Golant Gaffer

Golant Gaffer Sail PlansThe Golant Gaffer is a 5.7m gaff cutter designed for amateur building in cedar strip epoxy using a simple “egg box” frame of marine plywood bulkheads and longitudinals. The full size drawings of each bulkhead, transom and stem avoid the need to loft the lines.

The construction uses cedar strip planking epoxy glued and screwed together coated with a layer of glass fibre bonded in epoxy. She has a half tonne lead keel and an inboard diesel engine.

This produces a tough little boat with good form stability. She is very stiff and able to carry her full sail at the top end of a Force 4. Complete control of all sails is from the cockpit as both headsails are roller furled and all halyards are lead to the cockpit. The mainsail, topping lift and reefing lines are all within easy reach by standing in the safety of the companionway. When reducing sail in stronger winds good balance is achieved by using different combinations of sails from one reef in mainsail with jib down to two reefs and the staysail. Under power she is extremely manoeuvrable and will turn in her own length and has reasonable control going astern.

The accommodation has two single berths (double berth can be created by raising floorboard and infilling with back rest cushions); galley area with non-gimballed two burner/grill cooker and lift out washing bowl which when covered forms a small chart table; toilet through a folding door; hanging for oilies etc and large chain locker.
Dimensions

Length over deck 5.71m 18’9”
Length waterline 5.41m 17’9”
Beam 2.13m 7’0”
Draught 0.83m 2’9”
Displacement 1497 kgs
Ballast Ratio 45%
Hull shape round bilge
Total sail area 24.6 sq.m. 265 sq.ft.

Sail numbers of this “proper little gaffer” are at 123 with boats sailing in many countries around the world. Many owners have sent photos of their boats during construction and following the launch.