Halfling Stock Plans

STOCK PLANS

HALFLING

Our most popular do-it-yourself design, Halfling is a cute little sailing pram that breaks in half for nested storage. It is an ideal tender for a larger boat and great for putzing around the harbor. The construction plans are just US$20.00 (US$25.00 for overseas airmail).

Particulars

                                   LOA                              7’ 10”
                                   B                                    4’    0”
                                   D                                  6” to 2’ 0”
                                   Sail Area                      37.2 sq.ft.
                                   Weight                          about 70 lbs.
                                   Load capacity              800 lbs.
                                   Nested dimensions     48” x 54” x 20”

Halfling is a perfect building project for the do-it-yourselfer, requiring only general carpentry skills. The plan package includes the Sail Plan, Construction Plan, Lines Plan, and complete instructions. Also included is a Bill of Materials and the addresses of places where all materials and hardware can be purchased. The “References” section of the instructions contains a list of good boat building books for additional help. Halfling is simple and inexpensive to build because the entire boat and its building frame are made from just four sheets of plywood. Sorry, there are no full-size patterns with the plans, but the instructions give clear guidance on how all the parts are laid out onto the wood. Expect construction to take about 100 hours or less.

HALFLING goes to France!

One of our customers, Christian Cheviron, built Halfling at his home in Sommecaise, France, southeast of Paris, and he sent the following pictures:

RECENT NEWS FROM CHRISTIAN:

Christian wrote recently to offer a link to his website for more pictures of him building Halfling: http://polyfaire.free.fr/halfling/halfling-va.htm. He also offered some advice and experiences about Halfing's construction:

"For the building process I wonder if could warn the builders about the widths of the slots in the dagger trunk, the tiller and the clamps under the seat. If they do not pay attention to the dimensions the dagger board, the rudder and the clamps under the seat would not slide in or on. For the dagger trunk I added 1/4" during the building process, one plywood thickness. I still have to reduce the thickness of the upper part of the rudder which jams in the tiller jaws. Even if you lay three thicknesses of waxed paper under the seat and between the bulkheads and the clamps, it may occur that the fit is not smooth. Some reasons for this: you epoxy the plywood inside and outside - two coats each side, you paint them and/or the plywood is not perfectly flat. The solution could be to epoxy and paint the bulkheads before fitting the seat - if possible - and use one more thickness of waxed paper.

"I also did three conversions on the boat:

I glued a pad of plywood on the transom over the gudgeon bolts to avoid scratching the hands, the clothes.
I reclined forward the splashrail.
I screwed a home-made mahogany cleat (spared from another boat) on the deck, and I tied a rope on it. I use it both to wedge the mast in its hole (which is a little large) and for the mooring.
I built a two-piece Halfling to carry her in the boot of my car, but it was a mistake and my car is really too small. I think I will not try to take the two pieces apart any longer. I will carry Halfling on the roof rack."

We always love to receive letters from customers who enjoy building and using our designs. Please contact us by email, phone or fax for more information on this or other designs.