Boats don’t always need to have pointy forward ends. Here we have two easily built, square-ended workhorses that will handle all sorts of waterfront chores—and look just fine while they’re about it. Designed by Maine boatbuilder Doug Hylan, the 15' 9" and 19' 0" Ben Garveys will earn their wages. Designer-builder Doug Hylan and his daughter head out across the Benjamin River in his Ben Garvey. The stable boat is easily built with plywood and epoxy, and requires only modest power.
Photo by Benjamin Mendlowitz
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Nice revived interest in the garveys. Had a fun 15′ Jersey-built one, with 25 hp in the late ’50s. Was even a racing bunch active then. Handy little craft.
The March/April 1998 issue of Boatbuilder has a plan for a nice 20′ X 6’3″ garvey. It also has a V bottom, is built of plywood, and has a center console. Looks like a good boat. That design is by Dave Gerr.
As for the tendency to pound, I rode on Puget Sound waters in a good size garvey that belonged to the Washington State DNR and was used for tending marine parks in the northern PS region. We made good speed (18 to 20 knots, maybe) over a fairly lumpy chop, and the ride was surprisingly smooth, especially compared to other boats I’d been on, such as a 17′ cruiser (name of which I can’t remember) that gave a very harsh ride over a 4″ ripple. I’m not sure how long that garvey was, but we were able to carry 2 or 3 kayaks 16′ to 17′ long aboard. It also had the aft pilot house.
I’m thinking I’ve got one more boat build in me and the Garvey could well be the one. I have been leaning heavily towards the Atkin’s Ninigret for a number of reasons, not least of which is motor in a well that is protected from waves over the transom. Many otherwise fine power boats have gone down because the motor conked out in a storm, the boat weathercocked facing downwind and took one too many over the stern.
So I’m wondering if the Garvey could have some kind of protection added back there for that potential event? And maybe a bit higher freeboard for that feeling of safety even if it’s never really put to the test?