12'10" Pooduck Skiff
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Join to view PDF Purchase 12'10" Pooduck Skiff PlansIt’s a pity that so many people seem to think a dinghy should be a tiny boat. A bigger boat will almost always be easier and faster to row, carry a bigger load, and be more seaworthy. Of course, this holds true for any small boat: bigger is usually better, up to a point. For most small-boat users, that point comes when two people can no longer lug the boat around.
Pooduck particulars.
Joel White’s Pooduck Skiff is a big little boat — about as large as two average people would want to carry on shore. As a big sister to the 11’2″ Shellback Dinghy, she has a lot of the same great qualities: excellent rowing and sailing ability, easy construction, and mannerly towing habits. But you’ll be surprised at how much bigger she is. At 12’10” LOA with 4’6″ beam, she’ll easily carry an extra person or two. And when the weather looks questionable, you’ll be glad for her extra size. Her scantlings are ruggedly reassuring as well — she’ll be able to take her share of knocks.
As befits her big-sister status, Pooduck sports a grownup rig: at the captain’s discretion, a jib can be added to her lug rig, to provide a little extra speed or just to keep the crew happily busy.
Construction profile (top), body plans (middle) and midship section (lower right).
The first-time builder can, with some effort, make a fine boat from these very complete plans. If a little extra guidance is desired, the 53-page monograph How to Build the Shellback Dinghy will prove almost as helpful for Pooduck as for her little sister.
General arrangement plan.
Plans for the Pooduck Skiff are printed on six sheets, including lines, construction, full-sized patterns for molds, stem and transom, and plank layouts. WB Plan No. 102, $75.00.
Plan 102
DESCRIPTION
Hull type: Multi-chine/lapstrake dory-skiff
Rig: Standing lug
Construction: Glued-lapstrake plywood
PERFORMANCE
* Suitable for: Protected waters
* Intended capacity: 1-4
Trailerable: Yes
Propulsion: Sail, oars
BUILDING DATA
Skill needed: Basic to intermediate
Lofting required: No
Helpful information: How to Build the Shellback Dinghy
Alternative construction: Traditional lapstrake
PLANS DATA
No. of sheets: 6
Level of detail: Above average
Cost per set: $75.00
WB Plan No. 102
Completed 12’10” Pooduck Skiff Images
Thomas GuertinWhile this skiff has a single rowing station, the plans call for a second station at the thwart that serves as the mast partners.
Pam PaysonWhen taking the helm, sitting on the bottom is the most convenient position. Floorboards make that a more comfortable option when some water gets aboard.
Where is the downhaul made off to?
I’d like to see WB offer this as a model kit in order to build and learn the skills required before approaching the real thing.
I’ll bet building the Shellback Dinghy model kit would suffice to learn the method and skills for the Pooduck. They recommend the Shellback book for the same purpose.
The same book is recommended as a reference for building the Nutshell Prams as well.
Some great video of a Pooduck Skiff in Australia.