| Mother Hubbard A 19' Flat-Bottom Jib-Headed Catboat By William & John Atkin |
| |
| A Flat-Bottom Sailing Skiff | |
| After three designs of fairly large cruising auxiliaries, it seems fitting to follow with a less imposing type of boat. This design should make many correspondents happy who wish to build for a modest sum, and to build it themselves, a burdensome sailing or outboard motor boat of simple design and construction. Mother Hubbard seems to fill the need. | |
| |
This latest design shows a 19-foot overall, 18-foot waterline, 7-foot 2-inch beam, by 7-inch draft skiff. The freeboard at the bow is 1 foot 6 inches, the least freeboard 1 foot 5 1/2 inches, and stern freeboard 1 foot 10 inches. From these dimensions it is evident that we have a really big skiff; a load carrier of exceptional ability, and an all around useful type of boat. The latest of the family, and, by the way this is design number 728, is based on many another of similar character. It may be of interest to mention that the smallest flat-bottom skiff I have designed is 7 feet long, the largest is 45 feet overall, 11 feet 2 inches in breadth, and 2 feet 6 inches draft. This is a double-ender of the centerboard type and rigged as a knockabout, a grand boat of considerable ability. Mother Hubbard is cat-rigged with a simple sail plan. Wooden boom jaws are used and mast hoops on the luff of the sail. The spread of canvas measures 145 square feet. This is modest, but a comfortable area for easy handling. There should be two rows of reef points, and no battens. For beginners in sail, and for folks who like to sail just for the joy of sailing, Mother Hubbard has many fine features. | |
| |
| She has lots of room for five or six average-weight people and would be an ideal boat for a boys' or girls' camp, for use around yacht clubs, for chartering, and for camping-cruising. It will be noted there are two thwarts, a stern sheets and side seats. Thanks to the generous breadth, the skiff will be stiff and will carry her sail well and, because of the ample freeboard, dry and safe. In a boat of this breadth, the centerboard trunk is not too much in the way. | |
| |
| If an outboard motor is used I would suggest it be attached to the stern with a Savage outboard bracket. This will remove the need for a deep cut in the transom which may allow water to get into the boat if it becomes rough or the boat is overloaded. An outboard motor of 6 h.p. is ample for speeds up to about 5 m.p.h. I would not advise installing the motor in a well; too much drag while under sail. | |
|
| |
| Plans for Mother Hubbard are $100 MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM SHIPS PLANS STORE https://store.mysticseaport.org/ships-plans/ shipsplanstore@mysticseaport.org
+1 (860) 572 5360 | |
|
| |
| BACK TO PLAN LIST | |