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could I replace the tiller with a wheel. I would not. A tiller is more responsive than a wheel on a small boat. The wheel's advantage is that it gives leverage on large heavy boat where it can take several full turns of the wheel to move the rudder all the way over. On a small boat you don't need i...

I also want to cusomize the cabin to give it more room. Modifications I made to make my cabin larger: I moved the cabin house front a couple inches to frame #5. I moved the cabin bulkhead back about a foot making the cockpit smaller. I raised the ceiling height so I had better sitting headroom. How...

I have been building a Minuet. It is a small boat, much like the 15 foot version of the West Weight Potter. That boat has sailed long distances (at some risk) but packing has to be done very carefully. I consider it a weekender. Cabin accommodation is similar to camping in a hard shelled tent. For m...

... and the correct answer is :arrow: It is too dang hot and humid to be splitting wood in the middle of July! :mrgreen: This is the time of year that chainsaws get too hot and explode, wood splitter motors overheat. People with axes and monster mauls get heat prostration. You are supposed to be sai...

How high above the bottom framing - the floors - is the berth flat? What I'm wondering is if it would be possible to make a small footwell either side of the centerboard case, or aft of the berth if one extended the cabin. It would be much better, if waiting out a rainy day or relaxing in the cabin...

I am building a Minuet. The plans measure 37" above the plywood floor at the center of the cabin. I got 2'8" at the cabin sides. Add a cushion on the floor and you loose a couple more inches. Also don't forget beams going across the cabin roof for potential head bangers. I am 5' 11" tall and 34" hea...

As in most things about sailing the answer is "It depends". 1. on the current or tides you will generally encounter and what it takes to move your boat in a reasonable rate against them. 2. How far you need to motor and what speed you want to go without needing the throttle full open. 3. how much th...

Re: "yes but mccormicks are way over priced" Who do suggest in the area that have reasonable prices for marine plywood? That info would be very helpful! For an example in my case: I needed 2 sheets of Meranti or Okume plywood. One 1/4" and one 3/8" Madison is 100 miles from my home. I occasionally g...

Last night's storm brought a big cherry tree down in my side yard. It came down on top of my P-21 boat trailer - luckily only the brushy end and no damage. Whew! So, I am trying to make use of a windfall: I am wondering about using the wood for the frame on a skin-on-frame kayak. There certainly is ...

I am also in Wisconsin (near La Crosse). I bought marine plywood (Okume) in Madison at McCormick Lumber. http://www.mccormicklumber.com/index.htm They are on the East side of town. I also bought dimensional lumber in Richland Center at Ocooch Hardwoods 26511 County Highway OO Richland Center, WI 535...

To Ronnie: Congratulations on choosing to build the Amigo. It is the boat I hope to build next, myself. Re Towing. You do not want to go too marginal in towing capacity. What you can get away with depends on how much towing you will do and in what environments. If you will tow for long trips, you do...

How about rope? I just made a Gunter sail for an old 12 foot sailing rowing boat of unknown origin. The rub rail was mahogany with a groove in it to seat a length of rope. The rope was held in place with screws buried into the twists. The ends were a decorative coil. The rope can easily be replaced ...

For selecting lumber, a good place to start is right here on the Glen-L site: http://www.glen-l.com/wood-plywood/wp-index.html I think I would select white oak for frames if I was building an Amigo at this time. ( I hope to as my next boat). I would also avoid stainless steel screws in fastening the...

I agree with Cranky Badger. You want to build the basics: Frames Fasteners, hull materials with the best stuff available. If you have all the hours of labor invested and the hull is sub-quality it won't mater how nice the interior, sails, and other things are. You will have a poor quality boat. Buil...

The GL 19 looks like it would have similar space to a Precision 18 where the Ensenada 25 looks like it would be more like my Precision 21 or a Precision 23. If sailed with an eye to the weather and changing conditions, either 'could' make a good coastal cruiser. As with all things about sailboats "I...