The Christmas Wherry possesses two characteristics that should be critically important to anyone looking for a small boat to use in open waters. It displays classic beauty and, as the boat’s designer, Walt Simmons of Lincolnville, Maine, says, “It will take you out, and bring you back home.”The wherry can trace its origins perhaps as far back as the 15th century. Superb pulling boats, wherries could be found fishing or carrying passengers on rivers and harbors throughout much of England. These working boats were often equipped with sailing rigs. The fast, all-purpose boats came to the New World during the earliest part of the Colonial era.The Christmas Wherry can trace its design almost as far back in history. The boat is based on the salmon wherries developed on the shores of Penobscot Bay in the 19th century, a time when the fishery for wild Atlantic salmon flourished in Maine bays and rivers. Some 35 miles long and more than 20 miles wide, the bay lies at the mouth of the Penobscot River and is studded with granite ledges and islands. For decades, into the early years of the 20th century, the Penobscot was among the most productive salmon rivers in North America. As might be expected of boats relied on by fishermen working on the rugged Maine coast, the ability to go to sea in all weather, and to come back laden with salmon in all but the worst of it, was critical.
Read this article now for Free!
Enter your email address to finish reading this article now.
— OR —
Subscribe now for $29.99 a year! You'll have access to our new issues as they are published, and access to our entire archive of back issues, starting with our inaugural issue in September 2014. Subscribers can also post unlimited classified ads. This is an extraordinary value!
“The boat is fitted with bronze horned rowlocks that Simmons designed especially for rowing in the standing position.” Where to purchase rowlocks with the long shanks depicted in photo??
At Walters shop!
Dear Bert van Baar,
Regarding “Standing Oarlock Horns, 2″ Capacity, bronze, $180” the Duck Trap Store’s website reports as follows: “Unfortunately, our standing horns are out of stock for the foreseeable future.” My recollection is that this has been the situation for several years.
Is there another vendor with stock in hand?
Your Reply: “At Walters shop!” Does this replay refer to a location other than Duck Trap? If yes, is there contact information available?
Regarding “Standing Oarlock Horns, 2″ Capacity, bronze, $180” the Duck Trap Store’s website reports as follows: “Unfortunately, our standing horns are out of stock for the foreseeable future.” My recollection is that this has been the situation for several years.
Is there another vendor with stock in hand?
The text under the photo says the rig is a spritsail, but both the photo and the drawing show it to be a standing lug (just picking a very small nit)
The drawing does indeed show a lugsail, which is the rig detailed in the plans. In the photograph of the boat with the yellow hull,the sail is, in fact, supported by a sprit, but it’s largely hidden from view. The spritsail was an option chosen by the builder and there is more about that boat, KELPIE, on the blog Scottish Boating. You’ll find there two photos of the boat under sail with the spirt clearly showing.
—Ed.
One of these is currently under construction, said construction being documented on WoodenBoat’s Forum.
Walt has in the past sold his stand up oarlocks. A friend of mine recently bought his last pair. Don’t know if there are plans to make more. These are not inexpensive but might be one of the few assets that one has that your heirs will appreciate and use.
If I were to build a Christmas Wherry just for rowing, would I need to include a centerboard in the build? Could a longer fixed keel by adapted to the design? I really like this boat for possible coastal camping trips, and for the fact that is has such a broad beam makes her look very stable for photography work. I was looking at Whitehall designs, but they seemed too narrow. My interest is to build a rowboat that tracks well and can handle rough seas, and that has all the elements of traditional boatbuilding. Thoughts? Alternatives?
Just build this Christmas wherry WITHOUT a centreboard. That board is only for sailing!
A slightly deeper keel could make her more course-stable but also does the opposite: keeps you from a quick turn if needed!