Wooden boatbuilding is something I have only recently discovered, and as such, I am far from expert.  I was looking for a sailboat that I could afford, which pretty much meant that I had to build it.  This being the case, I stumbled upon the Stevenson Projects website while looking for a boat that I, in all of my novice glory could build with little or no help.  I found plans for a number of boats that might fit my needs, and bought them.  After review, the stock plans were very close to what I needed, but not quite there.  The answers that I received from www.byyb.org convinced me that I had come to the right place, and that I could and should move forward in building a boat.

I strongly endorse the few plans that I have seen so far.  The plans are clear and concise and well diagramed, and there is a huge built in support system for the main Stevenson designs provided by the boat building community.

The Back Yard Yacht Builders association  is not directly affiliated with Stevenson Projects, but the active discussion areas, and activities are a very welcome addition for novice and expert alike.  I would strongly recommend these designs to any would-be boat builder.  To view all of the Stevenson boat projects, go to their website at:

 www.stevproj.com

CURRENT PROJECTS

1.   The Weekender:  The stock Weekender is intended for occasional 1-2 person camp-outs, but more frequent 1-4 person day sails.  I know that with a new child, camp-outs on the water are not in the forecast any time soon, so my needs would focus almost entirely on the day sailing end.

Proposed Plan Changes:

1.  After much research, calculations, testing and pure hope that the finished product will sail, I have decided to replace the standard sloop rig with a cutter rigged schooner. 

2.  After speaking with Scott Widmier of the BYYB, I have decided that the removable cabin is probably not the best route.  Instead, I will follow in his footsteps, and move the cabin forward a little, and build a bridge-deck to extend the cockpit. The cabin will extend under the bridge-deck for sleeping, but will loose seating room.  Not a priority, since that was primarily for the kids anyway, and there will still be more than enough room for them.

3.  Cabin being decided, I will add a lip to the seats so that I can span the cockpit with panels to form a bed there.  With the aid of a boom tent, it will sleep the full family of four.

I have decided that one boat building project is more than enough for me to have on the go at a given time.  Instead I'm putting my spare effort into the smaller projects on the Weekender until it warms enough for me to return to work on the cockpit, cabin, etc.

I would like to build another when this project is complete.  After all, I have come from having absolutely no woodworking skills to the point I am at now.   I'll be using a lot of marine bondo to pretty my mistakes up before I fiberglass the hull, so hopefully, it won't be readily apparent that she's got her beginnings with a workboat finish at best. 

Since I'm much better equiped now to follow the lines I've carefully lofted when it comes time to cut, and presumably will be even more adept when the boat's done, it stands to reason that building another one would turn out even better.   Besides it will help me justify continuing to request power tools come Christmas and my Birthday.

Any way you slice it, I've found a hobby that I enjoy and the family will find rewarding.  That's about all anyone can expect from something you do for fun.

One Vacationer builder's family's smiles  say it all:

Tim Powers family aboard his Vacationer - Katie-Ann

Plans I have purchased to date:

Recent Additions:

- 8/25/2003:  Added my August 2003 Fleet Messabout page, with photos of the event

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Site last updated on 08/25/03