What is the Puddle Duck Racer?
According to the designer, Shorty Routh: "The PDRacer is a one design racing sailboat that is basically a plywood box with a curved bottom, and is the easiest boat in the world to build . . . A simple hull can be made from 3 sheets of plywood, titebond II glue, and latex house paint. If you work hard for 2 weekends, you can go sailing on the 3rd weekend. . . . We use the same shaped hulls and go play with them together in fun and goofy ways, and sometimes for very serious racing. . . . Our boat is not just for racing, she is great for all sorts of other purposes - and in most states a boat this small does not need to be titled or registered. " [A launch permit good for all PA State Parks costs $10; it can be purchased online or at state park offices.]
How Can You Puddle Duck Too?
The PDR is designed as the simplest and cheapest of beginner boats. You can read much more about PDRs at the website PDRacer.com, where the creator of this design shares free plans and building advice. Handy carpenters can probably take it from there. But if you live in the Indiana, Butler or Pittsburgh area, you should contact friendsofyellowcreek@gmail.com for information on a group build. We're taking names of folks who would like to participate in a group build this winter.
- Free plans, sail design, and more at the official Puddle Duck Racer Website: PDRacer.com
Don't know how to sail?
- You can build a PDR and learn at the same time. It's a very stable learning platform. This summer 2011, Indiana Puddle Duckers will learn to sail through free, informal lessons at Yellow Creek; build yourself a boat and come join us. Contact friendsofyellowcreek@gmail.com for more information
How did the FOYC Puddle Duck Project begin?
Ken Sherwood: I have been sailing on Yellow Creek Lake for four years now. Some afternoons, my boat may be the only one on the lake sporting a sail. So when another sail shows up, I make it a point to "gam" with my fellow sailor. Almost all the sailors I met, whether they trailered in their own boat or rented from the park concession, told how they learned to sail at Yellow Creek "back in the day" when there was a university sailing base active on the north shore. For those of us who sail, it's such great fun as an activity that we can't imagine why everyone doesn't sail. But it can take a little practice, perhaps some lessons, to feel comfortable; and it takes access to a boat! Visiting Lake Arthur (Moraine State Park), we saw how an active sailing club can really spawn a great deal of activity. There the MSC sponsors economical lessons, races, and a community sailing program. One of the most generous volunteers at MSC is John Bridges, who not only teaches sailing lessons but also teaches aspiring sailors how to build boats. In the picture above, you can see the kids solo sailboat - an Optimist -- we built with John's help. At this time, John was not only teaching families how to build Optimists for kids, but he was encouraging adults to look at Puddle Duck Racers. Quickly we got the idea that this might be a way to introduce more people to sailing, create some new opportunities and Yellow Creek, and make for an interesting group project.
