Beach Cruiser
The boat described here is an
18 foot beach cruiser designed by Jay Benford. I built it prior to
building the sailing dory as a "warm up". Originally I wanted to
build just a canoe, but the dream just kept getting bigger.
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The moulds were set up on a strongback made of 2x6 material
which found it's way into the next project in one way or another gradually
being reduced in size by some law of thermodynamics.
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The sides were laid on as a single piece after the shape
was determined using heavy paper as a template and the necessary length
was scarfed. The hull was turned by rolling it up on edge and sliding
the bottom edge through on a moving pad.
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The decks were supported by small angle braces and the
only framing was in the way of the aft end of the deck. The deck was covered
with heavy canvas duck which was then painted. The scraps of canvas
lie on the butt block which reinforces the joint in the bottom ply pieces.
Some epoxy found it's way onto the interior surface of the boat.
Rather than coat the entire interior with epoxy, the interior was sealed
with shellac (mistake) prior to painting with porch enamel (a good thing).
Of course, the paint peeled everywhere there was no epoxy beneath it.
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The arched mast partner in the center of the boat was
a challenge, but was successfully installed using lamination and liberal
application of a bouncing technique similar to that employed when closing
a too full suitcase whilst screwing between the legs. The rub rail was
painted off of the boat and screwed in place to cover the edge of the canvas
deck cover and the row of tacks used to hold it tight prior to painting.
The back side of the rail was relieved to clear the tacks etc.
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The interior complete except for the aft seat which goes
on over the peg in the center and sits on the just visible cleats on the
hull side. The centerboard well proved remarkably strong when we grounded
the board on the maiden voyage.
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The boat has a classic work boat profile. Makes
one wonder how she would do under power instead of sail.
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In the water at last, the sprit booms can almost be seen.
Sails were made from a SailRite kit of tanbark dacron and run up a stainless
track. After the rudder was deepened somewhat, she sailed easily
and was well balanced. There is a knack to tacking a cat ketch which
requires some coordination between main and mizzen.
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Gerald K. Limber
Asheboro, NC
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gklimber@atomic.net