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The Matinicus Double Ender

(That's pronounced ma-TIN-e-cuss)

MDE Freedom

From the introduction...

"I’ve always been attracted to double enders. Often perceived as the plain sisters of the shapely wherries, it pains me that they are so often overlooked by those searching for a really good time-tested boat. They are without a doubt one of the most sea kindly boats afloat as attested to by generations of Maine lobstermen.

If you are looking for an excellent pulling boat, this is it. If you are looking for a traditional design that you can build on your own, this is also it. Most of all, however, if you would like to build an heirloom that will turn heads and serve your family faithfully for years to come, the Matinicus Double Ender definitely fills the bill.

I have been meaning to write this book for a very long time. I put off it while gathering photos and further information, though my association with double enders actually predates my association with wherries. There has been a great deal written about the wherries, yet little has been written about our ubiquitous double enders. I aim to rectify that deficiency here and now."

MDE Freedom2

These two photos are of Freedom II, the author's own double ender–
the very boat photographed for this book.

Now about this book...

The Matinicus Double Ender is available in three formats: CD, full color 8.5' x 11" and a black and white version of the same size.


MDE cover

Who said you can't tell a book
by its cover?

With Matinicus Island in the background, Orin Ames is standing there rebaiting his lobster trap, in a Matinicus Double Ender built by Merrill Young.

Merrill built that smooth planked boat in the 50s, and we're told that Orin was the last islander to lobster out of a double ender–not including the island kids, of course.

By the way, in these parts, don't presume to call her a peapod! That's a term used by folks "from away."

MDE CD

Note: You cannot print from the CD.

This book begins, as it should, by placing these superb sea boats in their historical and geographical perspective, before delving into the actual process involved in building your own boat. And as you can see from the table of contents below, coverage is comprehensive.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Background
Chapter 2 Tools
Chapter 3 Lofting Pointers
Chapter 4 Moulds
Chapter 5 Backbone
Chapter 6 Setup
Chapter 7 Planking Material
Chapter 8 The Garboard
Chapter 9 Planks 2-7
Chapter 10 Timbering Out
Chapter 11 Joinerwork
Chapter 12 Finishing Up

Notice how much is devoted specifically to planking? That's not because she's unduly difficult to plank, but because planking is the very heart of the boatbuilding process, and Walt knows that its mere prospect strikes first timers with fear and trepidation. Three chapters take you from material selection all the way through hanging the sheer strakes with particular attention paid to the garboard planks.

Reading about it is one thing, seeing it is another, and this book is as close as you are going to come to seeing the actual planking job by means of a myriad of shop photos. Here's a look at page 120...

MDE page 120

And remember, these pages are 8.5" x 11" so you'll get a really good look at what's going on. The book uses two boats for illustration purposes. This particular one is glued lap; the other is cedar planked and riveted.

Experience the entire process through 299 pages and 404 photos.

The Matinicus Double Ender

Compact Disk..................................$25
Full color book...................................85
Black & White book...........................55

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"If I had to pick one boat to use in all conditions, it would have to be the Matinicus Double Ender"
–Walt Simmons

The plans, and even the lofting for those interested, are available from Duck Trap Woodworking.
Here's the link to save you a lot of clicking.
(It's an offsite link, so you'll need your browser's back button to return to this page.)

© 2014 W. J. Simmons, Duck Trap Press

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