June 2026

You Pay, I’ll Build

From email to launching—building a Nutshell Pram

Iñaki Garat wanted to build a boat, but had neither the space nor the funds. When he was offered some shared studio space, he sent out an email: if someone would pay for the materials, he would build them a boat. Jenny Martin stepped up and asked for a Nutshell Pram.

June 2026

Grundéns Sou’wester

A fishing hat fit for commercial and recreational use

A modern take on the traditional fisherman’s headwear, the Grundéns Sandhamn 21 Fishing Hat is waterproof, warm, rugged, and comfortable.

June 2026

Gerber Multi-Plier 600

A multi-tool with one-handed plier deployment

There are many pocket multi-tools on the market, but the Gerber Multi-Plier 600 is one of the few with pliers that can be opened and operated one-handed.

June 2026

Making Parrel Beads

Shaping hardwood parrel beads without a lathe

When it comes to crafting hardwood parrel beads, common practice is to use a lathe, but there is a faster and simpler method using a holesaw, power drill, and some coarse sandpaper.

June 2026

Priest Lake in a Skiff

A windy maiden voyage in Idaho

Despite strong afternoon winds and an unexpectedly crowded campsite, a Washington couple in a simple lug-rigged skiff find plenty of peace and quiet among the islands of Priest Lake in Idaho.

June 2026

Grand Silmaril

A remarkable beach cruiser from France

Designed by François Vivier and Emmanuel Conrath, the Grand Silmaril looks like a Breton workboat but delivers modern performance thanks to a lightweight hull, carbon-fiber spars, and an impressive sail plan.

June 2026

Glen-L 19

An easy-to-trailer sloop for day sails and weekend cruises

A plywood sloop for home building, the Glen-L 19 is a trailer-sailer with good performance and generous accommodations for two.

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.