Balance Lug Cat Yawl sailplan for Navigator

There's been quite a lot of interest in a Balance Lug sailplan for Navigator lately. John Welsford drew plans for a Cat Yawl with a Balance Lug main and mizzen a while ago and posted it online.  He granted me permission to post the plans here to make them easier to find, so here you go.

The Balance Lug is a very popular sailplan for small boats.  This rig, with its unstayed mast and lack of a jib & bowsprit, is much simpler and quicker to set up and take down.  The mizzen provides its usual advantages such as heaving-to and balancing the helm.  Several Navigators have been built using this rig with their owners giving it an enthusiastic thumbs up. Personally, however, my preferred rig is still the Gaff rig for its ability to instantly drop the main and sail deep reefed under jib and mizzen. That's well worth the extra setup time to me.  For those accustomed to conventional sloops I recommend the cruising sloop rig for slightly better upwind performance.  With so many Navigator sailplan options (7 total I believe, although some are unpublished) surely there's one to suit anyone's needs. 

Note that the main mast on this Balance Lug rig is located forward of bulkhead 2 whereas the Standing Lug and Gaff rigs have the mast located aft of bulkhead 2.

Some builders have asked if it's possible to retrofit an existing yawl rigged Navigator over to use this sailplan without moving the main mast forward of B2.  John says No - the result would be an excessive amount of weather helm.  I asked him if the sail area of the mizzen could be reduced to compensate. He said the mizzen would then be so small it would become ineffective.  A new mast may be required as it's taller and may need to be stronger as it's unstayed.  So yes, anything's possible but it would require some considerable rework.

Click here to download the Balance Lug Cat Yawl sailplan

CNC files for Welsford Sherpa - FREE

If you're unfamiliar with CNC files, they are 2d vector (.dxf) files that you can bring to a CNC operator.  He will use these files with his CNC machine to cut your parts out of 4x8 foot sheets of plywood, thus creating a partial kit for your boat build.  Below, you can see which parts will be cut out and produced by your CNC operator for this boat (click to enlarge).

This will save you a tremendous amount of time, material, and possibly mistakes vs drawing the parts full size and cutting them out yourself.  Note however that not all parts are included.  Parts such as bulkheads, centerboard cases, transoms, doublers, lower panels, planks (on some boats) and other parts that are defined on John's drawings are included, but parts that are cut-to-fit parts usually are not.  Cut-to-fit parts include parts like seat tops, decking, and usually planks. Those parts are made by clamping an oversized piece of plywood to the boat, tracing the outline of the part, then removing and cutting out the part. Also, some parts may be intentionally oversized by design so that they may be trimmed to the exact size on installation.  Better they be too big than too small.

These CNC files are licensed by John Welsford and provided free of charge under the following conditions:

1. You must purchase one set of plans from John Welsford per use of these files.
2. I take every precaution to ensure the content of these files is current and accurate, nevertheless the files are provided "as is" and without warranty.  Use them at your own risk.
3. Minor alterations may be needed to the files for things like hatch sizes or other customizations.  Contact me if you need assistance with that

Click this link to download the CNC files for this boat

Full size paper templates are also available for purchase from Duckworks.  Click here for more info.

 

CNC files for Welsford Walkabout - FREE

If you're unfamiliar with CNC files, they are 2d vector (.dxf) files that you can bring to a CNC operator.  He will use these files with his CNC machine to cut your parts out of 4x8 foot sheets of plywood, thus creating a partial kit for your boat build.  Below, you can see which parts will be cut out and produced by your CNC operator for this boat (click to enlarge).

This will save you a tremendous amount of time, material, and possibly mistakes vs drawing the parts full size and cutting them out yourself.  Note however that not all parts are included.  Parts such as bulkheads, centerboard cases, transoms, doublers, lower panels, planks (on some boats) and other parts that are defined on John's drawings are included, but parts that are cut-to-fit parts usually are not.  Cut-to-fit parts include parts like seat tops, decking, and usually planks. Those parts are made by clamping an oversized piece of plywood to the boat, tracing the outline of the part, then removing and cutting out the part. Also, some parts may be intentionally oversized by design so that they may be trimmed to the exact size on installation.  Better they be too big than too small.

These CNC files are licensed by John Welsford and provided free of charge under the following conditions:

1. You must purchase one set of plans from John Welsford per use of these files.
2. I take every precaution to ensure the content of these files is current and accurate, nevertheless the files are provided "as is" and without warranty.  Use them at your own risk.
3. Minor alterations may be needed to the files for things like hatch sizes or other customizations.  Contact me if you need assistance with that.

Click this link to download the CNC files for this boat

Full size paper templates are also available for purchase from Duckworks.  Click here for more info.

 

CNC files for Welsford Tender Behind - FREE

If you're unfamiliar with CNC files, they are 2d vector (.dxf) files that you can bring to a CNC operator.  He will use these files with his CNC machine to cut your parts out of 4x8 foot sheets of plywood, thus creating a partial kit for your boat build.  Below, you can see which parts will be cut out and produced by your CNC operator for this boat (click to enlarge).

This will save you a tremendous amount of time, material, and possibly mistakes vs drawing the parts full size and cutting them out yourself.  Note however that not all parts are included.  Parts such as bulkheads, centerboard cases, transoms, doublers, lower panels, planks (on some boats) and other parts that are defined on John's drawings are included, but parts that are cut-to-fit parts usually are not.  Cut-to-fit parts include parts like seat tops, decking, and usually planks. Those parts are made by clamping an oversized piece of plywood to the boat, tracing the outline of the part, then removing and cutting out the part. Also, some parts may be intentionally oversized by design so that they may be trimmed to the exact size on installation.  Better they be too big than too small.

These CNC files are licensed by John Welsford and provided free of charge under the following conditions:

1. You must purchase one set of plans from John Welsford per use of these files.
2. I take every precaution to ensure the content of these files is current and accurate, nevertheless the files are provided "as is" and without warranty.  Use them at your own risk.
3. Minor alterations may be needed to the files for things like hatch sizes or other customizations.  Contact me if you need assistance with that.

Click this link to download the CNC files for this boat

Full size paper templates are also available for purchase from Duckworks.  Click here for more info.

 

CNC files for Welsford Sei - FREE

If you're unfamiliar with CNC files, they are 2d vector (.dxf) files that you can bring to a CNC operator.  He will use these files with his CNC machine to cut your parts out of 4x8 foot sheets of plywood, thus creating a partial kit for your boat build.  Below, you can see which parts will be cut out and produced by your CNC operator for this boat (click to enlarge).

This will save you a tremendous amount of time, material, and possibly mistakes vs drawing the parts full size and cutting them out yourself.  Note however that not all parts are included.  Parts such as bulkheads, centerboard cases, transoms, doublers, lower panels, planks (on some boats) and other parts that are defined on John's drawings are included, but parts that are cut-to-fit parts usually are not.  Cut-to-fit parts include parts like seat tops, decking, and usually planks. Those parts are made by clamping an oversized piece of plywood to the boat, tracing the outline of the part, then removing and cutting out the part. Also, some parts may be intentionally oversized by design so that they may be trimmed to the exact size on installation.  Better they be too big than too small.

These CNC files are licensed by John Welsford and provided free of charge under the following conditions:

You must purchase one set of plans from John Welsford per use of these files.
I take every precaution to ensure the content of these files is current and accurate, nevertheless the files are provided "as is" and without warranty.  Use them at your own risk.
Minor alterations may be needed to the files for things like hatch sizes or other customizations.  Contact me if you need assistance with that.

Click this link to download the CNC files for this boat

Full size paper templates are also available for purchase from Duckworks.  Click here for more info.

 

CNC files for Welsford Pilgrim - FREE

If you're unfamiliar with CNC files, they are 2d vector (.dxf) files that you can bring to a CNC operator.  He will use these files with his CNC machine to cut your parts out of 4x8 foot sheets of plywood, thus creating a partial kit for your boat build.  Below, you can see which parts will be cut out and produced by your CNC operator for this boat (click to enlarge).

This will save you a tremendous amount of time, material, and possibly mistakes vs drawing the parts full size and cutting them out yourself.  Note however that not all parts are included.  Parts such as bulkheads, centerboard cases, transoms, doublers, lower panels, planks (on some boats) and other parts that are defined on John's drawings are included, but parts that are cut-to-fit parts usually are not.  Cut-to-fit parts include parts like seat tops, decking, and usually planks. Those parts are made by clamping an oversized piece of plywood to the boat, tracing the outline of the part, then removing and cutting out the part. Also, some parts may be intentionally oversized by design so that they may be trimmed to the exact size on installation.  Better they be too big than too small.

These CNC files are licensed by John Welsford and provided free of charge under the following conditions:

1. You must purchase one set of plans from John Welsford per use of these files.
2. I take every precaution to ensure the content of these files is current and accurate, nevertheless the files are provided "as is" and without warranty.  Use them at your own risk.
3. Minor alterations may be needed to the files for things like hatch sizes or other customizations.  Contact me if you need assistance with that.

Click this link to download the CNC files for this boat

Full size paper templates are also available for purchase from Duckworks.  Click here for more info.

 

CNC files for Welsford Pathfinder - FREE

If you're unfamiliar with CNC files, they are 2d vector (.dxf) files that you can bring to a CNC operator.  He will use these files with his CNC machine to cut your parts out of 4x8 foot sheets of plywood, thus creating a partial kit for your boat build.  Below, you can see which parts will be cut out and produced by your CNC operator for this boat (click to enlarge).

This will save you a tremendous amount of time, material, and possibly mistakes vs drawing the parts full size and cutting them out yourself.  Note however that not all parts are included.  Parts such as bulkheads, centerboard cases, transoms, doublers, lower panels, planks (on some boats) and other parts that are defined on John's drawings are included, but parts that are cut-to-fit parts usually are not.  Cut-to-fit parts include parts like seat tops, decking, and usually planks. Those parts are made by clamping an oversized piece of plywood to the boat, tracing the outline of the part, then removing and cutting out the part. Also, some parts may be intentionally oversized by design so that they may be trimmed to the exact size on installation.  Better they be too big than too small.

These CNC files are licensed by John Welsford and provided free of charge under the following conditions:

1. You must purchase one set of plans from John Welsford per use of these files.
2. I take every precaution to ensure the content of these files is current and accurate, nevertheless the files are provided "as is" and without warranty.  Use them at your own risk.
3. Minor alterations may be needed to the files for things like hatch sizes or other customizations.  Contact me if you need assistance with that.

Click this link to download the CNC files for this boat

Full size paper templates are also available for purchase from Duckworks.  Click here for more info.

 

CNC files for Welsford Navigator - FREE

If you're unfamiliar with CNC files, they are 2d vector (.dxf) files that you can bring to a CNC operator.  He will use these files with his CNC machine to cut your parts out of 4x8 foot sheets of plywood, thus creating a partial kit for your boat build.  Below, you can see which parts will be cut out and produced by your CNC operator for this boat (click to enlarge).

This will save you a tremendous amount of time, material, and possibly mistakes vs drawing the parts full size and cutting them out yourself.  Note however that not all parts are included.  Parts such as bulkheads, centerboard cases, transoms, doublers, lower panels, planks (on some boats) and other parts that are defined on John's drawings are included, but parts that are cut-to-fit parts usually are not.  Cut-to-fit parts include parts like seat tops, decking, and usually planks. Those parts are made by clamping an oversized piece of plywood to the boat, tracing the outline of the part, then removing and cutting out the part. Also, some parts may be intentionally oversized by design so that they may be trimmed to the exact size on installation.  Better they be too big than too small.

These CNC files are licensed by John Welsford and provided free of charge under the following conditions:

1. You must purchase one set of plans from John Welsford per use of these files.
2. I take every precaution to ensure the content of these files is current and accurate, nevertheless the files are provided "as is" and without warranty.  Use them at your own risk.
3. Minor alterations may be needed to the files for things like hatch sizes or other customizations.  Contact me if you need assistance with that.

Click this link to download the CNC files for this boat

Full size paper templates are also available for purchase from Duckworks.  Click here for more info.

 

CNC files for Welsford Longsteps - FREE

If you're unfamiliar with CNC files, they are 2d vector (.dxf) files that you can bring to a CNC operator.  He will use these files with his CNC machine to cut your parts out of 4x8 foot sheets of plywood, thus creating a partial kit for your boat build.  Below, you can see which parts will be cut out and produced by your CNC operator for this boat (click to enlarge).

This will save you a tremendous amount of time, material, and possibly mistakes vs drawing the parts full size and cutting them out yourself.  Note however that not all parts are included.  Parts such as bulkheads, centerboard cases, transoms, doublers, lower panels, planks (on some boats) and other parts that are defined on John's drawings are included, but parts that are cut-to-fit parts usually are not.  Cut-to-fit parts include parts like seat tops, decking, and usually planks. Those parts are made by clamping an oversized piece of plywood to the boat, tracing the outline of the part, then removing and cutting out the part. Also, some parts may be intentionally oversized by design so that they may be trimmed to the exact size on installation.  Better they be too big than too small.

These CNC files are licensed by John Welsford and provided free of charge under the following conditions:

1. You must purchase one set of plans from John Welsford per use of these files.
2. I take every precaution to ensure the content of these files is current and accurate, nevertheless the files are provided "as is" and without warranty.  Use them at your own risk.
3. Minor alterations may be needed to the files for things like hatch sizes or other customizations.  Contact me if you need assistance with that.

Click this link to download the CNC files for this boat

Full size paper templates are also available for purchase from Duckworks.  Click here for more info.

 

CNC files for Welsford Light Dory - FREE

If you're unfamiliar with CNC files, they are 2d vector (.dxf) files that you can bring to a CNC operator.  He will use these files with his CNC machine to cut your parts out of 4x8 foot sheets of plywood, thus creating a partial kit for your boat build.  Below, you can see which parts will be cut out and produced by your CNC operator for this boat (click to enlarge).

This will save you a tremendous amount of time, material, and possibly mistakes vs drawing the parts full size and cutting them out yourself.  Note however that not all parts are included.  Parts such as bulkheads, centerboard cases, transoms, doublers, lower panels, planks (on some boats) and other parts that are defined on John's drawings are included, but parts that are cut-to-fit parts usually are not.  Cut-to-fit parts include parts like seat tops, decking, and usually planks. Those parts are made by clamping an oversized piece of plywood to the boat, tracing the outline of the part, then removing and cutting out the part. Also, some parts may be intentionally oversized by design so that they may be trimmed to the exact size on installation.  Better they be too big than too small.

These CNC files are licensed by John Welsford and provided free of charge under the following conditions:

1. You must purchase one set of plans from John Welsford per use of these files.
2. I take every precaution to ensure the content of these files is current and accurate, nevertheless the files are provided "as is" and without warranty.  Use them at your own risk.
3. Minor alterations may be needed to the files for things like hatch sizes or other customizations.  Contact me if you need assistance with that.

Click this link to download the CNC files for this boat

Full size paper templates are also available for purchase from Duckworks.  Click here for more info.

CNC files for Welsford designs

CNC files for many of John Welsford's designs are now FREE to download!

Working with John Welsford, I have been creating CNC files for many of his designs.  John has granted license of these CNC files to me, and I have decided to give them away for free.

If you're unfamiliar with CNC files, they are 2D vector (.dxf) files that you can bring to a CNC operator.  He will use these files with his CNC machine to cut your parts out of 4x8 sheets of plywood to make you a partial kit.

This will save you a tremendous amount of time, effort, material, and possibly mistakes compared to drawing the parts full size and cutting them out yourself.

CNC files or a partial kit of parts alone are not enough to build one of John's boats.  You will still need to purchase a set of plans from John Welsford, Duckworks, or one of John's other licensed distributors.

I believe these are a win-win for everyone.  Their availability will help John sell more plans so that he can design more boats.  We will get to see more of John's fabulous designs on the water.  They will help builders build their boats more quickly.  I enjoy making them.  And hopefully all of this will contribute to the home boat building community by expanding the comradery we all enjoy.

For more info, and to download the free CNC files, click the following links:

Welsford Light Dory

Welsford Longsteps

Welsford Navigator

Welsford Pathfinder

Welsford Pilgrim

Welsford Sei

Welsford Tender Behind

Welsford Walkabout

Welsford Sherpa

Welsford Scallywag (coming soon - currently in work)

Others will follow.

Full size paper templates are also available for purchase from Duckworks.  Click here for more info.

If you have any questions or need minor changes to the CNC to customize them for your build, you can e-mail me at j_bergen@yahoo.com and I may be able to help you.

How to get the best results from your jigsaw

What is the best jigsaw and blade to use when cutting your expensive marine plywood?  Galen Piehl has done the research.  See his blog post here: