, but on the other side of the world folks in Tasmania are planning what they’re calling a raid in paradise: Tawe Nunnagh.

The photos above suggest the  description may be correct. I want to go – I’d love at least one more boating holiday – but of course I don’t deserve it and it wouldn’t be exactly practical…

The local Aboriginal words mean ‘going by canoe’, but the boats can be of any design despite the name – however, boats taking part must be of predominantly wooden construction. Participants may bring their own craft, or hire or crew  small craft owned by the Living Boat Trust.

The raid itself is a nine-day expedition involving sailing and rowing boats through the D’Entrecasteaux Channel between Bruny Island and the mainland of southern Tasmania.

The route stretches from Recherche Bay, the most southerly inhabited settlement in Australia, to the Tasmanian capital of Hobart, and is timed to finish on the first day of the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival to be held on the 11-14 February 2011.

Ports of call are Southport (for the local regatta on the5th February 5th), Mickey’s Bay on Bruny Island, the Far South Adventure Camp near Strathblane, Cygnet, Alonnah on Bruny Island, and Oyster Cove, before sailing the last leg to Hobart for the opening of the Wooden Boat Festival on 11th February. Each day will involve a sail or row between sheltered campsites, with radio support and safety craft, and a meal will be provided each evening, followed by local speakers and fun activities.

For more information, see the Living Boat Trust website.