To the Black Sea

3

Small Boats Annual 2011

OTTER: Fast Outboard Launch

A fast and rugged power launch

The OTTER is a Pete Culler designed cold molded, launch outboard that was adapted and constructed by Bill Perkins. She has a "file-bottom", common in the Chesapeake, with the addition of a "Rhode Island" shelter.

6

Small Boats Annual 2011

The Northeaster Dory

A modern traditional boat for sail and oar

The Northeaster Dory is a glued-lapstrake-plywood interpretation of the Banks dory. It is available in kit form from Annapolis, Maryland-based Chesapeake Light Craft.

8

January 2025

The Paddle Wheel Boat

Building a simple boat from “Mechanix Illustrated”

Inspired by childhood memories and the discovery of a 1960 copy of “Mechanix Illustrated,” Davi Rodrigues built a paddleboat just like the one he’d enjoyed with family and friends 60 years ago.

2

January 2025

RTIC Road Trip Travel Mug

An old favorite gets a new upgrade

A new version of an old favorite, the RTIC travel mug is rugged, keeps drinks hot or cold, and has a ceramic lining so there’s no metallic taste.

2

January 2025

The C-Monsta

A hanger for drying neoprene gear

Made of recycled, high-impact plastic, the C-Monsta is a purpose-built and highly practical hanger for drying neoprene gear.

7

January 2025

Winterizing Trailer Tires

How to care for tires on an idle trailer

If a boat trailer is simply parked for the winter, its tires can degrade and even acquire flat spots, bulges, and dry rot. Having the means to raise and support the trailer quickly and safely makes it easy to protect tires, extending their longevity.

13

January 2025

SCHERZO Does the Skookumchuck

A four-day adventure in Sechelt Inlet, British Columbia

Three friends explore Sechelt Inlet in a 14′ Pacific power dory and twice navigate Skookumchuck Narrows in the slack water between its fast-running tidal rapids.

7

January 2025

The International Optimist Dinghy

How a simple pram dinghy changed the face of kids’ sailing

Under 8′ long, and with a single sprit-rigged sail, the Optimist was designed as an affordable boat for kids in Clearwater, Florida; it went on to become the most popular kids’ sailboat around the world.

5

January 2025

The Gorran Haven Crabber

A traditional sprit-rigged yawl from Cornwall

Based on the traditional 19th-century crabbers of a small Cornish fishing village, the shallow-drafted Gorran Haven crabber is a sailboat well suited for coastal day-sailing and camp-cruising.

5

Small Boats Annual 2011

The International Fireball

A fast racer for today’s home boatbuilder

The International Fireball is a development class of racing sailboats that allows builders to incorporate new technology and a variety of rigging options enabling sailors to stretch the limits of their abilities.

3

Small Boats Annual 2010

The Newfound Rangeley

A strip-planked rowboat for sport and recreation

The Newfound Rangeley is a strip-planked interpretation of a well-known western Maine guideboat.

7

Small Boats Annual 2011

Ninigret

A timeless bassboat

John Atkin designed Ninigret for the pursuit of striped bass and bluefish in the choppy waters of Block Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. Regardless, she is well suited to a wide range of uses including family outings, picnics, weekend cruising, or any other activity that benefits from quiet, economical operation, lots of room, and a smooth ride.

8

December 2024

Building an Adirondack Guideboat

A first-time boatbuilder tackles a classic

In 1969, Gary Carbocci promised to build an Adirondack guideboat so he could take his friend, Rich, fishing. Fifty-five years later, with no previous boatbuilding experience, he had built and launched a 16′ guideboat.

3

December 2024

Cleaning Sails

Nature’s Miracle and Folex tackle tough stains

When mice invade sail bags, the damage caused is extraordinary. Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer Plus and Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover work on the stains with impressive results.

3

December 2024

Hooway 7×50 Marine Binoculars

Affordable binoculars that float

These affordable binoculars come with a compass and rangefinder, and they’re waterproof and float—a clear advantage for use on a small boat.

3

December 2024

Using the Roll-and-Tip Method

Achieving a smooth paint finish with roller and brush

Good tools, good preparation, good materials, and plenty of practice lead to top-quality paint finishes using rollers and brushes.

13

December 2024

A Sacramento River Adventure

A father and son head downstream for an overnight voyage

A father and his 7-year-old son set sail downriver on the Sacramento for an overnight adventure in their home-built 18′ Vivier Seil.

6

December 2024

Sea Wolf

A fast and stable kayak from Newfound Woodworks

The Sea Wolf kayak can be built from plans or a kit, has good stability for novice paddlers, and displays impressive performance that suits multi-day cruising.

5

December 2024

Gartside’s Spitfire

A 10′ pram for sail and oar

Paul Gartside’s 10′ pram was drawn with children in mind but is also appealing to adults looking for a sail-and-oar boat of traditional construction and sweet lines.

6

Small Boats Annual 2011

NEWT Canoe

You can paddle it in a puddle

This compact and easy-to-build canoe from designer Warren Jordan is a fine choice for a first-time builder who wants a lightweight craft for exploring shallow inlets, streams, and other calm waters.

4

Small Boats Annual 2011

Schooner 18

An 18' camp schooner from Shell Boats

The Schooner 18 is an iconoclastic camp-cruiser from Shell Boats of St. Albans, VT. She's the largest in Fred Shell’s Swifty line and is quick to handle and accelerate, with a nice turn of speed for such a small boat.

5

Small Boats Annual 2011

Bay Pilot 18

A garage-built pocket cruiser

The Bay Pilot 18, designed by Arch Davis, is a swift cruiser that accommodates up to four adults during day outings, or two for overnight excursions.

4

Small Boats Annual 2010

Coquina

A classic yacht in a small package

Nathanael Greene Herreshoff designed the original Coquina for his own use. Excellent balance and sailing characteristics—and above all, simplicity—made the 16’8” LOA boat one of his favorites.

4

Small Boats Annual 2010

Columbia and Catspaw Dinghies

One original, one adaptation—and both classic dinghies

A pairing of ancestor and offspring: the Columbia tender developed by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff in the last year of the 19th century, and the Catspaw dinghy drawn by Joel White in the 1970s. The similarities are striking, but the differences are clear—nevertheless, either boat would be a fine choice for construction and use.

5

November 2024

An Echo Bay Dory Skiff

Building a rowboat for Pam

When 92-year-old Pam Ayres told her daughter and son-in-law that all she wanted was a rowboat, they decided they should all build one together.

Series

OTTER: Fast Outboard Launch

The Northeaster Dory

The Paddle Wheel Boat

RTIC Road Trip Travel Mug

The C-Monsta

Winterizing Trailer Tires

SCHERZO Does the Skookumchuck

The International Optimist Dinghy

The Gorran Haven Crabber

The International Fireball

The Newfound Rangeley

Ninigret

Building an Adirondack Guideboat

Cleaning Sails

Hooway 7×50 Marine Binoculars

Using the Roll-and-Tip Method

A Sacramento River Adventure

Sea Wolf

Gartside’s Spitfire

NEWT Canoe

Schooner 18

Bay Pilot 18

Coquina

Columbia and Catspaw Dinghies

An Echo Bay Dory Skiff

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