Older members will be aware of these two cruising dinghies. They were designed by Eric Coleman who was responsible for the ideas that finally resulted in the birth of the DCA.

We have prepared reduced copies of the both sets of plans to allow economical reproduction of the drawings for anyone who is interested in studying them. A set of these study plans together with materials list is available from the Technical Advisor. The proper plans includes full instructions for building, which can be followed easily, even if you have not built a boat before; in fact if there is a criticism it is that it is normally easier for an amateur to build from these instructions than a professional who would be used to deciding his own procedure. The following is a brief description of each design.

ROAMER

LOA 14’0” LWL 13’3” Beam 5’10” Draft 3’5”/9”

Sail areas — sq ft main 67 genoa 48 jib 29 storm jib 12

Trailing weight 560lbs

Ballast 56lbs + 80lbs c/b

The primary aim of the design is to stay upright as shown by the stability test where 24 stone stood on the sidedeck (centreplate up). In addition to this stability, the boat will right herself when heeled over beyond 110 degrees from the vertical. Essentially she is designed to look after the crew when they make mistakes in handling her.

The underwater lines of the Roamer are related to the fastest racing dinghies and it takes a racing dinghy to get the better of her. For sailing in shallow water the plate can be fully raised with negligible change in handling characteristics. Liveliness of handling is deliberately restrained so that the crew can make long passages without exhaustion. For day sailing there is plenty of room for four and the forward compartment can be used as a mini-cabin for children if it rains. The stability allows the crew to sit in the boat if they wish.

The layout for cruising shows that there is ample space for gear in watertight compartments and below the bottom boards. The aft section of the side benches are removable for sleeping aboard and one of them fits across the boat forward for use as a rowing thwart. When the awning is set, the oars are stowed as shown to push out the sides and give more room. There is no need to lower the mast when anchored in gale force winds.

If an outboard (long shaft) is carried, it can be stowed on the aft deck. If you intend to cruise in Roamer, try the boat out before buying an outboard. You will probably find that it is not required. Construction is orthodox plywood with special emphasis on avoiding skill. Hull is thicker than usual at 5/16” to stand rough treatment. Building instructions and plans leave the builder nothing to work out for himself. All the parts are fully listed together with suppliers’ addresses.

REBELL

LOA 17”1” LWL 16’0” Beam 6’5” Draft 4’4”/10”

Sail areas — sq ft main 71 genoa 80 jib 48 storm jib 21 spinnaker 189

Trailing wt 1000 lbs

Ballast 37 lbs + 123 lbs on tip of c/b

1—Bow stowage 2—Anchor stowage 3—Galley 4—Lockers 5—Clothes stowage 6—Buoyancy bag 7—Stowage under bridge deck 8—Permanent hood/canvas cabin 9—Lockers 10—Outboard stowage 11—Tender stowage 12—Large locker with watertight hatch

The Rebell was designed to encourage family dinghy cruising. The versatility and performance of a dinghy are retained but the facilities and protection of a yacht are added. A rubber dinghy can be carried in the stern.

The layout consists of a stowage shelf and stowage for the anchor in the bow. Aft of this the cabin has two 6’ 3” quarter berths with stowage under, flushing toilet under the forehatch and galley. The cabin floor is unobstructed. The cockpit can be covered by a canvas cabin, set on hoops, stowed against the aft side of forecabin, permanently attached to it. Side seats extend to form 6’ 6” berths with large lockers below. Aft is an open locker for the outboard. Stowage under the bottom boards for another anchor and under sidedecks for air beds, oars etc.

The partly deflated rubber dinghy can be stowed on the sunken deck aft, with large watertight locker below. The crew can sit in the boat or on sidedecks to give greater sail carrying power. This boat has great ability to get to windward in a seaway. Off the wind she will plane if desired. The masthead rig enables a large spinnaker to be carried.

A shortened version of keel and deadwood is incorporated to give steadiness on the helm. Halyards can be reached from the cockpit as in open boats, or from the forehatch in the top of the cuddy. Rebell is designed for pottering off the beaten track. With no keels to bite into the mud when going aground she can be floated off within five minutes. She will tack to windward in shallow water with the plate up. Although the hull is 5/16” ply, waterline and below are strengthened by veneers to give a total thickness of 7/16”. All internal construction including c/b case is finished and faired before the skin is fitted. This ensures all bulkheads are watertight. The instructions and drawings are written on the assumption that the builder can handle tools but cannot work fast.

ROAMER 14 feet and REBELL 17 feet CRUISING DINGHIES

The following are available:-

ROAMER Study plans at reduced scale together with a list of timber required £3.00 ROAMER Large scale plans together with very detailed instructions, timber cutting and fittings list £30.00

REBELL Study plans at reduced scale together with a list of timber required £4.00 REBELL Large scale plans together with very detailed instructions, timber cutting and fittings list £45.00

The prices include postage and packing. Enclose cheque payable to ‘Dinghy Cruising Association’ when ordering from the Technical Advisor:

Peter Bick — 3 Ashley Close, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3AP

ROAMER Drawings and instructions for ‘stitch and tape’ method £15.00

from:- Selway Fisher Design, 15 King Street, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6HB tel. 0225 705074

You will still need the full plans of Roamer as well, to be able to build.