Skin-on-Frame Dinghy

[Peter]

Thanks to a tip from Bluenose back in April 08, I managed to snag an unused set of plans on ebay for Platt Monford's geodesik airolite dinghy, the 'Black Fly'.

I finally got to work on it this month, and have a photo album of the construction process so far. I also have written up some of the construction details on sintacha.com

Here's a picture of progress so far:

[Hirilondë]

Looking good!

Several of us here have built our tenders. Not only is it fun but I think many of the designs are better than commercially available boats. Weight is probably the best thing about home made boats.

You might want to visit Messing About and maybe even join and post about your build. There are a couple people there who have done skin on frame boats and might offer some insight on doing the skin. One in particular who contributes often to the forum designs them professionally. He just did a rather thorough thread on a kayak of his.

I am looking forward to seeing the finished boat. Skin on frame is too fragile for me, I need something very forgiving as I leave mine at the boatyard as a means to get to the mooring. But I love how the frames look. My best to you in completing your project.

[Quetzalsailor]

I have always loved Montforts designs; they're just drop dead gorgeous. I like the way that what you see is what there is. They're perhaps a bit precious for a working boat, but for a now-and-then drooler, they're wonderful. I have visions of my hound clawing around in one.

I have so far resisted building one of his kits, but I have a former Hinckley B-40 mast to source for Spruce. Some of it will end up as rubrails on my Flying Dutchman, but some could end up in one. I had in mind building a Laser-Contender-Force5-International 10 Square Metre Canoe sort of small hot sailboat with this system.

[Peter]

Took the Black Fly out for it's first splash yesterday. It is amazingly light to handle, and very fast with a 20 knot tailwind :-)
Still a bit of finishing to do, the mast step and partner to install, and a folding stern thwart to build, but at least I know it floats!
There're more words and photos at http://www.sintacha.com.

[Shark]

Very nice job, Peter. Congratulations.

[Peter]

I took the Black Fly out for it's first sail today and all went well.
There's a bit of video and a couple of pictures at http://www.sintacha.com
I used the sailing rig and rudder from my Eastport Pram, and it worked just fine.
She'll get well tested as a "yacht tender" during the summer.
She sails very well, and I'm very happy with the outcome of the project!

Peter.