May 2026

Building the Oonagh

THISTLE, a boat for the grandchildren

Jim Peverley had built small boats for solo paddling but wanted to tackle something more ambitious—a boat for sail and oar in which he could introduce his grandchildren to the delights of being on the water. He chose the Doug Hylan–designed Oonagh.

May 2026

Kutzall Rasps

Wood rasps with tungsten-carbide teeth

The rasp has been around for centuries, and many of today’s examples would be familiar to woodworkers hundreds of years ago. Christopher Cunningham reviews the tungsten-carbide, omni-directional cutting rasps from Kutzall—a new development in the history of this humble tool.

May 2026

Titan 17007 Pry Bar and Scraper Set

A trio of stainless-steel pry-bar scrapers

Pry bars small enough to get into tight spaces but strong enough to be useful are not easy to come by. Even harder to find are pry bars with sharp scraper ends. Audrey and Kent Lewis review a set of three from Titan.

May 2026

A Stable Mobile Boat Stand

Making an adjustable boat stand that can be moved even when in use

In a busy workshop used for multiple projects, it’s useful if a boat being built can be moved around, whether it’s right side up, upside down, part-built, or fully constructed. Sebastian Schröder describes his home-built boat stand that is both stable and mobile.

May 2026

From Portland to Astoria

Four days of pedaling, rowing, and paddling on the Columbia

With a month off from work and mild weather in the forecast, Don Golden took a skin-on-frame St. Lawrence Skiff down the Columbia River. On a four-day trip, the practiced oarsman discovered the delights of facing forward while using the boat’s pedal drive.

May 2026

Western Skiff

Nigel Irens’s sail-and-oar skiff for amateur builders

Thirty years ago, foreseeing a new age in kits for amateur boatbuilders, Nigel Irens designed the Western Skiff, a stitch-and-glue boat for sail and oar. Nic Compton built one of the first four skiffs; he still owns and uses that original boat.

May 2026

Dulcibella

A 10’ lapstrake pram from Jordan Wood Boats

Not all boats designed for the amateur builder require epoxy and plywood. The Dulcibella, a 10’ lapstrake pram from Jordan Wood Boats, is traditional in both appearance and construction.

April 2026

Two Builders, One Boat

Building a Glen-L Squirt

When Roger Scott acquired an unfinished Glen-L Squirt spotted on Craigslist, he found a well-constructed hull that inspired him to complete its build to the same exacting standards. He launched it eight months later.

April 2026

Navilight Dinghy Complete Lights

Small-boat navigation lights kit from Navisafe

Boats under 23′ without motorized auxiliary power are not required to carry navigation lights other than a visible white light when needed. But, wanting to extend his cruising opportunities safely into the dark hours, James Kealey invested in a complete kit of navigation lights from Navisafe.

April 2026

Elegantly Warm

Engel’s merino-silk thermal base layers

Cold-weather clothing can be bulky and uncomfortable. Jane Crosen reviews merino-silk base-layer garments from Engel that are close-fitting, warm, and breathable.

April 2026

Sawing Laminates

Setting up for a thin-strip jig on a tablesaw

Seeking a simple and effective way to cut laminating strips on his table saw, Christopher Cunningham makes a simple jig that delivers consistent results for thin strips in any length.

April 2026

Hope of Reel Recovery

Confronting cancer on a fly-fishing retreat

Hosted by a nonprofit organization, 11 men living with cancer come together for two days of fly-fishing from drift boats on Oregon’s Umpqua River. They fish, find hope, and form bonds that last well beyond the two days.

April 2026

Old Salt 15

A new sailboat for older sailors

A new catboat designed by Brandon Davis and Joshua Colvin, the Old Salt is a kit boat aimed at older sailors who still want to get afloat but want to avoid such issues as reduced stability or the fuss of a complicated rig.

April 2026

Puddle Duck

Gilpatrick’s 14' strip-planked canoe for one or two people

Featured in Gil Gilpatrick’s book, “Building a Strip Canoe,” the Puddle Duck is a canoe for a solo paddler that also has the capacity to carry two adults and enough gear for a full day on the water.

Small Boats Annual 2017

A Retrospective of Reader-Built Boats from the 2017 Small Boats Annual

Celebrating readers who made their dream a reality

We take a look back at some of the Reader Built Boats from the 2017 Small Boats Annual

Small Boats Annual 2016

A Retrospective of Reader Built Boats from the 2016 Small Boats Annual

Celebrating readers who made their dream a reality

We take a look back at some of the Reader Built Boats from the 2016 Small Boats Annual

Small Boats Annual 2016

A Collection of St. Ayles Skiffs

Take a look at a few St. Ayles Skiffs built by our readers.

March 2026

A Barrowboat Goes to Neverland

How a long-lost kit boat ended up with Peter Pan

When the friend of an amateur woodworker passed away, he left behind a 35-year-old kit for a 6’ Barrowboat that he had never found the time to build. His friend rose to the challenge and built SWEETIE in his honor.

March 2026

Leatherhead Kneepads

Comfort and protection for working knees

When you’re working on small boats, you often have to kneel on unforgiving surfaces, which is hard on the knees. Christopher Cunningham reviews his favorite kneepads from Troxell; the Leatherhead Kneepads are foam-padded, faux-leather protected, and adjustable to fit all adult sizes.

March 2026

Load Straps from Malone Auto Racks

Webbing tie-down straps for small boats on trailers

Tying down boats to trailers using ropes isn’t always the easiest or the best solution. Audrey and Kent Lewis recommend the Load Straps from Malone Auto Racks as a strong, convenient, and more boat-friendly alternative.

March 2026

Making Affordable Custom Boat Hardware

Using fiberglass, carbon-fiber, and epoxy to make small parts for small boats

Fittings for small boats aren’t always available off the shelf, and buying custom items can be expensive. Boatbuilder Michael Jones describes an affordable way to make one-off fittings using carbon fiber, fiberglass, and epoxy.

March 2026

From Mount Desert Island to Little Black

Island-hopping in Maine

A year after his solo cruise down Maine’s Bagaduce River, Davis Taylor takes his Tango 17 to the coast and embarks on a four-day trip around some of the many islands south of Mount Desert Island.

March 2026

Shearwater 14

A traditional kayak designed by Eric Schade

David Dawson reviews the Eric Schade–designed Shearwater 14, a traditional lightweight sea kayak for light touring and day paddling.

March 2026

14′ Heidi Skiff

A traditional skiff for oar and sail

Richard Kolin’s Heidi, a flat-bottomed sail-and-oar skiff designed for builders with little or no experience, combines simplicity with traditional construction, and good looks with fine performance.

Small Boats Annual 2015

A Retrospective of Reader Built Boats from the 2015 Small Boats Annual

Celebrating readers who made their dream a reality

We take a look back at some of the Reader Built Boats from the 2015 Small Boats Annual