10′ 2″ Acorn Dinghy

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The Acorn 10-footer by Iain Oughtred is intermediate in size and shape between his longer skiff (WoodenBoat Plan No. 43) and his shorter 7′ 10″ Acorn tender. She is a dinghy designed for seaworthy service and multiple use—in tow behind a yacht, in harbor as a lighter, and in protected waters as a lugger. Alternatively, she can be rigged for added performance under sail, or simply employed as a businesslike utility under oars or outboard power.

Acorn Dinghy Puffin design drawing.

Her type is that of a traditional ship’s boat-beamy and burdensome, with good stability and carrying capacity for her length, and a hull that is easily driven if properly handled and trimmed. She is an all-around craft, as versatile a vessel as can be found in this difficult-to-design size range.

Oughtred has not only achieved a good-looking, multi-purpose small-boat design, he has done a great deal to relieve the builder of the difficulty commonly associated with round-bottomed lapstrake construction. And he has managed this in his usual manner: by producing a very comprehensive set of plans (lofting is not required), and by selecting a building system that lends itself to amateur construction.

The building method—glued-seam lapstrake plywood—is further enhanced by a frameless interior that permits faster assembly, reduced maintenance, and adjustable thwart locations.

The basic single-sail rig for the Acorn 10 can be a balanced or standing lug-either one being an easy and efficient sail plan to set up, stow, and operate. A second, enlarged sail plan calls for a gunter-rigged sloop, thereby converting this dinghy into a lively sailer and enabling it to serve as an excellent graduated trainer through the various levels of small-boat handling and seamanship.

Planking drawing for the Acron Dinghy Puffin.

Oughtred saves you from guess work by showing precisely how her planking should be lined off.

Choices within the sailing options include leeboard, daggerboard, or centerboard, and a fixed or pivoting rudder. Gunwale and transom choices are also presented in the plans, as are general data and scantlings for those wishing to construct this boat traditionally of solid wood.

The plans packet for the 10′ 2″ Acorn Dinghy design contains: five sheets of drawings, lines, construction, full-sized patterns, lug and sloop rigs; materials list; construction notes for both modern and traditional methods; and a booklet illustrating the plywood building procedure for the Acorn boats. WoodenBoat Plan No. 88.

10′ 2″ Acorn Dinghy Design Details

DESCRIPTION
Hull type: Round-bottomed
Rig: Balanced lug or gunter sloop
Construction: Glued lapstrake plywood

PERFORMANCE
* Suitable for: Protected waters
* Intended capacity: 2-3
Trailerable: Cartop
Propulsion: Sail, oars, outboard
Speed (knots): 3

BUILDING DATA
Skill needed: Basic to intermediate
Lofting required: No
*Alternative construction: Traditional lapstrake

PLANS DATA
No. of sheets: 5 plus instruction booklet
Level of detail: Above average
Cost per set:
WoodenBoat Plan No. 88

Particulars

LOA:  10′ 2″
LWL:  9′ 10″
Beam:  4′ 2″
Draft:
– (db up)  6″
– (db down) 2′ 5″
Weight:  around 100 lbs
Sail area:
– Balanced lug:  48 sqft
– Gunter sloop:  65 sq ft

Completed Acorn Dinghy Images

A white rowboat sitting in grass in front of a red barn.

White Acorn Dinghy Puffin with oars stowed sitting on a sandy beach.

Resembling her 8′ cousin more than the sleeker 12′ Acorn, the chunky 10′ 2″ Acorn Dinghy will be a good load carrier for her length.

Two people ride aboard a white rowboat.