After a kayaking trip in Desolation Sound in 2003, I found myself thinking, "The kayaks were great, but a slightly larger version could be sailed and rowed, could carry gear for longer trips, would still be small enough to trailer to a destination, shallow enough to pull into a streambed, and large enough to sleep aboard (with some creative transformations). I built the smallest boat that I thought I could sleep aboard for extended trips. I've continued to sail, row, and improve the boat over nearly 20 years. It's efficient, flexible, and just exactly what I need.
Setting sail in a light breeze from Kinston Harbor
Tent ceiling up but walls rolled up. Mizzen sail is left up to keep the boat 'weathervaning' while on anchor (it's so light and shallow that it drifts around at anchor without the mizzen sail)
Every cruising boat needs a tender, so I'm building a tiny canoe (11 feet long and just 20 pounds)
Rowing to my wedding 20 years ago.
