I first fell in love with the beauty of Arch Davis’ design in 1997, when Wooden Boat published a 3-part article detailing it’s construction . Much later, and part-time over 6 years, I built mine of Okoume plywood planking, Douglas Fir stringers, and epoxy, but also Pine, Oak, Elm, Lauan, Mahogany, Spruce, Teak, and a tiny bit of Koa. The standing lug sail is well built, from Really Simple Sails, Philippines.
I launched on Lake Thunderbird, Norman, OK in fall of 2019. Favorite camp-cruises have been to Voyageurs Nat’l Park, MN; Cayo Costa State Park, FL, and L. Huron’s North Channel, Ontario. I pull it behind my Prius. It is a joy to sail or row – tracks well and the lapstrake hull makes music on the water.
With a single reef, I’ve close-reached in gusts to 29 mph while sitting on the rail. But loaded with camping gear for a week, in cold water, double-reefed in 25 mph and 3′ waves, I could barely tack or go to windward – an event which brought me to my senses and back to the beach. This boat was more intended for pleasure day-sailing than camp-cruising, but I’ve had great fun exploring with it.
I’ve calculated 273# with rig, boards and oars included, which is more than expected, but have not weighed the boat per se. A capsize test showed it wouldn’t turtle with my hollow wooden mast, but upon righting, the daggerboard slot was just below water. Some extra flotation and a gasket under the daggerboard hilt have largely remedied this.
Building and sailing this boat has been one of the most enjoyable episodes of my life.
No Records Found
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Great color, great lines. I really love that first photo with both sail and oars.
Love your build, Paul — nice job!
I really respect you putting her on the road too.
I’ve trailered my P14 from NC to FL, MD and a 3 week excursion to Maine.
I also have a buddy in IL who built a P14 (E-z Duzit) also in this show.
I’ve trailered Sweet Dreams to IL 3 different times.
It’s so much fun to sail in company with other Penobscots!
We’re talking about having a mess about in October in IL.
Would love to have you join us!
Thanks much! I’m admiring the fine work on the other 3 P14s entered in the show. Great to examine the rigging methods and other variations. Have you or your friend with E-Z Duz It weighed your boats, or done a capsize test? Curious to see what you came up with.
Neither Vince nor I have weighed our boats, although I’ve always thought about it but never made it happen. Similarly, I have thought about a capsize test, but haven’t done that either.
Last fall Vince came very, very close to capsizing — he took on a lot of water, but didn’t go over. He’s made some adjustments, like adding a bunch of foam under the seats and is planning a capsize test this summer.
Let’s stay in touch: Call or text me at eightonetwo,twosixfive,ninesevenzerozero and we can trade more pix and more information.
We’ve invited a P17 builder to come to IL this fall, but haven’t heard back from him yet. We’d love to have you come up and join in the fun!