Available Wooden Boats and Kayaks

His and Hers Nymphs

Built in 2009, these two boats are a matched pair of Nymph double paddle canoes. There is a 10 footer that weighs 19 pounds and a 12 footer that weighs 23 pounds. These two boats are made of western red cedar and Atlantic white cedar with Alaskan yellow cedar gunwales, cherry stems and maple breasthooks. The exterior is reinforced with transparent high-strength fiberglass. The interior is reinforced with space-age carbon fiber and Kevlar cloth. The yarns of carbon and Kevlar are woven together in a twill pattern that creates the appearance of tweed or hounds tooth.

These boats are available individually or together as a matched set. Matching paddles may be ordered to go with the boats.

Long and Low Aleutesque

Sculpted Stern: The Aleutesque has a modified transom stern that catches the eye but releases water smoothly.

Floating sculpture, the Aleutesque is fast and refined. Based on the skin-on-frame "baidarkas" developed by the Aleut peoples for paddling the edge of the stormy Bering Sea. This boat is striking on and off the water. The long low lines suggest velocity even sitting on a display stand, on the water a few easy strokes accelerates the boat up to cruising speed.

The baidarkas are famous for their unique "bifid" bow and truncated stern. This boat vamps on those themes to create an entirely new form that is beautiful and functional. The low profile draws the eye down the length with a graceful downward turn of the sheer at the transom. A fine entry slices the water with barely a ripple while the broad stern supports the boat at speed with a smooth little rooster tail. The Aleutesque is a truly unique design that leaped of the page when I drew it and demanded to be built. The result is a 35 pound boat made of western red cedar with Alaskan yellow cedar accents and butternut details. The kayak is sheathed in transparent fiberglass fabric on the outside and lightweight, strong carbon fiber on the inside. The seat is comfortable minicell with a black neoprene cover.

Aleutesque Profile: Fast and refined with a unique shape. On the Water: The Aleutesque cuts a sleek profile. Recessed Fitting: Flush or recessed deck fittings leave a smooth surface.

Western Red Cedar Petrel - Sold

Book matched and stained western red cedar with maple accents makes this a stunning boat on and off the water. The boat is reinforced with transparent fiberglass cloth on the outside, a high strength cloth is applied to the bottom for added durability. The inside is encapsulated with carbon fiber cloth and a carbon-Kevlar hybrid cloth.

This Petrel is equipped with two storage hatches, a retractable skeg and a minicell foam seat. The retractable skeg has a smooth positive control placed conveniently next to the cockpit and uses a carbon fiber rod to move the skeg. The skeg itself is offset to one side to virtually eliminate jamming due to pebbles or sand. The minicell seat is lightweight, soft and comfortable.

Weighing 38 pounds, this Petrel is responsive and fun to paddle. It is suitable for a small paddler who such as a woman who wants capacity for carrying gear or just wants to poke around estuaries. A larger paddler will be happy with this as a day-tripping boat for smooth or rough water.

Puzzling Night Heron - Sold

Stitch and Glue Night Heron Stern Puzzle Joint: The stern of the Night Heron highlights the puzzle patterns used to connect the various pieces of wood that make up the deck.

Based on the same design as my strip-planked Night Heron, the stitch and glue Night Heron is fashioned from bent plywood. The only problem with plywood is it comes in 8 foot sheets, and the Night Heron is 18 feet long. Creating long enough pieces to build the boat means there must be joints. I decided that if the joints must be there, I'll make them a feature instead of a flaw. I created puzzle-shaped joints and then drew attention to the patterns made by staining the parts different colors.

This version of the Night Heron weighs 35 lbs. It includes a bent plywood seat, one bulkhead and a twist-lock back hatch. It could be equipped with deck lines for safety but I like the clean look without them. Due to the relative ease of construction, stitch and glue boats such as this are more affordable than my other strip-built boats.

S&G Night Heron: This 18' long sea kayak is made of plywood joined together with puzzle-style joints that are both striking and functional. The various panel pieces can be stained any combination of colors. Here the greens and browns reflect the seaweed and rocks the kayak glides through as you paddle the coast of Maine. S&G Night Heron cockpit with bent plywood seat: Plywood can be bent to create an amazing array of forms. Here it is formed into a comfortable contoured seat.

Coot Pram-Style Dinghy

Coot: is simple little dinghy or yacht tender that is suitable for towing, swinging from davits or being tied on deck. It is pretty little boat that will compliment the most gracious yacht.

This is a simple, rugged, practical little rowing dinghy ideal suited for transporting several people and their assorted kit to and from a yacht. It can take a small (5-horse) outboard but rows easily. The unique bench seat allows the passengers to easily distribute their weight depending on who and what is loaded in the boat.

Coot - Inside: This dinghy has a unique bench seat that the rower straddles. This allows for easy shifting of weight as passengers and gear load in and out of the boat.