A reader builds a model Julie skiff

New reader Roland Beverley got in touch yesterday with these pictures of a model Julie skiff that he’s made. Plans for both the real and the model Julie skiff are on the free plans page – see the tabs above.

Here’s what he wrote:

‘Hi Gavin,

‘I just discovered http://intheboatshed.net/ while searching for some free model plans. I am itching to build my own boat but don’t currently have the space. I used to build model aircraft and boats in my teens, so thought I’d dust off my skills and build a new bath/pond toy for my son (who is 6).

‘My Julie Skiff is made from 1/16in balsa with a 1/4in transom (in case I ever mount an outboard!). It is waterproofed with 3 coats of cellulose dope and modified with rowlocks from a picture hanging kit and oars from Sainsbury’s bamboo skewers (paddles already provided!). All of which I had lying about (some items for many years). To waterproof inside the rope locker, I’ll use a spray can of lacquer to ensure its well coated and may coat the outside too.

‘I am very pleased with it, though you’ll notice there are dents in the bow where I should have spread the load from the clamps used to hold it while the glue dried – lesson for next time. Also the playmobil pirates are a little small – but I know my son won’t mind that. He’ll probably use lego people and turn it in to a battleship 😉 He returns from his grandparents’ tomorrow – I hope he likes it!

‘Thanks ever so much for the excellent free resources!’

And thanks to you Roland – it’s always great to hear about these boats being built, either as models or as the full-sized item.

Mick Webb’s Julie skiff goes together in Australia

And so the Julie skiff (free boat plans here) being built by Mick Webb in Victoria, Australia goes together – he tells me he thinks it’s going pretty well, which is good news!

 

News about the Julie skiff design

A Julie skiff has been built in Russia from the free plans available on this website. It’s pretty close the the plans, though the builder left off the corner pieces at the stern and decided against the neat draining foredeck I’d intended as a good place to put a small anchor and line, or a painter. Oh well…

I know nothing of the language, but the chap seems pretty positive about it all! See the boat in action here:

Also, Mick Webb in Queensland, Australia, has started building a Julie using a more traditional strongback-and–frames approach. Photos of his frames are below.

I think the result will be rather appealing – I have a set of frame heights, if anyone wants to build a Julie skiff in the same way.

Free plans for building a stitch and glue Julie skiff are available from the Plans page of this website.