Panama Skiff

We arrived in Panama just in time (1979) that I could buy a few sheets of marine 1/4' plywood before the Panama Canal Company went out of business. No trailers or launch ramps available; shallow coral reefs off all the beaches, but beautiful deserted coves to visit with (by now) an entire family. Thus, I designed a little yellow skiff, 4' (40" waterline beam) by 15 1/2 ', with a daggerboard, rudder and sprit sail. I was able to get Sailrite sail cloth and WEST epoxy through the mail. Again, I calculated the length of the chine, sheer, and sheathing panels and all offsets so that the parts went together smoothly without having to use a strongback. The only drawings I used were just sketches for visualization. I had estimated the hull rocker correctly in design, so the boat performed nicely. We went picnicking, snorkeling, fishing and just exploring. It was light enough that we could cartop the boat on our Toyota wagon to bays along the Atlantic coast.  This boat was a great success.  I sold it when we left Panama.

We sailed it on Lake Gatun and in the ocean.  Once, when sailing on Lake Gatun by myself, a gust of wind broke the mast, and I had to row for a mile or more to get to the nearest landing.  Another time my wife suggested that we sail our little yellow skiff down the coast to a new beach.  Once we got out in the open ocean, I decided that this boat was not built for stresses imparted by such large waves, and we turned back, but the boat did not fail us.