Knock About 15.5 by Ed Monk

Description

The Knock About 15.5 (also referred to as the Edwin Monk Knockabout or simply Monk Knockabout) is a classic American plywood sailing skiff / knockabout dinghy designed by Edwin Monk Sr. (a prominent Seattle-based naval architect best known for Northwest power cruisers but skilled in simple, efficient small craft). It was created in the early 1960s at the behest of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma, Washington) to promote plywood boatbuilding. Plans were published in Popular Mechanics magazine (and possibly other DIY outlets) as plan #30, marketed as an easy-to-build project for home builders with some experience. The boat is a V-bottom (hard-chined) skiff with a simple, efficient hull—lightweight, stable, and suitable for lake/river daysailing, fishing, or light family use. It was built in plywood (Doug Fir recommended) with basic framing, smooth or taped seams, and a fractional sloop rig for fun, forgiving sailing. Production was DIY/plans-based (no factory run)—many examples were home-built in the 1960s–1970s, with some still around in the Pacific Northwest (e.g., Seattle/Bellingham area restorations documented on blogs like DoryMan and WoodenBoat forums). Surviving boats are niche classics, often restored.