Tiller Extension
Bob Booth is building Steve Redmond's Tetra but when it did not have clear instructions for the tiller extension, he had to improvise. Fortunately, he documented the project for us.

• September Reports

The Texas 200 in Pictures - Part 2
If you have a tiny fraction of the pleasure going through these pictures as I did putting them together you should have a pretty good time. Great memories!

The Texas 200 in Pictures - Part 1
A lot of pictures were taken on the Texas200 so I just organized them into a kind of narrative account of the event. I even threw in a few video clips. Tomorrow, Part 2.

Conestoga…Built!
Several years ago, Tom Beck entered a boat design contest. He didn't win but he couldn't get the design out of his head, so he finally decided to build the thing. Now he's glad he did.

Jim Michalak's Newsletter
We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter.

Repairing Tip Damaged Synthetic Daggerboards
Not only has Alan Glos has made a profitable part time job of repairing synthetic daggerboards, but in this article, he reveals his techniques so that you can make these repairs too.

How to Float Your Camera
Just because a GPS, Camera or VHF is waterproof, that does not mean it will float. Joel Fleischer has some tips on how to prevent the loss of your valuable items to Davey Jones locker.

Take A Penny And Build A Sailmaker's Palm
Right off, Don Craig admits that he should have bought one of the ready made palms that are available but "the heart wants what the heart wants" and so he made one to see if he could.

• August Webwatch

Three Men in a Tub
Anyone who takes a small boat on big water will know that there is always the possibility of disaster. Pat Johnson took a 23 foot O'Day across the gulf and had this story to tell.

Starvation '08
Each spring, Jim Thayer hosts a small boat meet at Starvation Reservoir in Northeastern Utah. As he does most years, Tom Gale took his family and a boat and he sent us this report.

Little Schooners with Great Beauty
Not many will argue that the Schooner is the most beautiful of small boats. In this article, Paul Austin Reviews four small Schooners and discusses them in some detail.

Creation & Evolution of the PDR(X)
John Wright was one of the intrepid PDRacer sailors who set a new Voyage record for the design during the Texas200. It's no surprise that he has a few ideas about fitting these boats out.

Slider is Launched!
Ray Aldridge wanted to build a small, trailerable, catamaran with no cabin but with in hull seating. But since no plans were to be found, he decided to design his own boat.

Bimini for AF4B - Part 1: Getting Framed
Are you thinking about building a bimini for your boat? Please read this article before you begin. Once more, Rob Rohde-Szudy has made all the mistakes so you don't have to.

• August Letters

Real Treasure
Ever wish you had a little glass bottomed boat to look for sunken treasure? Fred Night put his wish into action and built a simple dory with a window on the bottom. Here is his story.

Mundoo 3 Solar Electric
A couple of years ago, Michael Storer did a lot of design work on the Mundoo Solar Electric cruiser. But it's only now that the real value of a power boat that uses no fuel is apparent.

The Q-17 Minicruiser
Here is another "resurrected" design from Joe Dobler. With her masthead sloop rig and reverse shear, she looks very modern. Her plywood taped seam construction is up to date too.

• August Splash!

Shenandoah, scene stealer at the Italy Rolex Rally, a Sea Thru Starlet, windling with Darth and the sailing now railroad-operating Lockley’s.
Mark Steele's wonderful potpouri of model boat news.

Building a Lake Skiff - Part 5
This time Charlie focuses on installing the topsides and floor. As is the case in most boat building, there is some soul searching, and a hiccup or two but things finally move along.

Tape and Glue Assembly
Often builders have tried to find less toxic ways to do modern stitch and glue construction. Ken Simpson has developed a method using Polyester and Titebond III that shows promise.

• August Reports

The Explorer Box
When he decided to downsize from a larger camping trailer, Scott Chaney came up with this clever camp trailer design. Now he offers them for sail in plan, kit or finished form.

Cockpit Drains
Every sailor thinks about safety and what would happen if a big wave came aboard. Tom Schultz is no exception. In this article, he shows how to install one-way scupper valves.

Shannon
Christer Byström has been designing small boats and writing about them in Duckworks for several years. His latest is a 17.5 foot lapstrake ketch. He is offering free plans for this one too.

Bay Islands of Summer
Imagine you owned one of John Welsford's Pathfinders and were able to sail it for two weeks in New Zealands Bay of Islands. Frank Bates lived this dream and wrote us about it

Cedar Key 2008
We did not make it to Cedar Key this year, but fortunately, David Lucas did and he was kind enough to allow us to post a collection of his pictures with a short introduction here.

The Great Neches River Downstream Expedition of ‘08
Anyone who follows the Duckworks Forum knows that Tyson McLeod (Tyson in Galveston) is a pretty good storyteller. Here is Tyson's East Texas piny woods epic adventure story.

• August Webwatch

Moving the Midwest Messabout for 2009
Jim Michalak has been holding his Midwest Messabout for a couple of decades now making it one of the oldest around. But Rob Rohde-Szudy and others are thinking about moving it.

The Other Side of the Coin
When the new owner of a boat you worked on in the past contacts you about that boat old memories are liable to come to mind. If you are John Welsford, you may write about them.

Some Building Tips
At 29 feet, Bolger's Tennessee is a serous boat, but that did not keep Ed Einhorn from taking a light-hearted approach when he sat down to write this update to his project.

Scaling up a Small Boat Design
When you first think about it, scaling a boat to be larger or smaller than the one you have plans for seems straightforward. But as Warren Messer explains, that is not necessarily so.

Installing a Solar-Powered Fan
Derek Waters plans to keep his Bolger Micro in the water this summer. To ventilate the cabin, he added a solar powerd fan and in this article he tells you how to install one on your boat

Building a Lake Skiff - Part 4: Stem and Frame Construction
With this installment, Charlie Ewers is getting into the nitty-gritty of construction. He presents a few of the problems he encountered and how he resolved them.

GPH and MPG: Outboard Fuel Management
Rob Rohde-Szudy is the quintessential DIY'er. In this month's column, he shows us how to measure engine performance with bits of string, tubing, scrap lumber and an empty soda bottle.

• July Letters

Special Report: The Fate of Resolution
In case you have not heard, Charlie Whipple had to end his bid to solo circumnavigate this week when his boat Resolution went onto the rocks off New Zealand and was lost.

Building a "Swift Canoe" -or- The Tale of The Twisted Plywood
Every boat builder I know likes to encourage wannabees to take the plunge. Pat Johnson did just that, but what he did not know was that Jeremy Herrin would jump in over his head.

• July Splash!

A desirable outpost, a stunning windjammer. North Carolina oyster sharpies and Harban’s most exclusive little yacht klub
Mark Steele's wonderful potpouri of model boat news.

Introducing the EZ Canoe
You probably remember Ken Simpson's three-piece, nesting pram called "Toter". Now Ken has designed a nifty little canoe with the same nesting feature - a great summer project.

Modified Birdsmouth Spars
Four years ago, Gaétan Jetté wrote an article for us that seemed like the last word on Birdsmouth spars. Now he has taken another look at the subject and offers new information.

• July Reports

Boat Design without the Compromises
Is a boat design greater than the sum of its parts or is it all about compromise? In his monthly column, Michael Storer takes a look at this question and gives the antipodean view.

A Tale of Two Boats - Part 3
Stephen Collins finished his Microtrawler recently and in true homebuilder style. He christened her "Someday" with Creme Brule. That's fitting for a boat that took three years to build.

The Sydney Classic & Wooden Boat Festival
I did not make it to Sydney for the show this year and chances are that you didn't make it either. Fortunately for us, Greg Fleming did and he took a lot of pictures.

The “Rooster’s” Tale
I have met several re-enactors who have built traditional boats. Don Craig is one and here he tells the story of Rooster, a 35 foot 'bateau' built traditionally and used realistically.