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Details, and a Neat Cover.
Christopher Sawyer, of Carmel Valley, CA sent these photos of his Penobscot 14. He writes, “This project was finished last fall and I just realized that I had not sent you any pictures. I think the project was highly successful and I loved the process. Your plans and video were perfect and the building went without a hitch. I am so excited about wooden boat building that I am now working on a 16' Fenwick Williams's catboat. This on is now in the strip planking stage. The positive experience I had on your design gave me the confidence to go on to my next effort.“Thanks for your good work.” May 5, 2008.
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One Builder, Two Boats.
Robert Mason, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, sent these pictures. He writes, “My name is Robert Mason. I built Laughing Gull in 2004. She came out
great and has been set aside for grandchildren. I just finished The
Jiffy V-22 and I love this boat. She runs great! Yamaha 115 EFI, 3 blade 17. I am getting 35 mph 5800 rpm. She cruises at 25, turns in her own length and runs very dry. Thank you for two beautiful designs. I will send better pictures as they become available.”April 13, 2008.
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Grace Eileen.
Progress has been slow on the 30 ft sailboat we have been building – there always seems to be something else that needs doing. However we have at last been getting some planking on. Progress is good, when we do find the time. These photos show the laminated floors that will take the keel bolts, and support the mast step. We glued these together in place, took them out and ran them through the thickness planer to clean them up, then glued them back in place. They will give a lot a strength to a highly stressed part of the hull. It took some time to make them, but was quicker and easier to do at this stage, rather than after planking was completed and the hull turned over.We will finish planking the bottom, establish the stub for the fin keel, then glass the bottom, before planking the topsides. March 18, 2008.
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Wee Lass
George Dix, of Zion, Illinois, launched his Penobscot 17 last summer. He recently sent some photographs, and a very detailed account of building his boat. Unfortunately there is not space to reproduce it all, but here are a few extracts:Having already built a kayak and an outboard boat, “I knew two things. One, I always wanted to build a sailboat, two, I was not at my age going to sit around and become an old man before my time. Hell, I was only 72. . . . After receiving your study package I talked it over with my wife, as this was going to be quite a project, and would take some time, but I needed to do this, and we agreed. I have a great wife! “I had some help from my grandson, Kevin, and my two boys, and I soon found myself anxious to get going! I finally learned how to sharpen plane blades and chisels, and how nice they work when sharp. During construction I had a good number of lookers with good comments; made me feel pretty good. There were some tricky spots, but as you said, take your time and everything will come out right, and it did! “I called on a few friends to help turn her over. It went well, and we all enjoyed a few beers and subs. Good time had by all. During construction I kept a journal and took many pictures. I have looked at them many times – reminds me how much I enjoyed building her. I will name her Wee Lass for my Scotch wife.” March 3, 2008.
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A Jiffy V-22 on Lake Champlain.
These pictures came from Bruce Bowlen, of Dorset, Vermont, who launched his boat last summer. He writes, “I worked primarily during the winter months. This has been my most ambitious project to date. All in all it went very smoothly. The plans were most complete and thorough. With your building guide, the project was very doable even for someone with my limited experience.“With regard to the boat’s performance, my expectations were exceeded in very regard. Power is a Yamaha 114 HP four stroke. It seems to me to be a perfect match. She just glides up on plane effortlessly. We generally cruise in the mid teens to low twenty mph range, depending on conditions. With two on board, a full tank of gas, and typical gear it tops out just shy of thirty mph. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the Jiffy V-22. The building process was enjoyable . . . . my sense is that I have less than 50% of the cost of a production boat invested. My wife and I had a terrific time touring Lake Champlain this past summer, and had many flattering compliments on the boat. I don’t recall exactly what the plans cost, but it was the best money I’ve ever spent. Thank you.” Congratulations to Bruce, and our thanks for his kind comments. January 9, 2008.
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Marissa
Peter Van Sickle, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, sent these photos. He writes:“I carefully logged the time I spent constructing my boat. I spent 236 hours of fun. Your plans are thorough and easy to follow. I did have a few trials and lots of errors, but I am very proud of the finished product. “I had my boat in the Coeur d’Alene Wooden Boat Show this August. The show is primarily for classic wooden runabouts. This year there were three other entries. One was a nice little Catspaw dinghy designed by Joel White. For the other two one could say that Arch Davis had come to Coeur d’ Alene. Quite coincidentally, my Penobscot 14 and a Penobscot 17 were both entered, and located side by side. The two boats attracted lots of interest and favorable comments. “Marissa, named after my first grandchild, was first launched on October, 2006. I have had it out several times rowing, and a couple of times sailing. In either mode it is a delight to handle. Thanks for such a beautiful design.” December 10, 2007.
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Temerity
James Laing, of Stow, Ohio, took these pictures of his Sand Dollar, Temerity. He writes,“Hi Arch, I finished my Sand Dollar back in August, and I remembered you saying that you'd like to see some pictures. I actually kept an online journal throughout the building process, and it is available at www.phlod.com ... It's not the prettiest Sand Dollar, but it is proof that it can be built by someone with very little woodworking experience. I rushed it a bit at the end, since I was due to start graduate school this Fall. I have the gunter mainsail and rigging, and I hope to fit it out over the holidays. It was great fun! Thanks for all your help. Take care.” We think Temerity looks just fine, and it a credit to her builder. October 18, 2007.
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A Penobscot 14 in Georgia
These pictures came from John Steele, of Coraopolis, Georgia. He writes:“Enclosed are a few pictures of my boat. Everyone that sees it loves it. It really tuned out nice. Thanks for making a nice set of plans and construction manual, and the video helped greatly. “We’ve had it to the lake about five times. My grandsons love it. They do the driving, and I sit back and relax and enjoy my little boat.” Our congratulations to John on a job will done. September 7, 2007.
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If you would like to see your boat featured here, send photos and a description of your project to Arch Davis Design, 37 Doak Road, Belfast, ME 04915. We would love to see them - we are always looking for good picture of boats under way!
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