Spainnear Uisce, took about 2000 hours for the owner to build over several seasons. Designed by the late Renn Tolman of Homer, Alaska, she was intended as a stable fishing boat and easily built with modest skills and common shop tools. While the basic hull design is well defined by the Renn Tolman, the cabin and layout are as unique as the builder chooses. Our version is more of a personal cruiser for two rather than a serious fishing boat. As such, creature comforts were a priority, making her an RV for the water. This will be the second appearance at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival for Spainnear Uisce. She was built in Portland, Oregon, has cruised the Columbia River and Puget Sound, and now resides in Idaho between cruises.
Construction is marine plywood formed with the “”stitch and glue”” method. Being relatively light, a 140 hp outboard will push her a 20 knots cruising speed and closer to 30 at full throttle.
Spainnear Uisce is an example of an owner built cruiser that validates the idea that modest size boats can be built to high standards by an amateur.