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14' Arch Davis Penobscot 14 (2019) - PIPER BELLE

  • IMG 4748 1

  • Owner’s Description

    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.

  • Photos

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    • IMG 20200820 144620483 768x1024
    • IMG 20200408 194624553 HDR
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    • IMG 2342 768x851

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  • Comments

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    4 thoughts on “14' Arch Davis Penobscot 14 (2019) - PIPER BELLE”

    • Norman Johnson 2 years ago

      Great color, great lines. I really love that first photo with both sail and oars.

    • John Stevenson 3 years ago

      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!

      • Paul Reynolds Post author 3 years ago

        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.

        • John Stevenson 3 years ago

          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!