18' Gartside Round-Stern Inboard Launch (2019) - ORCA

The Gartside Workboat “Orca” is a Paul Gartside designed motor boat, constructed of cedar planking bronze fastened over oak frames. A heavy workboat of traditional construction, the Gartside is ideal as a yard launch or small towboat. Built with carvel plank-on-frame cedar over oak with a locust backbone, this functional 18’ boat, powered by a 20 HP Beta Diesel, gave students practice with complex lofting and hull shape while working with large timbers. In choosing construction materials for the Gartside build, the school selected only regional lumber.

“The project was an ideal teaching tool, that was utilized by both our boat-building and marine systems programs,” said Koomen, who estimated that roughly 18 students and four instructors worked on the project over a two-year period. “The boat was ideal for the school, because it incorporated many details found on larger vessels, but in a compact yet sturdy little 18-footer.”

ORCA is also featured in our WCBS Classifieds, along with scores of other great classic boats for sale. You can find that link in the details on the right.