At Denman Marine we custom build wooden boats to meet our clients requirements and
we have found many of our clients choose smaller day sailers. So why are the smaller boats so popular?
A day sailer has many advantages;
- smaller size and easier handling either solo or for a couple
- no marina fees or mooring costs
- lower costs in both maintenance and startup
-
no requirement for a large crew
- no lying in bed at night wondering how the boat is going when the wind
is howling
- easy to trail to remote destinations like the Whitsundays
Some of our clients have
downsized from larger cruising boats and have found that they have re-discovered the joy of just going for a low hassle sail
when they want to. Others are keen sailors but are very time poor and find the attraction is in having a boat that
is easy to use but can be stored away until that next perfect afternoon.
If you are interested in a day sailer
and you have a design already that you would like built then we are more than happy to discuss your project with you. If
you need some assistance in finding a suitable design then we can help you match a suitable design to your requirements.
Amongst
the day sailers have we have built a few have proved quite popular. Lets have a look at some here.
First
is the beautiful Caledonia Yawl.
Iain Oughtred designed caledonia yawl "Skye" on sea trials
The Caledonia Yawl, designed by Iain Oughtred, is a large, versatile, and eye-catching double
ender with a breathtaking sheer.Based on an inshore fishing boat from the Shetland Islands, this 19'9"
double-ended, lapstrake hull pays homage to her notable Viking ancestry (featured in WoodenBoat
183-185). This modern version is built with epoxy-glued marine plywood, and is quick, maneuverable, easy to trailer,
and requires low maintenance. Her simple traditional rig belies a wonderful, seaworthy craft whose performance routinely dazzles
observers.It is an extremely easy boat to sail and is easily sailed one up.The
custom trailer is designed for easy single handed launch and retrieve.The boat is ideally suited
to day sailing and beach/camp cruising for up to 6 adults.
This particular vessel is the new 7 strake decked version of the Caledonia yawl with the
addition of side bench lockers for storage and extra buoyancy.
Interior of Caledonia Yawl showing side benches and foredeck anchor well hatch
Foredeck detail showing removable anchor well and cast gunmetal fittings
another of our CY's - Eowyn launched in 2011
CY Eowyn - interior
Caledonia Yawl "Eowyn" on launch day
capsize testing the Caledonia Yawl
Caledonia yawl "Eowyn" sailing beautifully
BayRaider 20 and Caledonia Yawl sailing together
foredeck detail on the caledonia yawl "Eowyn"
Happy new owner at the helm
Tha Caledonia Yawl sails beautifully. Below is a video we made of one of
the Caledonia Yawls "Skye" on her launch day. You can watch the video in high quality by clicking the "HQ"
tab on the lower right hand side of the screen.
Caledonia
Yawl Information
Designer-Iain Oughtred
Construction-Glued Lapstrake (clinker) with centerboard and pivoting rudder L.O.A-19’9” Beam-6’4” Rig Options-Lug Yawl (Balanced lug main and bermudan mizzen), Lug Sloop,Gunter Yawl andGunter Sloop Engine-2hp Honda 4 stroke.This engine has enough power to pushthe boat just over 5kts in
flat water at 2/3 throttle.The motor is also lightweight (just over 12kg) and is air cooled removing
the need to flush the engine cooling system after use.
We have probably built more Caledonia Yawls than any other
business in Australia so if you would like to have one of these beautiful boats built give us a call.
Tirrik - another Oughtred double ender
One of our Tirriks "Lychee' sailing in Victoria
Tirrik at 16'10" overall is a smaller boat all round than the Caledonia Yawl but is still a great
daysailer for a couple or a single hander. The standard rig is the balanced lug which is an easy to use in a wide variety
of conditions. A gunter sloop is another rig choice and we have also built a gunter yawl.
Tirrik side bench seating option
Tirrik plank bench seating option
When we took 'Lychee" out for her launch we had a number
of cameras with us and all of them bar our small digital still did not want to work that morning. So in the end we only have
a small clip taken from out still camera of the Tirrik under sail which you can see below.
Tirrik Information
Designer-Iain Oughtred
Construction-Glued Lapstrake (clinker) with centerboard and pivoting rudder L.O.A- 16’10” Beam- 5’4” Rig Options-Lug Sloop,Gunter Yawl andGunter Sloop Engine - 2hp Honda 4 stroke.This engine has enough power to pushthe boat just over 5kts in flat water at 2/3 throttle.The motor is also lightweight (just over 12kg) and is air cooled removing the need to flush the engine cooling
system after use. Although both of our Tirriks had an engine, it is probably not really required on this boat.
If you would like any fruther information on the Tirrik please give us a call or email
Gartside 10' clinker dinghy
Garside 10 clinker dinghy "Selkie"
We have built several of these boats over the last few years and they are very popular. They are
built using traditional clinker construction methods and are normally planked in Huon and King Billy pine with a Celery Top
pine backbone and frames. The fit out features grown Huon knees and breasthook and King Billy pine thwarts and
is just stunning.
The boats row and sail beautifully and are a great one for pottering through shallow bays,
rivers and inlets.
The picture below right is of "Selkie" on location at Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain,
Tasmania for the shooting of the FFA's advertisement for the 2018 Soccer World Cup. The advertisment was made by
Zoom Film and Television and you can view it at the bottom of our services page.
Hand crafted with care
Gartside 10 dingy at Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain Tasmania
Below is a video we made of one of the Gartside 10 dinghies - "Selkie"
on her launch day. It was blowing quite hard in the end for little boat but she handled it well.
Shellback Dinghy
The Shellback is
a lovely smaller day boat designed by Joel White. These boats perform
very well under oars or sail (a small lug rig) and are perfect for getting out on the water for both older and younger sailors
alike.
Construction is clinker/lapstrake
ply with laminated celery top pine backbone and huon pine fitout.
This boat is a little different from
the plans in that she has built in buoyancy tanks, teak bottom boards and huon pine transom and rudder.
The
boat comes fully finished with painted hull, oiled brightwork, easy to use lugsail (in classic cream, white or tan bark) and
custom oars. We recently built and shipped one of these delightful boats to a client in Noosa (QLD) who wanted a sail and
oar boat for use on the canals behind his home.
If you would like further information on the Shellback please
call or email.
Shellback Dinghy "Seahorse" on launch day
Shellback Dinghy -easy and fun to sail
Shellback dinghy - great for rowing
Shellback dinghy - packing for delivery to Queensland
Denman Marine specialises in custom wooden
boat building and repair.We utilise both traditional methods such as carvel or clinker and modern methods
such as strip planking, cold molding or clinker plywood.
We
can custom build to any design - for example those by Iain Oughtred, David Payne, Paul Gartside, John Welsford, Mark Bowdidge,
Francois Vivier, Atkin , Bolger B&B etc.
We are
sole Australian agents for Swallow Boats including the BayRaider and also the Australian importer and re-seller of the world
renowned Bruynzeel BS1088 Gaboon Marine Plywood ( Lloyds certified).
