11′ 6″ Guillemot

11′ 6″ Guillemot

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The 11′ 6″ Guillemot design (pronounced gilly-mot) is a shorter cousin to the 15′ 2″ Tammie Norrie. Designer Iain Oughtred drew this robust little boat along the lines of a nineteenth-century ship’s boat or large yacht tender. He tells us, “She floats on her designed waterline with three adults aboard, and can carry a load of gear as well…. Two [adults] plus two children might be a comfortable maximum for pottering about.”

This hull shows a slight hollow at the forefoot. The lines then flow smoothly through particularly firm bilges in the mid-section. Finally they sweep up easily to a nice wineglass transom. This is a burdensome yet shapely hull. Compared to many dinghies, Guillemot has flatter floors, firmer bilges, and more carrying capacity. The designer explains that, while she might not prove so fast as some other tenders, this boat will be “a lot steadier in the water and less flighty.” He notes that she will perform well whether rowing or sailing, and “can happily take a light outboard motor as well.”

Guillemot’s drawings include three sail plans: a standing lug, a balance lug, and a sloop. The boomless standing lug will be the simplest to build and to set up. It might be considered as auxiliary propulsion for a boat that will be driven primarily by oars.

The balance lug offers fine all-around performance and more precise control of sail set. You can vary the amount of twist in the sail by adjusting where the boom and yard secure to mast. Farther aft along the boom and farther up the yard will result in less twist. In light air you can ease up on the main downhaul, which will give fuller shape to the sail. When it breezes on, tighten the downhaul. The resulting “flatter” sail will make for a safer and better handling boat.

The more complex sloop rig might be a good choice for builders who plan to set aside oar and outboard in favor of sailing exclusively.

Guillemot’s hull will go together in glued-lapstrake fashion with high-quality plywood strakes and epoxy. The well-detailed six-sheet plans set includes full-sized patterns for the stem and all molds. For builders who prefer working with solid cedar strakes and bent-oak frames, the designer includes specifications for traditional lapstrake construction.

When drawing this good little boat, Oughtred successfully combined robust stability and pleasant appearance in a small package. Guillemot will earn her keep along most any waterfront.

Read our Guillemot profile for more on the history of this design. 

11′ 6″ Guillemot Design Details

DESCRIPTION
Hull type: Round-bottomed, transom-sterned
Rig: Balance lug, standing lug, or sloop
Construction: Glued lapstrake plywood

PERFORMANCE
Suitable for protected waters
Intended capacity: 1-3
Trailerable
Propulsion: Sail, oars

BUILDING DATA
Skill needed: Basic to Intermediate
Lofting required: No

PLANS DATA
No. of sheets: 6
Supplemental information: 17 pages
Level of Detail: Above average
Plans Format: Print
Cost per set: $168
Related Publications:
–Clinker Plywood Boatbuilding Manual
–How to Build Glued-Lapstrake Wooden Boats

Particulars

LOA: 11′ 6″
Beam: 4′ 5″
Draft:
–(cb up) 7″
–(cb down) 2′ 8″
Weight about 140 lbs
Sail area:
–balanced lug 64 sq ft
–standing lug 55 sq ft
–sloop 72 sq ft

Completed Guillemot Images

The mast for the gunter sloop rig is supported by shrouds and a forestay, not a mast partner.

The sloop rig here carries 72 sq ft of sail. The plans include options for single sails: a balanced lug rig, with boom, carrying 64 sq ft of sail; and a standing lug, loose footed, carrying 55 sq ft.