The summer high-pressure systems that bring sunny days to the Salish Sea are known for their accompanying lack of winds. After cruising British Columbia’s Discovery Islands in a small sailboat, I decided I’d enjoy the area more aboard a small motorboat, one that I could use to poke and prod my way along the meandering coastline, tucking into the small bays along the way.I began a search for a suitable small motorboat to build. I studied the offerings from local designers who knew my local waters, but ultimately settled on a boat by Harry Bryan, a boatbuilder/designer based on Canada’s opposite coast. In 1998, he envisioned an update to the deep-V inboard-powered boats William Hand developed from 1900 to 1920. “The hulls Hand developed,” Harry writes, “do not skip along the surface of the water like fully planning boats. They will, however knife through the water at well over displacement speeds. Hand commented that he could recommend these boats without reservation as wholesome, steady, fine little sea-boats capable of really surprising speed.” Harry wanted to combine the advantages of the deep-V hulls with the clean and efficient four-stroke outboards, which were emerging at the time he was studying Hand’s work. Harry’s design was the Handy Billy 21.I was sold on the boat’s classic lines, and its construction seemed to be within my abilities and budget. Fortunately for me, WoodenBoat ran a series of articles in 2001 on how to build the 21′ Handy Billy in issues 159 through 161, and I used them as my guide. At 21′, the boat is very close to the dimensions of a typical garage. I had enough room for it, but if a smaller Handy Billy is a better fit for the workplace you have available, Harry offers an 18′ version.
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Beautiful boat
Thank you very much. We’ve enjoyed many hours on the boat and look forward to many more. As I said in the article, the boat attracts a lot of attention wherever she goes.
Mr. Cormack,
That’s a beautiful boat! The helm seat catches my eye. I don’t think Harry’s plans show that seat. You wouldn’t have any details of your seat design that you would be willing to share, would you?
Thanks for the article.
Ted
Hi Ted,
I made that helm station as a one-piece console-and-seat unit which gives a bit (4”) raised platform between the two. I went with an Adirondack-style seat, which is fixed in place. I would suggest using a store-bought pedestal that would give you more seating positions. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the reply. I’m sure you are right about the practicality of the store-bought pedestal with more seating positions, but you can’t beat the aesthetics of your choice.
Thanks again!
Ted
Spent well over 20 years sailing the Inside Passage, Skagway to Seattle, on Alaska state ferries, as both passenger and crew. The beauty may be unmatched.
Sail or engine, this is a dream, and an ideal boat to realize that dream.
How does that Wind in the Willows quotation go: “…there is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”