Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

My daughter and I are building a Puddle Duck Racer together. Do you think it is possible to build it out of canvas wrapped foam? It would have to be strong enough to support a simple mast, boom and sail. Thanks, Larry

http://www.pdracer.com

With some wood reinforcements, I think it would work! Go for it!

Wow,
That's cool!
I can see having one of those...could build it in a way to 'fit' over a teardrop. Similar to those designs of the small boat on top of the teardrop style camper.

TB

If you haven't seen it yet: viewtopic.php?f=55&t=47250

Rosey built this fine boat using foam and canvas. Your bigest challenge will be giving proper support to the mast. If you figure that out, the rest should be easy.

Bill

Actually , that would make a Great Foamie ... It’s All flotation eh ... And like Rosey said , a little wood , waterproofed with “the Mix” here and there , covered over with canvas ...
Makes me think of those huge foam blocks , I’m supposed to go look at ... a few of those , stuck together , would make an instant boat ... Perhaps even a small transom for a small E trolling motor ... if you are becalmed ...
For Class racing , just hot wire out that particular bottom shape as per “the plans” ... and with foam , you could easily fit the daggerboard in the more conventional center location if desired ...

Hmmm? Looks like I need to buy more foam blocks ... This is just too much Fun to pass up ...

Welcome to the Foamies Larry !!!

Thanks for the welcome. It was Rosey's boat that gave me the idea.

Our youngest daughter and I built a Cubby approx 4 years ago. I felt the PD Racer would make a great addition. I want to be able to "cartop" carry the boat on the T Drop and since I am not getting any younger want to build as light as possible.

My concerns are how to properly add support for the mast, rudder and side lee board. If we would use 2" foam and mortise/GG glue 1x4" boards into the stress points, do you think that would support the unstayed mast frame work?
The mast is 16' tall, the boom 9'8"

Thanks

Larry

Unstayed? Ouch, that makes a big difference.

In fact, how exactly is that done in the plywood version?

I was fortunate to do a little dinghy sailing when I was younger (sailing lessons at the Mystic Seaport, old historic whaling museum http://www.mysticseaport.org/) and I can't imagine such a simple structure supporting loads that such leverage would produce from that much mast without stays.

The dinghys had nice round bottoms so keeling over was probably not as much force as it will be in a flat bottom, and the masts had three cable stays.

I was thinking a decent sized plywood foot at the base of the mast with another piece of ply (or several) with a hole sawn hole to receive the mast, but that would need some gunnel reinforcement and stays.

What keeps the mast from lifting out of the socket with out stays? Never heard of such a thing. Must admit that I have not stayed interested in sailing so have nothing to go by. Curious.

The photo is an example of a simple unstayed mast. The mast is attached using a mast step attached to a transon bulkhead.Larry

I dunno’ ... that looks scary for a 16’mast ... Lot of STRESS on that bulkhead... I’d feel safer with the customary rigging ...

burlesot wrote:I can see having one of those...could build it in a way to 'fit' over a teardrop.

I'm pretty sure someone has asked me that already! I have done a miniature Trailorboat that matches the free-plans Dink from Bateau.com:



Dink Carrier

Thanks for the replies. I am probably going to construct out of ply and 1x framing. Fill voids with foam and strenghthen the mast step area to give additional
support. Will send pics once complete.

Larry

Example of trailer on the PDRacer site. No comparison to Andrews excellent design.
Larry

We started on puddle duck build. Have the sides and chines cut. Will start to assemble tomorrow. Because of the forces on the boat from the sail/mast pressure, going to make this a foamy hybrid. 5mm ply with 1.5" of foam on the sides, bottom and ends. Will cover the outside with canvas. Also we are going to downsize the sail from 59 sq ft to 35 sq ft.

The original plans call for a 16' mast. My daughter felt a 12' high mast will be easier to control than the 16' high mast. Will post pics when I have more to share.

Larry

Looking forward to your pics!

I am also considering building a boat.

I was going to add that there is a lot of force down and out applied onto a sailboats mast and mount.
"Mystic Seaport" I was in the submarine service in groton/new london and one of my favorite places to visit was mystic seaport.
I've been back several times since, I can not visit New England without stopping.

pete