This section of our web site, an extension of the Launchings department of WoodenBoat magazine, is dedicated to sharing news of recently launched wooden boats built or restored by our readers. If you’ve launched a boat within the past year, please email us at launchings@woodenboat.com, or post your news here.
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Weighing only 20 pounds, this "mini-canoe" was designed and built by Robert Van Orden. He writes that it cost just over $50 and took about 20 hours to build. He used a single sheet of 3/16" plywood for the planking and made the stems and ribs from pine. It is 7'8" long and 27" wide.
This heavy duty version of the Digger 17 skiff adds 6 inches of freeboard and optional self-bailing in addition to modified Bosworth check valves installed on the transom. Marine grade plywood, mahogany, cedar, douglas fir, and brazilian cherry used in the build.
Bill Bornemann writes that he "built this 9' long, 4' beam, plywood skiff inspired by Howard Chapelle's description of the flat iron skiffs in his book, Small American Sailing Craft. She was assembled and painted in one day as part of his 50th birthday celebration.
Alex Braden, age 7, and his brother Andy, age 9, helped their grandfater, Charlie Brown, build two Chesapeake Light Craft paddleboards. during the winter of 2010 and 2011. Built from kits, the SUPs are 14′ long and just under 30′ wide.
In 1962, Bob Ahlers of Beachwood, New Jersey built a Penguin-class sailboat, hull no. 6276, for his son, Rob. The boy and his family named the boat PLAYBOY, and sailed it at the Beachwood Yacht Club for some time.
SUNDANCE II was built in 1975 at a yard in Essex, CT on lines from Nathanael Herreshoff’s sailing dinghy GARYOWEN [1926], which was in turn drawn after Design #568 [1901], “Colonia Sailing Dinghy.” In the late 1970’s SUNDANCE II was transferred to a series of museums where she fell into disrepai
Walter Hansen completed this glued lapstrake tender in April 2011, just in time for the Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance in Seabrook, Texas, at which he received a Corinthian Award.
LEGACY is a 1956 Thompson Sea Coaster that Bob Cristina of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina recently gave to his son Ed Cristina of Ashton, Ontario. Ed did a few repairs and gave LEGACY a whole new finish before re-launching her in August 2011.
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.
Mark and Jane Serrianne love their 1953 Lyman Ideal, SHAWSHANK, that they recently restored and then launched on Chautauqua Lake, New York. SHAWSHANK, 13'2" × 4'8", had dry rot in the bottom, which they removed and repaired.
Hand built, One of a kind. Hull is sound, roof and rear wall of pilot house need repair.
BOAT HAS SOLD! "Thank you, Autumn. It took some time but it was well worth it." B.
Designed and built by the late Ray DeFir and his best friend, my late Step-Father, Gary Griffiths
Classic wooden rowboat (possibly Old Town).
Approximately 12’L x 4’W.
