Drake, Clint Chase’s first, and one of his best looking (in my opinion) boats he's designed.
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| Clint Chase's Drake |
The sail area of the downwind sail (“Squgsail”) is 60 square feet (5.6 square meters). She is available in both kit and plans only form.
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| Drake Perspective View |
Length: 17' 4' (5.3 m)
Beam: 49.75" (1264 mm)
Water Line Length: 15' 3" (4.6 m)
Water Line Width: Estimated 30" (777 mm)
Estimated WLL/WLW Ratio: 6/0:1
Hull Speed: 5.2 knots, 9.6 kph, 6/0 mph
Drake has a full length shallow keel which enables her to be sailed on a beam reach… no centerboard nor leeboards necessary. The sail is truly auxiliary power to a pure rowing boat.
Though designed to be a fixed seat rower, the interior (see construction photo below) could be made to accommodate a sliding seat/rigger.
Clint designed her to “…take care of (the rower) in open water.” He has made many passages across Casco Bay in Maine which is notorious for rough conditions due to tides and winds.
Drake can certainly be used as an open oar cruiser, either sleeping on board (with one or two thwarts removable and sleeping platform added) or shore camping. However, to make an ‘oar cruiser’ as defined in this blog, I would add skin-on-frame decking, a shelter and floorboards to provide a sleeping platform.
As Clint states…
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| Drake Sailing Downwind |
Though designed to be a fixed seat rower, the interior (see construction photo below) could be made to accommodate a sliding seat/rigger.
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| Interior during Construction |
Clint designed her to “…take care of (the rower) in open water.” He has made many passages across Casco Bay in Maine which is notorious for rough conditions due to tides and winds.
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| Rowing in Whitecaps |
Drake can certainly be used as an open oar cruiser, either sleeping on board (with one or two thwarts removable and sleeping platform added) or shore camping. However, to make an ‘oar cruiser’ as defined in this blog, I would add skin-on-frame decking, a shelter and floorboards to provide a sleeping platform.
As Clint states…
“Drake was certainly inspired by a number of boats by reputable designers. But I wanted to go leaner and faster than the other traditional fixed-seat rowboat plans showed and I had already learned that a great rowboat must also be lightweight.”He’s accomplished his design requirements with a beautiful, fast boat that could be easily converted into a fully realized Oar Cruiser.
Summary-Pros:
- Drake's cruising speed is in the high range of all the Oar Cruisers.
- Proven seaworthiness.
- Roomy enough to enable moving around.
- With the recommended changes noted above, seaworthiness would be even higher…
- … and significant semi-protected storage would be added.
- Capable of being rowed with fixed seat (as designed) or sliding seat.
- Optional small sail (60 square feet, 5.6 square meters, included in plans) available (suitable only for downwind or broad reaches).
Summary-Cons:
- Heavy to cartop at 110 pounds, although boats this long can be cartopped by one person.
- Ends of the boat are high, resulting in adverse effects by crosswinds; estimated freeboard (with one person aboard) is 18" (457 mm) forward, 12" (305 mm) aft and 10" (254 mm) midships.
Beautiful design I have been considering for some time. Can anyone who has built from plans tell me how complete they are and are they clear and well illustrated for a first time builder?
ReplyDeleteChris, i can put you in touch with a couple customers if you'd like.
DeleteAlso wanted to add that I'm working on the 2nd generation kit. Hull will be largely the same but the kit and plans will be hugely updated. A couple folks have decided to wait. I anticipate being ready by years end.
DeleteThere is a plans build log on the WoodenBoat forum, Osbert Lancaster's "Selkie".
ReplyDeletehttp://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?178616-Drake-17-rowboat
If I did not already have a row cruiser I would build Drake.
Thanks, I saw that. I think Osbert is an experienced craftsman (he built a Walkabout first, after all, and everything I read indicates Welsford boats are intricate) and the problem is, I do not yet consider myself one so real step by step, well illustrated, minimal jargon building manuals would be comforting. I own many Michalak plans and they are ok but all text so you really need both his book and a well illustrated building blog to follow them. That is ok, but I would prefer a prettier set of lines if available.
DeleteI agree with Rick... If I had the room, Drake would be at the top of my list of other boats to build.
ReplyDeleteSounds good - I would be happy to see the new plans if they can be putchased separately.
ReplyDeleteChristopher, Clint sells plans independent of his kits. I assume he'll do the same with Drake version 2.
DeleteMeant "purchased", sorry
ReplyDeleteJust made and lost a long reply, so short now! I am that Osbert. Craftsman?! Epoxy and paint cover a multitude of sins. I could never build a clear finished boat.
ReplyDeleteDrake plans and support are excellent. She's a relatively simple boat to build and very few parts.
Go for it!
Hi Osbert... good to hear from you... Your Walkabout, and now your Drake are an inspiration to many!
ReplyDeleteDid you build Drake from plans or his kit?
I built Drake from plans. I made a few adaptations, in particular I used solid wood not ply for the frames, and I built buoyancy tanks for and aft. On reflection it might have been sensible to make these higher to provide a deck, but I wanted to stay minimal and keep the weight down, also looks! I'm going to make fabric spray deck for and aft for launching and landing in heavy seas.
ReplyDeleteHi Osbert... thanks for info... love to see photos of your Drake with fabric decks (driving through heavy surf(-:)... I'd like to put up a post of your boat on this site to include photos and your commentary, if you don't mind... Tom
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