18′ Pulling Wherry. White cedar planking on steamed white oak frames, with cherry transom, trim, floorboards, and seating.

My home is on the very southern end of Lake Champlain in Whitehall, NY. Whitehall (formerly Skenesborough) is known in NY State as the Birthplace of the Navy. There are numerous challenges to this claim but in 1775 a fleet of ships were built here in Skenesborough harbor to battle the British on Lake Champlain. My shop is located at this historic site. I wanted to build a traditional craft that would have been used in my area during the birth of our country. I also wanted to build something for my own use, that was fast and fun to row. Ken Bassett’s design fit the bill. She was built initially as a single sliding seat pulling boat. I’ve rowed her on Champlain for several years and she is a great performer. I have recently sold her and the new owner wanted it set up for tandem rowing, which is why there are pictures of both configurations.

The pictures also show the steps in construction beginning with the setup of the backbone and forms. The milling of the fir keel with a chainsaw mill, initial planking being steamed in place and the final versions of the build.

I’ll be starting a new project this spring which will be an 18′ Whitehall, something I can pile the grandkids in and go.