Rowboat Plans

[Pgoloski]

Hello. My name is Pete Goloski and I am hoping that you gentlemen might help me get started on a project. Growing up in the late 50's and 60's I spent every moment I could hunting and fishing out of a 14' Morehouse rowboat. When I went away to college, the owner let it fall into neglect and it eventually became part of a very glorious, but sad bonfire. Now that I am retired, I would like to find plans and try to build a boat like that one. I am a fairly accomplished cabinetmaker and have a good woodshop at home. I think that, if I could find a good set of plans, I could learn to build just such a vessel. I would like it to be a (roughly) 14' long displacement hull with bent frames and cedar planking. Can you folks help me out.

[James McMullen]

A Morehouse? I don't know that model, but there are a variety of beautiful wooden rowboat designs out there available from our sponsor Wooden Boat Magazine. Try the book Building Catherine by Rich Kolin for a good how-to.

[TerryLL]

Hi Pete,
Welcome to the forum.

You might contact these folks..... link (http://www.berkshiretv.com/morehouse.htm).....for inormation and maybe plans for the Morehouse 14. If you are looking for a detailed set of plans for a similar boat, there is a variety of excellent designs available from our hosts.....another link (http://www.woodenboatstore.com/departments.asp?dept=12)

[David G]

Pete,

Nor have I heard of a Morehouse. Maybe a regional builder? You don't say where you are. I do find a link. Is this the kinda boat you remember?

http://www.flbm.org/morehouse_lightweight_rowboat.htm

Oooh, and here's a Morehouse Reunion event that just happened in June. It's done, but there's an email & phone # for the organizer. Sounds like a good place to start.

http://www.flbm.org/morehouse_boat_reunion_2008.htm

If plans for the Morehouse are not readily available, I might also suggest perusing the Atkin catalog. Lotsa nifty little plank on frame rowboats that might interest you.

http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/Oar/index.html

Pixie is exactly 14', but might be a bit tender (tippy) for fishing. I have a friend who built a Scandal. He likes it a lot, but I don't think he's done any fishing out of it. Hmmm... maybe the Maud & Emaline. Well, take a look & see if anything catches your eye. The Atkins know their stuff, so you won't get a lemon of a design with one of theirs.

Good luck on your quest.


"God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December" -- J.M. Barrie

[Pgoloski]

Thank you for your help gentlemen. I will let you know how I make out.

[Thorne]

ubeatyggo's post reported to Scot as spam, no further discussion of gold-spammers needed.

[kenjamin]

Here is a very easily built, lightweight, efficient row boat:

The Flint by Ross Lillistone:

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/lillistone/flint/index.htm

and plans are only $60.

http://ford.physics.fsu.edu/Flint.jpg

[holzbt]

http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/Oar/images/BruceConklin-2.gif

http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/Oar/images/BruceConklin-1.gif

Atkin's "BRUCE CONKLIN" is 15'6" but might fit your needs.

[Kermit]

Allow me to second Rich Kolin's book BUILDING CATHERINE. She's 14 feet, lapstrake, steam-bent frames, and lovely. This book is so well illustrated and explained, I daresay an inexperienced amateur willing to take their time and read carefully can be successful. The book is worth the $20 or so even if you build another design; it takes you through the steps that will wwork with any other similar design. Available through our sponsoring magazine's store.

[Sailor]

Holzbt,
You don't have any more info on BRUCE CONKLIN do you? she looks very sweet of line. Lovely. Any other dimensions on her?

[Battenkiller]

The Rangeley Lakes boats are really sweet and were designed for hunting and fishing, even standing up to cast. I rowed a 14' Rangeley at Mystic Seaport and found it to be the easiest rowing boat I've ever been in. A real eyeful as well. Plans may be available from the Mystic Collection.

[holzbt]

More info here.

http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/Oar/BruceConklin.html

[Battenkiller]

Allow me to second Rich Kolin's book BUILDING CATHERINE. She's 14 feet, lapstrake, steam-bent frames, and lovely. This book is so well illustrated and explained, I daresay an inexperienced amateur willing to take their time and read carefully can be successful. The book is worth the $20 or so even if you build another design; it takes you through the steps that will wwork with any other similar design. Available through our sponsoring magazine's store.

Just did a search for that book and it looks like a good one. I have decided to order it myself.

Having built a small lapstrake canoe at a class I feel ready for a bigger project. I have several boat building books and yet when I think about something out of Gardner's book I shudder at the problems I will have to solve. Even the Rangeley which he dedicates an entire chapter to (and even gives plank lining measurements and construction detail drawings) looks intimidating to me.

A book dedicated to the construction of a single design is the way to go for a newbie IMHO. Maybe after another dozen different boats I'll feel different and have more confidence but for now a 14' sailing Whitehall will do fine.

[GoldDogs]

you might ask this guy if he knows anything about them, He spent time in Vermont, Florida, Texas at least.... just don't let him sidetrack you or sell you something that is not what you are looking for.

http://www.easternmostmarine.com/

d.morehouse@easternmostmarine.com