7′ 10″ Acorn Tender

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This sweet-lined tender is the smallest in Iain Oughtred’s design series of Acorn skiffs and din­ghies. She is sufficiently burdensome to be useful as a general-purpose shuttle from ship to shore; she is also handsome and light enough to be carried on deck or in davits aboard the mother yacht. And what is more, her overall length can be shortened to suit — from 7′ 10″ to 7′ 7″ or 7′ 5″, as needed and as per plans.

Line drawing and particulars for an Acorn tender.

Like other Oughtred design offerings, the Acorn ten­der may be built traditionally of solid lumber to heavier specifications. But the preferred and featured building method here is frameless, glued-seam, lapstrake plywood construction — an excellent system for amateurs in par­ticular, and an efficient procedure for lapstrake small craft in general. The dimensionally stable plywood allows boats to be kept ashore for long periods without dry­ing out, and the frameless interior makes maintenance easier.

Design plan drawing for an Acorn tender.

Consistent, too, with his other designs, Oughtred’s tender allows for multiple choices in other areas. This boat may be set up for sail with either a standing- or balanced-lug rig, a leeboard or daggerboard, and a fixed or pivoting rudder; or she can be outfitted for oars and outboard only.

Drawings for an Acorn tender design.

The Acorn 8 can be constructed without lofting, using standard sheets of marine plywood. She can be finished plain or fancy, according to taste and role requirements. There is no keen technical skill required, since all the necessary information from building the jig and con­structing the hull to the final fitting out, is contained in Oughtred’s packet of plans.

Overhead view of Acorn tender design drawing.

This Acorn Tender Design Plan packet consists of four sheets: lines, construction, sail, and full-sized patterns for plank lands and major parts. Included as well are detailed construction notes, a tools list and materials schedule, and a 14-page booklet illustrating the plywood building procedure. There are also recommendations and data regarding conventional construction. WoodenBoat Plan No. 87.

7′ 10″ Acorn Tender Design Plan Details

DESCRIPTION
Hull type: Round-bottomed
Rig: Standing lug sail
Construction: Glued lapstrake plywood

PERFORMANCE
Suitable for: Protected waters
Intended capacity: 1-3
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: 4 plus instruction booklet
Level of detail: Above average
Cost per set: $70.00
WB Plan No. 87

7′ 10″ Acorn Tender Completed Images

White wooden rowboat moored in the water.

Acorn tender on the water.

More Acorn Series Boats

Be sure to check out our profiles on the other Acorn boats by Iain Oughtred. Click the links to read more.

Acorn 13: A Jewel of a Boat

Acorn 17: Iain Oughtred’s Whitehall