To the Black Sea

7

March 2025

Building a Goat Island Skiff

A Goat Island Skiff is launched in Germany

Gerald and Petra Trumpp learned to sail in a Northeaster Dory, but for river and lake cruising in their native Germany and across the border in France, they were looking for a boat with more size, more stability, and more speed.

4

March 2025

DEWALT DCS334

A cordless variable-speed jigsaw

Cordless power tools have many advantages over their corded counterparts, but being cordless shouldn’t compromise their performance. The DeWalt DCS334 jigsaw delivers precision cuts, long-lasting power, and excellent operator control.

3

March 2025

Preval Sprayer

A compact aerosol sprayer for use with paint and varnish

Applying finishes to small or hard-to reach areas can be frustrating, but the aerosol-powered Preval Sprayer makes such jobs easy, producing less waste with quick cleanup.

12

March 2025

The BETTY Effect

A retired couple discover the joys of river cruising under oar

Newly retired Chris Price built the Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie which he and his wife, Jacqui, have since rowed hundreds of miles in coastal waters, lakes, and three of England’s biggest rivers.

7

March 2025

Bolger’s Pirogue

Phil Bolger’s Design #451 is simple but versatile

The Bolger Pirogue is shallow-drafted, flat-bottomed, and simply built of inexpensive materials. It can be poled, rowed, paddled, and sailed, and offers great versatility in intricate backwaters.

5

March 2025

Herreshoff/Gardner 17

A lightweight, fixed-seat rowboat for one or two people

Designed by L. Francis Herreshoff in 1947 and modified by John Gardner in 1980, the Herreshoff/Gardner 17 is a rowboat with pedigree, good looks, and excellent performance. It’s also suitable for amateur construction with modern materials.

6

Small Boats Annual 2011

Lili 6.10

A balanced trekker from France

Lili 6.10 is an able boat for two to cruise in complete independence for a few days in a lifestyle as simple and inexpensive as the boat is to build and use, and she can easily be towed to the next shore for the next exploration.

4

Small Boats Annual 2011

Martha Jane

Comfort and stability in a plywood lug yawl

Martha Jane is a big, simple, well-performing boat. She has a good seakeeping ability, and can also be poled up into shallow creeks.

7

February 2025

Converting a Kayak for Sail

Building outriggers for a Pygmy Osprey Double

Dick Vermeulen enjoyed his kayak, but he still wanted to go sailing; he built some outriggers, had spars and a sail made, and it took off like a rocket.

4

February 2025

Mustang Survival Quadra Dry Suit

A dry suit with innovative design and impressive performance

Extending your boating into colder seasons requires some specialized gear to keep you safe and warm. For a small-boat user, a dry suit is a worthwhile investment and Mustang’s new Quadra offers top-notch materials and workmanship.

3

February 2025

NEBO Omni 2K Work Light

A compact cordless lamp

When working on boats or in the workshop, good lighting is invaluable. The Omni 2K from NEBO is cordless, can be used freestanding or handheld, and its light can be directed through 360 degrees.

13

February 2025

How to Build a Brass-Frame Wind Vane

A home-made wind vane for small sailboats

A wind vane is a useful device on a small sailboat, and a colorful masthead banner adds a bit of flair. With a bit of brass and fabric you can combine practicality with style.

13

February 2025

Sailing on Lake Roosevelt

A two-day end-of-season adventure

Returning to a favorite haunt in Washington State, a single-handed sailor enjoys a fall weekend of cruising and camping but is challenged by high winds and flat calms.

6

February 2025

The Kokopelli Platte-Plus

An inflatable kayak for tandem or solo paddling

The inflatable Platte-Plus kayak folds into an easily carried backpack, can be paddled by one or two people, and offers versatility with good performance.

5

February 2025

The Drascombe Dabber

A 15' lug yawl for sail, oar, and outboard

Designed more than 50 years ago, the Drascombe Dabber can be sailed, rowed, or motored, trailered behind an average family car, and stands upright on a drying beach; the design is as popular today as it has ever been.

4

Small Boats Annual 2011

Glen-L Sea Knight

A 1957-vintage outboard cabin cruiser

oats are the stuff that dreams are made of—sometimes of dreams recaptured, in places unexpected. Such is the case with the Sea Knight, a graceful 17′ retro cabin cruiser, a...

3

Small Boats Annual 2011

OTTER: Fast Outboard Launch

A fast and rugged power launch

The OTTER is a Pete Culler designed cold molded, launch outboard that was adapted and constructed by Bill Perkins. She has a "file-bottom", common in the Chesapeake, with the addition of a "Rhode Island" shelter.

6

Small Boats Annual 2011

The Northeaster Dory

A modern traditional boat for sail and oar

The Northeaster Dory is a glued-lapstrake-plywood interpretation of the Banks dory. It is available in kit form from Annapolis, Maryland-based Chesapeake Light Craft.

8

January 2025

The Paddle Wheel Boat

Building a simple boat from “Mechanix Illustrated”

Inspired by childhood memories and the discovery of a 1960 copy of “Mechanix Illustrated,” Davi Rodrigues built a paddleboat just like the one he’d enjoyed with family and friends 60 years ago.

2

January 2025

RTIC Road Trip Travel Mug

An old favorite gets a new upgrade

A new version of an old favorite, the RTIC travel mug is rugged, keeps drinks hot or cold, and has a ceramic lining so there’s no metallic taste.

2

January 2025

The C-Monsta

A hanger for drying neoprene gear

Made of recycled, high-impact plastic, the C-Monsta is a purpose-built and highly practical hanger for drying neoprene gear.

7

January 2025

Winterizing Trailer Tires

How to care for tires on an idle trailer

If a boat trailer is simply parked for the winter, its tires can degrade and even acquire flat spots, bulges, and dry rot. Having the means to raise and support the trailer quickly and safely makes it easy to protect tires, extending their longevity.

13

January 2025

SCHERZO Does the Skookumchuck

A four-day adventure in Sechelt Inlet, British Columbia

Three friends explore Sechelt Inlet in a 14′ Pacific power dory and twice navigate Skookumchuck Narrows in the slack water between its fast-running tidal rapids.

7

January 2025

The International Optimist Dinghy

How a simple pram dinghy changed the face of kids’ sailing

Under 8′ long, and with a single sprit-rigged sail, the Optimist was designed as an affordable boat for kids in Clearwater, Florida; it went on to become the most popular kids’ sailboat around the world.

5

January 2025

The Gorran Haven Crabber

A traditional sprit-rigged yawl from Cornwall

Based on the traditional 19th-century crabbers of a small Cornish fishing village, the shallow-drafted Gorran Haven crabber is a sailboat well suited for coastal day-sailing and camp-cruising.

Series

Building a Goat Island Skiff

DEWALT DCS334

Preval Sprayer

The BETTY Effect

Bolger’s Pirogue

Herreshoff/Gardner 17

Lili 6.10

Martha Jane

Converting a Kayak for Sail

Mustang Survival Quadra Dry Suit

NEBO Omni 2K Work Light

How to Build a Brass-Frame Wind Vane

Sailing on Lake Roosevelt

The Kokopelli Platte-Plus

The Drascombe Dabber

Glen-L Sea Knight

OTTER: Fast Outboard Launch

The Northeaster Dory

The Paddle Wheel Boat

RTIC Road Trip Travel Mug

The C-Monsta

Winterizing Trailer Tires

SCHERZO Does the Skookumchuck

The International Optimist Dinghy

The Gorran Haven Crabber

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