I have been rowing a single wooden scull that I recentlu sold. I have decided that I want more stability,to row in more accessible areas,to row at various times of the day & conditions.I have been looking at various kits and am down to two. Thw Annapolis Wherry and thw Merry Wherry Two.Any comments on stability,rowability, "tippiness",ruggedness.I am not concerned about building as I have built a Cheasapeake Light Craft kayak, from plans and have also helped on a couple of cedar strip canoes. All and any comments would be appreciated.

Regards ---- Lloyd

-- Lloyd Le Blanc (jllb@rogers.com), November 13, 2004

Answers

I would recomend the "annie" version of the St. Lawrence River Skiff I currently have plans and intend to build her as soon as my 10 month old Daughter gets a little older - or my wife allows me to build a workshop. Or if you want something simple; 2 years ago I built a 17' John Wesford dory that I still love to row - it moves nicely through the water - it's easy to build and will keep you dry. It's not speedy but it will get you through just about any kind rough weather.

-- Stephen Borghardt (stephen.borghardt@verizon.net), November 13, 2004.

Hello

Thank you for the info however I should have mentioned I want a boat that I can still have sliding seat rowing.

Thanks --- Lloyd

-- Lloyd Le Blanc (jllb@rogers.com), November 13, 2004.

I can't comment on either of the kits you mention, but wanted to pass along info on plans for two other boats that seem to meet your needs. First, Sam Devlin has plans for a 17- foot "gloucester gull" type dory ("Oarling") that was designed to use a drop-in sliding seat rowing rig from Piantedosi. See www.devlinboat.com/dcoarling.htm. (The Piantedosi Row Wing is the same unit used in the Annapolis Wherry.) Second, regarding the John Welsford design Stephen mentioned ("Seagull"), John has developed a longer, sliding seat version of the same boat, called the Mollyhawk. See www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz/plans/seagull/ index.htm#mlhk

-- Stephen Paskey (paskey@earthlink.net), November 14, 2004.

I have a plywood Kingfisher shell that was homebuilt by others so I can't comment on fabrication issues, but the end result is beautiful and, having chines, it is far more stable than any of the current "racing shell look-alikes" used in openwater. I find it is as stable a platform as an Alden 16, but wetter because of the narrower beam. Prior to owning a Kingfisher, I competed against one in the Blackburn Challenge. The owner installed an effective self- bailing system that allowed him to row in very rough conditions. Stability didn't seem to be an issue. I know plans are available for the boat.

-- Ernie DeRushie (e-derushie@zipsigns.com), November 17, 2004.

You may also want to consider the 18' hard-chined Firefly. Plans for the single are available from Wooden Boat. I am currently building the Double which is 21.5 feet.

-- Jeff Wittenfeld (jeff.wittenfeld@alaskair.com), November 22, 2004.

I am looking for an open water boat as well and have talked to the builders of both boats you mention. The Annapolis Wherry has little freeboard and they did not recommend it for rough water. The Merry Wherry is somewhat better. The same builder also makes a Merry Shell that is very good in rough water and probably faster than either. I rowed it and liked it.

I am considering this boat or perhaps the Kingfisher, but I don't have much information on the Kingfisher yet. Regards, Fig

-- Fig (figarowing@comcast.net), November 25, 2004.

This forum has gotten pretty long. There is quite a discussion on the Firefly back there in 2003 (http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and- a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=00Ac4S). I and others have waxed eloquently (and notso eloquently) on this boat. Check out these postings.

I am a great fan of this boat. It is fairly easy to construct, can be rowed in a fair chop (I must admit, the most I've been in is about 12", but others row on the open ocean with it), is light, and the Piantedosi row wing fits into it as though they were both designed for each other.

Plans are on the Wooden Boat website.

--Jim swallow

-- Jim Swallow (jswallow@mcn.org), November 27, 2004.