24' Bolger Birdwatcher Sharpie (2008) - FRANCES E

Bolger designed Birdwatcher II, a Sharpie that is sailed from the cabin, there is a slot that allows standing the full length of the cabin, a rear deck for boarding, a heavy double bottom for self righting. Features an off center centerboard and mast. The full length cabin offers protection from the weather and provides area for self righting if capsized. Designed as a family camp cruiser where all line work is done waste deep in the cabin, there is 42 inches of headroom.
Bolger writes about the Birdwatcher in his book “Boats with an Open Mind”. He came to design the Birdwatcher as a result of the popularity of a camp cruiser he had designed called Dovekie which was built by Edey & Duff as an airex cored fiberglass hull. Amateur builders requested a simpler lower cost boat that could be built from wood. He obliged.