22′ 2″ Cruising Sloop, Grey Seal

22' 2" Cruising Sloop, Grey Seal

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This trailerable cruiser, drawn by Iain Oughtred, shows a subtle blend of Scandinavian characteristics. The strong sheer and very buoyant hull of the faering are combined with the low cabin of larger boats, such as the Tumlare and Cohoe. Rather than being a smaller version of these cruisers, this 22-footer is more what faering builders might produce if they wanted cruising accom­modations.

Designer Iain Oughtred as drawn several options for Grey Seal: a jib-headed mainsail, a gunter mainsail, a full-keel hull, and a keel-centerboard hull.

Originally, Iain designed the keel/ centerboard model to allow for easier trailering and broadened cruising grounds. But, realizing that many builders will prefer a deeper boat, he added the full-keeled version. Much to our pleasure, it looks rather like a small double-ended Folkboat.

The construction is suitable for amateur builders with some experience-or considerable patience and deter­mination. Building techniques are essentially the same as for Iain’s Acorn skiffs (the Acorn 13 and the Acorn 17): epoxy-glued plywood planks on laminated frames and backbone. With proper care, these boats should last a long time.

Grey Seal’s glued plywood-lapstrake hull construction is clean, light, strong, and quite elegant.

Three basic layouts are shown, and combinations or variations of these are quite possible. A crew of two adults is ideal-two adults and two children represent, we think, the reasonable maximum.

The Grey Seal design drawings (12 sheets) show details of deep­-keeled and shoal-draft versions, and two rig options ­gunter and jib-headed. Construction is well detailed, and Iain includes the critically important plank layout for the builder. Several construction elements are shown full scale. Owing to possible variations, interior joinery and engine installation are not drawn with great detail.

Line drawing for the keel-centerboard hull option.

Grey Seal is a light, truly trailerable, cruiser. Although she goes together in contemporary fashion, she displays strong traditional character. WoodenBoat Plan No. 91 $275.00

Grey Seal arrangement and layout drawing.

22′2″ Grey Seal Design Plan Details

DESCRIPTION
Hull type: Round-bottomed, outside-ballasted keel or keel/cb boat
Rig: Bermudian or gunter-rigged sloop
Construction: Lapstrake plywood over laminated frames
Headroom/cabin (between beams): About 4′6″

PERFORMANCE
Suitable for: Somewhat protected waters (cb boat), open ocean (keelboat)
Intended capacity: 2-5 daysailing, 2-4 cruising
Trailerable: Yes
Propulsion: w/auxiliary inboard
Speed (knots): 3-5

BUILDING DATA
Skill needed: Intermediate to advanced
Lofting required: Yes
Alternative construction: Traditional plank on frame, strip, cold-molded

PLANS DATA
No. of sheets: 12
Level of detail: Above average
Cost per set: $215.00
WB Plan No. 91

Grey Seal Completed Images

Photo by Geoff Kerr

Grey Seal is a comfortable pocket cruiser. Her double-ended shape, strong sheer, and lapstrake planking hearken to her Scandinavian influence. Glued lapstrake construction makes her accessible to the home builder.

Photo by Geoff Kerr

House sides flow forward, past the cabin. Looking aft, the coaming also flows beyond its border. These extensions provide good toeholds, and their varnished surfaces lead the eye to a thoughtful interplay between painted surfaces, which contribute to WATERDOG’s stunning profile. A bright toerail completes the picture.