Peterboat

Ever since my last boat, I had been trying to decide between two small cruising designs of Jim Michalak's, the Harmonica, and the IMB. While waiting for more information about them, I needed a small project to stop the DT's until I could get my teeth into the cruiser. I had long admired John Bull's Peterboat, and had a set of plans from Lost in the Woods Boatworks. John Bull is a British designer whose plans are also available through Solway Dory.

The Peterboat is a fifteen and a half foot double chine canoe designed for stitch and tape construction. She has a twenty eight inch beam for stability, and is meant to be used either for sailing or paddling. The boat can accommodate either two medium sized passengers, or one person and a considerable amount of gear. The idea was that my wife Lucille would ride with me
and do all the paddling - for now, I just can't get her to go along with that part of the plan.

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The temporary building frame shown was optional, but I am glad I used one.

My version of this boat was built with 4 MM Okume ply for the skin, which was scarfed to get the length required. I had just enough 1/4 " yellow pine from another project for the bulkheads. Ash was used for the gunwales and thwart, and yellow pine for the deck beams. I had a couple of scraps of Mahogany that I used for the stems. I wasn't sure if I wanted a skeg or not, so I used a piece of white pine that would be easy to remove if I decided I didn't want it.

The hull was covered with six oz. glass and System Three Resin. Side decks and coamings were optional but I elected to build them for a little additional security. The leeboard fixture is my own design: it clamps onto the coaming without holes and can be moved for and aft to help achieve balance.

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I used Pine for the inwale, Ash for the outwale

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Sturdy framing for crowned and side decks

Next time, I would use marine grade Luan, because it can be had locally for almost half the $60/sheet that I paid for the Okume. I'm also a little disappointed with the finished weight of 75 lb. The plans said forty-five, but it is unclear whether that includes the decks. That said, I am happier with this boat than any of the 8 or 9 other boats that I have built.

Anyway the project served its purpose, and I have decided on the IMB for my next boat. I would start on it right away, but I am having too much fun with this Peterboat.

Here you can see the addition of mast partner, and bulkhead inspection plates.

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...and coamings as well.

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Here is a a little polytarp spritsail I built for reaching and downwind work.

The Peterboat looks right at home on the trailer with my Piccup Pram.