Paul Gartside is perhaps the premier designer of traditional wooden boats. He’d likely take exception to some aspects of the term “traditional”. He does have a varied catalog, but many of his creations could sit gracefully in any English harbor a century or two ago. His book, “Plans And Dreams, Vol. I” arrived for Christmas. Any of the 23 boats featured there can be built from the contents of these pages. Each write up tackles a different aspect of boat building while providing entertaining descriptions of the subject vessel. The approach is delightful and worthy of re-reads. One chapter focuses on design #166, the Centerboard Lugger. I ordered the $15 study plans, stared for several evenings and compiled a partial materials list. The construction method for the hull (cold-molded, strip planked or clinker ply) is up in the air. Not having tried c-m, that method holds interests me. By laminating 3 veneers over a mold, you end up with super strong plywood in the shape of a boat. The technology was a peacetime off-shoot from WWII airplane manufacturing (most notably the English DeHavilland Mosquito bomber).
Not wanting to short change Paul his due by using only the book, I ordered a full set of plans. I confess too to wanting the door open for questions along the way. As I’ve already asked several, the $360 cost may be slim compensation. Trained as an architect, I particularly appreciate his beautifully concise hand drawings. No information is repeated twice in the 7 sheets. This eliminates error and forces the builder to look at everything. I’ve discovered the drawings are quite expert and thorough.
So what’s next? Well, I bought lumber for all the spars. It has been milled to size and awaits for the darn rain to quit for scarfing (the main mast is 23′ long and doesn’t fit in the garage). The two masts and yard will be hollow birds mouth construction. The mizzen sprit, boomkin and main boom will be fabricated as solid spars.
It felt good to start this in earnest. Why am I doing it? Because. I’ll certainly keep UNA. There is overlap in the two boats’ purposes, but the Ducker will have to wait.
Lingering Lunacy 
How exciting!
I have a few questions!
Can you sit upright under the deck?
Is the cockpit self bailing?
Do you plan to have a lot of brightwork this time?
If I know you, it will be immaculate!
Hey Terry,
No, no and no. It will really be a slight tweaking of UNA. The added cuddy and, dare I say it, engine allow for some comfort and ground covering ability not in my Sooty. Honestly, I wanted to build something and #166 just kept hanging on. I really enjoy putting these things together. The fun is in the personalized details. This boat has more beam, but a longer waterline and almost twice the sail area (needed for the greater displacement). Stay tuned-
I’m new to the Middle Neck. I’m interested in building a boat, maybe a Welsford Pathfinder. Did you get your spar stock locally? If so, what lumber yard did you use? Thanks, Dave
Hey Dave,
I bought Douglas Fir from R.C. Goodwyn Lumber in Powhatan. Haven’t progressed much on spars, but weather is warming!
Hello, what a beautiful half model. I planned to build 6m Lugger a few years ago, but other project got in the way, and I started considering other design. Now I am back considering to build it. Hope you do it too, and I also Hope you make a thread on Wooden Boat Forum.
Regards Fred.
Thank you Fred. I’m aware of your WBF post regarding the 6M. I’ve not gotten much past staves for the spars. However, more recently I’ve considered getting on with it. What method of hull construction have you considered and why? – Eddie
Get on with it!!
Aye. Maybe, perhaps …
I just updated my Lugger 6m thread on WBF Eddie, and answer your question 🙂
Good. Replied there. Thanks Fred-