Boat Profiles - Small Boats Magazine (2024)

February 2024Wyman 12A traditional working skiffDavid Wyman’s flat-bottom skiff is a contemporary version of a workhorse from the late 19th century, simplified for today’s DIY boatbuilders.

February 2024Salish Coastal CruiserA coastal rower from Oyster Bay BoatsThe latest sliding-seat design from Oyster Bay Boats provides stability and speed in a coastal rower that can’t be swamped.

January 2024Banjo 20Devlin’s compact, trailerable outboard cruiserA trailerable outboard cruiser from Sam Devlin, the Banjo 20 has comfortable accommodations and is easy to operate.

January 2024The Boston Whaler MontauksUnsinkable classic still going strong The Montauk range has evolved over time and grown in size, but it remains a stable, unsinkable workhorse and family favorite.

December 2023AdvancedFrame Sport KayakAn inflatable kayak with fine paddling qualitiesThe inflatable AdvancedFrame Sport Kayak is designed for the paddler who doesn’t want to deal with cartopping but is still looking for good on-water performance.

December 2023Lawton Tender by Newfound WoodworksA classic tender for strip-plank constructionNewfound Woodworks’ 10’ cedar-strip tender is a reworking of the classic Charlie Lawton design of the early 1900s. The update retains the performance qualities of the original and is available as a kit for at-home builders without an extensive range of power tools.

November 2023Georgian BayAn affordable strip-built pleasure cruiser from B. Giesler and SonsThe Georgian Bay, an 18′ pleasure cruiser, is designed and built in Powassan, Ontario, by Giesler and Sons, a third-generation shop with over a century of experience building sturdy cedar-strip boats.

October 2023Candlefish 16A stitch-and-glue skiff with plenty of volumeSam Devlin’s Candlefish 16, a stitch-and-glue open outboard skiff, is a good introduction to boatbuilding and an excellent boat in which to go camp-cruising with the family.

October 2023The Laker CanoeAn all-purpose strip-planked canoeGil Gilpatrick designed the 16’ strip-planked Laker Canoe with good stability for relaxed family paddling.

September 2023Summer BreezeThe most boat from the least materialsAn award-winning 11′ 8″ flatiron skiff designed by David Beede makes the most of three sheets of plywood for the hull and a poly tarp for the sail.

November 2023Centerboard Sloop #226AA new traditional rig on a proven Gartside hullPaul Gartside’s 16′ Centerboard Sloop was designed as a daysailer and cruiser for one or two. There are three options for sailing rigs, including a gaff main with topsail.

September 2023Portage PramA towing tender for two adults and their gearThe Portage Pram is just 6′ 8″ long, weighs 35 lbs, is cartoppable, tows well, and can carry two adults and their gear.

August 2023Hiwassee WandererA simple and affordable solo canoeThe Hiwassee Wanderer from Maddox Boat Works is a stitch-and-glue solo canoe designed for quick construction from three sheets of plywood without the need for building forms.

August 2023Centerboard LuggerPaul Gartside's Design #166Paul Gartside’s Design #166, a two-masted lugger, is a satisfying and sometimes challenging project for home boatbuilders, and its shoal draft makes it a versatile sail-outboard-and-oar cruiser.

July 2023Cygnet 20A trailer-sailer ideal for gunkholing Designed and built in New South Wales, Australia, this versatile cruiser blends modern construction with traditional influences.

July 2023Petrel Play SGA kit-built kayak with range and versatilityThe Petrel Play SG suits a wide range of paddling skills, can be used in calm waters and surf alike, and has sufficient cargo space for multi-day trips.

June 2023Colorado River DoryFit to row the Grand CanyonWith six watertight compartments, the Colorado River Dory has plenty of room to stow gear and an abundance of buoyancy for running rapids.

June 2023Seil 18An 18’ pram for oar and sailDesigned by François Vivier for cruising French backwaters, the Seil 18 has a Norwegian pram hull form.

May 2023Rhode RunnerA stitch-and-glue version of a mid-century classicDesigned for stitch-and-glue construction by experienced amateur builders, Chesapeake Light Craft’s Rhode Runner offers performance, comfort, and classic runabout looks.

May 2023Didi 23A Dudley Dix 23-footer with generous accommodation and fine sailing performanceA modern pocket cruiser with high-performance sailing pedigree, the DIDI 23 has a plywood hull that does away with angular chines by using Dudley Dix’s radius-chine plywood construction method.

April 2023LillieUpdating a classic design for modern constructionDesigned for both strip-plank and stitch-and-glue plywood construction, Selway Fisher Design’s Lillie is a modern interpretation of the canoe yawls of late 19th-century England.

April 202314′ WhitehallA composite version of a 19th-century classicThe Gig Harbor Boat Works Whitehall offers the good looks and versatility a traditional Whitehall in a light durable composite boat with rowing positions for tandem rowing, room for a passenger or two, and a sliding seat for those looking for powerful rowing and great exercise.

March 2023New York WhitehallAn American classicWhitehalls have been with us for 200 years and have evolved from working taxis to recreational rowing craft. A 14’ New York Whitehall reveals why the type is still so popular.

March 2023MeabanA trailerable Vivier sloopAt a little over 22', with berths for four, and a minimum draft of just 1'6” François Vivier's new design, Meaban, is ideal for shoal-water cruising.

February 2023Hobie 16More than fifty years old and as popular as everThe Hobie 16, enjoyed by many as a summer recreational boat and raced in fleets all over the world, remains one of the most popular and enduring of small one-designs and is among the most successful of all racing catamaran classes.