With this in mind, I asked all concerned, "What type of boat did you have in mind?" Immediately younger #2 daughter spoke up. "I want a boat I can paddle around the lake in". And just as quickly, #1 daughter opposed, "I want a boat that I can go out to the swimming float in, and also sail in". Then all of a sudden my "better half" broke into the foray. "Come to think of it", she said, "I'd like a boat that I can use to putt-putt* over to the dock to pick up groceries". *Take note fellas. The wife prefers to go under power. Typical, isn't it? WE NEED EXERCISE! They need leisure time!

We have a cottage on the edge of a small inland lake with a dock where we are able to enjoy lakeside living during weekends and summers. And as you can see, I had also worked myself into a spot. I was going to have to build a creation that:
#1. A kid could paddle around in and
#2. Another could sail and sunbathe in and
#3. Mom could use as a shopping cart

When clients come to me (as they do to all designers in the trade) and want to put a grand piano and ballroom in a 25' boat, I always think they must have rocks in their heads and have families that don't have "think" mechanisms. But, here was my OWN family asking for the illogical. So I asked facetiously, "Are you sure you don't want to water ski behind this thing too?"

Immediately I was pushed further behind the now snowballing "eight ball" by Mother saying, "Now don't try to get out of it. You said you'd build the kids a boat of our very own. You can't break a promise to the kids, you know." Did I miss something, had I said yes? "Well OK", I stumbled, "I'll get at it first thing in the morning." This sage comment was met with glassy stares. So without another word, I left that soft easy chair and my contemplated quiet evening, and went at it.

By this time I knew the "criteria" the women had set up for their future "yacht". On the other hand, I contemplated that the most desirable thing for me was to make something simple and inexpensive so I could get back to the soft chair and TV ball games as quickly as possible. But, I'd have to make a rugged little craft. I knew my crew, and they weren't what you'd call gentle with boats. Plus the darned thing would have to be safe. What a fine pickle: Cheap, simple, paddle, sail, power, rowable, and SAFE! Any more adjectives and I'd need to create a fleet!

 Eight Ball construction Fig 6 Fig. 6: A chisel and mallet can be used to clean out and bevel the notch in the transom and bow members so the chine will mate firmly.

Eight Ball construction Fig 6 Fig. 7: The chine at the transom is screw fastened in place. Note that the chine does not extend through the 1/2" plywood but notches into the framework only.

Eight Ball construction Fig 8 Fig. 8: The appearance of the keel and chines at the bow member. Note also that these longitudinals also do not notch through the plywood.

Eight Ball construction Fig 9
Fig. 9: Fairing or beveling to a minor degree may be required on the bow, seat frames and transom to enable the planking to lie flat on all mating areas and not to just rest on one edge.

Eight Ball construction Fig. 10 Fig. 10: It will also be necessary to bevel the chine and keel so that the planking will lie flat on all members. Note: The "cross" in front of Glen's face is a crop mark. Glen always cropped himself out of the photos. Most of the time he was the photographer, so this wasn't necessary.

Continue