Comments on: The Delaware Ducker

By: Ben Fuller

Ben Fuller — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 13:39:33 +0000

In reply to Art Haberland. These are very different boats of course. Think a larger more stable canoe for the ducker, especially adept at sliding up the creeks and inlets of the Jersey shore marshes.

By: Ben Fuller

Ben Fuller — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 13:36:34 +0000

In reply to Martin Herbert. Good to see that you are using yours; your sketch of the day you sailed JOSEF at Mystic hangs prominently on the wall.

By: Ben Fuller

Ben Fuller — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 13:34:52 +0000

Nice to see this article resurrected. JOSEF W. is slated to get her rivets tightened up this winter as it takes a bit of time with boat blankets to get tight. Might give her paint on the inside, something that hasn’t happened in 47 years. Then we see how spry I am. I’d like to be sailing her when I turn 80 next year.

By: Art Haberland

Art Haberland — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 15:00:31 +0000

As a resident of the Garden State that lives semi-close to the bay, I am surprised I have not heard of this boat before. The Delaware is a capricious body of water at the best of times, any small vessel that is designed to navigate the Bay must be very seaworthy.

When the time comes for another small boat in my life, I may have to succumb to the traditions of my home state. Do I go Delaware Ducker or Swan Point Garvey? Two boats designed for the same purpose, but coming from opposite sides of the question.

By: Martin Herbert

Martin Herbert — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:03:21 +0000

Thanks to Ben Fuller for letting me sail and row the Joseph F on my tour of the East Coast many years ago when I was racing my International Canoe. I bought plans and built the Elijah Harper in the 1990s and still use her for outings on the Salish Sea. She is one of my favorite boats and has seen a lot of use in the last 33 years. Ben’s comments on the boat ring true, a lovely design.