Launchings

Rowing dinghy

My friend Will Craig rebuilt RETREAD using Okoume plywood. I bought her in 1988, sailed her for 18 years, then sold her in 2005 to pay for a bicycle tour. Last year, I bought her back and restored her over the winter.

My 9′6″ Nutshell Pram. I commissioned it to be built by the Long Island School of Wooden Boatbuilding where I lent a hand and became part of the process. I launched it on 9/23/2018 — and can say with confidence that it is the best boat I’ve ever sailed.

Built during lockdown for my 3-year-old daughter, who helped choose the fabric for skinning. The boat is a Wee Lassie from Dave Gentry, built from plans. Very happy with the outcome!

Chris Greer reports that he built SPROUT part-time over the course of two years from Arch Davis's plans for the Penobscot 14 dinghy.

WEighing about 200 pounds, this sharpie started life at the WoodenBoat school under the tutelage of John Harris., the designer. Bill Moser attended that class and was lucky enough to win the opportunity to take the partially completed boat home to Florida.

The classic lines and pedigree was Bob Luckraft’s inspiration to saving this 15′ x 8′ catboat. MARGARET was built in 1920, by Manuel Swartz Roberts.

This was my first retirement project and my first boat build. It was built from a kit and went together without major problems. It came out of the boat shed officially on April 8th, 2024, hence its name!

Don Don was designed and built by Van Dam Custom Boats, and launched in the summer of 2011. The boat is 28′-7″ long, and 8′ 6″ beam, and speed comes from a 375 h.p. engine. More information from  Van Dam Custom Boats, 970 E. Division St., Boyne City, MI 49712. 231-582-2323.

Using Nick Schade's book,  "The Strip-Built Sea Kayak," Perry Risley built this 17' x 21' Guilllemot kayak and paddle. He made both boat and paddle of ash and Western red cedar with white accents of poplar. He mentions that Michael Earle was a tremendous help to him.