I love small wooden boats, own a Wee Lassie canoe and a "Grand Laker" (of Maine) and just purchased a Peapod that is being refurbished and fixed up as we speak.

Where can I find a very good source of information about all the different types of rowing boats, their pros and cons and what to look for when buying each kind of boat? Sort of a dictionary of small boats, with pictures, history, etc?

Also, I am trying to find out any history of the Peapod, how it came to be, where it was used and how, etc., since I now own one.

Thanks.

Mac Kirkpatrick drbeemer@snip.net Glenmoore, PA

-- Mac Kirkpatrick (drbeemer@snip.net), August 04, 2003

Answers

there is a book that might be just what you want at the following link - it is called "buyers guide to open-water rowing boats"

good luck

ttp://www.openwater.com/buyers_guide.html

-- peter (ski_more@hotmail.com), August 05, 2003.

Mac, check out John Gardner's "Building Classic Small Craft" or Chapelle for info on the Peapod.

-- Bruce Osborn (bosborn@mentorcorp.com), August 10, 2003.

I am currently compiling a DVD of video interviews with Peapod builders (old timers as well as younger builders entitled 'Peapods of the Maine Coast." The Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, Maine has helped fund the project. I have interviewed a number of builders in order to capture some of the history and knowledge held by the generations who have seen these boats change from working craft to largely recreational uses. The emphasis of the interviews is on different boat building techniques ranging from stitch and glue to carvel. The DVD will be available for sale this summer.

-- Juliet Bennett (julietbrownie@hotmail.com), June 15, 2004.

Julliet, be sure to drop a note on this board when your DVD is out!

Also if you can get some footage of the boats in action I've always learned a lot by watching the boats work in the water.

Mac, That's H.I. Chapelle "American Small Sailing Craft" ISBN: 0393031438 and has about a chapter a piece on each type of craft, That's maybe 3 to 5 pages. I found the book fascinating about the history of coastal work boats. -Gary-

-- Gary Powell (gwpowell@hotmail.com), June 22, 2004.