Sea Midge: An 8 ft Two-Person Dinghy Plan by W. D. Jackson
A beamy 8 ft dinghy for two with a convex plywood bottom that can be rowed, sailed or pushed by a 1–3 hp outboard.
Sea Midge is short but surprisingly roomy. The hull is 8 ft (2.44 m) overall, 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) on the waterline, with a generous 52 in (1.32 m) beam that makes it feel steady for its size. It carries two people and can be rowed, sailed or fitted with a 1–3 hp outboard. Built from 1/4 in exterior plywood over a stressed framework with a convex bottom, it makes a lively tender or a cheerful little boat for exploring a harbour.
Sea Midge at a glance
| Detail | Sea Midge |
|---|---|
| Type | Rowboat |
| Length | 8 ft (6 ft 6 in on waterline) (2.44 m) |
| Beam | 52 in (1.32 m) |
| Capacity | 2 persons |
| Construction | 1/4 in. exterior plywood over a stressed framework, convex bottom |
| Power | Oars, sail or 1–3 hp outboard |
| Designer | William D. Jackson |
| First published | Boat Builder's Handbook, p. 146 |
| Craft Print | No. 274 |
| Plan sheets | 6 |
Small but stable
A 52 in beam on an 8 ft boat is wide, and that width is what lets two people move around without the hull feeling twitchy. The convex bottom adds a smooth, rounded shape that is kinder in small waves than a hard flat bottom.
Using 1/4 in plywood over a stressed frame keeps weight low enough to pull the boat up a beach or onto a dock. Three power options mean it grows with your interests, from rowing to sailing to quick motor runs. It is the kind of small boat that ends up being used far more often than a bigger one, simply because it is so easy to launch.
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 Midge, and it appeared in the Boat Builder's Handbook on page 146 as Craft Print 274. It shares the light stressed-frame construction found across many of Jackson's small plywood boats.
Before you build
- Limit the outboard to the 1–3 hp shown on the plan; a short waterline does not reward extra power.
- Bend the convex bottom slowly and keep the plywood damp if it resists, rather than forcing it against the frame.
- With a wide beam, position the oarlocks far enough outboard that the oars reach the water at a comfortable angle.
Download the plan
Six original Sea Midge sheets, collected in a single file you can print at full size or keep on a tablet in the shop.
Download the complete plan (PDF, 6 sheets, 4.6 MB)
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