The Skylark pram dinghies were developed to provide a range of simple small boats with the maximum available space for their respective lengths. They have three chines to give a wide bottom with high initial stability and plenty of room to move around inside the boat. The Skylark 6 is suitable as a childís row boat or sailing dinghy. The Skylark 8 has sufficient capacity for 2-3 adults when used as a tender and makes a handy car-toppable sailing dinghy. Either could be used with a small motor.

The Skylarks are available as kits for home construction. The kits include all boat parts and full building instructions. Construction should take about two weekends and a few evenings, a little longer for the sailing versions. You will need a few basic hand tools and no experience of woodworking is necessary. Epoxy/polyester resin and paint/varnish not included.

Custom build service - we will build any small boat to order in 'stitch & glue' or 'glued clinker' (lapstrake) ply.

* Length 9' 0" (2.74m) Beam 4' 5" (1.35m)
* Draft dagger bd. down 1' 10" (0.58m) up 7" (0.175m)
* Weight ex dagger bd & rudder 85 lb (38.5kg)
* Sail area 44 sq. ft. (4.08 sq.m.)

The hull has a flat bottom panel and three panels each side forming the bilge and topsides. This makes it very stable and good looking on the water. It both rows and sails well. The 6mm thick hull employs the familiar 'stitch and glue' method of construction using epoxy resins and epoxy compatible tape. The transoms are of solid mahogany. The 4 piece laminated gunwale/rubbing strake provides a great deal of strength to the hull, especially important in a boat that can receive hard knocks at times. Cross bearers fitted to the inside of the flat bottom panel serve both to stiffen the panel and also raise the floorboards above the panel. The three thwarts are pine. Two versions are available, the rowing only version and the sailing version, which has a dagger board and a lifting rudder. The spars for the standing lug are of wood. The standard boat is finished in a single colour outside and is varnished inside. Floorboards are painted.

* Length overall 11' 01"(3.36m) Beam 5' 02"(1.57m)
* Draft plate down 3' 11"(0.94m) plate up 7" (0.17m)
* Weight ex plate, rudder and rig 115 lb (52kg)
* Sail area 66 sq. ft. (6.15 sq. m.)

Cegall, the Catalan word for 'Snipe', is the newest addition to the Chippendale range. Of wood construction, the hull is 6mm marine ply, triple chine form with wide bottom and topside panels, and two narrow bilge panels. The well tried 'stitch and tape' method of construction is used, employing epoxy resin and compatible glass tape. The centre board case, bow web and aft spine form a full length backbone ensuring not only the precise profile of the bottom of the boat, but imparting great strength to it as well. Built in buoyancy fore and aft is provided. As well as a main centre thwart side benches are fitted fore and aft. The centre board is of marine ply. The rudder, also of marine ply, is a lifting pattern type. Spars for the gunter rig are all of wood. Good quality sails and equipment is supplied for comfortable and safe sailing. Finish is normally varnished interior and decks, painted exterior, colour to customerís choice.

* Length 14' 01"(4.26m) Beam 5' 06"(1.67m)
* Draft plate down 3' 11"(0.58m) plate up 8"(0.2m)
* Weight ex plate, rudder and rig 240 lb (109kg)
* Sail area 122 sq. ft. (11.36 sq. m)

Of wooden construction, the hull is of 6mm marine ply, triple chine form with wide bottom and topside panels, and two narrower bilge panels. The well tried 'stitch and tape' method of construction is used, employing epoxy resin and epoxy compatible tape. The centre board case, bow web and aft spine form a full length backbone ensuring not only the precise profile of the bottom of the boat, but imparting great strength to, it as well. Built in buoyancy fore and aft is provided. Side benches are fitted forward and aft, and a raised flat set of removable floorboards help to make a comfortable and dry cockpit. The centreboard is of marine ply. The rudder is a lifting pattern type. Spars for the gunter rig are all of wood. The equipment supplied as standard is of good quality, but does not contain the racing manís ìgo fasterî gear. Finish for standard boats is varnished decks and interior above floor, and painted below floor. Exterior below waterline in white, topside is in a colour to owners choice.

Melvin cedar strip dinghy and kit The Melvin is a new design from naval architects Selway Fisher intended as a family sailing dinghy. She features a large volume hull for good load carrying, flat rear section for good sailing performance and a simple easily managed spritsail rig. She is light enough to be car toppable (the Melvin 11 weighs in at 125 lbs) and can be carried by two adults. While primarily designed for sailing she could be easily rowed or powered by a small outboard or electric motor.

Construction is 8mm 'bead and cove' cedar strip, sheathed inside and out in fibreglass set in epoxy. This is a build method that gives great structural strength for a low weight. Being glassed throughout, maintenance requirements are minimal. The hull is varnished in two part polyurethane varnish, long lasting and tough. Trim is mahogany with gunmetal rowlocks and sail fittings. The Melvin is available in kit form or finished. She can be completed with your choice of sailing rig and internal layout. She can be built to any length from 9' to around 13'.

The kit version includes machined cedar strip, hardwood for trim, marine plywood boards and daggerboard case, Douglas fir for spars and screws and wood glue for construction. There are detailed plans (with full size mould layouts), building instructions, suggestions for different sailing rigs. You will use plywood for building moulds, epoxy, paint/varnish, sails and fittings, although these can be supplied if required. Cedar strip construction is a technique suitable for the amateur builder (though not fast) and this boat could well be undertaken as a first boatbuilding project. Estimated build time is 100 - 150 hours.

A larger volume family sailing dinghy, the highlander is one of the most elegant designs from the hands of Paul Fisher. When I had the opportunity for a quick sail on delivery of this boat I was totally enthused by her performance on the water - she just wanted to take off and yet was so responsive under the tiller.

Construction is as for the Melvin but in 9mm cedar strip. This one has watertight compartments in bow, sides and stern, forward sail compartment, stainless centerplate and a motor mount.

Similar in design to the plywood version with construction details as for the Melvin. The standard version is 7' 9" long with a beam of 4' though she could be made longer or a little shorter if required. Available as a kit or finished; sailing or rowing.

Rudder and Centreboard

Length 11' 3", Beam 4' 6", Weight (class) 140 lbs

The Heron is a traditional sailing dinghy that has been redesigned (the hull remains much the same) for 'stitch & glue' construction. It is now much easier to assemble and Tyrone Boats are producing kits for the home builder.

The class is active in the U.K. with regional and national championships. As a dinghy the Heron is: Compact, stable and easy to manage.
Has a roomy, comfortable cockpit, with a high boom.
As a family boat can take two adults + two children.
Handles well under sail, or with oars or under power.
Enjoyable and friendly racing with a crew or single handed.
Manageable by children, and less experienced sailors.

The kit includes pre cup planking, machined hardwood trim, fibreglass tape and fastenings. It includes plans and full building instructions and should take around 120-150 hours to assemble the hull. You will need a few hand tools (jigsaw, plane, drill, clamps etc.) and it is suitable as a first boatbuilding project. Help/advice is available by telephone/post/e-mail should you need it during building.
The kit includes plywood for foils (centreboard/rudder) and instructions on making your own spars. Alternativly we can supply these finished. The kit does not include sails, rigging/fittings or epoxy all of which we can supply if required.