I was walking back from the town dock last night after some late afternoon fluke fishing and saw this gorgeous 14′ (or-so) lapstrake pulling boat sitting on a trailer down by the village center. I popped home for the camera and checked it out.
The oars were still wet, so someone and their friend were obviously enjoying a cold beverage at the KettleHo after a nice late afternoon row around the bay. The boat was immaculate — it looked to be only a few years old, and was put together as delicately as a jewel box. I’m not sure what the naval architects would call it. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a Whitehall because of the double-ended canoe hull. Peapod might apply, but again, not sure.
This pretty much embodies everything I’d like in a traditional boat. I’m not a fixed seat rower, but this one would fit the bill if I were one. Oh, and the leather collars on the oars were stitched on with a perfect herringbone pattern that put my efforts to shame.
 
Clinker built hulls — where the planks overlap each other — are beautiful things. This boat is riveted together with bronze rods peened over washers.
I am not a rower or nor do I own a boat. However, I can appreciate a thing of beauty and the craftmanship evident in the pictures. For reasons I don’t understand (former life maybe?), nothing evokes a sense of awe in me as a well built wooden boat. Thanks for sharing.
Might have been worth stopping in to buy a frosty for that guy and get the story on the boat. What I wouldn’t give to take her once around the harbor…
Wow. That is one gorgeous water craft. Is it rowed or is it paddled more like a canoe? How much do you think something like that costs? Home made?
Aaron:
rowed boat — I would bet it was built by someone who knew what they were doing. The craftsmanship is astonishing. Cost? Wow — for that level — I dunno, $15,000 maybe $20,000?
Nice rig!
I believe (I could be wrong) that it was built here
http://www.lowellsboatshop.com/
You can literally BYOB (Build your own Boat) at this place.