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Kevin, your last post reminded me that the clamming boats at Cedar Key all live on trailers, because there's almost no available dockage in Cedar Key. Thus they don't have problems with fouling in...

To my eye the tunnel looks like a key feature of the design. It allows the motor to run shallower and keeps the boat from sliding sideways uncontrollably. All the clamming boats at Cedar Key have it.

Learning to steer with Coquina's rope system took me about an hour before it felt as natural as using a tiller. I know a lot of people are spooked by it but it's really no problem. I had more trouble...

Wow! Twelve years ago already? Yes, he certainly did have stories to tell! The Bilge was more entertaining back then.

I think some of Michalak's ideas in Norm's Boat derive from Phil Bolger's Birdwatcher. The slotted coach roof with the sailing rig and centerboard both offset to one side, which allow walking access...

I find the wide-brim Tilleys to be too floppy in the wind. I fixed one with a length of thin carbon fiber rod which I threaded into the hem. That worked pretty well until the hem wore out. At present...

These boats are a common sight around Cedar Key, FL., where they are used for farming clams. Their owners lease gulf-bottom acreage east of town where they raise cherrystone clams in large mesh bags...

There are times when the ability to switch seamlessly back and forth from oars to sail can be very handy.

I recall one day when John Hartmann in his Ilur and I in my Coquina rowed and sailed from...

John,
Yes it has exactly that, a low friction plastic thimble that rides along the anchor rode. The line itself is only ~3ft long, and it's made off to a fitting on the cuddy top where it's easy to...

That's a svelte hull you've drawn there, Clint. I can't wait to see her on the water! The prospect of it being light enough to car-top is tempting too, because there are lots of places where you can...

For what it's worth, the sleeping space in a Scamp is 8ft 3in long. Even if you subtract the little sump in the stern it's still well over 7ft. You'd fit easily, Clint! ;^)

The Scamp does...

Yup! And I just renewed my subscription.

Agreed! All of us who are enjoying good health need to count our blessings.

So most of us recognize the bridge; tell us a bit more about the boat in that first photo.

Out of curiosity, what are the material limitations that prevent you from building a wider strongback?

Breton fishing lugger.

I built a Scamp and used a number of PT Watercraft hatches in the seats, and even copied their gasket system for my custom hatches in the #3 bulkhead. They are dependent on careful installation of...

I have an ancient 14" Delta too. Lovely saw! I replaced the steel guides with a set of ceramic ones from Woodcraft Supply(?), and they made a huge difference. I also mounted a brush to clean dust...

Yoiks! OK, for once I can honestly say I'm glad I'm not in Nova Scotia!

Are there any reports of damage yet, Jay?

Concerning the rifles, I have to agree with your sons, Andrew. If these ceremonies feature officers carrying swords and archers carrying longbows, why can't the soldiers carry Lee-Enfields, or better...

I was struck by the fact that despite the traditional dress uniforms worn by all, the arms they carried were modern assault rifles. They seemed out of character with the nature of the proceedings.

I think this topic needs to be moved to the "Tools & Techniques" section! :D

OK, so long as it's officially National Nit-picking Day, who the heck hitched that dock line to the foredeck cleat?

Fifty years old? No wonder it looks so...almost tasteful! :)

Except for a couple little swoopy details, it looks almost retro.

So if a photo is taken with the sun low in the sky, and you are not told if the sun is rising or setting, is it usually readily apparent in the photo?

It's too bad they didn't bother to credit the music.

Yes, that does truly stink. If it's any consolation, the hole won't affect the sound of the guitar, and you have story to go with it.

I had to look it up: MTL stands for Marine Tractor Launch. So these were 46ft tugboats.

When were these photos taken? Looks like the early '50's to me.

Are the photos in the first 2 posts taken of the same incident? I see the one lifeboat hanging over the starboard side in each shot.
I was also curious about the dark object hanging diagonally off...

_Grey Seas Under_ was my favorite Mowat book, but _The Boat Who Wouldn't Float_ was a close second, and the funniest book I ever read.

The Eagle coming into New London under power with a strong SW breeze behind her. Somehow the photo looks like it was assembled from 3 separate shots.

Good luck, Fritz!

Best outdoor shower I ever found is at the harbormaster's office in Bucks Harbor, Maine. It has 2 stalls with a panoramic view of the harbor so you can scan all the cool boats as you towel off in the...

Thanks, Steven, for the Maritime Life connection. I've been vaguely aware that at one time City Island was quite a center for yacht construction beyond just the Nevins yard. I"ve seen passing mention...

If the original note hadn't mentioned plywood, I might never have noticed the chine running forward from the transom.

Ah, the splendid asymmetry of it all! And yet, all in balance!

Question:
Has WoodenBoat ever done an article on the boatbuilding yards of City Island, New York? If so, then I somehow managed to mss it.

Yes, that's the Atlantic 17 Dory by Jon Persson that I mentioned way back. The knuckle in the sides gives a stability advantage over a flat sided dory like one of Phil Bolger's Light Dories, but it's...

I'd think one of those Swampscott Dory clones would suit you nicely. They're handsome, row well, have just enough flat bottom to beach well, and would carry active grandkids safely in normal...

^ So, Rigadog, apart from plywood, easy to build, and carry 2 rowers, what do you want from this boat? Sail? Motor? Good looks? Good for fishing? Compact size? Good as a dinghy?

How about a plywood dory designed on the Swampscott model, with knuckled sides? It would have a much friendlier stability curve than any of Bolger's light dories which all have straight sides. The...

Rigadog, You may need to be more specific in what you're looking to do with your boat. Just as there is no one perfect boat, there is no one perfect rowing boat.

How do you plan to use this boat?

I built a Drake 17 a couple years ago and I must say it's a lovely boat, quick and responsive, and drop-dead gorgeous to boot. Clint provides a very complete kit, including all the parts needed for...

Atlantic 17 dory designed by Jon Persson?

He's only got an overnight in Portland, guys.

Go up to the Eastern Prom and take in the view over Casco Bay. Or ride the ferry to Peaks Island and back.

Do you have enough spruce to glue it up as a two piece lamination? One glue joint down the center would be no worse looking than the 8 joints of a bird's mouth glue-up. If you care to, you could even...