This boat is based on the lines of Toon2. It is lengthened to 18 feet while retaining original 5'-6" beam. The length will help make it a bit faster, able to handle a bit more load, and more stable, while not exceeding, hopefully, the limit of what I can physically handle to get to the water on short notice. Intent is to be able to go sailing after the drive home from work (across Lake Dardanelle), and seeing that the conditions are good, be able to trailer, rig and launch in as short a time as possible—maximize enjoyment.

frame layout

frames ready

The cabin is eliminated in favor of Michalak's enclosed volume forward (like Ladybug and Family Skiff). We just wanted an open boat. The Toon2-designed enclosed volume aft is retained. Seats are boxed in so you can not put feet under the seat across, but provides huge volume of buoyancy, and the back is fairly high and angled providing some support. Seats are a total of 8’ long, extending past central frame forward. She is comfortable to sit in.

lofting

horses level

I drew the sheer a bit higher at the bow. But the final sheer was not found until the gunwales were cut and clamped in place. Like R.D. Culler wrote about (Skiffs and Schooners), I stood as far back as I could and looked at the lines before marking and installing sheer. I added a nice curve to the bow profile that pleases me. An inner stem is embedded in epoxy and covered with glass cloth inside and out.

going 3D

gone

I drew an enlarged standing lug of 118 sq.ft. and ordered a kit from SailRite. Boom and yard are each 12' long, mast is 14'-10". A forward frame has a custom yoke made from laminated ply bolted atop, to which the mast is lashed. The lug is based on Bolger's standing lug from 101 Small Boat Rigs (No. 16 I think). I am working on a combination downhaul-cunningham to keep boom down and leading edge tight. Bolger writes about it in rig No. 40 (I think).

braced, straight & level

taping inside seams

Leeboard and rudder mounting positions and methods are retained. Board is a bit longer and wider as is the rudder blade, and have as good a shape and as smooth as can be managed with laminated ply, epoxy, glass and latex house paint.

first flip

upside down

So as I said, it is loosely based on Toon2, it is a VERY different boat. With the upsizing of the rig and weight of hull and capacity, bolts and leeboard guards were upsized to the size specified for Norm's boat.

priming bottom

first paint

Intent is to be able to row a bit and someday have a SMALL outboard on transom similar to Norms Boat. Eventually a tent for camping.

interior structure

cleaning up

The primary criteria: safe and self-recoverable, fast setup, repairable, family sized while fully capable of singlehanding, and good and handy sailer. The old Bolger June Bug was too wet, and too small for family. And doubt it would have been recoverable without outside help. Time will tell whether we have met the criteria.

stepping mast

Christening

And as Max reminded me, this is all for fun of course!

Yesterday afternoon, my wife and I took the open 18-footer out onto Lake Dardanelle. I did not have a wind speed indicator, but the lake had just the first indications of white caps. We had one reef, making the main about 90 sq.ft. (haven't measured). The combination downhaul/boom vang is working well keeping the standing lug flat enough to go to windward the expected 45-50 degrees. We will be cutting more lines to length now and found we need a few more cleats.

pushing out

underway

This was the first sail in a steady breeze with only two aboard, and my wife's first sail. Compared to the old June Bug, this boat has a Cadillac ride--of course it weighs about 3 times more, is 4 feet longer, >1.5 feet wider and has twice the plank height. My wife commented on how comfortable it was -- as she tensed and braced herself against her seat back.

the Luegs and grandson, Dean

in a drifter

We tried anchoring for a few minutes, but as yet to rig lazy jacks, I was reluctant to lower sail. She charged around her anchor terribly and had to give that up. I will try again and ensure the boards are up--don't remember their position.

on the sand

paddling out

The longer waterline length is paying off. The mile across the lake seemed to zip away while not requiring any extreme athletic prowess-- increased boat speed is very noticable. The June Bug would have been quite a WET and WILD adventure.

Phil Lea
Russellville, Arkansas