: Hey all: I'm a long time lurker, and a one time builder of a strip built
: Great Auk. Recently my thoughts have turned to strip building a small sail
: boat. After looking far and wide, the "Melonseed Skiff" has
: caught my eye. It's a beauty! There's a guy selling fiberglass
: reproductions at http://www.melonseed.com

: I just received a copy of plans from the Mystic Seaport museum, which include
: offsets. I also ordered the original Chappelle drawings (with offsets)
: from the Smithsonian, which I'm still waiting for.

: The offsets included with the Mystic plans are for 6 stations plus the
: transom, so 7 total. They are to be spaced 2 feet apart.

: My question: Will it be difficult to strip build with stations 2 feet apart?
: It seems an awfully big distance to keep the strips together without
: resorting to some sort of improvised system.

: I have no problem lofting from a set of offsets, which brings up question
: number 2: Is there anyway for me to calculate the offsets for additional,
: "in between" stations? I'm guessing I could probably do it with
: sophisticated hull design software, but is there any "back of the
: napkin" short cuts?

: Any advice would be appreciated!

: Thanks in advance,
: Charlie

Hey Charlie,
I too am a huge fan of the Melonseed boats. The Crawford boats are apparently wonderful, as they get rave reviews from the owners. His sail plan is a bit scaled up from the Chappelle plans and his is sprit boomed. Chappelle's drawing shows a more conventional boom, with the sail loose footed, I think, and not near as much sail area as Crawford's. Marc Barto has plans for a Melonseed,.... ply lapstrake. It has been done in strip by a few builders. His sail area is even larger (70 or 75 Sq. ft). He also offers a 16 foot version. Devlin boats offers a stitch and glue rendition of the 'seed called Zephyr.
Mac Mcarthy has built a few Melonseeds over the years (Mac, from Featherweight Canoes). He had mylar patterns at one time. I attempted to get copies of them, but they were stuck up in his shop somewhere. I dunno if he ever got them down and had them printed or not........might be worth a shot to ask. Pleas let me know if he did.....
I think that the 24" spacing would be OK. You'll be dealing with thicker strips (3/8 or 1/2 on the topsides, maybe even 3/4 on the bottom). You may have to take greater care in the fairing process, to keep from deflecting the hull between station molds. It may be that the software option for intermediate stations would be the shortcut, but it is possible to develop them by hand, as was mentioned in an earlier response.
Good luck in your project. Keep me informed! I've got Chappelle's book, with the offesets and keep intending to loft this little boat, but time has not permitted me to do it.......too busy fixing rowing shells for the local club.
;-( those boats break too easy!! Anyway, the Melonseed is one of the prettiest, and from what I hear, one of the more well behaved small sailing boat designs around..........
Garland