Tiny Ripple
A 6' Unsinkable Flat-Bottom Pram
By William & John Atkin
A Non-Sinkable Dinghy
It is astonishing how few cruising boats carry or tow a really fine dinghy and one which in an emergency will remain afloat in rough water. Somehow owners consider the dinghy more of a nuisance than a very valuable piece of floating equipment. I am dismayed at the number of owners of expensive modest sized motor and sailing yachts who are completely satisfied with an inadequate, indifferently built dinghy of which some day in an emergency so much will be expected. The parent boat may have cost upwards of $20,000.00. The outlay for the dinghy the puny sum of $150.00. Unfortunately, Shipmates, this is true in altogether too many instances.

And for this kind of service we have designed Tiny Ripple. Here is a boat which is indeed tiny; 6 feet over all, 4 feet 9 inches on the water line, 3 feet 6 inches in breadth and 3 1/2 inches draft. The freeboard at the bow is 1 foot 2 inches; the least, 9 inches; and at the stern, 11 inches. Excepting models this is the smallest boat I have designed. Incidentally the weight should not exceed 70 pounds, all found. There is no reason whatever for complicating the design by adding deadrise and forming a V bottomed hull. The simple flat bottom provides the maximum displacement with the least dimensions, and small dimensions are what we wish in a dinghy to be used on a small sailing or motor boat; small dimensions and a maximum of volume. In other words, large carrying capacity and a tiny boat. The smaller she is the more easily she will stow; the fatter she is the more she will carry. That in a nutshell is the subject of this month's story and design in MoToR BoatinG.

The arrangement is unique but not original. There is a seat both ends and beneath these water tight compartments; enough flotation to support 122 pounds in excess of the notation of the light white cedar with which the hull is planked and finished. The center fore and aft seat provides a flexible arrangement for the oarsman. With one person aboard the after-most oar locks are used; with two, the forward oar locks. Tiny Ripple was designed to carry two average weight grown persons. Excepting in smooth water, three are too many. There is a water tight locker beneath the oarsman's seat. Access to this is through the 4 inch diameter screw deck plate. Similar plates are fitted to the tops of the bow and stern seats.

The form of the hull is simplicity itself and because of this the little boat will be about as easy to build as any kind of boat can be. She can be laid down and built in a very small room and carried through standard size single doorways; upstairs or down. All her scantlings are light and so easily cut without power tools and heavy work.
 
PHOTOS OF TINY RIPPLE
Plans for Tiny Ripple are $100

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