Concept feedback: Ultra-light 4m plywood day-sailer (stitch-and-glue)

[August70]

Cześć wszystkim,


Obecnie jestem na etapie projektowania i 4-metrowej przyczepy do żeglowania dziennego, zbudowanej metody szycia i klejenia. Główne założenia projektu do otwartego kokpitu z odpływem, ultraniska masa kadłuba prostaca prosta obsługa i wodowanie z rampy oraz prosty osprzęt z dodatkowym grotem.

Zanim zamrozę modele CAD i zostaną udostępnione prototypy, zostaną uwolnione z Waszych skutków: Czy w społeczności istnieją duże zasoby na kompaktowe, mikro-dzienne żaglówki poniżej 4 metrów? Dla tych z Was, którzy żeglują łodziami, jakie są największe kompromisy lub bolączki, które chciałyby, aby projektanci rozwiązali?

(Uwaga: skorzystaj z tłumacza, więc proszę wybaczyć wszelkie błędy językowe.)

 

[August70]

Hi everyone,


I’m currently in the early design and planning phase for a 4-meter trailerable day-sailer built using the stitch-and-glue method. The primary design goals are an open draining cockpit, ultra-low hull weight for easy single-person handling and ramp launching, and a simple single-mainsail rig.


Before I freeze the CAD models and start prototyping, I would love to tap into your experience: Is there still a strong community appetite for compact, micro-day-sailers under 4 meters? For those of you who sail small boats, what are the biggest compromises or pain points you wish designers would solve?

(Note: I am using a translator, so please excuse any language errors.)

 

[rnlock]

I'm sure that the demand will very much depend on what kind of 4 m daysailer you are talking about. It could be similar to a Beetle Cat Beetle Cat - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beetle_Cat to a Lark Lark (dinghy) - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lark_(dinghy) to an OZ Goose* Oz Goose Sailboat, easy to Build. Excellent Family or Club Sailing Fun - Oz Goose Sailboat - Cheap Simple Plywood Boat https://www.opengoose.com/ to a Sunfish. Or this skin on frame boat called a Cricket Cricket 12 - Geodesic AiroLITE Boats https://web.archive.org/web/20030224090422/http://www.gaboats.com/boats/cricket12.html incidentally, the hull is a really beautiful shape when seen in person. Or, at least, I thought so. Or maybe a Paperjet. Paper Jet 14 https://www.nautikit.com/en/dinghies-skiff-multi/paper-jet-14.html or a Laser If you are talking about a planing dinghy, you already have a fair amount of competition. Speaking of ultralight planing dinghies, there's the Blivit 13 Blivit 13 https://gaboats.com/collections/sailboats/products/blivit-13-partial-kits At 28 kg or so, you could probably launch it by tossing it off a low bridge and jumping in after it. ;-) Personally, I'd want an additional 5 or 10 kg spent on enclosed spaces to prevent swamping. After a certain, very cold traumatic experience, that's very important to me.

Does "ramp launching" mean using a trailer? If so, I think 100 kg would be no problem. I've pushed around a 70 kg boat on little wheels with no problems. Or, at least, there wouldn't have been if the plastic frame holding the wheels had been stiffer.

*The OZ Goose is a descendant of Bolger's Brick. Bolger Brick Sailboat by Bolger, Philip C. https://goodoldboat.com/saildata/boat/bolger-brick/ A Brick stretched to 13 feet could probably sail ok with 6 or 7 adults on board. A Brick enlarged evenly to that length could take 16, though it might be a little crowded. My stock Brick could only ever sailed with 4. It was light enough to carry by myself, but then it was tough to see where I was going. Nevertheless, I miss it. No doubt with lighter wood it could have suitable flotation without weighing more. Now I'm starting to have ridiculous thoughts about a bigger Brick. I'm not the only one. Meet Superbrick: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221427025939706&set=gm.3854164471577481&idorvanity=1629186337408650

 

[August70]

Thanks for such a detailed and insightful response! You hit the nail on the head regarding safety—adding 5 to 10 kg for proper sealed buoyancy compartments is an absolute must-have for me, especially considering cold-water sailing realities. No weight-saving is worth the anxiety after a bad experience.


In terms of style, I definitely lean more toward the classic, graceful lines of traditional day-sailers (think Beetle Cat vibes) rather than boxy utility hulls like the OZ Goose, while still keeping construction accessible via stitch-and-glue. The goal is a gorgeous, easy-to-manage 4m weekend boat that you can comfortably single-hand, trailer, and launch by yourself without a hassle.


Thanks again for the reference links—looking at designs like the Blivit 13 gives plenty of great food for thought!

 

[August70]

I'm sure that the demand will very much depend on what kind of 4 m daysailer you are talking about. It could be similar to a Beetle Cat Beetle Cat - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beetle_Cat to a Lark Lark (dinghy) - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lark_(dinghy) to an OZ Goose* Oz Goose Sailboat, easy to Build. Excellent Family or Club Sailing Fun - Oz Goose Sailboat - Cheap Simple Plywood Boat https://www.opengoose.com/ to a Sunfish. Or this skin on frame boat called a Cricket Cricket 12 - Geodesic AiroLITE Boats https://web.archive.org/web/20030224090422/http://www.gaboats.com/boats/cricket12.html incidentally, the hull is a really beautiful shape when seen in person. Or, at least, I thought so. Or maybe a Paperjet. Paper Jet 14 https://www.nautikit.com/en/dinghies-skiff-multi/paper-jet-14.html or a Laser If you are talking about a planing dinghy, you already have a fair amount of competition. Speaking of ultralight planing dinghies, there's the Blivit 13 Blivit 13 https://gaboats.com/collections/sailboats/products/blivit-13-partial-kits At 28 kg or so, you could probably launch it by tossing it off a low bridge and jumping in after it. ;-) Personally, I'd want an additional 5 or 10 kg spent on enclosed spaces to prevent swamping. After a certain, very cold traumatic experience, that's very important to me.

Does "ramp launching" mean using a trailer? If so, I think 100 kg would be no problem. I've pushed around a 70 kg boat on little wheels with no problems. Or, at least, there wouldn't have been if the plastic frame holding the wheels had been stiffer.

*The OZ Goose is a descendant of Bolger's Brick. Bolger Brick Sailboat by Bolger, Philip C. https://goodoldboat.com/saildata/boat/bolger-brick/ A Brick stretched to 13 feet could probably sail ok with 6 or 7 adults on board. A Brick enlarged evenly to that length could take 16, though it might be a little crowded. My stock Brick could only ever sailed with 4. It was light enough to carry by myself, but then it was tough to see where I was going. Nevertheless, I miss it. No doubt with lighter wood it could have suitable flotation without weighing more. Now I'm starting to have ridiculous thoughts about a bigger Brick. I'm not the only one. Meet Superbrick: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221427025939706&set=gm.3854164471577481&idorvanity=1629186337408650

Thanks for such a detailed and insightful response! You hit the nail on the head regarding safety—adding 5 to 10 kg for proper sealed buoyancy compartments is an absolute must-have for me, especially considering cold-water sailing realities. No weight-saving is worth the anxiety after a bad experience.


In terms of style, I definitely lean more toward the classic, graceful lines of traditional day-sailers (think Beetle Cat vibes) rather than boxy utility hulls like the OZ Goose, while still keeping construction accessible via stitch-and-glue. The goal is a gorgeous, easy-to-manage 4m weekend boat that you can comfortably single-hand, trailer, and launch by yourself without a hassle.


Thanks again for the reference links—looking at designs like the Blivit 13 gives plenty of great food for thought!

 

[rnlock]

Have you read, or at least looked at, Howard Chapelle's American Small Sailing Craft? Or at some of the Herreshoff dinghies? You'd probably like them. Of course, your area probably has traditional boat types, too. Maybe Poland has it's own historian of naval architecture, as well. There are a lot of traditional looking designs to be found at Duckworks, but most are from American or British traditions.

 

[wet feet]

Have you looked at the range of designs by Gilles Montaubin? He seems to have a good grasp of lightweight day-sailers.

 

[August70]

Have you looked at the range of designs by Gilles Montaubin? He seems to have a good grasp of lightweight day-sailers.

Great suggestion! Gilles Montaubin has an incredible portfolio of clever, lightweight small boats and micro-cruisers. French designers in general really excel at creating minimalist, trailerable day-sailers that balance clean aesthetics with practical, no-fuss handling. I'll definitely check out his lines for more inspiration!