16' Herreshoff Double-Paddle Canoe (1974) - HUMMINGBIRD

HUMMINGBIRD is handsome, like a stretched-out dory. She’s a comfortable boat to sit in and paddle, too, with a form-fitting adjustable seat and a pivoting backrest. She’s heavy, however, compared to contemporary kayaks and that makes moving her around onshore a bit of a chore for a single person. But weight has its advantages in that she’s more stable than most and carries her way nicely between strokes. I built the deck with the batten seam construction specified in the drawings—and oiled it. Were I to build another, I’d use thin plywood or sheathe the planks with canvas so the decking didn’t shrink or swell as much.