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

February 2026

Adding a Fixed Skeg to a Kayak

A simple way to introduce directional stability

Sometimes directional stability is more important to recreational kayakers than a high degree of maneuverability; David Dawson describes how to add small fixed wooden skegs to kayaks of any material.

February 2026

PHEATHER 2, Ultralight Canoe

Designing and building a see-through canoe for calm waters

In his quest to make the most of an urban-park lake just a few miles from his home in Waterloo, Ontario, Matt Morris has been designing ever-lighter craft that he can trailer behind his bike. His latest Urban Boat development, PHEATHER 2, weighs less than 12 lbs and has a transparent skin.

February 2026

Automatic Vacuum Switches

Practical solutions for workshop dust collection

To avoid the unhealthy effects of airborne wood dust in his workshop, Christopher Cunningham uses automatic switches that turn his dust collector and shop vacuum on and off whenever his woodworking machines are in use.

February 2026

Silver Ridge Pants

Moisture-wicking convertible pants from Columbia Sportswear

The convertible Silver Ridge pants from Columbia Sportswear are fast-drying, sun-blocking, relaxed-fit pants that can be worn full-length or as above-the-knee shorts. Audrey and Kent Lewis find them ideal for their three-season boating.

February 2026

The Tawe Nunnugah 2025 RAID

A coastal cruise in Tasmania

Every other year the Living Boat Trust of Tasmania organizes a “raid” for small boats. Sailing from Recherche Bay to Hobart, Tasmania, the raiders’ goal is to arrive in time for the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. In 2025 Jan Kent joined them in his Cygnet 20.

February 2026

Seahopper Lighter

A flatpack boat for sail, oar, and outboard

Nic Compton reviews the Seahopper Lighter, a small folding boat that has been around for more than 50 years and has proved itself as a sailboat, rowboat, motorboat, and load-carrying family tender.

February 2026

Chestnut Kruger

A sporty 16′ canoe from Newfound Woodworks

At 16′, the Chestnut Kruger from Newfound Woodworks is, perhaps, the ideal canoe size. Ben Fuller reviews the strip-planked kit-built canoe suited to both tandem and solo paddlers.

Small Boats Annual 2013

Hazel 18

A brand-new classic daysailer

Small Boats Annual 2013

The Cross Island Skiff

Ready to carry just about anything, just about anywhere

For exploring backwaters and uncharted beaches and islands, if there is an "all-terrain vehicle" of the marine world, this boat might well be it.

Small Boats Annual 2013

ELLAJEN

A sailing canoe

The early Prospector was developed to carry a load of gear, to cope with choppy waters, and to be maneuverable.

Small Boats Annual 2013

Rangeley Boat

A nimble rowing craft from Maine’s lake country

Developed in the late-19th century for Maine lake fishing camps, the Rangeley type has long been admired as a capable small craft with excellent rowing characteristics.