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12 Day Rd
Rockingham, WA, 6168
Australia

0423 284502

With over 20 years experience in wooden boat building and repair Tony O'Connor is pleased to discuss any aspect of Wooden boat construction mast and spar construction and repair as well as outfitting boats of all construction methods with boat owners in Perth Western Australia.

Tony is  also available to cut CNC parts to order for customers.

Tony is also delighted to be the Australian builder for Francois Viviers gaff yawl Jewell design and is the authorised  supplier of cnc kits for Jewell ,and will be happy to supply complete or partial  kits for other Vivier designs to  costumers requirements

 

Caravelle Skiff

Caravelle Skiff 
TANDEM ROW & SAIL | CARTOPPABLE

SPECIFICATIONS
Overall Length 14' 4"
Waterline Length   10' 10"
Beam   48 1/2"
Draft (board up/down)   5"/27"
Depth amidships   14 3/4"  
Bare hull weight 115 lbs

The Caravelle Skiff shares many features with her smaller sibling, the Echo Bay Dory Skiff.  The design brief for the Caravelle was to preserve the lightness and convenience of the Echo Bay in a boat suitable for tandem rowing.  Weighing only 115lbs, the Caravelle can be transported on top of a car, greatly increasing the territory to be explored.  Intended primarily as a fast rowing skiff, a number of Caravelles have been built with just rowing in mind.  Her profile has been carefully drawn with a partially submerged stem to prevent pounding and maximize waterline length, and a transom just clear of the water, allowing for high efficiency under oars. 
The Caravelle is a sprightly sailor.  Initially more stable than a dory, her flared sides generate tremendous stability under a press of sail, and the profile of the bow ensures that she cuts through the water without pounding.  When off the wind, the Caravelle’s longer waterline and flat bottom allow for a surprising turn of speed.  Flotation tanks fore and aft ensure peace of mind in rough weather. 

Construction of the Caravelle Skiff closely resembles the Echo Bay: 6 mm Okoume plywood bent over stem, frames, and transom. No strongback is needed, simplifying the building process and saving time.  Where the sides meet the bottom, a wood chine runs the length of the boat, eliminating the often messy and tedious task of filleting and fiberglassing in this area.  The frames in the kit version of the Caravelle come with tabs that fit into slots in the side panels, ensuring perfect alignment with the bottom – a welcomed convenience when building without a strongback. The only fiberglass necessary is 2 inch glass tape on the exterior of the chines, to seal and protect the joint.  Construction time takes about 150 hrs. 

With her excellent rowing performance, natural sailing ability, and ease of transport, the Caravelle Skiff represents the perfect combination of  performance and practicality! 

Under a press of sail, the skiff is as fun as it is under oars. She cuts through the water with hardly any sound from the bow except for the bow wave.