Series

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 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 for Safety Part 2: Navigation & 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 for Safety Part 1: Introduction & 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.

Small Boats Annual 2012

Peregrine 18

A fast pulling boat

This boat will not go down by the stern while being rowed at maximum speed or when loaded with wine, cheese, and cookies for an afternoon on the islands.

Small Boats Annual 2012

The Shaw & Tenney Whitehall

A classic, reinterpreted

A hull of traditional lapstrake appearance, but without the traditional worries of leaking and drying out.

February 2023

Spruce Spoon Oars

Beautiful oars that inspire good rowing

Adirondack Guideboat has introduced spruce spoon oars that are pretty to the eye, light in the hand, and, unlike their traditional guideboat oars, meant to be feathered.

February 2023

Hobie 16

More than fifty years old and as popular as ever

The Hobie 16, enjoyed by many as a summer recreational boat and raced in fleets all over the world, remains one of the most popular and enduring of small one-designs and is among the most successful of all racing catamaran classes.

February 2023

A Sneakbox on the Mississippi

850 miles from Cairo, Illinois, to New Orleans, Louisiana

After rowing his sneakbox down the Ohio River, Christopher Cunningham continues on the Lower Mississippi River, hoping to outrun the advance of winter’s cold.

February 2023

Fine

A sliding-seat pulling boat with excellent stability

The Fine from Oyster Bay Boats is an 18’ strip-built wherry that combines a sliding-seat rowing rig for speed and a hull with a 34” beam for stability.

February 2023

A Bridge-Crane Boat Lift

Lifting a boat up and sideways for storage

There are several devices for lifting a boat straight up off a car’s roof rack, but they may not work in a garage with an overhead door. This DIY hoist can raise the boat and move it sideways.

February 2023

Thixo Flex

An epoxy with flexibility

Thixo Flex is a flexible thickened epoxy that can be used on oily woods, dry, damp, or wet surfaces, as well as a wide array of materials including fiberglass, metals, and plastics.