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Annabelle
A skiff for sailing and rowing
10' x 4'
3.04m x 1.22m
52 sq ft of sail area, utilizing a standing lug sail
The Annabelle Skiff is a unique skin-on-frame sailing dinghy based on a design by the legendary Howard Chapelle. I built her because I appreciated her classic lines . . . and also because she is just "right." No matter one's dreams of excursions with family and friends, the fact is that - by far - most people will end up sailing solo most of the time. Annabelle is a great sailboat that is also perfectly sized so that one person can easily transport, carry, rig and sail her with a minimum of fuss. And all that while still having plenty of room to take along a passenger or a pile of camping gear if desired.
It is also very true that the simplest boats get used the most . . . Annabelle's freestanding rig has only two lines - halyard and sheet - and she's ready to go in literally just a minute or two. And, at 63lbs {29kg} there is no need for a trailer, as she is ideal for car-topping, and easy for even a single person to carry down to the water.
Annabelle is a fast, responsive and fun sailboat, rows effortlessly, and is ideal for daysailing, exploration, exercise, fishing or even for use as a tender for a larger craft.
Maximum recommended capacity is 400lbs/182kg
New for 2016 - all plans also come with instructions on how to build a rowing-only version of the Annabelle Skiff. If you're not interested in sailing, she'll be even lighter and easier to build than the original!
High quality, inexpensive sails built specifically for the Annabelle Skiff can be purchased here: ReallySimpleSails
Sailing with the original spritsail rig
