This boat is based on the lines of Toon2.
It is lengthened to 18 feet while retaining original 5'-6"
beam. The length will help make it a bit faster, able to handle
a bit more load, and more stable, while not exceeding, hopefully,
the limit of what I can physically handle to get to the water
on short notice. Intent is to be able to go sailing after the
drive home from work (across Lake Dardanelle), and seeing that
the conditions are good, be able to trailer, rig and launch
in as short a time as possible—maximize enjoyment.
frame layout |
frames ready
|
The cabin is eliminated in favor of Michalak's enclosed volume
forward (like Ladybug
and Family
Skiff). We just wanted an open boat. The Toon2-designed
enclosed volume aft is retained. Seats are boxed in so you can
not put feet under the seat across, but provides huge volume
of buoyancy, and the back is fairly high and angled providing
some support. Seats are a total of 8’ long, extending
past central frame forward. She is comfortable to sit in.
lofting |
horses level
|
I drew the sheer a bit higher at the bow. But the final sheer
was not found until the gunwales were cut and clamped in place.
Like R.D. Culler wrote about (Skiffs and Schooners), I stood
as far back as I could and looked at the lines before marking
and installing sheer. I added a nice curve to the bow profile
that pleases me. An inner stem is embedded in epoxy and covered
with glass cloth inside and out.
going 3D |
gone
|
I drew an enlarged standing lug of 118 sq.ft. and ordered a
kit from SailRite. Boom and yard are each 12' long, mast is
14'-10". A forward frame has a custom yoke made from laminated
ply bolted atop, to which the mast is lashed. The lug is based
on Bolger's standing lug from 101 Small Boat Rigs (No. 16 I
think). I am working on a combination downhaul-cunningham to
keep boom down and leading edge tight. Bolger writes about it
in rig No. 40 (I think).
braced, straight & level |
taping inside seams
|
Leeboard and rudder mounting positions and methods are retained.
Board is a bit longer and wider as is the rudder blade, and
have as good a shape and as smooth as can be managed with laminated
ply, epoxy, glass and latex house paint.
first flip |
upside down
|
So as I said, it is loosely based on Toon2, it is a VERY different
boat. With the upsizing of the rig and weight of hull and capacity,
bolts and leeboard guards were upsized to the size specified
for Norm's boat.
priming bottom |
first paint
|
Intent is to be able to row a bit and someday have a SMALL
outboard on transom similar to Norms Boat. Eventually a tent
for camping.
interior structure |
cleaning up
|
The primary criteria: safe and self-recoverable, fast setup,
repairable, family sized while fully capable of singlehanding,
and good and handy sailer. The old Bolger June Bug was too wet,
and too small for family. And doubt it would have been recoverable
without outside help. Time will tell whether we have met the
criteria.
stepping mast |
Christening
|
And as Max reminded me, this is all for fun of course!
Yesterday afternoon, my wife and I took the open 18-footer
out onto Lake Dardanelle. I did not have a wind speed indicator,
but the lake had just the first indications of white caps. We
had one reef, making the main about 90 sq.ft. (haven't measured).
The combination downhaul/boom vang is working well keeping the
standing lug flat enough to go to windward the expected 45-50
degrees. We will be cutting more lines to length now and found
we need a few more cleats.
pushing out |
underway
|
This was the first sail in a steady breeze with only two aboard,
and my wife's first sail. Compared to the old June Bug, this
boat has a Cadillac ride--of course it weighs about 3 times
more, is 4 feet longer, >1.5 feet wider and has twice the
plank height. My wife commented on how comfortable it was --
as she tensed and braced herself against her seat back.
the Luegs and grandson, Dean |
in a drifter
|
We tried anchoring for a few minutes, but as yet to rig lazy
jacks, I was reluctant to lower sail. She charged around her
anchor terribly and had to give that up. I will try again and
ensure the boards are up--don't remember their position.
on the sand |
paddling out
|
The longer waterline length is paying off. The mile across
the lake seemed to zip away while not requiring any extreme
athletic prowess-- increased boat speed is very noticable. The
June Bug would have been quite a WET and WILD adventure.
Phil Lea
Russellville, Arkansas