March 2026 Archives | Small Boats

This month in Small Boats, we review two boats designed for amateur builders: Richard Kolin’s Heidi, a skiff for sail and oar; and Eric Schade’s all-around performer, the Shearwater 14 kayak. Davis Taylor takes his Tango 17 Whitehall to the Maine coast to explore some of the many islands south of Mount Desert Island. Michael Jones describes an innovative technique for making affordable custom hardware for small boats. Christopher Cunningham reviews some hardwearing but remarkably comfortable kneepads; Audrey and Kent Lewis find a range of high-quality low-cost tie-down straps; and in the U.K. a Barrowboat kit is discovered in an attic and is built, 35 years after purchase, by the original owner’s best friend.

Featured on our front cover is a Heidi skiff; photograph by Karen Hall.

From The Editor

A Trip to Hog Island

Adventures don’t have to be long and arduous to bring satisfaction

For the editor, memories of an island voyage under sail and oar are still vivid after 30 years.

Boat Profile

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.

Boat Profile

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.

Adventures

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.

Technique

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.

Product Reviews

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.

Product Reviews

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.

Reader Built Boats

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.

Past Issues

From The Archives

Small Boats Annual 2020

March 2016

December 2015

August 2015

View All

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