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What's New?

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Plank Patterns!!!

You wouldn't believe how many times over the years we have been asked if our plans include plank patterns. Like the constant drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet, that query kept nagging. So this Winter we decided to begin the process do something about that.

For a start, we are offering full size plank patterns for our Harbor Skiff and for the Rhodes Wherry. The HS patterns fit on a single 36" wide sheet, and the Rhodes patterns required two sheets, but they are also full size. Printed on the same paper as our other plans and loftings, these can be unrolled to prick through and transfer the shapes, or simply cut out with scissors and rolled out on the planking stock and traced. Developing the planks for your boat doesn't get any easier than that. And with marine ply at better than $120/sheet and even cedar at $3/foot +, if you are the least bit skeptical about getting out your planking, this would certainly be money well spent.

Full Size 12' Harbor Skiff Plank Patterns..................................$25.00
Full Size 10'-6" Rhodes Wherry Plank Patterns.........................40.00

P.S. Patterns for the 15' Lapstrake Canoe and the Duck Trap Wherry are currently being developed.

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Success at last!

Years ago it was easy to get the copper rivets we needed for building lapstrake canoes and for other light work. Unfortunately, they went out of production and all the 1-1/4" x 14 copper nails available since came with heads far too small for use on softwood planking.

Well, not any more...

We have finally succeeded in having proper 1-1/4" x 14 copper nails custom made–and these have round shanks and 1/4" diameter flat heads to provide plenty of bearing. We bought them for our own work, but since special orders come with a hefty minimum order, we have plenty for you too. There are somewhere north of 400 of these nails per pound. The burrs you'll need are generally available, so we won't be selling them.

1-1/4" x 14 copper nails for lapstrake canoes
@ $17.50/pound

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Attention model makers

Yes, we're well aware that our boats would make beautiful models. We also know that our plans are some of the most reasonably priced anywhere. Still, a lot of model makers balk about having to buy full sets of boatbuilding plans in order to build their models. Since we can appreciate that, we are currently working on producing scale plans specifically for model making. We are even considering offering kits, but first things first.

Here's the beginning–a freshly planked, 1" scale Harbor Skiff model...

Those straight pins are holding the breasthook and quarterknees in place. This one has balsa planking over basswood.

1" scale Harbor Skiff model plan (2 pages) $25.

We are building a Lincolnville Salmon Wherry model presently to prove the next set of plans,
and are working on the plans for a 1" scale Sunshine.

Lap Clamp Plan

At long last, our new lap clamp plan is completed. It includes the 4", 7", 9", 10", and 12" clamps plus details handles you can make. Everything is full size on a single page measuring 24" x 36". Shown to the right are a 4", 7", and 12" lap clamp.

Click here for more information.

We worked on this project for more than a year. Substantially expanded and updated with new sections added, this volume incorporates both of the earlier volumes into one. The original line drawings have been retained, new ones have been added, and there are three all-new photo chapters. That's why this new book runs more than 400 pages. US$65/copy.

Read more about this book.

There's a review of this book in the Jan/Feb '09 issue of Water Craft magazine.

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The lofting for the 16' Duck Trap Wherry is finished.. Yes, it's true that we already offer loftings for the 15-footer, and even for the 14-footer with the curved transom; now we have all three. We also have an additional body plan page with half the station spacing, drawn specifically for those who plan to strip build their wherries.

We know that a lot of folks have great difficulty weighing the attributes of our several wherries. Wherries was written so that what we've learned about them for decades wouldn't be lost. In it you'll find information on everything from the Littlest Wherry baby's cradle to the Newfoundland Trap Skiff. Here's an example from the book that should be of interest.

The lofting for the 16' Duck Trap Wherry is US$120/copy, which includes delivery in the US.

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This is the 12' Harbor Skiff.

This skiff was initially designed as the maximum skiff allowable at our town dock, though this round sided skiff is anything but ordinary. The entire plan is on a single page, and the page is nearly 15' long because she is drawn out full size. There is no lofting required whatever. There is more information on our skiffs page.

This boat is currently for sale

We used this very Harbor Skiff as a demonstration model for one season. There are registration numbers on her bow, but other than that, she is still in excellent condition. If you are interested in a really good deal on a really good 12' skiff, drop us an email, and we'll forward the particulars.

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Yes we build these boats!

A number of people have asked whether we still build boats. Ignoring the implied reference to our age, we want you to know that the answer is yes, we do. We don't even attempt to build 10-12 wherries a year like we used to...we reduced the pace when we passed 175 boats.

Other demands on our time have limited our building schedule to a select few boats–sometimes just a single Trap Skiff or a couple of Duck Trap Wherries in an entire year. Presently we building a 14' Lincolnville Salmon Wherry.

No shop has more experience building our designs, and few if any offer better prices. If you are interested, drop us an email or give us a call.
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Boatbuilding essentials...

2" Chisels, long #29 Drill Bits, and long 5/16" Bits

If you prefer snail mail, our address is: