Jan’s Day Off: Puddleduck

Built by Jan during our early years of family life and marriage, I think it kept him focused and sane.

She has a Howard Chappelle  21’6” fisherman’s launch hull and a William Garden designed cabin structure. Eighteen hundred hours were spent on her creation; starting with the lofting in 1981. Carvel planked of Western Red Cedar with splined seams over traditional steam-bent oak ribs.

Two Year Old Olivia leaning against the Hull Frames

Steam-bent ribs of Indiana Live Bending Oak on ribbons.
Western Red Cedar Planking to be splined.

Almost complete and waiting for Launching

And out she comes…………five years later.

Launch Day – Expo 1986
Sidney (Vancouver Island) BC

Christened “Puddleduck” after Beatrice Potter’s classic Tale of Jemima Puddleduck

On our way to Port Townsend Wood Boat Festival 2003
Flat water – No wind

She gave us much pleasure and many hours of day motoring throughout our local waters.  Jan and friends went on early morning fishing trips back in the days when we could catch a salmon and keep it; often we’d have easy dinners of Kentucky Fried Chicken with the girls on hot summer week nights.  It was a sad day when Jan was forced to sell Puddleduck in order to buy our current classic Dulwen.  Someday we’ll chat about how many wood boats any one family should own.