12′ 4″ Yankee Tender

12′ 4″ Yankee Tender

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Feeling that some improvements could be made on the original Asa Thomson Flat-Bottomed Skiff, WoodenBoat (Maynard Bray, Spencer Lincoln, Joel White, and Jon Wilson) drew up some modified plans, which became the design for the Yankee Tender.

Mr. Thomson, a New Bedford boatbuilder legendary for his exacting standards and fine workmanship, built a number of skiff-tenders. Designed for a specific purpose in a specific area, they were light with a flat bottom for easy beaching. A good freeboard provided protection against a Buzzards Bay chop, and the strong sheer keeps the ends buoyant.

Spencer Lincoln

Yankee Tender is a capacious, seaworthy, flat-bottomed skiff weighing less than 150 lbs.

Feeling that Mr. Thomson’s design was just a bit stubby (probably because he was obliged to keep the overall length down to a minimum for easy stowage), WoodenBoat raked both the stem and stern, keeping the same bottom length, and raised her out of the water a bit forward so that she’d tow better and run farther up the beach.

The original skiff by Mr. Thomson had three planks up each side. While it was easy for Asa Thomson to find wide planking in the 1920s, it’s a different story today; WoodenBoat felt obliged to use four planks on each side, and chose Maine cedar over the original white pine.

Like Mr. Thomson’s, the Yankee Tender is light and responsive. She will carry three adults with ease and promises to be a good tender and fun for “poking about.” LOA is 12′ 4″, and her beam is 4′ 4″. Her weight of less than 150 pounds makes her easy for two adults to carry, and she can be loaded on a trailer or truck.

WoodenBoat Nos. 30 and 31 feature “Building a Flat-Bottomed Skiff” from the Yankee Tender design plans, using step-by-step details. The plans themselves are exceptionally detailed. WoodenBoat Plan No. 11. $50.00.

Yankee Tender Design Plan Details

DESCRIPTION
Hull type: Flat-bottomed, straight flaring sides
Rig: None
Construction: Cross-planked bottom, lapstrake sides

PERFORMANCE
*Suitable for: Protected waters
*Intended capacity: 3
Trailerable: Yes
Propulsion: Oars
Speed (knots): 1-3

BUILDING DATA
Skill needed: Basic
Lofting required: No
* Alternative construction: Plywood
Helpful WoodenBoat issues: WoodenBoat Nos. 30 & 31

PLANS DATA
No. of sheets: 5
Level of detail: Extreme
Cost per set: $50.00
WB Plan No. 11

Particulars

LOA:  12′ 4″
Beam:  4′ 4″
Weight:  125-150 lbs

Completed Yankee Tender Images

Tom DeVries

The generously rockered bottom keeps the transom well clear of the water when a rower is boating alone.

Johanna DeVries

The cross-planked bottom doesn’t require framing, so it presents a clean, unobstructed surface.