I hear some people referring to a Weekender II. What's the deal?
We have published plans for two different versions of the Weekender over the years: the first-generation Weekender was published in 1981, and the newer Weekender II plans were published in 1994. The Weekender II name is mentioned in the beginning of the new plans, mostly as an aside to differentiate the two. People have begun to use the name Weekender II more lately, but those of us here at Stevenson Projects just use the all-inclusive term Weekender.
The differences are mainly in the rig construction and the fact that the newer version does not use a centerboard. One could build a Weekender with the newer rig and the older centerboard if they preferred, or use the dead-eyes from the older version (instead of turnbuckles) on one of the new boats. They'd all be Weekenders to us...
Here's a list of the updates on the Weekender II:
Starting at the bow...
- Beefed-up bowsprit cut from standard stock rather than full-round
- Lengthened clubfoot jib allowing better performance
- Bits sunk down through the deck to the stem to provide real cleating strength
- Mast tabernacle to allow quick fold-away of rig (and quick set-ups)
- Stronger mast from standard lumber stock
- Turnbuckles instead of deadeyes
- Peak halyard reeved back to the cockpit for mid-course adjustments
- Complete omission of the jack-knife centerboard , slot in the keel, and lifting tackle
- Enlarged ports in the cabin
- Beefed-up rubrails
- Full-length cockpit coaming to transom
- Taffrail at transom to exit deck water
- Motor mount for electric outboard
- Boom crutch
- Cockpit floor grating
Similarities between the Weekender and Viking Longships (in case anyone gets ideas about raiding the local yacht club):
- Hull strength dependent on hull skin, light internal framing
- Fast, all-weather performance on all points without the use of ballast or deep keels
- Easily lowered rig for quick portaging (and getting under low bridges)
- Low center-of-effort sail plan
- Full-length keel and raisable rudder allows beaching