Recent winter-storms have brought the waterline up and dropped the temperature to near freezing at Percy Priest Reservoir. H3 was launched in the afternoon chill. With a 38" beam, her hips are mellow and the overall effect of her chine is streamlined. However, her flared, Tumblehome sides create excellent stability for two, making stand-casting an easy feat from forward or aft. For those seated, her high freeboard provides excellent protection from wind and chop, while her single-stepped "v"-bottom tracks well when she is loaded for trim. Total dry weight is estimated at 80lbs. . Today was actually an initial launch, to compare load and stability characteristics for the fitting of oarlocks and a sailing rig (The mast step is located on the full length Keelsom and partners with the bench and forward bulkhead). She will feel the water again soon as a rowboat, and by Spring she will be sailing.

H3, patiently waiting:


Interior bench, aft seat, and traction paint on bottom and step:


Standing just aft of center with all weight to Port:


Paddling from bench with boat well trimmed:

The bottom, exterior, and inside of H3 has been graphite-epoxied, painted, and painted/traction coated, respectively. Next is the launch, at which time I will determine specific weight-distribution and position the oar-lock mounts. Launch photos to follow soon. Visible below is the stern portaging handle, stern compartment access hatch, stern seat, cockpit, and rowing bench. If you are curious about the delay in getting H3 completed, this link explains: <<< LINK >>>

Interior View Looking Aft:

Bow and stern dry compartments have been finished inside, their decks have been installed-and-glassed inside-and-out, bright surfaces are receiving final clear-coats, the interior has been prepared for final paint coat, and the exteror is being faired (epoxy+silica+micro-balloons, then sand & repeat) before applying the final graphite bottom coat.

The interior has been sheathed in 6oz. cloth. A Cypress keelson runs the length of the interior; it is sealed in glass. Outwales and Inwales are secured. Bulkheads and cleats have been fit and glassed or sealed. The Aft Bulkhead is fit with a porthole to access the stern compartment. The Bow compartment will be accessed via a larger porthole fit to the bow deck. The interior layout is complete and ready to be permanently secured. An hourglass shaped bench-seat will run longitudinally from the Forward Bulkhead to the Midship Bulkhead at a max height of 6". A second, large, deck-seat is placed just forward of the Aft Bulkhead with a max height of 3" (The mounting cleats for the Aft seat are just visible through the Aft Bulkhead porthole). Since this version will be used without a motor, a large, carved handle has been fit to the transom. After the bulkheads have been secured and the interior fillets completed, the bow and stern decks will be trimmed and secured.


Carved, Cypress transom handle:

H3's exterior has been sheathed in 6oz. fiberglass cloth and the interior cleats and keelson are being shaped prior to installation and fiberglass sheathing. These interior reinforcements are intended to handle the additional forces of a sculling position and a (downwind) sail-rig and leeboard system -of small sharpie or fishing skiff design. The deep, tumblehome sides are visible here and show the acute chine presented to the water when heeled. The distortion along the shear lines will be corrected with the addition of gunnels.

Hull #3 is a 16' x 32" (Max Beam), nonpariel, shallow-"V" bottom Single-Step Skiff Designed by Matt Langenfeld of JEM Watercraft. Matt's skiffs are shallow-draft paddlers that seem to combine the best of Canoe carrying capacity, Kayak agility, and Pirogue stability. The wood-core/fiberglass/epoxy construction is stronger and weighs less than a comparable fiberglass or plastic production boat with the added benefit of beautiful wood-grain. This version is fitted with a transom giving the hull a fuller body and providing a mount for a small, trolling motor. The transom is notched into an extended "V" at the waterline to minimize the turbulence caused by a flat stern. Ideal load capacity is in the 300-400lb. range with a 3-4" draft. The boat will be fitted with rowing oars but with a 32" beam it can be paddled as well.

Hull #3 is being modified to incorporate watertight compartments at each end topped with extended decks over the bow and stern. The compartments will provide dry-storage and reserve floatation in the event of capsize (always wear a PFD).

Hull#3, view from astern (hull is upside-down):


Hull#3, view from forward (hull is upside-down):