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Boatbuilding in Pictures

The heading about says is all. These books follow the layout, construction, finishing and (where applicable) the rigging of specific boats built in our shop at Ducktrap, Maine. This is all first hand information, written by the builder himself. These are full color books, comb bound to lay flat on your bench, and the prices shown include shipping within the US.

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Plans are not included with these books, but order plans and book at the same time and we'll cover the shipping cost.

Cover shot: The Rhodes Wherry

The Rhodes Wherry

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The Rhodes model is an 1898 workboat and the original was used by young Osborn Wade in the Atlantic Salmon weir fishery here on Penobscot Bay.

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The subject boat is 10'-7" overall and rigged to sail, though we have built them to 12'-0" overall as well. Whether used as a solo or as a tender for a larger boat she can be counted on. This book guides you all the way through with text and photos by the builder.

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76 pages/ 135 photos. US $50

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The Newfoundland Trap Skiff

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Despite being the largest and most complex of the wherries, the NTS has been built successfully by a number of first time builders both here and abroad with the help of this book.

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You can build yours the hard way and "dope it out" as the old timers used to say, or you can avail yourself of this book and see photos of what you are about to do before cutting into expensive lumber.

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123 pages with 173 photos.        US$ 65.

Cover shot: The Newfoundland Trap Skiff
Cover shot: The Duck Trap Wherry

The Duck Trap Wherry

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The Duck Trap Wherry was designed to be a fast pulling boat, and about a week after we introduced the plans someone wanted to build theirs to sail. Figures.

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So, this book follows the construction of a glued lapstrake boat that is suited to sail with her centerboard, and her sprit rig. She is the easiest to plank of all our wherries owing to her gentile waterlines, made easier still because this book shows of every plank being installed and the finer points of fitting her laps and gains along the way. 

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166 pages and 247 photos. US$ 75

The Christmas Wherry

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Designed to fill the niche between the Duck Trap Wherry and the Newfoundland Trap Skiff, the CW has more room inboard than the former and is easier to build than the latter.

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She rows and sails beautifully. The boat featured is a glued lap version, 15' overall, with fitted sawn frames. Details are fully documented and that makes all the difference.

See how she's set up, lined off, and how her planks are fitted, and so much more.

162 pages with 226 photos  US$ 80

Cover shot: The Christmas Wherry
Cover shot: The Matinicus Double Ender

The Matinicus Double Ender

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The quintessential Maine Coast sea boat used by generations of lobstermen.  This is our most extensive book and details two boats, one traditional cedar planked and the other glued lapstrake. Along the way it covers setting up, lining off, planking, steaming, timbering out and inboard joinerwork, including building her rig. It's all here.

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In this book you will find historical information as well as the construction details you'll need to build your own double ender. Even if you don't anticipate building, it's a great read.

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277 pages with 354 photos. US$ 85

Lapstrake Canoes

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Early on the author wrote Building Lapstrake Canoes, covering traditional cedar over ash construction. This book is the more comprehensive of the two, detailing both traditional construction and glued lapstrake. Here's your chance to learn about both before deciding which approach best suits your circumstances. Either way, the end result will be an eye catching canoe that can serve your family for generations to come.

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190 pages with 269 photos. US$ 70

Cover shot: Lapstrake Canoes
Cover shot: Building the Harbor Skiff

Building the Harbor Skiff

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Skiffs are the SUVs of the coast, and the Harbor Skiff is one of the most versatile of them all. Named because it is the maximum size allowed at our town dock, she's 12' overall with about a 5' beam. She's a load carrier that's easy to row and power with a small outboard. Round sided lapstrake, she's also one of the best looking skiffs around.

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She can be as plain or as fancy as you wish. One of the ones detailed is set up for a fisherman, complete with side bench lockers and flotation chambers.

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76 pages with 84 photos. US$ 75

Building the Alli8

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The only non-lapstrake boat in our collection, this little sailing pram is constructed mostly of 6mm marine ply. At a bit less than 8'overall, this little sweetheart is readily built following the details shown in this book.

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Some have used this as a home schooling textbook, studying and then building their own Alli8. It even shows how to layout hull members on plywood for the most economical approach. Costs are minimal and her sail can even be fashioned out of a poly tarp. Hire a sailmaker if you like, but you don't need to.

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71 pages with 55 photos. US$ 50

Cover shot: Building the Alli8 sailing pram
Cover shot: Building the Littlest Boats

Building the Littlest Boats

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There are three designs covered in this book: The Littlest Wherry, the Littlest Yacht Tender, and the Skiff Youth Bed. The wherry and yacht tender measure 4' overall and were designed as cradles for infants. Some have converted theirs to coffee tables. The bed is 7' overall, and once your daughter or son has outgrown it, it can be converted into a real skiff–we did just that for our grandson.

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These are built just like their larger counterparts, so can serve as a first rate introduction to boatbuilding. Learn new skills and build an heirloom at the same time...

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88 pages with 127 photos. US$ 55

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