Boats built by hand.
Thirty years of building. From backyard sheds to open ocean.
Thirty years of building. From backyard sheds to open ocean.
This site documents everything I've learned building boats over thirty years. A 40-foot catamaran built from scratch. Small boats you can build in a weekend. Detailed plans to start your own build. No shortcuts, no secrets — just honest work and hard-won knowledge.
In 1994 I started building a 12-metre catamaran in my backyard. Custom steering, a kit-assembled mast, every system designed for practicality and real-world sailing. Two years and nine months later, she was on the water.
Read the full storyNot ready for a multi-year project? Build a plywood runabout in two weeks. A sailing proa in a month. Small boats are the best way to learn, and the fastest way to get on the water.
See the small boats
Detailed building plans with step-by-step instructions, material lists, and decades of experience built in.
Browse the plansOccasional emails with new build notes, plan updates, and lessons learned on the water. No noise, no spam.
How CNC precision changes plywood boat building. Faster cuts, better fits, less waste.
Understanding the relationship between size and open-water capability.
The performance role of daggerboards in catamaran sailing characteristics.
