Andre-Francois Bourbeau's Gorfnik

Gorfnik  is an 8' (2.4 m) cruiser that is primarily sail propelled and uses a 'stand-up' paddle as auxiliary power. She has been extensively cruised in a wide variety of waters (see the write-up in plans description referenced in "Plans:" below.) Andre-Francois used the PDR hull design and then added a 'cabin' and decking to enable cruising with sleep-aboard accommodations and sufficient storage to be totally self-sustaining for at least a week.

Gorfnik with Spars, Paddle and Anchor Stored. Leeboard in Raised Position.

Classic PDR Hull with Rudder Raised in Michael Storer-Style Holster

Birdseye View Without the Two Hatches of the Cabin Top

Cabin with the Designed Access Port to Side Storage Compartments

Plans:

Free plans are available on the PDRacer site.

Specifications:

• LOA: 8' 4" (2540 mm)
• Beam: 4' 2" (1270 mm)
• WLL: 7' 3" (2210 mm)
  
  
• WLW: 4' (1219 mm)
• Two side compartments full length of hull, full height of hull and 6" (152 mm) wide
• Freeboard: 13" (330 mm) to deck
  
  
• Sail: Sprit rigged, 66 Sq. Ft. (6.13 sq. m)
• Mast: 12' 6" (3810 mm)
• Sprit: 11' 6" (3505 mm)
  
  
• Boom: 8' 0" (2438 mm)
• Cabin top without hatches: 2' 5" by 2' 5" (737 mm by 737 mm)
• Headroom from sleeping platform: 36" (914 mm)
  
  
• Headroom from removable seat: 24" (610 mm)
• Fore Deck: 4' 0" by 3' 4" (1219 mm by 1016 mm)
• After Deck: 4' 0" by 1' 3" (1219 mm by 381 mm)
  
  
• Side Decks: 8" (203 mm)
• Rudder Blade: 3' 3" by 10" (991 mm by 254 mm)
• Paddle: 7' 9" (2362 mm)
  
  
• Leeboard (starboard side only) 3' 0" by 10 " (914 mm by 254 mm)
• WLL/WLW ratio: 1.8:1
• Hull speed: 3.6 knots, 6.7 kph, 4.0 mph
  
  

Possible Modifications:

• Make the side compartments 8" (203 mm) wide and make them open topped rather than accessible by a port. This would eliminate the 'flotation' that the closed compartments provide, but would provide significantly more accessible storage.
• Add oarlocks to the forward end of the sides of the cabin at the top (see example in Skow 244) in order to row standing up facing forward, eliminating the 'stand-up paddle'.
• I would make sure that the removable seat would be low enough and risers long enough that I could sit in both the aft end and the forward end of the cabin without hitting my head on the top hatches. This may require building the hatches with a greater arch than plans show.
• I would add skylights in the two top hatches so that I could see the sail when the hatches are closed.
  
  

Summary-Pros:

• A mini-cruiser that I can sleep, cook and eat in, protected from rain, without having to set up a temporary shelter.
• Capable of at least a week-long cruise.
• Can be sailed and rowed (with the modification).
• A full set of (free) plans that make it a straight-forward build.

Summary-Cons:

• Short WLL will keep speed low.