Jabberwock
A 26' Double-Ended Knockabout
By William Atkin
The Double-Ended Knockabout Jabberwock
This, then, is Jabberwock. Twenty-six feet long she is, 24 feet 3 inches on the waterline, 7 feet 6 inches of beam, and 2 feet draft. For all her shallow draft she will be an excellent sea boat, dry, comfortable, and easily propelled. At modest speeds the double end model is most efficient. Don't over-power her as an auxiliary; 5 to 10 h.p. is ample. Five h.p. like one of Gray's single cylinder motors, the new two cylinder Universal, one of Palmer's little babies, a United States 5 h.p., the 6-8 h.p. two cylinder Kermath will provide power for speeds of from 5 1/2 to 7 miles an hour. And that is about as fast as most auxiliaries go.

The rig is simple; a single mast with a single shroud each side and one head-stay. No more are required. The sail area is 352 square feet; 269 square feet being in the main sail; 83 square feet in the jib. The rig was designed for use in the average summer weather we have on the western end of Long Island Sound. If Jabberwock is to be used on the Lakes, and other certain sheets of water where it blows hard, reduce the height of the mast and the sail area. But, good shipmates, don't do this by guess and by gum. Drop me a line first.

The cockpit is 5 feet 6 inches long, has a seat each side and is self-bailing. Put the gasoline tank under one of these seats; using the other for stowage. The depth of the cockpit is ample to give a feeling of being down in the boat, not perched up on the deck. And that is as it should be.

With shallow draft it is impossible to get full headroom in a boat of this size; don't attempt it. You will have only a high-sided, hard handling boat, ugly to look at and an indifferent sailer. As shown there is 5 feet of headroom under the companion slide; 4 feet 7 inches under the cabin top carlins. And this is not so bad. Head room is not so vital a matter. And remember this is a small boat; full head room and small boats always quarrel. The cabin is laid out to sleep two. Nice full sized bunks are provided, a table for cooking stove, and an ice box. The space under the forward deck is left open for stowage. The motor tucks away under the bridge deck and cockpit. The flywheel will be shielded by the companion ladder and this, by the way, must be fitted with suitable backing to prevent sticking one's feet through the steps and into the spinning fly wheel.

The lines show a symmetrical hull with good beam, easy bilges, bold sheer, plenty of flare, and easy lines. Here is a model that will be reasonably easy to frame and plank, and one that will have nice balance.

Jabberwock may also be built as a low-powered motor cruiser.

Plans for Jabberwock are $150

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM

SHIPS PLANS STORE

https://store.mysticseaport.org/ships-plans/

shipsplanstore@mysticseaport.org

 

+1 (860) 572 5360

BACK TO PLAN LIST