Drake Open Water Rowboat

Drake is designed for real rowing pleasure. She is fast, extremely seaworthy, and beautiful. Drake is designed for long, open-water rows but is at home in the harbor. Using 9' oars, we can cruise at 4-4-1/2 kts on a row and cover a lot of ground. We have been in rough conditions: 2-3' breaking following seas and 4' standing waves and a lot of wind and chop. We have been on glassy, flat seas with no wind. She leaves no visible wake as her hull is very fine yet the boat is not tender. For sailing downwind, a Shellback Dinghy or Nutshell Pram Lug sail is fitted. A line-controlled rudder hangs off custom-cut bronze hardware. No centerboard/daggerboard is required. Construction is Glued-Lapstrake Plywood (6mm) and uses one laminated midship frame and two sets of half-frames fore and aft. Construction is spec'd for lightweight construction to keep overall weight to 125 lbs. Drake is a joy to row and a easily built from our kit and will look professionally built when complete.