May 2023

TAMO

How a boatbuilding project led to the race of a lifetime

One-time varsity sculler Henry Billingsley was in search of a rowboat that had the style of a Whitehall but was equipped with a sliding seat and outriggers for performance. The Cosine Wherry was just the boat to bring those elements together. Helped by friend and mentor, Ed Neal, he embarked on a boatbuilding odyssey that led the pair to a 70-mile, overnight rowing race.

May 2023

Khimera

A hybrid foam/inflatable PFD from Mustang Survival

For some rowing, paddling, and sailing outings in small boats, a simple, compact PFD that provides extra buoyancy only when you really need it, is the answer. Ben Fuller believes he’s found just the thing.

May 2023

FlexStep Pro

A user-friendly solution for boarding boats on trailers

It’s hard enough getting in and out of some boats when they’re on the water, but when they’re on a trailer it can be almost impossible. The trailer-mounted FlexStep Pro offers a helpful leg up.

May 2023

DIY Soft Shackles

Made with ordinary rope and knots

Bronze and stainless-steel shackles can be expensive and more than you need for use on a small boat. Homemade soft shackles made of rope are an inexpensive alternative that are more than adequate for many applications.

May 2023

My Texas 200

A five-day sail-and-oar raid along the Texas coast

David Zumwalt joined a fleet of 80 sail-and-oar boats in a five-day raid along 200 miles of the Texas coast. Sailing his home-built cat-ketch, REDWING, on her first long voyage, he endured equipment failures and mud banks.

May 2023

Rhode Runner

A stitch-and-glue version of a mid-century classic

Designed for stitch-and-glue construction by experienced amateur builders, Chesapeake Light Craft’s Rhode Runner offers performance, comfort, and classic runabout looks.

May 2023

Didi 23

A Dudley Dix 23-footer with generous accommodation and fine sailing performance

A modern pocket cruiser with high-performance sailing pedigree, the DIDI 23 has a plywood hull that does away with angular chines by using Dudley Dix’s radius-chine plywood construction method.

April 2023

Lillie

Updating a classic design for modern construction

Designed for both strip-plank and stitch-and-glue plywood construction, Selway Fisher Design’s Lillie is a modern interpretation of the canoe yawls of late 19th-century England.

April 2023

14′ Whitehall

A composite version of a 19th-century classic

The Gig Harbor Boat Works Whitehall offers the good looks and versatility a traditional Whitehall in a light durable composite boat with rowing positions for tandem rowing, room for a passenger or two, and a sliding seat for those looking for powerful rowing and great exercise.

April 2023

Sunlight’s Wake

An inland cruise aboard SOUL CAT, a solar-powered catamaran

Phil Boyer takes us along on his west-to-east return journey on Ontario’s Trent-Severn Waterway, becoming the first to do the out-and-back trip, solo, in an all-solar-powered boat.

April 2023

Hüga

A heated seat for outdoors

Born out of a desire to stay warm while dining outside during the pandemic, the Hüga cushion is equally suited to bringing warmth and comfort to those with a taste for colder-weather boating.

April 2023

Eyoyo Underwater Video

Exploring the depths without getting wet

While small boats can provide a close connection with the water, there’s a whole world beneath the surface that almost always goes unseen. An underwater video system offers a window into that world.

April 2023

YEAH BUOY

A plywood skiff built for drift-fishing and family boating

Geordie Pickard designed and built an outboard skiff to take his family out on Puget Sound, plane easily at low speed, have a large, open, uncluttered cockpit, and be comfortable while drift-fishing.

April 2023

An Overhead Winch Lift

Lifting a boat with a winch and a cordless drill

Tired of struggling to lift his canoe into and out of a pick-up truck, George Whitehead devised an inexpensive system to load the boat and to raise it up to the garage ceiling safely, easily, and singlehandedly.

Small Boats Annual 2012

Outfitting Boats for Safety Part 3: Emergencies & Flotation

The right preparation and equipment should get you through most emergencies. Often, it’s best simply to avoid situations that could turn ugly.

Small Boats Annual 2012

Outfitting Boats for Safety Part 2: Navigation and Seamanship

Small boats are certainly less demanding to navigate than large ones. However, navigation skills are still important to understand.

Small Boats Annual 2012

Outfitting Boats for Safety Part 1: Intro & Minimum Legal Requirements

Part of common sense is good preparation

The author heads to his boat for a day’s outing. He has his life jacket on, a sea bag full of gear over his shoulder, and an anchor and rode in a bucket.

March 2023

MUSE

Building on indigenous experience

Jeremy Kyncl was looking for a new family boat that was light enough for him to lift onto the car roof, could take the whole family on lake excursions, and handle hauling crab traps in Puget Sound.

March 2023

Revolve Boat Hook

A full-sized boat hook for small boats

Boathooks are useful but unwieldy items of equipment. A new version rolls up to a size barely larger than a coffee mug and can be stowed just about anywhere.

March 2023

A Sneakbox on the Gulf Coast

Rowing and sailing from New Orleans to Cedar Key, Florida

After rowing down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, Christopher Cunningham arrives at the Gulf of Mexico for the last leg of his 2,400-mile sneakbox adventure.

March 2023

New York Whitehall

An American classic

Whitehalls have been with us for 200 years and have evolved from working taxis to recreational rowing craft. A 14’ New York Whitehall reveals why the type is still so popular.

March 2023

A DIY Hammock Chair

Suspended relaxation

On a small boat stowage space is premium, and few would think of taking along a comfortable chair. But with this simple-to-make hammock chair, all that might change.

March 2023

Meaban

A trailerable Vivier sloop

At a little over 22', with berths for four, and a minimum draft of just 1'6” François Vivier's new design, Meaban, is ideal for shoal-water cruising.

Small Boats Annual 2012

XLNC Utility Skiff

A simple, efficient hull from William and John Atkin

For an easily driven motor launch, John and William Atkin developed the XLNC design with home builders in mind.

Small Boats Annual 2012

Hampton Sloop

A family boat

Simplicity is the hallmark of this boat. All of the hardware is shop-made, and auxiliary propulsion is provided by a pair of ash oars.