Sea Flea: A 10 ft Lug-Rigged Sailboat From Two Panels
A 10 ft lug-rigged sailboat built from two plywood panels over a minimal frame, with air chambers supporting 800 lb.
Sea Flea is a bright little sailer built with remarkable economy. It is 10 ft (3.05 m) long with a 48 in (1.22 m) beam and is made from two 1/4 in exterior plywood panels over a minimal developed frame. Air chambers in the hull support 800 lb, and a simple lug rig drives it along. It is meant for one person, or two with care. That makes it a great first sailboat for a teenager or an adult who wants uncomplicated fun.
Sea Flea at a glance
| Detail | Sea Flea |
|---|---|
| Type | Sailboat |
| Length | 10 ft (3.05 m) |
| Beam | 48 in (1.22 m) |
| Capacity | 1 person (2 safely) |
| Construction | Two 1/4 in. exterior plywood panels over a minimal developed frame; air-chamber hull supports 800 lb |
| Power | Lug rig sail |
| Designer | William D. Jackson |
| First published | Boat Builder's Handbook, p. 31 |
| Craft Print | No. 270 |
| Plan sheets | 6 |
Why it is a good first build
Two plywood panels over a minimal frame is about as simple as a sailboat hull can be. With little structure to build, you spend more time sailing and less time in the workshop, and material costs stay pleasantly low. The 10 ft length keeps it light enough to launch from a beach or roof rack without help.
The lug rig is a classic choice for beginners: few parts, short spars and easy to set up on the beach. Air chambers supporting 800 lb mean the boat stays afloat even after a capsize, which gives new sailors the confidence to practise and push themselves a little further each time.
The original plan sheets
These are the 6 original sheets, scanned from the magazine. For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
William D. Jackson designed Sea Flea for the Boat Builder's Handbook, page 31, as Craft Print 270. Jackson drew many of the series' small plywood boats, and here he applied his light construction methods to an easy beginner's sailboat.
Before you build
- Treat it as a one-person boat, with two aboard only in light conditions, as the plan advises.
- Seal and test the air chambers before painting, since they keep the boat afloat after a capsize.
- Practise setting and lowering the lug rig ashore so it goes up quickly once you are afloat.
Download the plan
All six original Sea Flea sheets in one file, ready to print at full size or open on a tablet beside the build.
Download the complete plan (PDF, 6 sheets, 1.2 MB)
Tools for this
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to say what you think of this post.