Description
The Gull, designed by American naval architect John Marples in the 1980s as part of his Constant Camber series of molded plywood dinghies, is a lightweight, versatile 11-foot-7-inch sailing tender renowned for its simplicity, responsiveness, and ease of amateur construction using epoxy-wood techniques that prioritize affordability and durability for multihull owners or coastal day sailors. Weighing just 80 pounds with a 5-foot beam and minimal 6-inch draft (increasing slightly with centerboard down), it features a hard-chine hull with a pivoting centerboard for shallow-water access, a balanced lug sloop rig offering around 60 square feet of sail area for lively performance up to 5–6 knots in light-to-moderate breezes (SA/D ratio ~25 for spirited planning), and ample cockpit space accommodating two under sail or three rowers with gear via built-in footpegs for efficient amidships propulsion with 8-foot oars. Ideal as a yacht tender, beach-launchable daysailer, or training boat for juniors, its forgiving stability and quick 50–80-hour build from full-size patterns (plans available via Marples Marine for ~$100) enable easy cartopping or trailering,
