My first sailboat was a Summer Breeze, an 11′ 8″ flatiron skiff designed by David Beede, and winner of the 2001 Duckworks design contest. For decades I was content to paddle canoes, then, one blustery day on Ross Lake, my wife and I were hammering the water like we were killing snakes while trying to round a point when it popped into my head that it would be really nice to have a boat that could harness the wind instead of fighting it. About that time, I found Gavin Atkin’s book Ultrasimple Boatbuilding and it convinced me to build my own boat, one that could comfortably sail two people for short camping trips. The book includes only one tiny photo of the Summer Breeze but somehow it was enough to capture my imagination.Then I found David Beede’s website and was impressed by his description of the boat: “Summer Breeze was designed to be the most boat from the least materials. It is a robust all-purpose skiff targeted primarily at pleasurable rowing and sailing in protected waters, but also suitable for a small motor. It’s light enough to car top, narrow enough for most truck beds, and yet has capacity for two adults and a child. When fully loaded (up to 500 lbs) with two adults and gear her transom and stem barely touch the water.”That sounded ideal. I decided to trust David and, heck, the plans were free. Back in 2017 I spent $235 on three sheets of exterior grade 1⁄4″ plywood, some good 2×4s, and some brass screws. For the adhesive, the instructions recommended PL Premium construction adhesive, epoxy, and Titebond II, which is what I chose to use.
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I really enjoyed your article, Bob. I am currently working on my first boat, a Salt Bay Skiff, and I see many similarities with your Summer Breeze. Thank you for sharing your story and many useful tips. I am inspired by your build and how much you use and enjoy LA MADALENA.
Like you, my first boat was a 12′ flat-bottom skiff. I used David Beede’s website for information on how to finish it, but I started out from “The $5 Skiff” plans from the Cheap Pages website (the plans are from a 19th Century edition of Scientific American). I too had never rowed or sailed but I figured it out with this boat. I got bit by the bug and I’ve built several boats since then, but I am still impressed by how much adventuring can be done in such a simple, cheap boat.