Launchings

Christoph Harlan of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, kept a blog of the six-month construction of his Night Heron kayak kit that he launched in April.

Seven Diamonds (named for the seven ash diamonds inlaid in the sides), paddled by Mark and Sheree Hanna on Tom’s Lake in the Hiawatha National Forest will be cruising the quiet waters of northern Michigan.The sides are of 1 1/4 inch northern white cedar that taper out to as much as 2 inches at th

Tim Johnson built this 12′ Huntington Harbor Kayak from plans provided on the Spira International website. He writes that it was fun to build and now he wants to build something bigger. 

Built as a gift for my mother, who missed going out on the lake that she lives on ever since my father passed away and this would get her back out there.Built in Houston, Texas and Launched at Lake Texoma, Mead, Oklahoma.This is a blog of the building of her Iain Oughtred Auk

Fred Shell of Shell Boats in St. Albans, VT designed this Swifty 14, which Mort Stant built. He painted the hull blue, the cockpit white, and varnished the deck and seats. Mort writes that it was fun to build and sails great.

This is my Egret launched in August of 2011.

Tim Allen built this 7' pram from a design by Glen-L Boats of Bellflower, CA. Named CROW'S NEST, he intended her as a sailing pram using leeboards. He found that it only sails downwind and capsizes easily, so Tim bought a 2hp Honda motor to replace the sailing rig.

How to Spend One's Summer Vacation...

After reading Mike O’Brien’s review of Oonagh in WB No. 237, David Keller thought it was just the boat to fit his needs. He hadn't built a boat before, didn’t let that prevent him from ordering plans from Doug Hylan (http://www.dhylanboats.com).

I chose the Spira International Tillamook Pacific City dory design for my first build. Aside from the remarkable feeling of splashing a boat built with your own hands, this boat is a deeply personal accomplishment for me. One of my ancestors, Capt.