Author: Mark

This is a 7’7″ Nutshell Pram designed by Joel White. The Nutshell is built using the glued plywood lapstrake method with the finest marine grade mahogany plywood. Her rails and knees are solid mahogany and her frame and stem are of laminated teak. All fastenings and hardware are of bronze. This boat is intended to be a rowing version, though the Nutshell is also available as a sailing dinghy. In the sailing version, the rudder and dagger board stow neatly behind the aft seat. A lug rig of varnished spruce spars supports the sail.

The rowing version, painted, with oars and oarlocks at two rowing stations: $3,800.00 Other options and delivery are available.

While building and restoring wooden yachts on the coast of Maine over the last twenty years, I began to see some potential for the interesting wood scraps born from the building process at the yard. That, along with a bit of glue left in the pot at the end of the day got me started on this ongoing series of assemblages. The assemblages are constructed almost entirely from the collected pieces of boat building scrap and generally take many weeks to come to fruition. I often think of these assemblages as a way to allow the hand shaped, cast off bits to capture the attention and admiration  of the viewer, much as the vessels they were born from do. The following assemblages are all framed with a heavy, satin black, pine frame.

#8

#10

#7

#11

#9

From Whetstone Boats, an 11’4″LOA, Joel White designed Shellback Dinghy. Built using the “glued plywood lapstrtake” method with the finest marine grade mahogany plywood, bronze fastenings and solid mahogany rails and knees. The sailing version will have bright spruce spars supporting a standing lug rig with an easily stoweable rudder and daggerboard.

As well as being a great looking boat, she also moves effortlessly while rowing, tows well behind larger boats and is fun and easy to sail !

Sail plan

Shellback set up

Shellback "Moule"

Shellback, before paint

Sister Shellback the "Finch"

Shellbacks racing

Price will range from$4,600 (w/o rig) to $10,000 as a yacht quality, sail ready boat (depending on the options chosen).

This “current project” boat has recently been sold, but we would love to hear from you concerning a new build. There is still time for a summer launch!