This boat has a long build history. The boat was started by Fred and Bill Howell in the early 2000’s. When it became clear that they could not continue due to health reasons, they sought out someone to continue. On the strength of Rebecca Leaphart’s story published in WoodenBoat 195 about her experience building the expedition boat Tern and sailing to Alaska, Fred Howell offered me their project. In 2008 I moved the keel structure, lumber and some hardware to Lopez Island. This was a speculative venture on my part, thinking easy sell. I was wrong. For some years, I worked on planking the hull off and on, interrupted by money paying work. I finished the hull and it sat for 2 years, still looking for the buyer who would tell me how they wanted to finish it. No one came forward and feeling my age, I decided I needed to continue. I am not a fan of Lyle Hess’s interior or cabin layout and so I sought out Mark Smaalders for a redesign. He produced a great design with the same features you might find in most 32′ boats, trunk cabin to the V berth, enclosed head, sleep 4, galley aft with a great cockpit. I hired Cedar Charnley, a very capable young woodworker and we went at it. Mark and his partner Christine collaborated the whole way and what you see is the result of that shared skill and experience.