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Table of Contents
15 free boat plans you can build this week (with pdfs).
- August 13, 2023
Boatbuilding is one of the most ancient forms of craftsmanship still alive today. As long as our ancestors have had a curiosity about exploring open waters, they have been practicing and honing their boatbuilding skills.
To be honest, however, building a boat is no small task. It will require a lot of work and patience to ultimately create a finished product that you are happy with and that is actually seaworthy.
Of course, we have also included a few free boat plans. You can keep in your back pocket for the next time you are asked to build a cardboard boat as part of a contest or lakefront teambuilding adventure.
We hope that these resources help you in your journey to build your own boat!
Photo by SeventyFour via Shutterstock
Free Boat Plans
- The Wanigan
- The Slipper
The Handy Andy
- The Jolly Roger
- The Hobby Kat
The White Duck
- The Sea Midge
The Crazy Cardboard Boat
Why Build Your Own Boat?
Photo by Halsey via Shutterstock
There are a lot of reasons why you should explore building your own boat versus buying a pre-made model. Here is a quick breakdown of the most obvious benefits:
- You will know the ins and outs of your finished boat better than anyone
- It can be a great project to work on with your teenage or even adult children
- You will gain valuable skills molding and shaping wood and other materials
- You can design your boat for your specific needs
- You don’t have to trust the sometimes-questionable manufacturing of mass-produced boats
- You can create a boat that functions as your second home on the water
- You can save money if you source materials mindfully
Of course, most first-time boatbuilders still experience some level of trial-and-error. With patience and perseverance, however, you can craft a one-of-a-kind vessel that has no equal anywhere in the world.
Free Boat Plans You Can Build This Week (with PDFs)
1. the wanigan.
PC Duckworks Boat Builders Supply
The Wanigan boat began as a garvey design, which is one of the older boat plans known to the Americas. Traditionally, these boats were built as work scows and were very popular among American summer camps.
The design itself is very simple, but these boats can carry heavy loads. It can also handle a trolling motor being mounted to the stern so you can cover more ground if you want to use it as a fishing boat.
The creator of this boat plan became aware of some of the downsides of the garvey design, such as the heavier weight that made it less efficient than some other designs. So he combined elements of dory and wanigan designs to create a hybrid.
The main changes include an enlarged beam, tilted lathes to provide a stiffer hull, and knocking off the top strakes to reduce the boat’s overall weight.
The Wanigan text
These additional The Wanigan drawings  may also prove useful for your build process!
2. The Mouse
The Mouse is one of the most compact and nimble boat plans we have found for this list. It is an easy build and also a great boat for two kids or a single teenage paddler.
The original builder began with a one-sheet boat design in an effort to create the lightest and most affordable boat possible. This means it is only suited for calm waters and should not be used in high winds or wavy conditions.
That said, it was built in roughly 12 to 24 hours of work time and doesn’t require a full workshop to construct. The main material that is required for building this boat is quarter-inch plywood. But the builder recommends using one-inch by half-inch pine or something a little sturdier.
The plywood and pine components are held together using a method called ”˜stitch and glue’. This method requires choosing one of the best glues for kayak outfitting , which are typically made of epoxy and glass tape rather than something cheaper like polyurethane.
The Mouse Instructions
Also, here are a few extra useful The Mouse Notes for builders
3. The Slipper
The Slipper is the first of many sailboat plans on our list and it is faster, easier, and cheaper to build than most. It also features a deeper cockpit than many other sailboat designs, which makes it safer for intermediate sailors.
This sailboat plan features dual steering stations so that you can sail from inside or outside of the helm. It also includes a centerboard trunk that hardly intrudes into the cabin at all. So that, it is easier to work around while you are in the cockpit.
The exterior hull and cabin of this sailboat feature a modified dory design using two sheets of plywood ripped to three feet wide before being joined together. The resulting hull is a modified V-shape that reduces drag.
The centerboard of this boat can also be winched up to the level of the top of the cabin or lowered down to alter the draft. This allows you to customize the boat design for a stiffer and more weather-worthy vessel if you need it.
The Slipper was also intentionally designed with an aft cabin that naturally helps to keep the bow pointed into the wind whether you are underway or the boat is anchored in the port.
The Building Slipper
4. The Handy Andy
PC DIY Wood Boat
The Handy Andy is a great little 10-foot portable rowboat for hunting, camping, fishing, and other recreational uses. It is actually the only folding boat design on our list, which makes it best for folks that need the most portable boat plan possible.
This boat features a 42-inch beam and a depth of about 15 inches at the mid-section. It also weighs roughly 80 pounds when assembled and can handle up to three average-sized human passengers.
The design boasts a flat bottom with canvas-bound edges and the primary material used for construction is ⅜-inch marine-grade plywood. Despite its lightweight nature, this rowboat can handle trolling motors or even outboard motors with a maximum of five horsepower.
Once finished, the hull can be folded or unfolded in less than a minute’s time.
This design makes it one of the only boats on this list that can be stored in a truck bed or easily carried by two people to be launched at more remote locations.
5. The Junior
If you are looking for an all-purpose dinghy that can handle almost any use you might imagine, look no further than The Junior free boat plan. It can carry three or four average-sized adults and is much easier to row than a traditional dinghy.
It is also durable enough to be equipped with a small outboard motor. You could even set it up with sailing equipment if you want to use it as a sailing vessel. As we said, this is truly an all-around boat design!
This boat plan requires constructing three frames that will provide the majority of the load-bearing support. The builder recommends using ¾-inch framing with ⅜-inch plywood as the exterior material for this boat build.
Resin glue and flathead screws are also required to hold this boat together. But there is a full list of materials included in the plans we have linked to below. Sticking to that plan should also give you enough leftover materials to construct two six-foot oars for rowing this boat until you install a trolling motor or outboard motor down the line!
6. The Jolly Roger
Channel your inner Captain Morgan when you are following these plans to build your very own Jolly Roger boat. This flat bottom boat design is designed for pond fishing . It can also be a useful yacht dinghy for getting from your dock to a larger vessel anchored offshore.
The plan follows conventional dinghy construction methods but also includes a few modifications that will save you time and energy. The wide design is super stable for boaters of all ages.
The keel, frame, chines, and risers are all cut from ¾-inch oak, ash, or any other trusted hardwood you can get your hands on. For the smaller components, the builder recommends using cedar, cypress, fir, or white or yellow pine.
Because this boat plan is also sturdy enough to handle a small motor, it includes important points for protecting the wooden hull from spark plug damage.
Be careful to follow these guidelines to build the safest boat possible if you imagine installing a motor down the line.
The Jollyroger
7. The Cork
The Cork is another simple rowboat design. This one trends away from the flat bottom plans that we have included thus far. Instead, it features a deeper, V-shaped hull that makes it better suited to more efficient rowing and easier maneuverability.
It can be rowed easily from either seating position and is durable enough to handle up to three average-sized adult passengers. The ends of the boat are identical, which allows for multi-directional rowing.
The list of materials required for this boat plan should cost you between $30 and $50, depending on your location and hardware costs there. The resulting build is lightweight enough for two people to be carried and also to be transported on top of a vehicle .
Inside the boat, the builders use aluminum tubing to secure the struts that hold the seats. This material choice keeps the overall weight of the boat down while still adding the necessary rigidity across the beam of the boat.
8. The Hobby Kat
The Hobie Cat is one of the most iconic and recognizable small sailing vessels ever made. This Hobby Kat plan is your answer to building your own iconic sailboat without spending thousands of dollars.
Your finished boat will be able to handle speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. It will be a super fun vessel for windy days on the lake or bay. The builder was able to construct the hulls, decking, and rudder for this boat while spending little more than $200.
From there, they purchased and installed the mast, boom, sail, and rigging, which brought the total amount spent to roughly $650 (still much less than a name-brand Hobie!). Without the mast and sail, this boat weighs roughly 165 pounds and is constructed using primarily 3/16-inch marine plywood.
You can also elect to build your own mast, boom, and sail if you have the time and skills to do so.
Those elements are not included in this boat plan, but they do offer some recommendations for where to buy these components!
The HobbyKat
9. The Tern
Named after the common seabird found around the world, the Tern is a lightweight and nimble sailboat with a 72 square foot base design. She is made for inland sailing and planes very well in moderate breezes.
The hull design also provides minimal water resistance and the small floor plan makes this boat easier for intermediate sailors to handle. Even though it offers a small footprint, this boat is sturdy enough to handle up to four adult passengers.
One of the best things about this boat plan is that it can be built almost entirely by using only common hand tools.
Of course, you can speed things up if you have power tools and you are skilled enough to use them correctly.
The Tern boat plan includes a 20-foot mast, but you can shorten that length if you desire. The plan includes a complete list of materials and step-by-step instructions on how to plane and assemble each element.
10. The Falcon
As you might expect from its name alone, the Falcon is an incredibly speedy sailboat for its size. It boasts a 14-foot centerboard and can handle two to four passengers, depending on its size and weight.
In tests of the original build, the creators claim that this boat out-distanced many Snipe and Comet sailing vessels as well as pacing evenly alongside longer 18-foot sailboats. When finished, your boat will have a six-foot beam and a total weight of roughly 475 pounds.
For the main framing components, they recommend using white oak and plywood will be the main material used in the hull construction. The hull features a V-shaped that was inspired by larger schooners.
The Falcon is best suited to sailing on bays, lakes, and wide rivers. It is also a boat plan with just under 120 square feet of deck space and it is a great build for amateur craftsmen and sailors.
11. The White Duck
The White Duck is a flat-bottomed rowboat with a total length of 13’6” and a four-foot beam. The cockpit is approximately 15 inches deep all the way around and this boat can handle up to five passengers while maintaining buoyancy and stability.
When fully constructed, it will weigh roughly 200 pounds, but the final weight will depend on the type of lumber you choose for your build. This boat plan features plywood planking over solid wooden frames.
The White Duck is built with a pointed bow that cuts nicely through the water. The flat stern of this boat design will make it easy to attach a small outboard motor with a maximum of six horsepower.
As you might expect from its name, this rowboat is a great option for duck hunting trips. That being said, it is a highly versatile craft that can also be used for pond fishing or casual rowing on your nearby lake.
12. The Sea Midge
The Sea Midge is one of the smallest rowboats on our list and it is ideally suited for one average-sized rower or two small paddlers. It is only about 8 feet in length and offers a 52-inch beam at its widest point.
The Midge’s small dimensions make her ideal for navigating narrower creeks and streams. With an approximate weight of 62 pounds, she is easy to maneuver on the water and can also be much more easily transported than some of the larger boat plans on our list
The Seamidge
13. The Zephyr
The Zephyr is a compact and speedy dinghy sailboat that measures roughly 14 feet long and approximately five feet across. This boat style was originally developed for safely crossing the English Channel. This means it can stand up well in rough waters.
When finished, it is also light enough to be transported on a small trailer or on top of a larger vehicle.
The boat plan calls for using hemlock or fir for the framing and oak or Douglas fir for the keel and chines.
14. The Gypsy
The Gypsy is a small cruising sailboat that is meant to be equipped with an outboard motor for powered locomotion. The original design resulted in an incredibly seaworthy vessel that logged more than 6,000 nautical miles in her lifetime.
It includes a comfortable cabin that makes it well-suited for multi-day sailing adventures. This boat plan includes improvements on the original design that will help you build an extremely durable and long-lasting sailboat.
The Gypsy boat design will help you construct a vessel that can handle a motor up to 25 horsepower so that you can enjoy cruising speeds of up to nine miles per hour.
While it may require a bit more of an investment in time and money, it will also help you produce one of the best boats you can build with a free boat plan!
15. The Crazy Cardboard Boat
PC Saint Dominic Catholic School
Finally, let’s talk about a crazy cardboard boat plan that you can build in less than a day. This is a great boat plan to bookmark for your next teambuilding project so that you can earn bragging rights with your coworkers.
The plan calls for using 1.5 sheets of cardboard. But you can use the remaining half sheet to build your own boat paddle if you want to get creative.
Triple-thick cardboard is best for this boat plan. But you can always double up thinner sheets if that is all you can find.
These plans include an easy-to-follow diagram for marking, cutting, and folding the cardboard sheets to create the hull of your boat. From there, it calls for using contact cement and construction adhesive to seal the edges and corners.
If you are looking to save a little money on this build you could also use duct tape and then wrap the entire design in plastic sheeting to provide waterproof qualities.
Overall, this build is one of the cheapest and easiest on our list. It is also a great project for hot summer camp days on the lake or river!
15 Free Boat Plans You Can Build This Week (with PDFs) – Final Thoughts
Photo by Alexandra Soloviova via Shutterstock
We hope that you now have a couple of free boat plans to inspire you to begin your own construction project.
Don’t hesitate to check out YouTube for some useful boat-building videos when you are getting into the nitty-gritty of these build processes!
Enjoyed 15 Free Boat Plans You Can Build This Week (with PDFs)? Share it with your friends so they too can follow the Kayakhelp journey.
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I’m Pete. I am the owner of KayakHelp.com. I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, I grew up kayaking, fishing, sailing, and partaking in outdoor adventures around the Great Lakes. When I am not out on the water, you can find me skiing in the mountains, reading my favorite books, and spending time with my family.
Racing Sparrow Plans
Check out these plans and resources, ranging from a 375mm boat to a 1500mm yacht. Pair these with our eBook guide for a fast, easy, and affordable home build RC yacht.
RS-RG65 - 650mm plans, measures to international RG65 rules
A full forward hull and a straight stern. This boat has proven to be a very fast and competitive racer.
Free Book Sample - PDF
A few pages from the eBook absolutely free
Racing Sparrow 750 plans
The plans that come with the eBook.
Racing Sparrow 1000 plans
A one metre version, scaled up lines. Bulkhead only plans. Look at the 750 for full schematics.
Racing Sparrow 1500 plans - A scaled up Racing Sparrow
A larger size model yacht. I haven't seen many of these surface. It's a good challenge to build.
Racing Sparrow 375 plans - The smallest sparrow
A miniature RacingSparrow. A great introduction to building with balsa.
RacingSparrow Footy plans
A double diagonal design footy from RacingSparrow.
Logos & Sticker Sheet
Downloadable logos and an EPS file to be sent to a printer and printed out on navy blue cutout vinyl.
Common questions about the plans
What tools do i need to build a racingsparrow.
1. Chisel 2. Craft-knife 3. Drill Bit - 2mm (5/64in)bit 4. Drill Bit - 5mm (3/16in) bit 5. Electric Drill 6. Felt Marker 7. File 8. Hacksaw 9. Hammer 10. Hole Punch 11. Lighter 12. Pen 13. Pencil 14. Pins 15. Pliers 16. Ruler (steel) 17. Sanding Block 18. Scissors 19. Screwdriver 20. Spirit Level (optional) 21. Sponge Brush (several) 22. Vice Grips
Do I need the eBook to build this cool rc sailboat?
No you don't. The book is designed for the newcomer to model yacht building. The book does make it a much simpler process with every detail figured out and covered in the book. Seasoned builders can simply have a go with the free plans.
Are the plans really free?
Yes all the plans are free to download and use as you see fit. The most comprehensive plans are the RS750 A1 full size.
Are there CAD files or 3D files?
Yes there is a 3D dxf file inside a zip file that you can download for free and use how you want. Some people use this in CAD programs or in 3D modelling programmes to great effect. Look under Racing Sparrow 750 plans on this page. An STL file for 3D printing is in the pipelines. Email me if you want a copy.
While we think 3D printing is great, we believe old-skool strip planking balsa is a wonderfully simple way to make a very lightweight boat with excellent longitudinal strength and beauty.
Builders eBook
Dive into the world of boat building with our eBook. Discover the craft of hull planking, fibreglass strengthening, and lead keel ballast casting.
Master the art of electrics installation, spray painting, sail making, and tuning of sails. Download a sample today and embark on a rewarding journey of boat construction.
What the builders and sailors say:
Being a complete novice, I purchased your book a couple of years ago and built two racing sparrows. Building on this experience I then went on to build, from scratch, an IOM (Triple Crown design). I've since joined a local club and sail virtually every weekend. I would just like to thank you for your endeavours which have allowed me to enter a world I never thought was in my reach.
John Sterland, Australia
Coming upon your book, "Build your own Radio Controlled Yacht" in the Napier Public Library, I am hugely impressed. The combination of your superb photos and illustrations with your easy writing style make it a standout publication and I hope it does well for you.
Richard Spence, New Zealand
Thanks for an excellent design in your RG65. I trialled her again today in a solid 20 knots gusting higher. Even so in a steep chop and fingers off the rudder she drove upwind remarkably well, balanced perfectly. Very impressed that a model boat can handle that with a large rig. I found the book excellent. Ive built several big boats, plus a few skiffs and without that resource building such a good boat would have been impossible.
Mike Bennett
Look at all these cool boats folk have made at home
There is also a full gallery with a boat load of photos of Racing Sparrow's
Rod Patterson , Christchurch, New Zealand
May 4, 2012
The woodwards Father & Son team on launch day. , New Zealand
Aug 1, 2007
Geoff Lewis , Isle of Wight
Sep 22, 2009
Jonathan Daniel
Oct 9, 2008
Weighing up the options - Garry Angel , France
May 2, 2009
Jun 19, 2019
Andy Saunders + Son , New Zealand
Sep 9, 2021
Fanie Nel - RS750 , Krugerdorp, South Africa
Apr 5, 2023
Julian Anthony , Kohuwala, Sri Lanka
Jun 4, 2021
Royal Declerks' Black Pearl , Mount Martha, Victoria, Australia
Apr 2, 2017
- For Sale/Wanted
- Readers Tips
- Your Yarns.
- Restoration
- Miscellaneous
- DIY Boat Yards
- Boat Building
- Cabin Cruisers
- Free Boat Plans
- Begin Boating
- Boating Terms
- Ropes and Rigs
- Just for Fun
- Celestial Navigation
- Passage Planning
- VHF Marine Radio
- Diagonal Scale
Sailboat Plans
Free Sailboat Plans
A selection of some of the Free Sailboat Plans (pdf) that were published in magazines such as “Popular Mechanics”, "Popular Science" and the "Boat Builder Handbook".
If you need help with lofting out the plans click here for an article here which should help.
- Open Dayboats/Dinghys
- Rowing Boats
Open/Dayboat, Free Sailboat Plans
Everyone who digs boating has heard of the Hobie Cat, the sleek little catamaran that burst on the scene and captured the attention of all the fast-action sailors.
Marked by asymmetrical hulls and special trampoline supports, the Hobie can reach speeds above 20 mph and perform with a rare agility.
But it has one drawback.
It costs mucho dinero.
Thus, we introduce the Hobby Kat, sailboat plans, a build-it-yourself version of the “Hobie” that should cost from half to a third of the commercial version. If you have the moola, of course, go for a Hobie and have the time of your life on the water.
If not, try our Hobby
The homebuilt is not quite the same.
But she sails sweetly and fast—qualities which have made the “Hobie” popular
Even in a light air she’ll slip through the water at a fast clip.
She has no centreboards, leeboards or keel, and needs none.
The inside of each hull has built-in lift, like an airplane wing, so that as the boat heels and one hull digs in the boat is pulled back to windward.
Click Here for the Plans
She can run in very shallow water and the rudders kick up for beaching.
You can carry her on a trailer or even disassemble her.
Many a “stink pot” addict will take a second look at Tern because she planes in modest breezes, is easy to handle, and her streamlined prow arid pod-shaped, “inland scow” type hull offer slight water resistance. Then too, there’s a charm about the tiller of a sailer that’s not matched by the wheel of a motor-powered boat. Part of it is the challenge of making the most of nature’s free-wheeling breezes. Even with her 72sq.ft of sail, this Free Sailboat Plan is remarkably stable, and packs as many as four persons aboard
For thousands of inland lakes, Tern is the answer to sailing water sport, she is rugged and easy to launch
And she’s remarkably easy to build.
Falcon is a small, speedy, sporty sailboat which handles well. Tests on the original Falcon showed that she could easily out-distance boats of comparable size such as the one design class Snipe and Comet sailers.
And she will pace neck and neck with 18 footers with considerably greater sail spread.
This strong, beamy, eight-foot pram may be sailed either cat-rigged or sloop-rigged.
The dagger-board may be adjusted forward to balance the helm when sailing with the addition of a jib sail.
Oars or a small outboard motor may also be used to power this versatile Free Sailboat Plans.
Dart” is a small two or three person sailing craft, designed for use on protected waters such as bays. lakes, rivers or wherever sheltered waters are found. Its construction will repay the builder handsomely and provide a fast sailing craft, light in weight, easily transportable and cheap to construct with all difficult joinery eliminated
It provides thrilling and economical sport.
The 'Crescent', designed by C. T. Allen, is the ideal sailboat for day sailing on a small lake, river, or protected waters of a bay.
Centreboard design (Fig. 2) reduces Crescent's draft, so Shallow is not a problem.
Its broad beam of over 5½ft. makes it an ideal family boat because there is room for a cockpit large enough to accommodate four adults or two adults and three kids, and side and forward decks big enough to stretch out on when sun bathing.
"Jewel" is a 16' Crescent Sailboat being built by Mike Allen from the free sailboat plans by C.T .Allen in the 1958 "Boat Builders Handbook". And what a superb job Mike is doing check out his photos here .
Click Here for the Free version of the Plans
Sailing enthusiasts and backyard boat builders are not likely to find free boat plans for a sailing pram that can be built faster, lighter, stronger, or less expensively than Graefin-10. Two men can begin work on a Friday evening and have a smart, lively 10-ft. 85-pound sailboat in the water by Sunday evening (it’s been done).
Zephyr Is a refinement of a type of boat developed by the English for use in the rough open waters of the English Channel. Not only is it fast under sail, but it can stand up under punishment. And it’s light enough to be easily loaded atop an auto or light trailer.
Breeze-Baby
Skimming off a brisk wind or with the wind abeam, Breeze-Baby actually planes with one person aboard. Despite her rowboat lines that make her easy to build, she handles easily under her simple sail, an ideal first boat. Simple lines are adapted to plywood construction that’s strong, light and that keeps Breeze-Baby’s bilges dry
You can take her with you atop your car or on a lightweight trailer for summer fun wherever you vacation or get in a week-end’s sailing.
Cat’s Paw is easy to build because of the straight-sided hulls. The sheer line is flat and that simplifies building the form. Bow and stern are straight, so there’s no cockeyed bevel to fit and fuss with
She Is an Ideal boat to learn or practice sailing in because she will forgive so many mistakes.
Cabin Cruiser, Free Sailboat Plans
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Free model boat plans: the MiniX, an easy-to-build radio-controlled sailboat
We set ourselves a challenge: to make a sailing model. In the end, after hours of reflection and work, we discovered that we took as much pleasure in designing and building as we did sailing our yachts. Here is the description of our project and the plans to download. Another article follows with the steps of the realization.
An easy-to-build, eye-catching, high-performance sailboat
Who hasn't dreamed of a little wooden sailboat with a beautiful canvas cover? The idea for this project is a child's dream.
Sailing on a regular basis in "scale 1", we had the idea of having fun by sailing two boats to race in our "spare time". The boats had to meet the following specifications:
- Easy to transport. Measuring just 50 cm, our MiniX doesn't take up much space in a trunk. However, the keel and mast can be dismantled. If need be, the MiniX can even be included in our vacation luggage.
- Able to be thrown into the water "out the back of the car" without complicated implementation.
- No investment that would jeopardize our homes. As this is not a one-off activity, we didn't want to invest in expensive radio controls (our boat's biggest expense). A basic radio control kit is powerful enough to handle "small" sail surfaces.
- Resembling a sailboat at best, hence the presence of the deckhouse and cockpit. These two elements give a sense of scale without resorting to model-building. Above all, a sailboat must be beautiful. Don't we also sail for the pleasure of our eyes?
Modern construction
To keep it light (ready to sail , the MiniX weighs just 800 g), the hull is an extruded polystyrene/epoxy resin sandwich (laminated Depron). While this process is not impact-resistant (though...), the structure and sandwich make it very rigid. Together with the deck, the whole thing forms a kind of egg whose strength is astonishing. It's impossible to apply the slightest twist to the hull, despite its lightness (the bare hull weighs just 260 g).
Our yacht has a chine hull. But this doesn't detract from the look, as the chines are largely rounded and, combined with the straight bow, give the illusion of a beautifully shaped hull. When sailing close-hauled, the stern of the MiniX lifts off, limiting drag in the water.
Technical data
- Overall length (with rudder): 56 cm
- Hull length: 51 cm
- Width: 17.6 cm
- Draft: 25 cm (but this may change...)
- Air draft: 92 cm (mast: 86 cm)
- Operating weight (with sails, servos, batteries and keel ): 800 g
- Bare hull weight (without servos and keel ): 260 g
- Weight of ballast: 240 g (but may vary according to draught...)
- Wing surfaces: Jib= 6 dm² GV= 15 dm²
MiniX drawings
You can download the plans. They're simple and precise. We made our two boats by printing them on a basic A4 printer. Then we simply assembled the sheets by superimposing them and gluing them (repositionable spray glue) to Depron. A sharp cutter is all it takes to build the MiniX with precision.
Just one thing: we've put a lot of heart and soul into building this yacht. We'd be delighted if our experience could be put to good use. Don't hesitate, help yourself! But be so kind as to let us know with a little comment. We'd love to hear from you.
Here you can download the first part of the plan in A4 PDF format .
With this you already have the complete boat. Based on the construction photos, there's not much missing to build the whole MiniX. But since we're taking care of you, here are the sail plans too:
- Mainsail plan
Real sails with webs for their shape.
The construction budget
MiniX doesn't have to be expensive. We've always tried to find a way of "diverting" objects to make our project a reality. So it's hard to come up with an exact budget. It will be higher for someone who doesn't even own the basic tools , and much lower for someone who does it in the back of his already well-stocked workshop.
- 6 mm Depron sheet (2 sheets, 125 x 60 cm)
- Epoxy resin + fillers
- Glass fabric
- 4 mm plywood (a small piece for the keel , keel shaft and rudder)
- Carbon tubes (6 mm for the mast and 4 mm for the booms)
- GV carbon batten (1/10 mm in kite stores)
- Remote control servos kit ( first price: ?60)
- Florist paper for the sails (a good opportunity to give pleasure...)
- Blenderm (surgical tape), available from chemists, to join the sails. Cut the 20 mm roll in half to double its length.
In the end, we estimate a maximum budget of ?120 per boat (calculated in 2021).
Because a construction project like MiniX is above all a team project... And in a team it's good to be complementary.
The MiniX project went through a long phase of gestation - reflection - intellectualization - drawings - exchanges - helping hands to get to this stage. Today, it's sailing thanks to this pooling of skills. We hope you'll enjoy this project as much as we have. And we look forward to hearing from you in the comments or on the forum. Enjoy!
ALERT: WAREHOUSE CLOSURE SEPT 21-29. SHIPPING RESUMES SEPT 30th.
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Little bretton free plans.
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Frank Russell Design
R/c and model yacht design, plans, boats, sails..
I have been a designer of model and radio yachts since 1968. Boats been built from my plans now number in the hundreds both from both home and production builders. Many of my designs have won State and National Championships in Australia and overseas. New designs are added periodically and occasionally I do receive requests for specific designs. I also from time to time produce free plans.
Most of my older plans Pre 2000 will eventually be available as PDF files of the original large format drawing. The plans are located here:
A more complete list of my designs is here:
Plans are normally drawn on A4 and A3 format. Sections and appendages are normally drawn full size, 1:1. Some fin and bulb drawings are drawn to be printed in two halves and joined after printing. Arrangement drawings are 1:5 and sometimes 1:4.
Make sure when printing that the “Scaling” or “Fit to Page” option is turned off in your printer setup when you print. I also have the “Print Preview” turned on as well so I can check if the page size is correct. All drawings are in either A4 or A3 size paper.
Each drawing has a 100mm scale which will allow you to see if the drawings are the correct size.
The PDF drawings are usually emailed within a few hours of receiving your order from Paypal by email. DXF and DWG formats are available for most plans. Just ask and they also will be emailed.
Printed Paper Plans are available and are printed from the same plan as the PDF. Please ask before ordering. There is usually an additional postage charge for Printed Paper Plans.
LATEST PLANS:
The Erebus -10r shape is based on the Ellipsis IOM. The design has the same LCB and waterline as the P6.1, so Phoenix 6 sail plans can be transferred over to the new hull. The hull is more rounded and has more reserve buoyancy above the waterline which will give the hull more lift over waves. The bow profile also has been lifted slightly for the same reason. Hull balance should be excellent. The deck is flat for simplicity and the plans show the same inbuilt mast ram setup I have been using successfully on both my A Class and 6 Metre designs. Any P6 sail plans used may need to be slightly altered. The Erebus sail plans are similar to the P6.1 but have been modified to suit the new deck design.
LOA 1650mm LWL 1200mm BOA 175mm 4.0kg ballast displacement 5.8kg Draught 630mm
After payment is made. I will email you the pdf file. Plan has A3, A4 sheets and a larger sheet with sections designed for laser cutting.
A printed paper plan can be supplied, postage extra.
Ellipsis M Version 2a Marblehead 2018-2024: This design is based on the successful Ellipsis IOM concept, as is the second of two sailing prototypes for the Equation M design. Of the 3 designs produced, this is favourite and was the only hull created by cutting the Ellipsis IOM in half and adding 128mm to the middle section and then re-fairing. The hull was then rescaled to the needed size and shape.
After payment is made. I will email you the pdf file.
If you require another format: DXF, or DWG, 2D or printed paper plan, postage extra.
Equation Marblehead 2019: This design is based on the successful Ellipsis IOM concept, that of correct volume distribution rather than fashionable features with the emphasis on simplicity This design is the result of two Sailing Marblehead prototypes, The Ellipsis 1c and Ellipsis 2a.
If you require another format: DXF, or DWG, 2D or printed paper plan, postage extra.
Paperclip Mk3 IOM 2024 The hard chine version of the Ellipsis and Equinox IOM’s. It is intended to be built “Tape and Glue” from 1mm plywood sheets. The PDF and DXF drawings for theses hull and deck panels are included as are the sections if you would like to build the hull over frames. The prototype built by Tony Goldsworthy seems to perform well.
The PDF Plan is on 7 A4 and 2 A3 sheets, The laser cut sheets are on 2 large sheets PDF and DXF. The Plan is also available on DXF, or DWG
LOA: 938mm LWL: 915mm BOA: 190mm Disp: 5.1kg
PDF Plan emailed or Printed and posted on 6 A4 and A3 sheets
If you require another format: DXF, or DWG, 2D or 3D or printed paper plan, postage extra.
Ellipsis 36 2023 is a 36 inch restricted class designs based on the Ellipsis IOM design. The 36r design was a request from a UK skipper for a lighter version of the 2017 design for both Radio and vane sailing. This design shuld be more suitable for lighter wind smooth water venues than the 2017.
LOA: 938mm LWL: 915mm BOA: 189mm Disp: 4.4kg
Goth 36 2017 is an 36 inch restricted class design based on the Goth IOM design. The original request came from John Fisher in 2013 who wanted a very light 36r for vane sailing. This design is the third design in the series, which has progressively become heavier and more successful.
New Equinox IOM Plan : The Equinox is a variant of the Ellipsis… IOM. The basic design was produced initially as a 3D printed project that never eventuated for various reasons. Two prototypes were built including a 3D printed boat which was built by John Taylor in the UK. The design incorporates several features of some of the newer IOM shapes including a fuller higher bow profile and wider stern. The design is well balanced and well behaved like the Ellipsis and should be as easy to plank from wood.
Hulls an components for this design are now available. See IOM COMPONENTS Page.
Please ask If you require another format: DXF, or DWG, 2D or 3D or printed paper plan, Postage extra.
Phoenix 4 2020 10r Every new design presents a designer with options to consider and directions to go. After a ten year gap from the P3, all 10r’s had adopted the deep keel, light weight approach and although it did seem to work I after the P5 I though that the Phoenix 4 design although fast went in the wrong direction. I always have thought about what I should have done. So this is P4- 2020, with 2020 hindsight is the result.
LOA 1550mm LWL 1250mm BOA 200mm BWL 180mm, 4.2kg ballast on 600mm Draught and P1 to P3, Marblehead style sail plans on a flat deck.
She even drawn in the same software as the original.
After payment is made. I will email you the pdf file. Plan has A3, A4 sheets and a larger sheet with sections deasigned for laser cutting.
Goth 36 is an 36 inch restricted class design based on the Goth IOM design. The original request came from John Fisher in 2013 who wanted a very light 36r for vane sailing. this design is the second in the series, heavier and more successful. There is also a later 2017 version which will be published soon.
LOA: 938mm LWL: 899mm BOA: 190mm Disp: 4.4kg
If you require another format: DXF, or DWG, 2D or 3D or printed paper plan, just ask.
UFO Mk2 – A development of the successful UFO with a heavier displacement and larger sail plan. Improved aft sections with the chine removed.
LOA: 1838mmLWL: 1250mm Disp: 15kg SA: 0.978763 m2
PDF Plan emailed or Printed and posted on 12 A3 sheets
Phoenix 8 – 10r: The Phoenix MK 8 is a larger more powerful boat than the last three Phoenix Mks. The P8 is a return to the simple design, No chines, no raised fore deck and Marblehead rig profiles as used from P1 to P3. This allows simpler light weight construction and fully open soft decks and shared rigs if you have a Marblehead.
LOA: 1650 mm LWL: 1240mm, BOA: 170mm, Draught: 630 – 680mm, Disp 5.7kg, SA: 1.00 m2
The Free updated IOM mast and boom schematic along with FRD IOM Setup Guide
FRD IOM Setup Guide Mast and Booms combined Feb 2020
Epsilon RG65 – 65 2019: This design is based on the successful Ellipsis IOM concept, that of correct volume distribution rather than fashionable features with the emphasis on simplicity and efficiency.
Plans are PDF format or printed paper plan only. 3D hull and 2D bow and stern sections in DXF or DWG format are available on request.
Cerberus – 6m Something more of a challenge from a designers and builder’s point of view. A class I have always admired. This is Cerberus, my first published Six Metre design. This is the result of several requests for a design in the class and also a desire on my part build a six Metre for fun sailing locally. There are a couple of boats that will be built in the UK to join the fleet there. This design is intended to excel in moderate winds and will outperform anything of similar size drought and displacement in Australian conditions. Plans are $30 pdf plans from my PLANS page with other formats available. This design may also be available for 3D printing at a later date.
LOA: 1515mm, LWL :1020mm, Displacement: 11.75kg, SA:0.682019m2
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COMMENTS
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Model Ship Books. These are books geared to builders, usually with "how-to" instructions and often plans. The model boat plans that come this way are either printed in the book itself or as a separate attachment. Having the plan separate is best in my opinion. Unfortunately, they are often printed on poor quality paper and are often folded.
Free Boat Plans You Can Build This Week (with PDFs) 1. The Wanigan. PC Duckworks Boat Builders Supply. The Wanigan boat began as a garvey design, which is one of the older boat plans known to the Americas. Traditionally, these boats were built as work scows and were very popular among American summer camps.
Look under Racing Sparrow 750 plans on this page. An STL file for 3D printing is in the pipelines. Email me if you want a copy. While we think 3D printing is great, we believe old-skool strip planking balsa is a wonderfully simple way to make a very lightweight boat with excellent longitudinal strength and beauty.
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_ We set ourselves a challenge: to make a sailing model. In the end, after hours of reflection and work, we discovered that we took as much pleasure in designing and building as we did sailing our yachts. Here is the description of our project and the plans to download. Another article follows with the steps of the realization.
Drifter 12L Free Plans. To download these plans, click HERE The Drifter 12 L is a higher performance version of the Drifter 12, with longer amas, and a taller mast. It can be paddled or sailed with as simple rig using a windsurfing mast. The sail rolls up, and is reefable...
I have been a designer of model and radio yachts since 1968. Boats been built from my plans now number in the hundreds both from both home and production builders. Many of my designs have won State and National Championships in Australia and overseas. New designs are added periodically and occasionally I do receive requests for specific designs.
Download free boat model plans and drawings! Cruiser Aurora. Scale 1:200. 4 lists of drawings. Historical description. Download free ship model drawings and plans for all kind of modelers.
RadioSailingShop FP1 FREE PLANS for IOM - See details for weblinks to free plans [FP1] - See our Building an IOM page for details on building the mould and the hull of the NOUX 2 in the photo above. Note unless you are planning to build multiple hulls, or require a moulded fibreglass hull there is no need to build a mould, you can just make a planked hull from the drawings.
The plans are to be printed on 8-1/2 by 14 inch paper. The boat is 300 mm long when built to the plan. The other 5 mm is left for you to make a bow piece to round off the nose as in the pics. I'm posting the same plan I used to build my boat, which means the interior layout, electronics, and rig are left to your preference.
The Nightmare is designed to be able to sail on one float, it is a stable design which is not pitch poling easily. Look the pictures and the video clips of our boats. Free plans for the MK VII and the MK VIII can be downloaded here. Boat Data: - hull lenght 1200mm without front fender. - beam 1210mm. - epoxy-fiber glass floats , weight about ...
The seven-sheet plan set are available in a single zip file. They are as follows: Sheet one (11x17): Layout profile and general arrangement. Sheet two (11x17): Miscellaneous hull templates (keel, deck etc) Sheet three (8 1/2x11): Bulkhead and transom templates. Sheet four (11x17): Alignment aid for first stage of building the hull.
Choose from over 100 Wooden Model Ship Plans & Model Boat Plans. Order Online From Modelers Central For Fast Delivery From The Largest Model Ship Store.
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Scale model of the famous racing boat by Fairey Marine. For 1.5 to 5 c.c. engines. Length 33.5in. Beam 11.5in. Patrol Torpedo Boat. A comprehensive model that is perfect for radio control. All guns and deck fittings ready-made. For 2.5 to 5 c.c. engines or 12 volt electric motors. Length 40in.
A large sheet Lines Plan with buttock templates for B&B construction. 1/96 scale - 46 X 36 inches. 1/144 scale - 36 X 40 inches. A separate pdf document (8 1/2 X 11 inch) with each Section Template laid out in full. This document can also be fitted on A4 format paper. Midship Section of the ship at 1/4"=1'.
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Ardent - Plan + Article. SKU: MAR3022. Two sheet plans for a classic ply chine sail cruising yacht length 900mm and beam 260mm. Hull lines and rig... £ 20.00 Add to basket.
Model Sailboat Plans. FULL SIZE PRINTED PLAN and ARTICLE 1:10 SCALE 35" DRAGON CLASS YACHT 35" Bluebottle $24.95. Build a 34" Sailboat for beginners Full Size Printed Plan and Building article $21.95. Full size printed Plans Scale ¾" = 1' Poco Dinero an auxiliary motored sailboat $14.95. Full size Printed Plans Chinese Junk Scale 1:24 SLO ...