Can We Make a 12' Oar Cruiser?

I think the answer is "Yes"...

Jim Michalak's Vireo is a 4-panel design (two side panels and two chine panels), a variation used in many of his boats. As designed, Vireo is made with 3 sheets of 1/4" (6 mm) plywood and some "sticks" for gunnels and other parts.

I've rowed Vireo many times, found it very stable, easy to row and surprisingly fast for a 12' boat. I was able to row her at a sustained speed of 3.5 mph (3 knots, 5.6 kph) and sprint to about 5 mph (4.3 knots, 8.0 kph). The "V" bottom makes the boat initially unstable, but then very stable when one of the bottom panels becomes more immersed. 

Overview of Vireo Plans

Specifications:

• Length: 12' (3.7 m)
• Beam: 45" (1143 mm)
• Weight: 60 pounds (27 kg)
• Water Line Length: 10' 6" (3.2 m)
• Water Line Width: 45" (1143 mm)
• WLL/WLW Ratio: 2.8:1
• Hull Speed: 4.3 knots, 8.0 kph, 5.0 mph

Vireo at Round Valley Reservoir, NJ

Conversion to an Oar Cruiser:

• Replace temporary frame at station #9 with a water-proof bulkhead 6" (152 mm) aft of station #9 to support the after deck. Add a water-proof bulkhead at station #3 to create a 6'6" (1981 mm) cockpit.
• Eliminate temporary frame #4.
• Add an after deck to be crowned about 2" (51 mm) and 2'6" (762 mm) long.
• Add fore-deck (also crowned) 4' (1219 mm) long.
• Add 6" (152 mm) side decks.
• Add a coaming 2 inch by 3/4 inch (51 mm by 19 mm), which, in turn, supports the removable outriggers.
• Oar locks are installed on short outriggers that hook over the coaming.
• Add appropriate large access hatches to the fore and aft water-proof compartments.
• Add cross-slatted floor boards to provide a flat sleeping area and anchors for the rowing seat and foot braces.
• Add two bows to support a shelter cover at night.
• Note that the only changes to the original planned construction are the movement of the two bulkheads. All else are additions.
• I'd estimate the weight of the completed Oar Cruiser to be approximately 100 pounds (45kg).

Pictured below is a scale model of the conversion described above, with 8' (2.4m) spoon blade oars.

Proposed Conversion of Vireo to an Oar Cruiser

Summary-Pros:

• Easily built.
• Fast for her length due to V-bottom and chines just above the load water line.
• Wide enough to be comfortable.
• Weather-proof storage and secure in rough weather, with changes as described.

Summary-Cons:

• Initial tenderness due to V-bottom.
• Top speed is low due to short waterline length

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I can picture rowing down Barnegat Bay (New Jersey) in the late fall after all the jet skis are put away... listening to the gulls and terns... a cold breeze keeping the perspiration at bay... anchoring at dusk... tucked into a shallow cove behind a sedge grass knoll... buttoning up the cover and settling down to a hot cup of coffee and meal of Dinty Moore beef stew... roll out the sleeping pad and bag... sweet dreams!