To the Black Sea

3

November 2024

The Ronstan Battlestick

An easy-on-easy-off tiller extension

Tiller extensions are not just for high-performance sailboats. This easily fitted example comes in a wide range of lengths and can be used in a variety of boat types.

4

November 2024

Jorgensen’s 60-1/2 Block Plane

A new adjustable-mouth low-angle block plane

This adjustable-mouth low-angle block plane is affordable, of good quality, simple, and reliable, making it a must-have tool in a woodworker’s shop.

9

November 2024

PVC Spring Clamps and a Tool for Applying Them

Simple clamps made more useful with reverse-action pliers

PVC-pipe spring clamps are cheap and easy to make but opening them wide sometimes requires more than hand strength; a pair of reverse-action pliers increases the spread and allows the operator to open the clamps one-handed.

13

November 2024

The Sea of the Sámi People

Sailing the Arctic waters of Lake Inari

A father and daughter take their Ness Yawl north of the Arctic Circle for a four-day high-wind cruise through the islands of Lake Inari in Finland.

6

November 2024

The Wittholz 15

A plywood catboat for home construction

A New England–style catboat, the Wittholz 15 is suitable for home-building and offers excellent sailing, a spacious cockpit for as many as six adults, and admiring looks wherever it goes.

6

November 2024

A United Nations Flat-Bottomed Skiff

An 18′ wooden skiff designed for Lake Malawi

This simple outboard-and-oar skiff was designed for fishing in Lake Malawi, southern Africa. Having built one from free U.N. plans, a young New Yorker proves the boat’s worth on the shallow waters of Great South Bay, Long Island.

6

Small Boats Annual 2010

The Albury Runabout

A magic carpet for the water

The Albury Runabout is a classically fine outboard, famous for her smooth ride, speed and sea-worthiness. She was designed by Willard and Benny Albury and were first built in the 1950s.

5

Small Boats Annual 2010

The Delaware Ducker

A blue-collar performance boat

The Delaware Ducker evolved as a bird-hunting boat on the tributaries of Delaware Bay. A study in simplicity and performance, it deserves close attention as a recreational boat.

5

Small Boats Annual 2010

The Haven 12 1/2

A trailerable classic

A handsome daysailer based on the Herreshoff 12 1/2, but modified for a centerboard.

6

October 2024

A Compact Collapsible Shelter

Pankay’s Pop Up Privacy Tent

This compact collapsible shelter provides privacy for changing clothes or using a portable head as well as protection from wind and rain ashore or afloat.

4

October 2024

Boil-in-the-Bag Plank Bending

Using a portable steambox to steam planks

When bending planks, it’s not always practical or necessary to have a full-sized steambox; sometimes all you need is a portable steamer, a long plastic bag, some tape, and a bucket.

5

October 2024

Hatch Cove Kayak

A David Wyman design for Chase Small Craft

A new recreational touring kayak from David Wyman and Chase Small Craft combines light weight with good initial stability, generous buoyancy, low windage, and excellent tracking.

5

October 2024

Gannet

Iain Oughtred’s 14' planing dinghy with traditional appeal

Combining the appearance of a comfortable daysailer with the underwater profile of a planing dinghy, Iain Oughtred’s Gannet can be used for a relaxing sail with four crew or an exhilarating ride for two.

12

October 2024

A Solar-Powered Cruise on Lake Nipigon

A two-week cold-water cruise through the islands

Two friends set out in a Whitehall-style open boat for a 15-day, early-season island-hopping cruise on the chilly waters of Ontario’s Lake Nipigon.

3

October 2024

Victorinox Paring Knives

Stainless-steel knives for boat and home

They were designed for the kitchen, but these Swiss-made knives—sharp, durable, and affordable—can be used anywhere.

6

October 2024

C.D. Mower’s Snow Bird

Building a traditionally planked boat

Retired mechanical engineer Geoff Hart had built a strip-planked Wee Lassie but dreamed of trying his hand at traditional boat construction. His next build was a lapstrake sailing dinghy designed in the 1930s—a challenging four-year project.

5

Small Boats Annual 2009

The Blue Jay–Class Sloop

A Sparkman & Stephens classic

The Blue Jay-class sloop was designed in 1947 as a junior trainer. Today, the fleet numbers over 7,000, and the boats are sailed by adults and kids alike.

6

Small Boats Annual 2009

Pathfinder Yawl

A 17' cruising yawl

The 17' 4" Pathfinder yawl, designed by John Welsford, is meant for serious cruising. One owner-builder in the designer's New Zealand home waters spent 10 months living on his boat while exploring.

5

Small Boats Annual 2009

The Harrier Double-Ender

An eye-catching blend of old and new technology.

The Harrier double-ender carries a standing-lug yawl rig, high-peaked and fully battened in the main—an eye-catching blend of old and new technology. She is exceptional under oar or sail, due to her light weight and refined shape.

5

September 2024

DeWalt Multi-Tool

A cordless oscillating tool for cutting, grinding, and sanding

Oscillating tools can do quick work in tight quarters and the Atomic 20-volt multi-tool is cordless and can go almost anywhere.

3

September 2024

The EasyBailer

An automatic bilge pump for small boats

The plans and detailed assembly instructions for the EasyBailer direct a do-it-yourselfer through making a solar-powered automatic bilge pump for a small boat.

7

September 2024

Anchor-Rode Markings

How to mark your anchor rode for water depth and scope

When anchoring a small boat, it’s important to calculate the depth of water and measure how much anchor rode is let out. Rode markings provide a simple and effective solution.

5

September 2024

Blekingseka

A traditional sprit-rigged sloop from Sweden's southeast coast

The traditional 14′ Eka, a spritsail sloop from Sweden’s southeast coast, has its origins in the 18th century when the type was used for fishing and travel among the coastal islands.

5

Small Boats Annual 2009

The Geary 18

The 1928 “Flattie” is all about speed and simplicity

The ease of sailing the Geary 18 has been compared to sailing while sitting on a couch.

4

Small Boats Annual 2009

The Wineglass Wherry

A stitch-and-glue pulling boat from Pygmy

Wineglass Wherry, a plywood pulling boat, takes its inspiration from beach-launched working craft.

Series

The Ronstan Battlestick

Jorgensen’s 60-1/2 Block Plane

PVC Spring Clamps and a Tool for Applying Them

The Sea of the Sámi People

The Wittholz 15

A United Nations Flat-Bottomed Skiff

The Albury Runabout

The Delaware Ducker

The Haven 12 1/2

A Compact Collapsible Shelter

Boil-in-the-Bag Plank Bending

Hatch Cove Kayak

Gannet

A Solar-Powered Cruise on Lake Nipigon

Victorinox Paring Knives

C.D. Mower’s Snow Bird

The Blue Jay–Class Sloop

Pathfinder Yawl

The Harrier Double-Ender

DeWalt Multi-Tool

The EasyBailer

Anchor-Rode Markings

Blekingseka

The Geary 18

The Wineglass Wherry

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