From the Designer: Notes on the Stern

Several people have asked why I drew the skiff with such an upswept back end. Others have asked why there's no skeg. Here's a photo that I hope partly justifies this part of the boat's shape. You can back into a sloping beach or ledge and easily step ashore, or aboard, with dry shoes. The flat, skegless bottom keeps the boat from tipping side to side, steadying it significantly. In departing, the aft seat (or thwart, in nautical parlance) serves as a step up to the deck, and the on the deck itself you find yourself on a level platform from which you can easily step ashore. In boarding, it's the reverse—with no wet feet in either direction.

A skeg would make the boat a little less squirrily under oars, but it adds resistance. The main reason, however, is that I wanted to cut an opening for an electric trolling motor (shown here)—and, ultimately, for a rudder. Although the rudder is yet to come (it'll be needed for sailing), I expect it can also be used in place of a skeg for those after a boat that tracks better under oars

With grandson David rowing from that aft station, the boat's trim is about right: a good portion of the bow is clear of the water and offers no drag. With two aboard, this same trim can be achieved with the passenger in the stern and the rower moving to the forward station.

I hope this explains some of the Lumberyard Skiff's features. I'll try to respond now and then to other questions, and get to developing a sailing rig come fall.
Thanks for your interest.
--Maynard Bray

Comments

[Edward Brush]

What are your feelings about adding a full-length skid to the bottom of the boat? I can't remember the proper nautical parlance right now - keelson? skeg? shoe? The boat will live in a lot of shallows with logs and beaver-dams to portage, so I'd like something to protect the bottom a little bit. I imagine a piece of 1x2 or 1x3 stock running from the stem to the beginning of the kick-up. Screwed through the planking into the keel batten, with a little caulk where needed to seal but no adhesive, so it can be replaced when broken or worn out. Probably pine or doug fir, I can't see oak being really necessary...

[Mike]

I have done a little sailing and some woodworking and was inspired to build a boat by your plans for the Lumberyard Skiff. I would really like something that I can sail, so I have two questions: Do you have a ballpark guess as to when the plans for adding the sailing gear to the skiff will be out?
And
I noticed an article in the latest issue of WB (the only one that I have seen) from a series about building a 12' sailing dingy. Is this boat at all comparable to the LY Skiff in terms of price and skill needed to build?
Your advice is much appreciated, keep up the good work.

Mike

[too-many-hobbies]

I am new to full size boat building (I have only built radio controlled boats.) My question is about the wood bottom swelling to seal the leaks. If I plan on storing it dry on a trailer, and if it doesn't see water for weeks at a time, wouldn't the wood dry out and shrink again causing a leakage problem for a while after it is put back into the water? If this the case, what can be done about it. It might be a dumb question, however as I premised, I am new to this.

[Stanley Freck]

Please be more specific with your materials:epoxy, filling and fairing compounds. What is the procedure of mixing and applying?

[Frederick Bolton]

Hi, I am new to blogging so bear with me. I am an accomplshed craftsman that has built everything from rocking chairs to houses to skyscrapers. At 50 I have decided to pursue a dream and build my own boat. I have always wanted to build a wooden smooth side plank board Dory. A nice 16 footer. The problem is I can't find any good books on the subject in the bookstores and I hate ordering a book sight unseen. Can any of you guys recommend a good book that gives good details on this type of construction. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[brownwood]

What has happened to this forum? Did it move to another site, or was it just abandoned? Or is it that no one is posting any more?

[brownwood]

Finding 16 foot planks is difficult. Would scarfing two planks together, to achieve the 16', work?

[John Murdoch]

10/24/06

Am having a tough time locating white pine way out here in Portland, OR. How about radiata pine? Sugar pine? Closest I can come. Please help.

[Bruce Brennan]

Has anyone located the info on sailing details or motor well by now?

[jimmie lee]

Bruce, Maynard Bray is working on the sail details and he has the troller well so to speak made in his skiff.