Custom Built 15' Inboard Wooden Skiff

I built the boat based on modified plans of a Harold H. "Dynamite" Payson's design called the 'Cartopper', an 11-foot open boat designed for either paddle or sail. I fell in love with the overall lines of the boat but wanted something larger - something that could be powered. I assembled the boat using the 'stitch-n-glue' technique outlined in Harold's plans. The side and bilge panels are of 3/8" ply with the bottom panel of 3/4" ply. The hull is fiber-glassed up to the gunwales and sealed with epoxy. The 'stitch-n-glue' technique makes for a very solid hull without the need for heavy internal framing. As a result, the boat is exceeding light despite the engine and running gear and can be easily towed by a small car or SUV.

The engine is fitted with a Vetus NLPH 45mm water lock muffler. It turns a Michigan Wheel 11 x 9 three blade prop on a 7/8" shaft. The 1-gallon fuel tank is more than enough for an enjoyable afternoon on the water. The Yanmar 1GM diesel was remanufactured by Mack Boring approximately five years ago and drives through a 2.62 reduction F-N-R transmission.

It comes with a single-axel galvanized road-ready trailer manufactured in 2020 by Austin Machine Works in Panama City, Florida. The trailer is equipped with 12" tires and includes a spare tire and hub. The trailer bunks have been custom formed to fit the boat's hull design.