Launchings

David had attended a traditional boatbuilding course at Mystic Seaport, and there became smitten with Swampscott dories.

Dan Vallerga's first adventure in boatbuilding led to this Penobscot 17 (Arch Davis design) which took just 10 months from start to its launch on Sept 6, 2004. Dan uses the boat in Humboldt Bay, Eureka, CA. Contact Dan at vallergad@sbcglobal.net.

I chose the Spira International Tillamook Pacific City dory design for my first build. Aside from the remarkable feeling of splashing a boat built with your own hands, this boat is a deeply personal accomplishment for me. One of my ancestors, Capt.

Named after builder Bill Terry's wife, ADA BELLE is a Ken Swan Little Gem rowing skiff. The frame is mahogany with plywood bottom and sides. Built for use on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, Bill reports that  his grandsons love the boat and that she is easily rowed and handles well.

Paul Cartier bought his 1962 Chris-Craft Sea Skiff for "what the trailer as worth. The boat had mostly good bones but was cosmetically in very rough shape.

Using lines taken from an 1880s Adirondack Canoe at the Antique Boat Museum, volunteers Chuck Cripe and Seb Borrello built little SUSAN NIPPER, under direction from curator John Summers, as an ongoing live demonstration for museum visitors. Thought she is under 8' long, she will hold an adult.

Jim Inglis wanted a boat he could carry on his car while traveling around Australia with his camper trailer. He wanted a light, responsive boat capable of crossing open water, yet maintain a traditional look.

Pete Schell and Paul Smith, of David Beaton & Sons, Barnegat Bay, NJ, were the craftsmen behind this Joel White-designed Flatfish owned by Gregory Bauer of New York City. SERENA carries 268 sq ft of sail and displaces over 3000 lbs.

My boat is a “couch boat” which is the only description I could think of since I designed it for comfortable seating and aesthetic Italian curvy lines.

Jim French was needing a boat when his friend Jim Tuck received Dynamite Payson's book, Build the New Instant Boats, for Christmas. So Jim Tuck lent his friend the book, and the use of his shop, and some wood, and a bit of help, now and then.