Sept '24 Newsletter
The leaves are turnin!
Hello everyone- hope you’ve had a beautiful summer and are enjoying these crisper mornings as we approach the shoulder season. This is my second newsletter to go out and I’m happy that the list of recipients is growing. I will showcase some recent work, show you what’s coming up, and share some interesting boat designs just for fun.
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A snapshot of my recent work:
I last shared the partial restoration of this 13’ Harry Farmer sailing skiff, but here are some finish details-->
I got the chance to stop by a loyal client’s house and snap some photos of a custom desk cabinet & ash top assembly that I built last year:
I designed a new bench to add to my furniture options, and it sold quickly. I plan to make a few versions of this out of scrap wood once in a while, but they can be ordered for commission:
Here’s a custom sapele threshold I built and installed for a transition piece between hardwood floor and carpet:
Coming up:
I’m building four big octagonal window frames for a barn in Freeport. It’s been a fun geometry test, since they aren’t equilateral:
I will be picking up a traditional rowing skiff from Vinalhaven in Oct to repair overwinter. I plan to work with the North Haven historical society and Penobscot Maritime Museum to try figuring out who built her and if the lines are recorded. If not, I’ll be sure to record her lines. This would be a very cool opportunity to have a new one built right next to the old one if anyone is interested - I think this skiff would make a great cruising tender or leisurely sailing dingy.
Sounds like I have some other small boat repairs and cabinetry coming up, and I might bring a furniture piece or two down to a friend’s holiday sale in NY. If I can sell the Acorn 17 I have another boat in mind I’d like to bring to life, but I must be patient.I’d like to start sharing a couple boat designs with each newsletter. I’m pretty proud of my growing design catalog, handpicked from my favorite naval architects. This quarter, a 16’ double ended sailboat and a 21’ economical garvey.Paul Gartside #165 16’ double ended sloop:
This lovely daysailer draws 1’ 8”, 3’ 3” with the centerboard down. Adventurers could rig a tent over the boom for camp cruising. A traditional plank on frame built would be great, but she could be adapted for modern cold molded construction upon request.
Sam Devlin Little Cod 21’ garvey:
Garvey boats always have a blunt, flat bow. They are quick (and cheap) to build but have enough V hull up forward to cut through chop. This red one is the 20’ Honker that Devlin derived the Little Cod from. He has several sizes drawn and there are some other designers with great garvies, such as Doug Hylan’s Big Ben. It took me a while to appreciate the work boaty shape and I think I could build one that would turn heads.
Anyway, that’s it for now! I appreciate your time and hope you are finding my antics entertaining. Please let me know if you have any comments, or questions, and of course if you’d like to be removed from this email list. I will end this newsletter with a few photos of our Point Comfort 18 “Marley”.
Be well,
Elijah
https://www.davisboatbuilding.com/
(207) 355-5187