Building the Naskeag 16

This is a six-day class ending Saturday.

The Naskeag 16 is, in some respects, a modern version of Dudley Dix’s most popular design, the Argie 15. But the more modern hull has better performance potential, which opens up possibilities for a more versatile boat. The hull is double-chine, with horizontal centre panel to enhance planing, fine bow for wave penetration and broad clean stern for offwind speed. Foils are a pivoting centreboard and transom-hung rudder for beaching. On deck it has bow-to-stern sidedecks for comfortable seating, with watertight stowage under the sidedecks alongside the cockpit and open alongside the foredeck. The foredeck has watertight stowage under for stowing camping gear and provides a sunbathing area.

The basic boat is a family day-sailer that can accommodate a bunch of people together, rather than two or three taking turns while the others sit on shore and await their turn. It is also a good boat for raid and other long-distance dinghy sailing. The rig in this configuration is a modern fractional sloop with squaretop mainsail, reefable to reduce area when needed.

A step-up in performance comes with the Turbo version, which adds a retractable bowsprit, asymmetrical spinnaker and trapeze for the crew. For those who enjoy a more simple type of sailing, a free-standing lug sail rig will also be offered, with the mast stepped through the foredeck.

Construction uses an internal framework of 4mm plywood bulkheads and 6mm plywood backbone that is assembled on a simple set of 2×4 rails attached to saw horses. This is skinned with 4mm plywood hull panels with stitch-&-glue chines. Deck panels are 4mm plywood onto a system of stringers and edge supports. All surfaces are coated with epoxy, both inside and outside.

Overall, this design offers a versatile modern design that can be built by reasonably-skilled amateurs using normal hobbyist woodworking tools.