I decided to build Melissa after visiting the 2012 wooden boat festival in Port Townsend. The inspiration was a lovely lapstrake version of Marc Barto’s melonseed skiff with a shiny black hull and bright deck. When it came time to source materials I was fortunate to find some very affordable genuine mahogany as an alternative to more commonly used western red cedar. The hull and deck are strip planked and sheathed with 6oz fiberglass. The spars are of Douglas fir. I choose to avoid the use of plywood entirely and metal fasteners when possible. The construction is a blend of old and new with the impetus on longevity. The entire build is documented at http://melonseedbuild.blogspot.com.
