Bebop: A Free 1958 Kids' Outboard Runabout Plan, 8 ft
An 8 ft 1958 runabout for three children, plywood over a sawn frame with a fiberglass bottom and a 10 mph top speed.
Bebop is a runabout scaled down for the youngest skippers. Drawn in 1958, it measures 8 ft (2.44 m) with a 48 in (1.22 m) beam and carries three children. The hull is 1/4 in fir exterior plywood over a sawn frame, finished with a fiberglass bottom for toughness. Power comes from a small 1 1/2–3 1/2 hp outboard, and the plan caps speed at 10 mph. It is a sweet first motorboat for kids learning to drive under a watchful eye.
Bebop at a glance
| Detail | Bebop |
|---|---|
| Type | Outboard runabout |
| Length | 8 ft (2.44 m) |
| Beam | 48 in (1.22 m) |
| Capacity | 3 children |
| Construction | 1/4 in. fir exterior plywood over a sawn frame; fiberglass bottom |
| Power | 1 1/2–3 1/2 hp outboard; 10 mph maximum |
| Designer | William D. Jackson |
| First published | Boat Builder's Handbook, Volume 8, 1958, p. 44 |
| Craft Print | No. 276 |
| Plan sheets | 7 |
A real boat for young skippers
Children love a boat that feels like their own, and Bebop gives them exactly that with a proper runabout look in a compact size. The 10 mph maximum keeps things exciting without being dangerous, especially on a quiet lake or a cove. Three children fit aboard, so siblings can share the fun while a parent watches from the dock.
A fiberglass bottom protects the thin plywood where it matters most, so dragging the boat up a beach or bumping a dock does little harm. The light build means adults can carry it easily, and the small outboard is simple for a child to learn on.
The original plan sheets
These are the 7 original sheets from 1958, scanned from the magazine. For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
William D. Jackson designed Bebop for the Boat Builder's Handbook, Volume 8, published in 1958, page 44, as Craft Print 276. Jackson drew many small runabouts for the series, and this one is clearly aimed at young families.
Before you build
- Respect the 1 1/2–3 1/2 hp limit on the plan; a bigger motor would push an 8 ft hull past safe speeds.
- Add flotation under the seats and have every child wear a life jacket whenever the motor runs.
- Use the plan's 10 mph maximum as the rule, and keep young drivers in sheltered water close to shore.
Download the plan
The complete 1958 Bebop plan in one file: all seven sheets, ready to print or open on a tablet in the workshop.
Download the complete plan (PDF, 7 sheets, 5.2 MB)
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