Sea Scout: A Free Plan for a 14 ft 6 in Inboard Runabout
William D. Jackson's plywood inboard runabout for one to three people takes a light marine engine up to 65 hp.
Sea Scout is a compact inboard runabout that keeps things simple. William D. Jackson drew it at 14 ft 6 in (4.4 m), built of waterproof plywood over frames with plywood gussets and an oak stem. It seats one to three and takes a light, high-speed marine engine of up to 65 hp, with the Gray Phantom 4-45 or a Universal given as examples. A tidy project for a builder ready to step up to an inboard.
Sea Scout at a glance
| Detail | Sea Scout |
|---|---|
| Type | Inboard runabout |
| Length | 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m) |
| Capacity | 1–3 persons |
| Construction | Waterproof plywood over frames with plywood gussets; oak stem |
| Power | Light high-speed marine engine up to 65 hp (e.g. Gray Phantom 4-45 or Universal) |
| Designer | William D. Jackson |
| First published | Boat Builder's Annual, p. 31 |
| Craft Print | No. 138 |
| Plan sheets | 5 |
A straightforward first inboard
Plywood gussets join the frames, which is quicker and more forgiving than cutting traditional sawn joints. The oak stem adds strength where the bow meets the water. The frames themselves are straightforward to cut, and the gussets make each joint easy to line up and glue. It is a sensible structure for a first inboard project.
Five sheets keep the plan concise, and the engine guidance is clear: a light marine engine up to 65 hp. That keeps weight and power in balance for a 14 ft 6 in hull carrying one to three people. It is a tidy balance for a first inboard.
The original plan sheets
These are the 5 original sheets, scanned from the magazine. For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
William D. Jackson drew Sea Scout for Boat Builder's Annual, page 31, and it was issued as Craft Print No. 138. Jackson was one of the most prolific designers behind the Science and Mechanics craft print series.
Before you build
- Stay under the 65 hp limit and favour a light engine, as weight matters as much as power in this hull.
- Get the shaft angle and engine alignment right before glassing in the engine bed.
- Ventilate the engine space and fit a proper fuel shut-off, as with any inboard.
Download the plan
All five original Sea Scout sheets in one file, ready to print at full size or keep on a tablet.
Download the complete plan (PDF, 5 sheets, 1 MB)
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