Jasper
A 14' 2" Pirogue-Rigged Flat-Bottom Skiff
By William Atkin
A 14-Foot Pirogue
After the manner of the old-time fishing boats of the New Jersey coast I have set on paper plans of a simple little sailing boat that has appeal and a lot of common sense in its design and construction. It has been named Jasper, after a little Scottie dog owned by a charming young neighbor of ours. Scotties epitomize ruggedness, and look as though they were made for hard use; rough-coated, keen and altogether excellent little dogs. And, so, not unlike our latest boat.

To get away from whimsy, and to the pleasant business at hand, this newest of MoToR BoatinG's family of boats is 14 feet 2 inches long; 4 feet in breadth; and draws about 4 inches of water without centerboard and rudder; and somewhat less than 2 feet 8 inches with board down and crew aboard. The little boat has ample freeboard to keep dry; 1 foot 8 inches at the bow; 1 foot 4 inches at the stern. Jasper will be a big boat for the overall dimensions, roomy inside, and. comfortable for two or three people.

You can call the rig either a cat-ketch, or a pirogue; old men from the Atlantic Highlands would have pronounced this "perryauger". The total sail area is 56 square feet, divided into main with 39 square feet and mizzen with 18 square feet. It will be seen that sail can be shortened quickly and easily by taking in either sail. There are no halyards; taking in sail consists of letting the sprits go and wrapping the sails around the masts. The masts are light and the sails are light and with very little effort the masts can be unstepped if desired. The boat will sail in heavy winds with the mizzen alone. It is far more fun to sail a boat with a rig with two masts than the usual sloop rigged craft. Also this is a far better rig to learn sailing with than the sloop or cat boat rigs. From whatever direction the wind comes the sheets can be let loose and the sails will flutter harmlessly down the wind like flags, because they can revolve all around the mast without fouling. There are no stays, shrouds, or other gear to mix up with.

The deck plan shows wash-boards full length each side, these approximately 5 inches wide, tapering slightly at the stern. There is one thwart at forward end of centerboard trunk from which the boat can be rowed, not necessarily around the "p'int of the Hook"; but when the wind falls away. The center-board trunk will be in the way and bothersome when rowing; but you just cannot help having it where it is. I would strongly advise sitting on the bottom for comfort, using kapok-filled cushion-style life preservers to keep above any water in the boat.
The lines show a flat bottom hull with modest flare in the sides and rather easy curves and bends throughout. And after all a flat bottom boat can be an excellent kind of boat, safe, fast and weatherly. This is about the easiest form to build requiring no special tools, steam box, or great skill. And furthermore, can be put together without a lot of waste lumber.
 
PHOTOS OF JASPER
Plans for Jasper are $100

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