Kids and summer! Give them a cloudless blue sky and a warm breeze and they'll be outward bound for some smooth sailing down at the lake or wading pool.
When we decided to feature a toy boat, we knew it would be a perfect design project for Gord Wilson of Oakville, Ont. Gord, who is an instructor and woodworker at Sheridan College. This father of two and grandfather of three children has delighted Canadian Living readers and their youngsters with wonderful wooden toys and games that intrigue both the young and the young-at-heart.
Now you can build some summer fun with a block of balsa wood, some wooden dowels and scraps of ripstop nylon fabric. So get set, captain. Before you know it, this sailboat will be ready to sail into the heart of your young shipmate.
You need:
Balsa wood 4 x 4 x 12 in
2 x 4 pine, 3 in long, for cabin
Pine 3/4 x 1-1/2 x 2 in, for bulkhead
3/8-in dowelling, 13-1/2 in long, for mainmast
1/4-in. dowelling, 20 in long
1/8-in dowelling, 1-1/2 in long, for flagpole
4 x 6 in sheet of tin (such as a pop can)
2 No. 6 flat-head wood screws, 1-1/4 in long
4 No. 6 round-head wood screws, 1/2 in long
13 small screw eyes
Wire coat hanger
Lead weight (such as bar solder)
Rivets or bolts
Ripstop nylon fabric, for sails
Narrow cord or butcher twine
Hammer
Saw, coping saw
File
Wood chisel, flat
Penknife
Pliers
Tinsnips
Hacksaw blade
Drill with 1/16-in, 1/8-in, 1/4-in, 3/8-in drill bits
Sandpaper
100 grit
Thread to match safl fabric
Wood glue
Water-resistant (exterior grade) paint
Brown paper
Transparent tape
To make:
1. Hull: From balsa wood, saw then carve hull according to measurements given in Diagrams 1A and 1B. Shape bow into a point with sandpaper. Using a knife, chisel or blade as necessary, cut out 5-1/4- x 2-in deck opening, 1-1/2 in deep in top of hull as shown in Diagrams 1A and 1B. Finish with sandpaper wrapped around a wooden block. Paint as desired and allow to dry thoroughly.
2. Bulkhead: Sand pine for bulkhead and drill a 1/8-in hole through centre for hull attachment as shown in Diagrams 2A and 2B. Screw in place with flat-head screw.
Page 1 of 3 – Find steps 3 to 6 on the next page.
