Quit Playing With Your Dingy

Troy and I have been discussing our options for a dingy. We have decided to go with a rigid design for multiple reasons. Mainly we like custom building a design that will fit La Leyenda like a glove. We feel that most semi rigid/inflatable, mass produced dingy designs are very limiting and we do not like the idea of a davit set up for lowering the dingy due to our space availability issues in the stern. Also, we do not want to use a fully inflatable design because we like the idea of a readily available dingy. Another interesting idea is the fact that theft is always a concern and if we have the small dingy building experience we will be able to build a new one abroad given the worst case scenario of damage or theft. This has led us down the road of small boat construction designs. We will decide on a design and build the dingy this winter. The Sally Ann is one design we have been interested in! Any feedback is much appreciated. This is a page out of the Atkin & Co. Design book/website: Sally Ann A 7'11'' Flat Bottom Pram-Bowed Tender By William Atkin
An Easily Constructed Small Work Boat Which Will Carry a Big Load, Tow Easily and Handle Safely
I have been asked by several how I should change my Rinky-Dink should I build another; the answer is given in the plans herewith of Sally-Ann. The changes are not great. Perhaps the most noticeable is the increased length, 7 feet 11 inches; and the single plank on the sides. Then I have widened the bow both at the bottom and on deck, and ran the bottom upward to a rather shallow bow piece. The result of these changes will be to simplify the construction, and to increase the carrying capacity of the boat with but little additional weight. The longer hull permits using a thwart across the middle, needed for strength, and one at either end. As I see it the little boat will be nearly perfect as now laid out and I am planning to build to the new plan so as to learn how close I am to the mark.
Sally-Ann should be built entirely of white cedar and spruce or oak. These are light woods, strong, and especially well adapted for the building of any kind of small boat. If it is difficult to obtain the cedar any of the following woods may be used in its place: red wood, Oregon fir, mahogany (use 3/8-inch in thickness), sap cypress, or white pine; and for choice about as in the order given. I believe it is possible to buy spruce almost anywhere.