Haven was inspired by lapstrake runabouts of the 1950s and 1960s by builders like Lyman and Thompson. I was unable to find existing plans for a boat of this type and size, and asked Paul Gartside to draw up the plan. It was subsequently published in Watercraft magazine and Paul’s book “Plans and Dreams Volume 2”. She was a pleasure …
Drifter
The McKenzie River Drift boat is a very popular design built from wood, fiberglass, and aluminum in both 14ft and 16ft lengths and seen on many NorthWest rivers and lakes. Its unique rocker bottom and long, 9 ft oars give it extraordinary maneuverability when transiting from still to swift water. It also makes it easy to row. The anchor system …
Bad Rabbit
Bad Rabbit was initially a Chesapeake Light Craft Kit pandemic project but since the builder’s husband is over 6’5″ this tandem hull became his boat. In the winter of 2023, the drop-in rowing rig was replaced with an integral rowing rig (sliding seat) to help accommodate the height of the rower (adapted Angus Row Boats plan). The rowing wing is …
Pluto
Custom design to cruise the waters and estuaries around England, originally with swing keel and careening planks. Extensively rebuilt by me and my wife with 1.5″ extra draft and full keel.
Pax
PAX is the only 45 sq meter Danish Spidsgatter sailing in North America. Pax (Latin for Peace) is a spidsgatter (Danish for “double ender”) built in Kalundborg, Denmark in 1936. The spidsgatter was a racing class begun in the mid-1920s as sail clubs across Denmark sought to expand opportunities for families to sail together. The boats were fast (very high …
Caine
12′ long of Cedar on Oak, built in 1975 at the Concordia yard in Mass. and restored in 20o4 in Portland Oregon. Annual upkeep and repairs since, CAINE is returning to PT for its annual Salt pickling. The Carvel plank traditional boat recently received a new deck canvas, bottom splines and much paint etc. She loves the shallow sandy beaches …
Murrelet
Murrelet was conceived as a downsizing project after nearly 40 years with my owner-built Lyle Hess Cutter Able. The plans were unavailable from the Nielsen estate but the lines were published in a Wooden Boat article by Maynard Bray. Originally at 18.3 feet, the lines were redrawn and stretched to 19 feet by Peter Christiansen of Shaw island. She was …
Just Grand
Our Grand Banks 36 has had extensive upgrades: Our mahogany fly bridge trawler has new aluminum fuel tanks, recent stainless water tanks, a wonderful forced air heat system, hydronic diesel fired boiler, and vacuum flush with hot water. Split cabins. twin heads, twin rebuilt Ford Lehmand 120 diesel engines, new wiring, New shafts, dripless cutless bearings. Lovingly maintained, lots of …
SL Puffin
Puffin was built by Truscott in St. Joseph, Michigan in 1906. Starting out as a hotel “limo”, by the 1980’s she was in disrepair near Mackinac Island and was rebuilt, along with her sistership, the Antiqua. At this time Puffin was retrofitted to steam power from gas power to be more representative of her era. Puffin ended up in Seattle …
Maggie Jane
History: Maggie Jane is a Herreshoff H28 modified (29’ with added doghouse and bowsprit). She was home built and originally sailed in Lake Michigan in the late sixties. Hull construction is mahogany strip planking, edge glued and fastened. A slow, on and off, 10 year restoration was recently completed by the current owner and included reconstruction of the cabin, interior, …