BYYB Forums

Anyone got any advice on a small boat build for kids to sail? Where is the best place to get plans ect. I was thinking along the lines of 8' plywood Pram,or something about that size. Someone posted on this a couple of months ago but I can't find it in the old forms. Thanks in advance Bud.

The Optimist pram is reputed to be a good sailing boat for kids, and supposedly easy to build besides. I have a copy of the original plans, but they are somewhat difficult to follow. There are some stitch and glue plans online, the site is in spanish, but the plans are in english....

http://digilander.libero.it/cvastura/Pia...imist.html

I would agree on the Optimist. If you are looking for something that is recognized worldwide as a sailing class of pram, or an El Toro.

If you are just looking for a really nice handling dingy with sailing capability that is a good build and fun to sail then you might consider the Catspaw from B&B Yacht Designs.

http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/cpaw.htm

Comes in several versions all of which are nice dingys and good builds. Stitch and glue. Have personally sailed one on several occasions and cosider it not only safe and sane, but a blast to learn on for a youngster.

Hey Bud
Here's another one.

Karl

http://www.cmdboats.com/wdk.htm?cart_id=...img][/img]

Pop, the Opti was the one I was telling you about. I think it would be a great pick because there are several clubs in your area that use it as a sail trainer so there are regattas etc that they could go to and meet other kids that are in to sailing.

I was thinking about the Opti for my kids but you need to be so exact for it to qualify for racing that I am afraid it would chase all of the fun of building for me. I selected the flying mouseboat which has a V bottom which is better for chop and it is a board boat which means the kids can hike out on the flat deck a few inches above the water for a lot more exciting sailing. Besides, it only has a little footwell cockpit to fill up with water in case of a capsize so easier to recover than the opti. Plans are free, in English, and easy to follow. Also, I like the low freeboard of the flying mouse as it will sit better on the foredeck of my MacGregor 26.

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/gavin/.../index.htm

I would go with a regular rudder rather than the steering oar. Regular rudder details are in the plans.

Here is a picture of an unmodified flying mouse (right) sailing behind an Opti (left). Both kids look happy but the flying mouse kids looks more comfortable hiked out. You can also see the safety in all of that built-in floatation and small footwell. I plan on putting in oarlocks for my son and having my daughter use a double-bladed paddle based upon their preference.