Series

August 2024

Sunfish

A simple sailboat from the 1950s

Derived from the popular Sailfish, the Sunfish was a collaborative creation from two sailors and two designers. Since the first 20 plywood boats were built in 1952, it has been in continuous production in fiberglass and more than 500,000 have been built and sailed worldwide.

August 2024

Teak-Nu

Restoring weathered teak

The Snappy Teak-Nu system restores weather-faded or discolored teak to its original color and protects it.

Small Boats Annual 2008

The 2007 Small Reach Regatta

A portfolio of small boats

For the 2007 Small Reach Regatta, the waters off WoodenBoat swarmed with small boats for three days. Read the recap of that inaugural event.

Small Boats Annual 2007

The NorseBoat

A Cadillac of a camp-cruiser

The NorseBoat requires more study time per foot than most small craft. Besides an attractive hull and an unusual sail plan, she has more bells, whistles, and unexpected features than a 1970s conversion van—certainly more than any boat in her class.

August 2024

Water-Sails for Small Boats

Adding sail area to a small-boat rig to give that extra push in light airs isn’t always straightforward, but the water-sail is not only simple to set up, it’s also easy to make from inexpensive materials.

July 2024

Taku Essential Jacket

A waterproof and breathable jacket kept simple

Mustang’s jacket for inshore and coastal use provides waterproof comfort without the addition of more features than you may really need.

July 2024

Paddle Pump

A space-saving innovation for small boats

Designed by seaplane pilots, the Paddle Pump is a space-saving innovation that serves two purposes vital to small-boat users: propelling the boat and dewatering the bilge.

July 2024

A Walkway for a Trailex Trailer

Modifying a trailer for dry-feet launching

For owners with smaller rowing and paddling boats that can be launched at a ramp without submerging the trailer, having a central walkway along the trailer is a useful modification.

July 2024

Boatbuilding in the Woods

Off the road and off the grid, a scow takes shape in the forest

First-time boatbuilder Greg Goodman set up camp on a family-owned piece of land in the heart of a western-Michigan forest, created a workshop under a tarp, and built a flat-bottomed scow of his own design, learning valuable lessons along the way.

July 2024

From Sailboat to Motorboat

Converting a tired sailboat hull into a new family motor cruiser

When Vancouver Island resident Quentin Verhaegen went in search of an inexpensive motorboat for his family, he found the choices limited and beyond his budget. Not to be thwarted, he bought a 40-year-old fiberglass sailboat and repurposed it as an outboard cruiser.

July 2024

The Friend·Ship Canal Boat

A comfortable cruising boat for sheltered waters

Phil Thiel’s canal boat, suitable for at-home building by moderately experienced woodworkers is a comfortably appointed boat for long, leisurely trips on sheltered lakes, rivers, and canals and can accommodate six adults overnight.

July 2024

The Shrike Kayaks

CNC’s modern sea kayaks steeped in Inuit tradition

Based on an original Inuit Disko Bay kayak in the collection of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Shrikes, from CNC Kayaks, are designed to be built as simply and as lightly as possible. The result is a range of boats that connect the paddler with the environment and reward the user with speed, agility, and grace.

June 2024

From the Dumpster to the Launching Ramp

A rescued kit becomes a much-loved family boat

When Polly Robinson was offered a lapstrake plywood dinghy kit that was about to be thrown out, she didn’t hesitate. She took it home and built the boat for her family.

June 2024

The Erie Canal by Canoe

A solo voyage along the 19th-century commercial waterway

Hugh Rand launched his solo canoe at the westernmost end of the Erie Canal and paddled the 363 miles to its easternmost end. The 19-day voyage took him through 19 guard gates and 35 locks.

June 2024

The Scout 10

The “smallest camp-cruising sailboat” from Duckworks

The new Duckworks sailing dinghy, the Scout 10, is within the reach of first-time builders and has some innovative construction techniques to make the boat light and strong.

June 2024

Maptattoo

A glare-free GPS for small boats

The Maptattoo marine GPS was designed by and for small-boat users. Its glare-free screen can be read in any light, its battery is long-lasting, and it can be operated in rain and spray.

June 2024

All-Terrain Carts

A home-built go-anywhere cart

Canoes and kayaks can be paddled in many out-of-the-way places, and carts that roll over soft sand and loose rock as easily as if on pavement can get them there with ease.

June 2024

Waterlust Sailing Canoe

Chesapeake Light Craft’s versatile canoe for paddle or sail

Inspired by the sailing canoes of the 19th century, the Waterlust from Chesapeake Light Craft can be paddled, pedaled, or sailed, and is designed for high-performance expedition cruising but is still well suited to a gentle afternoon outing.

June 2024

Boat Cover Batten Sockets

Cast-bronze fittings bring stability to cover battens

An innovative piece of hardware sits in standard oarlock plates to create a stable bracket for anchoring batten supports for small-boat covers.

May 2024

A Faering of His Own

Pursuing Viking traditions in upstate New York

Craig Hohm’s affection for Viking ships and Norwegian workboats led him to build a 19’ faering, starting with trees from his woodland lot and using many traditional methods.

May 2024

Zero-Flute Countersinks

Smooth countersinking and deburring

These precision-machined bits make clean, chatter-free work across a range of materials.

May 2024

An Inflatable Fender/Roller

A versatile inflatable fender from Aeré

Aeré’s sturdy inflatable fender is a versatile piece of small-boat equipment that can also serve as a beach roller, a seat cushion, and a bed pillow. And it packs down for easy stowage.

May 2024

Building a Squirt

A retired woodworking teacher builds his first boat

When his friend sold the boat they’d used for fishing, Bill Bains decided to build his own, and found himself returning to teenage memories of a small mid-century speedster.

May 2024

Different Ways to Style Your Kayak

Bringing unique flair to plywood and strip-built kayaks

Not all wooden kayaks have to be varnished to be beautiful. There are many different ways to finish and add unique panache to hulls and decks.

May 2024

FLOW 19

A fast and sporty trailer-sailer

A trailerable sport-cruiser designed by Antoine Mainfray, the Flow 19 is as suited to racing as it is to gunkholing and beach cruising.