Hi All!
I'm starting this thread to get input from the "Raid" pros on possible boat designs to build this winter/early spring to sail in the 2010 OBX130!

Let me start with a little background. I have built several small craft of the stitch and glue variety. Both sail and row, but nothing that could be considered seaworthy for an event like this. The boats were all quite successful and helped to improve my epoxy/building skills. My boat shed (read garage) stores all the tools I could need to complete the project. As for the pressing time constraint, I am currently unemployed from NASCAR racing. Race fans will know how the recent Nascar rules changes and the economy have effected both the race teams and individual racers. I am a body fabricator and this is a skill that is no longer needed in Nascar with the new cars. I believe there are close to 1000 fabricators out of work. So I have been building and selling little campers. I will be able to approach this build almost like a full time job.

As to the design:
This craft is to be single handed by me and this is what I would expect.
I would like to stay with a design that is no more than two ply sheets under bottom.
Should have positive floatation for and aft to assist righting and provide "dry" storage.
Center board rather than dagger for running skinny water.
Simple free standing mast.
Rigging only as needed for simplicity.

Plans that I have on-hand:
Jim Michalak's Vector. 15'6" shallow V daysailer. Could be modified with longer benches and lifting floor boards to form a sleeping platform.
Radoslaw Werszko's 4.5M Dinghy. Free download online at Dinghy.pl This design is a multi chine semi-flat bottom daysailer. This design would require changing the rigging.

Welcome to the forum Gary!
I will jump in here and propose three more designs. As time, simplicity, and (probably) price are all prime factors, AND as I am a big fan anyway, they are all chosen from Jim Michalak;s stable.
You have already cited Vector, the only non-=lee board design he has. I will assume you are not a fan of those ugly, inefficient lee-boards and argue the point. They are indeed not as efficient; but quite close. Ugly? Eye of the beholder regions here; but the simplicity of the build, the complete inattention needed even surfing onto a beach, instant visual inspection all weigh in it's favor. Last but not least, admire that wide open cockpit accommodation!

My first choice, with one caveat, is WOOBOTO.
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/wooboto/index.htm
Also a feature article in Duckworks this week.
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/09/projects/WoobotoSteve/index.htm
My first JM was a WOOBO and I sailed it for 5 years through the breakers of the Gilf of Mexico and ofsf the beach of NC in the Atlantic. Big waves and big fun and all that ever failed was a cracked mast. No reefing points and too light selection of wood. Mea Culpa! She also slammed a lot; at first I thought something would give, but eventually I decided that even pieces of wood float and never looked back!. Wooboto with the TOTO bow will ameliorate that and do very well. Any small boat you take out onto big waters will benefit from a small mizzen sail. Lops of pluses here but tje big one is keeping head to wind/waves while reefing, repairing, or riding out a squall. I wouldn't be without one! The caveat is no seats! This did not bother me back then, but might now. My solution would be the grate as mentioned in the DW article, an use of the rowing seat box with the ubiquitous 2" throw cushion on top.
See next messages for more!

_________________
Un Abrazo.
Bill - s/v Embers Watch

Gary-another choice is Family Skiff.
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/family_skiff/index.htm

This is a much bigger boat-and much more capable. Seats are there, TOTO bow, enough weight to carry through, and just about ideal. Much more boat that her length suggests.
Jim is designing me a single man cuddy cruiser departing from this hull/ His last two news letters have been about it. Latest here-
http://www.jimsboats.com/

So there you have it. Only 2, not three, as Ladybug is flat bottomed;forgot that!

_________________
Un Abrazo.
Bill - s/v Embers Watch

Thanks for the Welcome and Happy Thanksgiving Bill!
Your design suggestions are spot on. There really is no answer to the loss of cockpit space. Your points of "ease of sail" with the lee board are well taken. I have no prejudgment as to there efficiency or lack there of nor do I find them "ugly".
There is one more design that I have on hand, but I am not considering it for this event. It is the Core Sound 17. A quiet capable craft (read multi-raid winner!) that will require more time and attention than I have for this build. She will be my next boat build.
I have the habit of keeping a "project" going all the time. For the last couple of years it has been Teardrops and Tiny Travel Trailers. I tend to complete one, camp it and then sell it to build another. What I have learned from this process is "Build for the Masses". The more public attention a build gets, the easier it will sell and the faster I can start the next project.
It may be Wrong Thinking, but I feel like a traditional centerboard might be an easier sale assuming I don't bring home splinters from the beach! Never sold a boat, so I'm just guessing.

Gary,

Before I decided to Build a Laguna, I was considering either some type of sailing barge like a Triloboat http://www.triloboats.com/

or a Michalak’s Norms Boat http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/n ... /index.htm

I started a thread on the TX-200 forum and got a lot of suggestions.
http://www.texas200.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=403

I really liked Michalak’s Vector but it just wasn’t big enough for my family

If I were to build a boat for myself I would probably go with something like the Vector or maybe one of Harold Payson’s Instant Boats like:
Gypsy http://www.instantboats.com/gypsy.htm or
June Bug http://www.instantboats.com/junebug.htm

http://www.instantboats.com/boats.html

_________________
John Miller

TX-200 '08 - Busted
TX-200 '09 - Completed
TX-200 '10 - Planning
OBX-130 '10- Not gonna make it

Been meaning to update this search for a design thread for a while now.
Thanks for the suggestions! Many good designs and insight.

I have been busy. Many, many hours of research on the Texas 200 forum, Messing-about, Woodenboat, ect... And the Winner Is... CK17!
A Bateau.com Cat Ketch rigged 17 foot version of the Laguna.

After reading sailing reports and watching videos of dozens of designs, this video did it for me: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrStrojtube#play/all/uploads-all/0/3PGYNQjyzv0 (sorry about the language at the end)
Then just to dream of someday sailing with this kind of scenery, this video of the CK17http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWA-xGmCOpE

The design features a 6 and a half foot forward cockpit with a floor that can be lifted to provide a flat sleeping platform. I am building her with the optional centerboard. Rigging a tent should be easy between the two masts.
I have sourced aluminum tubing per plans from my local racer supply house and will be placing my hardware order when Chuck and Sandra (Duckworks) return from their sunny retreat. Tiller and other hardwood pieces are awaiting bright finish. I am building with AC ext ply, awaiting the brown truck with the 6 gallons of epoxy.

Hope the weather cooperates to cure the epoxy, I would hate the heating bill.
That's about all for now... Looking Forward to the Adventure (not the sanding)!
Gary

FWIW, after looking at pics of your CK17 choice, there's little that can be said against that design except that it seems to be target marketed at the novice.

To my eye, the CK17 build looks like it would be at least as time and money consuming (if not more) than the Core Sound 17 you mentioned earlier.

I would take the CS17 for the same reason you mentioned it -- multiple Everglades Challenge winner pedigree is very hard to overcome -- and great for resale.

My 2-cents,
Good luck whatever you decide, after all you have to do the work.

Hi
Very nice choice. Thanks for posting and keep us informed. I would love to have some more action on this web site.
cheers
Paul

Build Update!
All going well!
This is not a difficult build. As suggested, I believe it is targeted at the boatbuilding novice market. I am kinda happy about that, as it has been a few years since my last build.

The designer intended this to be a daggerboard boat but shows a "centerboard" option. The option shown is an overview build sheet from another of his designs. I have carefully drafted and built a board and case that I feel is a better "fit" for this boat. Using my Core Sound 17 plans, the daggerboard plan and the "option plan" as reference, I calculated the foil size and CG. The centerboard case does extend into the rear cockpit per plan, but leaves the forward cockpit open as intended for the daggerboard design. In all, I am pretty happy with the result. Hopefully sail tests will prove my understanding of purpose.

So today I am cleaning the shop of all the "parts" building and going 3D! Always an exciting event in the process! Com'on Spring, Gary