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 built without plans in Port Townsend in my backyard shop. She is constructed with Honduras Mahogany purchased in 1984 and locust from a local Port Townsend tree. She is tight seam construction and copper riveted. Being engineless, the rig was increased to accommodate the light winds in the Northwest.
Her sailing qualities were a giant surprised. She was found to stand up to the increased sail area maintaining extraordinary stability while continually charging in all types of winds. She is powered with a 10-foot yulo and actively sailed year-round.