argie 15 sailboat

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Argie 15 by Dudley Dix

Plywood sailing dinghy.

URL: http://www.dixdesign.com/argie15.htm

Description:

• Attractive & versatile , Argie 15 offers fun for the whole family.
• Multi-purpose, can be rowed, motored or sailed, space for camp-cruising on lakes and rivers.
• Simple stitch and glue method, build with minimum of tools, no previous boatbuilding experience & little space.
• Step-by-step instructions included in plans.
• Ideal quality time project for Dad with Junior's help or practical winter project to fight off cabin fever.
• Build as a school project then use for training young sailors in the school sailing club.
• Built-in flotation compartments & simple sail plan make her great for learning to sail at any age.
• Drawings include optional full-length side seats.
• Optional full size paper patterns available.

The ARGIE 15 was designed to be a versatile family fun boat. Essentially a 3 in 1 dinghy, she can be rowed, sailed or powered by an outboard motor of up to 7,5kw output. She is more than the normal 3 in 1 dinghy in that it was considered from the start that she may be used as a camp cruiser. Most dinghies have no areas long enough for an adult to stretch out full length for sleeping but the ARGIE 15 has 1,9m of clear length, sufficient for most people. The addition of removable slatted floorboards to your boat will lift you out of any water lying in the bottom while sleeping. A canvas or plastic sheet over the boom and tied to eyes along the gunwhales will give protection from the elements. The result is a minimum cruiser for use on protected waters.

She has also been designed to make maximum use of the advantages of plywood to give a light and easily managed boat which is well within the capabilities of the average DIY enthusiast. The construction method used is stitch and glue which eliminates most of the framing normally used in boat construction and results in very light structural weight. The weight of a completed hull is approximately 60kg, making her suitable for car topping on extended roof racks. She will, however be more easily handled with a trailer.

By normal dinghy standards, the mast is robust and fairly heavy. This is because the sailing rig has been designed to be uncomplicated to set up and easy to control, using a minimum of fittings. The mast tube comes from one extrusion, cut in half so as to fit inside the hull for storage.

The whole concept of the ARGIE 15 is simplicity, both in construction and use. For those wanting to customise their boats to suit their own use, there are numerous possibilities. These include floor boards, customised tent, foot straps and extending the side seats right round the hull (these are not covered in the drawings). As drawn, she is about as much boat as can come from six sheets of plywood. The extension of the side seats will need an additional sheet and will limit the sleeping width a bit. However, the extra bouyancy which results will make for easier righting in the event of a capsize and make her more comfortable for sailing.

The ARGIE 15 is a good family construction project, with surprisingly good sailing performance and the ability to take a lumpy sea. It has also been built with thicker plywood to produce a robust little boat for small scale commercial fishing or working lobster traps.

If the Argie 15 is too large for you, look at the Dixi Dinghy and Argie 10 stitch and glue dinghies. If you are looking for a smaller yet more challenging project, see the Challenger 13 lapstrake dinghy.

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Description

Additional information.

~ Attractive & versatile , Argie 15 offers fun for the whole family. ~ Multi-purpose, can be rowed, motored or sailed, space for camp-cruising on lakes and rivers. ~ Simple stitch and glue method, build with minimum of tools, no previous boatbuilding experience & little space. ~ Step-by-step instructions included in plans. ~ Ideal quality time project for Dad with Junior's help or practical winter project to fight off cabin fever. ~ Build as a school project then use for training young sailors in the school sailing club. ~ Built-in flotation compartments & simple sail plan make her great for learning to sail at any age. ~ Drawings now include optional full-length side seats.

The ARGIE 15 was designed to be a versatile family fun boat. Essentially a 3 in 1 dinghy, she can be rowed, sailed or powered by an outboard motor of up to 7,5kw output. She is more than the normal 3 in 1 dinghy in that it was considered from the start that she may be used as a camp cruiser. Most dinghies have no areas long enough for an adult to stretch out full length for sleeping but the ARGIE 15 has 1,9m of clear length, sufficient for most people. The addition of removable slatted floorboards to your boat will lift you out of any water lying in the bottom while sleeping. A canvas or plastic sheet over the boom and tied to eyes along the gunwhales will give protection from the elements. The result is a minimum cruiser for use on protected waters.

She has also been designed to make maximum use of the advantages of plywood to give a light and easily managed boat which is well within the capabilities of the average DIY enthusiast. The construction method used is stitch and glue which eliminates most of the framing normally used in boat construction and results in very light structural weight. The weight of a completed hull is approximately 60kg, making her suitable for car topping on extended roof racks. She will, however be more easily handled with a trailer.

By normal dinghy standards, the mast is robust and fairly heavy. This is because the sailing rig has been designed to be uncomplicated to set up and easy to control, using a minimum of fittings. The mast tube comes from one extrusion, cut in half so as to fit inside the hull for storage.

The whole concept of the ARGIE 15 is simplicity, both in construction and use. For those wanting to customise their boats to suit their own use, there are numerous possibilities. These include floor boards, customised tent, foot straps and extending the side seats right round the hull (these are not covered in the drawings). As drawn, she is about as much boat as can come from six sheets of plywood. The extension of the side seats will need an additional sheet and will limit the sleeping width a bit. However, the extra buoyancy which results will make for easier righting in the event of a capsize and make her more comfortable for sailing.

The ARGIE 15 is a good family construction project, with surprisingly good sailing performance and the ability to take a lumpy sea. It has also been built with thicker plywood to produce a robust little boat for small scale commercial fishing or working lobster traps

Bill Of Materials

6mm [1/4"] Marine plywood Sheets 1220x2440mm [8'x4'] - 6 (or 8 with full-length side seats)

Meranti, Mahogany or similar 8x40mm [5/16"x1 1/2"] - 42m [138'] (sheer strakes) 15x30mm [3/8"x1 1/4"] - 1,5m [5'] (tiller) 19x75mm [3/4"x3"] - 10m [33'] (rudder blade, daggerboard) 20x20mm [3/4"x3/4"] - 40m [132'] (stringers, seat edges & stiffeners, cleats, access hatch battens) 20x140mm [3/4"x 5 1/2"] - 2,3m [8'] (transom board, outboard motor board, daggerboard case aft bracket) 30x30mm [1 1/4"x1 1/4"]- 7m [23'] (runners, mast partners) 30x100mm [1 1/4"x4"] - 2,3m [8'] (daggerboard case top braces, skeg, mast partners, mast step, bow knee)

Balcotan 100 glue - 1kg [2lb] 50mm [2"] Fibreglass tape - 65m [215'] Polyester general purpose resin - 3kg [7lb] MEK (hardener) - Solvent (for cleaning) - 2 litres [1/2 gal] Copper wire 1,5mm [1/16"] diam - 30m [100'] 20mm [3/4"] x No. 8 brass screws - 400 63,5mm [2 1/2"] O.D. x 3.18mm [1/8"] wall aluminium tube - 6m [20'] 50,8mm [2"] O.D. x 3,18mm [1/8"] wall aluminium tube - 2,3m [8'] Track to suit mainsail luff rope or slides - 4.9m [16'] 3mm [1/8"] 1x19 Stainless steel wire shrouds, 4.6m [15' 1"] eye to eye - 2 3mm [1/8"] 1x19 Stainless steel wire forestay, 4.5m [14' 9"] eye to eye - 1 NOTE:- Forestay is sewn into luff of jib. Paint and varnish to owner's colour scheme.

Plywood Sailing Dinghy

LOA 4.70m (15'5") Beam 1.83m (6'0") Draft 0.13/0.8m (5"/2'8") Sail Area 9.8sq.m (105sq.ft) Hull Weight 60kg (132lb)

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• Sailboat Guide

Argie 15 is a 15 ′ 5 ″ / 4.7 m monohull sailboat designed by Dudley Dix and built by from plans or kits starting in 1988.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

‘Built-it-yourself’, all purpose dinghy from South Africa.

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For Sale: Argie 15 Sailboat

After a two-year build and summer on the water, Roy Morford is selling his beautiful Argie 15.

Designed by Dudley Dix and is built with a hull of marine ply (supplied by West Wind) and lots of walnut and holly. She sails very well according to Roy and would be a good, stable family boat! Asking $7,500 which includes a new, unused set of oars, a custom made aluminum launch dolly and a new boat cover.

Contact Roy if interested.

Hi Roy, I was inspired and enjoyed watching your build on the wooden boats forum, and have just begun my Argie 15.. my first build. I hope you don’t mind me asking a question. Your rig is exactly what I have in mind. Is there anything that you would change such as the mast position or lenth, or size or cut of your sail? Thanks very much, Peter Koehorst.

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Dudley Dix Yacht Design

News about what is happening at Dudley Dix Yacht Design, from new designs to boat shows or anything else of interest to our followers.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Argie 15 - a boat with multiple personalities, no comments:, post a comment.

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Sailboats - Daysailers

The Argie 10 is a large open 3:1 sailing dinghy, which is large enough to be used a camp-cruiser. It is a bit large for car-topping, so should have a trailer. It is large enough to sail with 3 or 4 people, so is good for teaching sailing at clubs, scout camps etc. Construction is stitch and glue plywood. Hull weight 130lb.

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Building, restoration, and repair with epoxy

Shiloh, an Argie 15

by Craig Bousquet

I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I decided to build an Argie 15 boat. While not exactly a novice—I have owned a 21′ sailboat and am a tall-ship model builder—I’m not experienced in building sailing vessels.

After looking through various plans and decided on the Argie 15 from Dix Designs . This is a stitch and glue boat which looked easy to build, but also gave me a variety of options. I ordered the plans and started to acquire the materials needed to construct and assemble this boat.

The Argie 15 is designed to be rowed, sailed, or used with a small outboard motor. I lofted the lines from the plans and cut out the panels from marine-grade plywood. The Dix Design plans called for the joints to be butt fitted and covered with 2″-wide fiberglass tape and epoxy. I opted to scarf the joints to provide better strength in the panels (two side panels per side and one for the floor).

The first step was to align the floor panel and the two lower side panels and to drill the holes for the wire ties, or stitches, that would hold the panels in place. The next step was to do the same with the upper panels on each side. At this point, it actually looked like a boat.

The panels of the Argie 15 have been stitched and some seams fiberglassed.

Now the fun really started. The tasks turned to tightening all the stitches to close any gaps between the panels and checking for proper alignment and symmetry. As a novice in fiberglass techniques, I knew I was in for an experience, and boy was that correct. I began by laying the dry fiberglass on the inside seams using WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin and 205 Fast Hardener. The first batch worked correctly. But when I did the same seam on the opposite side I must have taken just a tad too long as the epoxy uncontrollably exothermed in the mixing cup. In both cases, it was about 70°F in my workspace. I’d used pumps to correctly meter the resin and hardener and it had cured within the time frame listed in the WEST SYSTEM User Manual & Product Guide .

I realized I needed to use 206 Slow Hardener instead to give myself more working time. This required me to make another trip to my local West Marine , where they now greet me by name—shades of Norm in Cheers.

The most important lesson learned on the first go-round: Don’t think you have more working time than what the WEST SYSTEM User Manual & Product Guide states; you really don’t. Now that I woke up and smelled the epoxy uncontrollably exotherming in the mixing cup, I knew that I had to move more quickly and have the strips of glass laid out and taped into position.

I finished epoxying the Argie 15’s seams on the inside, then turned the hull over and removed the stitches so they wouldn’t interfere with glassing the outside seams. I had great luck pulling the stitches all the way out from the outside without having to cut the fiberglass tape on the inside.

Glassing of the inside seams of the Argie 15.

I mixed more 105/206 and blended in 403 Microfiber filler to fill in gaps between the seams, and to flair off the edges of the side panels and floorboard. I epoxied a narrow layer of fiberglass on each outside seam and allowed it to fully cure. I then sanded the fiberglass and epoxied a second, wider fiberglass strip to each outside seam. The increased bonding area of the wider fiberglass improved the strength of the seam reinforcement. I turned the boat over and repeated this process on the inside.

The Dix Designs plan required me to stitch and glue the seat supports to the hull side panels. I didn’t agree with this and decided to fasten stiffeners to the seat supports, and then screw them into place. After all interior panels were in place and attached to the hull, I mixed a batch of epoxy with 405 Filleting Blend and used that to seal any small gaps and fillet the corners. I applied several coats of epoxy to all of the enclosed interior seat areas to seal the wood against moisture.

At this point the chill of winter had set in, and my garage is not heated so I stopped working on the project from November until the following April.

Upon the return of warmer temperatures, I sanded my previous epoxy coats to make them fair. I applied two layers of epoxy over the outside and inside of the hull to seal the wood. The epoxy was rolled on with a foam roller. The hull will be painted in the near future, but I was eager to get it into the water to start enjoying my work.

The Argie 15 after the epoxy was rolled on.

I recently started on the daggerboard and rudder and anticipate using G/flex Epoxy, as it is designed for constant shifting loads. Currently, I am rowing about four hours a week. The epoxy coat has held up very well, with boat launching and recovery every trip.

The instructions in the WEST SYSTEM User Manual & Product Guide were a great help. I called WEST SYSTEM Technical Support several times with technical questions and they were very accommodating. One of my mixing pumps came apart while dispensing the epoxy and the company sent me a set of new ones.

I named my boat Shiloh which means “peace.” When on the river it’s mostly silent and you can hear the birds and other delightful sounds of nature. Within the next year, the hull will be painted and the mast and sails will be in place, but for now, I have had great fun rowing up and down the Mohawk River in the Albany area of New York.