Crescent: A 15 ft 6 in Family Daysailer Plan for Four
C. T. Allen's 15 ft 6 in vee-bottom centerboard daysailer for four adults, carrying 135 sq ft of sail.
Crescent is a daysailer with room for the whole crew. It is 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m) long with a 67 in (1.7 m) beam and carries four adults. The hull is 3/8 in exterior plywood over a wooden framework, with a vee bottom and a centerboard, and the rig spreads 135 sq ft (12.5 m²) of sail. That makes it lively enough to be fun yet roomy enough for friends. Fifteen sheets of plans give a clear, thorough path for an ambitious builder.
Crescent at a glance
| Detail | Crescent |
|---|---|
| Type | Sailboat |
| Length | 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m) |
| Beam | 67 in (1.7 m) |
| Capacity | 4 adults |
| Construction | 3/8 in. exterior plywood over wooden framework; vee bottom with centerboard |
| Power | Sail: 135 sq ft |
| Designer | C. T. Allen |
| First published | Boat Builder's Handbook, p. 84 |
| Craft Print | No. 278 |
| Plan sheets | 15 |
Room to sail together
Four adults is a lot for a small sailboat, and Crescent's 67 in beam makes it possible. The extra width gives stability when crew move around during tacks, so sailing feels social rather than cramped or nervous. There is space to bring a picnic, too, which turns a short sail into a proper afternoon out.
A vee bottom helps the hull slice through chop, and the centerboard lets it point upwind while still lifting for shallow launches. With 135 sq ft of sail, there is enough power for a spirited afternoon without overwhelming a family crew. Fifteen sheets of drawings mean very little is left to guesswork during the build.
The original plan sheets
These are the 15 original sheets, scanned from the magazine (the first 12 are shown here). For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
C. T. Allen drew Crescent for the Boat Builder's Handbook, where it appears on page 84 as Craft Print 278. Allen also designed the Tern scow and the Can't Sink rowboat in the same series.
Before you build
- Build the centerboard trunk first and test it for leaks before the bottom goes on.
- Reef or reduce sail when the breeze builds, as 135 sq ft is plenty for a crew learning together.
- Store the sails dry and the hull covered between outings to protect the plywood and cloth.
Download the plan
Fifteen original Crescent sheets in one file, ready to print at full size or open on a tablet in the workshop.
Download the complete plan (PDF, 15 sheets, 14.4 MB)
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