Launchings

John and Barbara Strattan built these kayaks in 2003. They are Mill Creek 13 kayaks, designed by Chris Kulczyki of CLC. They use the pair on the streams and rivers of north central Kentucky.

I found the plans in the back of “The Dory Book”, by John Gardner after looking high and low for a boat I thought I could build. This boat fit the bill. Besides requiring only average skills to build, it is also light, pretty, rowable, seaworthy and cheap to operate.

Mark and Jane Serrianne love their 1953 Lyman Ideal, SHAWSHANK, that they recently restored and then launched on Chautauqua Lake, New York. SHAWSHANK, 13'2" × 4'8", had dry rot in the bottom, which they removed and repaired.

Jack Fesenmeyer designed this 7' 6" rowing and sailing tender, built by owners Jerry and Scott Le Cocq in May and June of 2002. They have used her in the Pacific Northwest and Chesapeake Bay.

After 15 years of on-again, 0ff-again building, EILEEN was launched on Blue Bill Cove in Rhode Island. Built of cedar strips with an oak keel, she's a 14′ centerboard sloop with a gunter rig, designed by Tony Dias, and built by Jim Lengel of Cedar Cove Cottage.

Andy Rockwood launched this John Gardner Surf Dory on June 24, 2001. He built the boat for Stuart Walker of North Muskegon, MI, who plans to use the boat on the Great Lakes. Andy built the boat using traditional methods with white pine planking on white oak frames.

Ned Handy uses a 20-hp motor to push his Long Point Skiff, designed by Tom Hill of Burlington, Vermont, along the coastal waters of Massachusetts. Ned used okoume plywood, mahogany, and white pine to construct her, spending nearly 300 hours of his time on the build.

SHEILA is a Derwent Skiff designed by Allan Witt of Hobart; she is named after my late mother.

Deborah A. Simmons of East Hartford, CT, built the ...

JULES was launched on the island of Kauai this spring and Rob paddles her in the ocean waters behind reefs — primarily for fishing. with the outrigger, she is “stand up safe” and wonderful to fish from.