: I am looking for plans for a small strip built sailboat, similar to a
: melonseed (sneakbox type, about 14 - 16 feet long). Does anyone know of a
: source for plans, layup schedules, etc.? My kayak is done, I'm going
: through wood dust withdrawal, and my garage is feeling lonely. Any
: suggestions?

Hey Bruce,
Henry "Mac" Macarthy has built some melonseeds in cedar strip over the years. He has some patterns for the molds, which were taken directly from the Chappelle offsets for the New Jersey Melonseed skiff. these offsets are found in Chappelle's "American Small Sailing Craft". I have inquired about the patterns from Mac, but he does not currently have any printed plans, and he has not located his mylars to get some made from. Give him a shout........maybe between the two of us bugging him, he'll get some patterns printed. He has some suggestions on 'glass layup in his book Featherweight Boatbuilding, for the melonseed www.feathercanoes.com . The melonseed is a great looking boat.......one of the prettiest small boats around. I have the Chappelle book, and maybe someday I'll get around to lofting the mold shapes. Since the bottom is flat, you could use 1/2" strips there and maybe 3/8" for the topsides, with overlapping 'glass on the bottom.
If you are intersted in alternative building methods, have a look at the Marc Barto Melonseed Skiffs. They are glued lapstrake plywood. He has a 14 and a 16 foot version, available from WoodenBoat Magazine. Also, Devlin Designs has a stitch and glue version of the Melonseed, called the Zephyr......looks very nice, though I've not seen any actual pictures of the boat www.devlinboat.com Sam Devlin builds strong beautiful boats using stitch and glue ply methods. Have a look at his Winter Wren and the Nancy's China, or the Means of Grace. These aren't what you're looking for, but worth a look..... It sheds new light on stitch and glue!
John Holtrop has plan for a 16 foot dayboat built in cedar strip. It is like a big Laser......looks like a fun boat.
Selway fisher has some Peapod type double ended designs that are very nice. They sort of remind me of a Delaware Ducker type boat. They also have some very nice canoe yawls that can be built in a variety of methods, cedar strip being one. check out the Casco Bay 16. www.selway-fisher.com
send Mac an email about the melonseed patterns......let me know what you find out. good luck
garland

BTW......if you want to have a look at some really nice strip builts that are more modern in design, have a look at www.nwmarinedesign.com The NS 14 look like a blast and the northeast 21 is the ultimate daysailer....someday.....