Sailing Surfboard: A Free 1954 Plan for a Plywood Sail Board
Hi Sibley's 1954 plywood sailing surfboard is 12 ft 3 in long with a 10 oz duck sail on an 8 ft 6 in mast.
Long before windsurfing caught on, home builders were putting sails on boards. Hi Sibley's version is a 12 ft 3 in (3.7 m) plywood hull just 23 3/4 in (0.6 m) wide, carrying a 10 oz duck sail on an 8 ft 6 in (2.6 m) mast. It is light, simple and great fun in a moderate breeze. A three-sheet plan keeps it one of the quicker projects here.
Sailing Surfboard at a glance
| Detail | Sailing Surfboard |
|---|---|
| Type | Sailing surfboard |
| Length | 12 ft 3 in (3.73 m) |
| Beam | 23 3/4 in (0.6 m) |
| Construction | Plywood hull; 10 oz duck sail |
| Power | Sail on an 8 ft 6 in mast |
| Designer | Hi Sibley |
| First published | Sports Afield Boatbuilding Annual, 1954, pp. 56–58 |
| Plan sheets | 3 |
Small build, big fun
A narrow plywood hull is far simpler than a full boat, so you can build it in a few weekends. The 10 oz duck sail is a sturdy cotton canvas that can be sewn at home. It is a quick, rewarding project for anyone who likes sewing as much as woodwork.
At 23 3/4 in wide, the board is lively rather than stable, which is part of the thrill. It suits confident swimmers on warm, sheltered water. Expect to get wet while you learn, and enjoy every moment of it. It is a great introduction to sailing for adventurous teenagers and adults.
The original plan sheets
These are the 3 original sheets from 1954, scanned from the magazine. For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
Hi Sibley drew the Sailing Surfboard for the Sports Afield Boatbuilding Annual of 1954, where it ran on pages 56 to 58. The three sheets cover the board, mast and sail.
Before you build
- Seal the plywood hull completely, since any leak into a narrow board quickly makes it heavy and sluggish.
- Step the mast securely and check the rigging before every outing.
- Sail in warm, sheltered water within reach of shore, and always wear a life jacket.
Download the plan
The complete 1954 plan in one file: all three sheets, ready to print or view on a tablet in the shop.
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