Chapter 28
L-18 Class

sail boat plan

This is a beautifully designed and constructed little knockabout from Luders Marine Construction Co., Stamford, Conn. Luders was one of the pioneers in manufacturing molded-plywood boats. In developing this design, the paramount requirement was to make the craft non-cap sizable and nonsinkable. To accomplish this, a watertight bulkhead is installed at each end of the cockpit, forming a forward and an after flotation compartment, either of which will provide more than sufficient buoyancy to keep the boat and crew afloat should the cockpit become water-filled. These bulkheads also give rigidity to the hull and have convenient watertight openings for access and ventilation.

The cast-iron keel has a bulb weighing 400 lbs. that will bring the vessel upright even after a complete knockdown. The eight-foot cockpit is a comfortable place in which to be; several people can lounge on the inclined seats and there is ample knee space.

The modern, planing hull is as fast as similar-size boats to windward and will run away from considerably larger boats when running free. It is lively under sail and easy on the tiller, and has an almost unbelievably quick getaway.

Only three stainless-steel stays are used in the standing rigging. Thanks to the sturdy aluminum mast and boom, no spreaders or backstays are needed. The sail area of 195 sq. ft. is ample for usual summer weather. Nylon sheets and halyards of stainless-steel wire with nylon tails are lead to convenient cleats.

For durability, the inner and outer laminations of the five-ply molded-plywood hull are made of mahogany. The seats and floor boards are of spruce and are supported by spruce bilge stringers. The plywood deck is laid on closely spaced beams. Spar varnish is used to finish the hull inside and out and nonskid cream-color paint is employed on the deck.

No calking is required from season to season because the smooth molded-plywood construction is free from the shrinking and swelling of conventional planking. All that's needed each spring is a light sandpapering and a fresh coat of paint and varnish.

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