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Devlin Design Catalog

This is it! The whole enchilada. A four decade epic of artful boat design. Prepare to spend some time here. This list is for your meandering exploration of the work of Sam Devlin. New boats will be added until this is complete.

Amak 26 Tugboat

The Amak Tugboats are a series of concept designs, born of a lifelong love of the tugboat form, and they are just waiting for an excuse to be developed. They range in size from 26 to 44 feet. If a tugboat calls to you, there's an Amak to do the job.

Archimedes 22

You want your boating with an even more broad blending of classic and high tech? Want to explore power systems from 3 centuries? Check out the Archimedes 22!

Arctic Tern 23

The Arctic Tern is a seaworthy and versatile cruising sailboat with enough cabin space to make the trip worthwhile.

Banjo 20 Outboard, Pocket Cruiser, Full Construction Plans Now Available! And an Introductory Sale Price!

Banjo 20 full construction plans are here! And they are on sale for $100 off!! And study plans are only $5 and include 2 drawings and 5 photos. Click on the photo above to read what Sam wrote when he designed the trailerable pocket cruiser.

Bay Skipper 18

The Bay Skipper is an interesting design. It converts from a two person paddler to a sliding seat rower in minutes.

Bella 10 Skiff

Originally designed to teach boatbuilding technique, the Devlin Bella 10 is an easy building, elegant design that comes together in a fast rowing, lightweight skiff.

The Devlin Bella 12 is a boat that will row nicely with one or two aboard, yet be able to accept a very small outboard for those longer trips.

The Bella 16 is the largest in the Bella series, designed to build easily to row well with a load, and to look good while doing it.

Black Brant II 14

The Devlin Black Brant II 14 may just be the ultimate duckboat. Good for hunters and their dogs.

Black Brant III 15 – Newly Revised Plans Nov 2024!

If you need a duckboat to operate in shallower water, are traveling quite a distance from launch-ramp to the hunting area, and a couple of inches more of sitting blind height doesn't hurt, then by all means choose the Devlin Black Brant III 15. Newly revised plans 11-19-2024!

Black Crown 27 for Sale!

When Sam designed and built this Black Crown 27 the purpose was to create a perfect small cruising boat for a couple. Currently she is located on the Chesapeake. When conceived she needed to be perfect for cruising the Northwest. Her sturdy build works well on both the East and West coasts and she just became available! Click on the photo above to learn more.

Black Crown 30

The Black Crown 30 is the latest in a long line of high quality power cruisers. Conceived for speedy or leisurely travel in comfort. Designed with the classic Devlin style. The best of the past built for the future.

Blue Blazer 25

The Blue Blazer was a design wrestling match for Sam. I recommend that you check out his design notes. I’ll let him describe the happy result below. — Jim   Starting at the stern is a teak swim platform to help board the boat from a harbor taxi and just...

Blue Fin 48

The Blue Fin 48 is an exception to the idea of stuffing as much into a boat as possible. She is intended for allowing a couple or a few friends to really stretch out on an efficient long range power cruiser.

Blue Fin 54

he Blue Fin 54 is an even more spacious version of the Blue Fin 48. Her hallmark is efficiency and smooth, easy running, proven out in practice by a customer built boat. She will take you as far as you want to go in comfort and style.

Bluebill 12 – Newly Revised Plans Nov 2024!

The metric/imperial Bluebill 12 plans updated today! Available now! The Bluebill is a sneakbox style duckboat designed for a 20hp outboard, with a few key innovative features for better performance and utility.

Broadbill 11

The "Broadbill" is intended for the solo hunter, being small enough and light enough to fit into the back of a pickup or you might even consider cartopping.

Bullfrog 20

The Bullfrog 20 is a compact, outboard powered fishing boat with a high volume hull and the ability for some extended cruising.

Bundle Package 2 Downloadable Construction Plans Sale – Dipper 17 & Dipper 19 Together!

This is our second Bundle Package combining both the Dipper 17 and the Dipper 19 Downloadable Construction plans in your choice of either Imperial (inches & feet) or Metric measurements.

Bundle Package 3.0 – North Haven 24 & North Haven 26 Together -Imperial & Metric -Super Discounted!

This is our third bundled plans offering. Get both the North Haven 24 & the North Haven 26 full construction plans in both inches and feet and in metric together at a super discount!

Bundled Downloadable Construction Plans Sale – Candlefish 13 & Oolichan 13 Plans together for One Low Price!

First time product offering - The Bundle Package - Candlefish 13 and the Oolichan 13 downloadable construction plans together for one low price!

Bundled Downloadable Construction Plans Sale – Candlefish 16 and Candlefish 16 Casting Deck together at 25% off the Regular Price!

Two fishing boat versions that are easy to trailer and launch. One with a large raised deck forward and the other with more conventional seating - both with a great hull form and plenty of covered on board storage.

The Devlin Cackler is a new generation hunting skiff designed for hunting in areas where seaworthiness is essential and at a time of year when great distances may need to be covered in a hurry to avoid cold nasty weather.

Camarone 34

The Camarone 34 is a motorsailer for extended cruising and spacious accommodations, designed to operate equally well under sail and diesel power.

Camarone 40 – The Perfect Motorsailer!

Sam's newest Passagemaker Magazine article (September Issue) describes the fan-tailed ocean capable motorsailer - Camarone 40. Read more about the design clients' ambitious goals and how this 40 foot boat will be their home base once built for the next several years.

Candlefish 13

The Candlefish 13 is a versatile small fishing boat. Originally designed to be a cartoppable fishing skiff for high latitude rivers and lakes, she has also proven to be an excellent yacht tender.

Candlefish 16

The Candlefish 16 is a burdensome fishing skiff. Deep and seaworthy, it is wonderfully suited to life in our changeable weather and strong tides.

Candlefish 18

The Candlefish 18 is an open design based on the proven Pelicano 18 hull with a variety of features to make her a rugged and highly usable boat.

The Chinook is wonderful little cruiser, inboard diesel powered and trailerable, with several cabin configurations.

The Curlew 20 is an open design fishing powerboat that can be tailored easily to your specific needs.

The Curlew 24 is one of Sam's last hand drawn concept designs, squarely aimed at the goals of comfortable and stable cruising.

Czarinna 30

The Czarinna 30 is a leisurely cruiser that leans in favor of cabin space and economical range. She displays graceful lines from a golden era of yachting and carries you where you want to go with plenty of room to stretch out, stay warm, and enjoy the ride.

Czarinna 35

The Czarinna 35 shifts the balance in favor of cabin space, comfort, and livability in a graceful long range cruising yacht. A traditional expression of nautical grace with the cruising range to enjoy your travels.

Czarinna 43

The Czarinna 43 is a long range, economical cruiser, carefully planned for comfort to bring the family along for the adventure.

Devlin 37 Full-displacement Cruiser for Two!

Sam’s most recent article in Passagemaker Magazine features the Devlin 37. Usually he designs for a customer with a list of requirements. What if he did a design just for himself? The result of doing just that is a 37 foot long full-displacement, fuel-sipping, diesel cruiser with a fantail stern. Click on this box to read more and get links to the article and study plans.

The Dipper 17 was designed for the fisherman and pleasure cruiser that wants to get in and out of the weather and for the diehards that want to be out no matter what the weather.

Originally designed to fit in a 20' shipping container, the Dipper 19 is roomy inside, making for a comfortable, economical cruiser.

The Devlin Drifter 15 is a rugged, easy build design for a classic drift boat, waiting for your fishing adventures.

Duck Boats are Also Fishing Boats?

Many of our small boat designs were originally done for the Duck Hunting market but these are very capable boats and have much versatility in crossover applications like fishing, exploring, or skiffs.

Duckling 14 Rower

The Duckling 14 Rower is a proper rowing boat in a compact and easily handled package.

Duckling 14 Sail

If you want the clean design of the Duckling 14, but you prefer to have the wind do all the work. A sleek sailboat in a compact package.

Duckling 17

Sleek lines and a beautiful sheer make the Devlin Duckling 17 a delight to row and own. She is light and responsive and easily handled, providing great exercise for the single oarsman.

Duckling 17 Sailing Version Plans Available Now!

Both study plans and full construction plans for the new to our fleet Duckling 17 Sailing version are now available!  The study plans include a few photos taken by the builder, Martin Chlad from the Czech Republic. The new plans for her build feature a boat that separates into two parts for easy transport to and from the water.

Dunlin 22 Cruiser

The Dunlin 22 has the soul of a workboat and the comfort of a classic Devlin design. Cruise the waters or tow something inordinately large, in one of two configurations.

Dunlin 22 Pilothouse

Dynamo Too 38

The Dynamo Too is a concept design from Sam Devlin that hides a luxurious cruiser in the clothes of a traditional working boat. Plus you can catch a whole lot of fish!

Dynamo Too 45

Dynamo Too 45 study plans include 4 pages showing both a motorsailer and powerboat version of this ocean going cruiser, inspired by the designs of the late Bill Garden.

The first Devlin design, the Egret is a proven 15' 3" open sail-and-oar adventurer. Easily singlehanded, she is stiff, stable, and comfortable in a breeze.

The Devlin Eider is a wonderful 17' 3" cabin sailboat. It is a great step up in size and function from the 15' Nancy's China, yet is still compact and trailerable.

Electric Philosophy 40 Study Plans Are Now Available!

Ed and Eileen Pauley had a dream. In the words of Eileen  “Every boat has a mission. And you need to pick the right boat for how you want to travel. And for us, if we’re going to live on it, it’s going to do what we want it to do and be comfortable.” And as Ed points out regarding the propulsion system, “What do we have to do to start? No warm up…We just go.” Study plans are now available for the Electric Philosophy 40 catamaran cruiser!

Electric Philosophy in Soundings Magazine 2024!

When we completed the build of Ed and Eileen Pauley's perfect all electric boat we could only dream of what awaited her in her travels. Now the Pauley's have been to Alaska and back on just the solar power provided by their roof panels. Journey through the build and travels with them in the February 2024 issue of Soundings Magazine. Click on the photo above for the link to the Soundings Magazine article..

Fairhaven Flyer 20

The Devlin Fairhaven Flyer 20 is an expedition rowing dory, designed for multiple approaches to adventure in human powered form.

The Gannet 25 is a twin outboard speedster for blasting around the waterways or settling in for a long day of cruising with friends.

Godzilla 22

If you have ever thought that you want your very own tugboat, one made with rugged Devlin technology, the Godzilla 22 is where the fun - and the work - begins.

Godzilla 25

The Godzilla 25 is still a mini-tug, but it's a bigger mini tug, if that makes any kind of sense. More power, more space, and more comfort in case you want to do more than just tug things.

Godzilli 16

The Devlin Godzilli 16 is a small workboat with undeniable charm and character, like a Yorkie that thinks he's a Rottweiler.

Gollywobbler 38

The Golly Wobbler 38 is a big boat, big enough to offer most of the comforts of home in a boat that will get up and go when you need to cover some ground. Enjoy the voyage.

Gollywobbler 43

A boat that can easily handle two couples cruising with comfort (built-in berths), a cruising speed of 18 knots and fuel consumption of about 10 gallons per hour, make the Golly Wobbler 43 a fine platform for your West or East Coast wanderings.

Gosling 10 Construction Plans Now Available!

A man with a larger cruising boat needed a dinghy that could accommodate 4 adults, the family dog, gear, a good sized outboard, and had a rowing option. That's a lot! Sam created the Gosling 10 in response.

The Guppy is a fine candidate for the all around dingy/skiff/small sailboat, without vice, she does her job efficiently and smoothly.

Hideaway 22 ? New Study Plan today, Coming Soon Construction Plans

What is it? Get ready to welcome a solar electric 'Shanty' boat type with low horsepower that is beachable, has full headroom, a large head, and opening windows. Available today - a one page study plan with an accommodation view, an exterior profile, and a stern/bow view.

The Honker is a lightweight, shallow draft vessel that, with a 60 horse outboard, can race along at 30 knots or idle for hours while trolling for salmon or bottom fish.

Honker H.B. 20 – New Design!

The Honker House Boat 20 is a crossbreed! She has a Millie Hill 20 shanty boat interior placed into Honker 18 utility pram hull that has been lengthened and widened. The best of both worlds! She allows us to get on the water in a towable small boat with the interior of a much larger boat. Downloadable study plans are now available.

Hope of Glory 38

The Hope Of Glory is another of our fantailed stern hulls with a lovely balance to her lines and a ketch rig for proper and easy sail handling by a short-handed crew.

Island Time 33

The Island Time 33 is Sam's newest design. A shallow draft outboard cruiser for two that Sam introduces in the current issue of PassageMaker Magazine. Available as study plans.

Josephine 40

Born of a man's love affair with an antique boat, the Josephine 40 is a modern adaptation in many configurations. All the charm with the ease, convenience, and low upkeep of a modern boat.

Josephine 47

The Josephine 47 expands the idea of a relaxed cruiser with the space for some friends, the privacy to stay friends, all in a rugged, seaworthy vessel with very long legs.

The Kestrel 26 is a concept design exploring the evolution of the Arctic Tern sailboat. If you need a bigger Arctic Tern, please contact us.

Kingfisher 26

The Kingfisher 26 is smallest of Devlin's series of double-ended workboat style cruisers. She'll take 3 passengers just about anywhere.

Kingfisher 28

The Kingfisher series of study plans welcomes a new member into the under 30 foot diesel cruiser category.

Kingfisher 30

The Kingfisher 30 is a working boat, the design driven by the needs of actual working fishermen. Given that mandate, Sam has conjured up a fair amount of comfort in a vessel that will see terrible weather and sea conditions.

Kingfisher 32 Cruiser

The Kingfisher 32 Cruiser is a livable, long range cruiser, built and styled along the lines of a traditional Northwest salmon fishing boat. A boat built for adventure.

Kingfisher 32 Troller

The Kingfisher 32 Troller is the more work-oriented version of the Kingfisher. Shorter cabin, longer working deck, and a bundle of innovations to make this a boat worth owning.

Kingfisher 33

The Kingfisher 33 is a diesel powered inboard cruising boat with a large cockpit for fishing or hobnobbing with fellow boaters when you're out and about in the Pacific Northwest waters. 

Kingfisher 36

The Kingfisher 36 takes the balanced formula of the smaller Kingfishers and adds more space and range to make for a really great cruising platform.

The Kokanee 36 is a concept design aimed at true functionality as a working fishing boat under sail. It's both an homage to the fishing vessels of history, and the modern touches that make it a reliable and comfortable vessel.

The Kokanee 38 is a great power cruiser yacht powered by a reliable John Deere diesel. She provides a safe and comfortable platform for all your boating adventures.

The Devlin Kokanee 43 is a modern take on the classic halibut schooner. A cruiser with double cabin flexibility, she's smooth, seaworthy, and comfortable for the long haul.

Krista-x Rower 24 Build Kits are Available Now!

CNC cut build kits for the Krista-x Rower 24 are available now. Click on the photo above to find links to this couple's build of the rower and then photo journal of their row from Vancouver to Prince Rupert, British Columbia using the inside passage.

The Lichen is a 20 ft. traditional sailboat with a leaning toward shallow draft and maximized interior space.

Linach 15 Downloadable Construction Plans Updated, Expanded!

Take Advantage of the current downloadable plans sale to get the newly expanded and updated Linach 15 plans. As of today those ordering the Linach 15 downloadable construction plans will receive the new version.

Linach 15 Plans – Two-Part Nesting Dinghy! – Full Construction Plans Available Today!

The Linach 15 two-part nesting dinghy does it all - rowing, sailing, and fishing - and can fit in the back of a pickup or minivan or SUV that can handle 4 x 8 plywood sheets. Starting today we offer the full construction plans as well as continuing to offer the study plans.

The Lingcod 24 is the perfect base for everything from a working utility skiff to a small houseboat.

The Lingcod 27 is a perfect base for everything from a working utility skiff to a small houseboat.

Lingcod 29 Houseboat

The Lingcod 29 is the perfect base for everything from a working utility skiff to a not-so-small houseboat.

Lit’l Coot 18 Bilge Keel

The Lit’l Coot is a wonderful little pocket cruiser, ideally suited to the waters of Puget Sound or the inside passage. She is trailerable on a small powerboat style trailer, and compact enough to store in the average residential garage. The bilge keels allow her...

Lit’l Coot 18 Full Keel

The Devlin Lit'l Coot Full Keel is a trailerable pocket cruiser that works equally well under motor and sail.

Lit’l Petrel 9

The Devlin Lit'l Petrel is the big sister to the Micro Petrel. She has the same ease of use, the same easy build, and the same utility.

Little Cod 21

The Little Cod 21 is a larger version of the Cackler design, and offers a stable, high volume base for a variety of boat styles.

The venerable Devlin Mallard is a proven sneakbox style boat that can take a 15hp outboard, but also excels at rowing.

Marsh Wren 20

The Marsh Wren is a larger refinement of the Nancy's China, a 20' (LOD) sailboat with both open cockpit daysailer and cabin versions.

Means of Grace 28

The Means of Grace 28 is an older Devlin design that nonetheless leads to an excellent sailing cruiser. It has a stable and high performance hull and the room onboard to stretch out and enjoy the journey.

Micro Petrel 8

The Micro Petrel is a great 8' yacht tender. She is the design response to the need for a small, rugged, lightweight yacht tender.

Millie Hill 20

The Millie Hill 20 is the clever marriage of tiny house and houseboat. It's an ideal solution to an economical getaway on the water.

Millie Hill 28

The Millie Hill 28 is a houseboat, a shanty boat. It's designed to maximize living space like a stationary houseboat, but with the addition of an outboard motor, it is fully capable of moving from place to place. To be fair though, the cool boat kids would just go ahead and build a matching tug to tow her around and impress the ladies.

Moon River – the Building Process

Join Sam Devlin as he takes you through the complete process of building the beautiful cruiser "Moon River".

Moon River 48

The Moon River is another Devlin masterpiece. She's a spacious day cruiser with high end appointments and the power to cover the water at a rapid rate without sacrificing tight maneuvering finesse for ease of handling.

Mud Dauber 23

Part workboat, part heavy hauler, part landing craft, and a side order of hunting and fishing, the Devlin Mud Dauber may be one of the most amazing utilitarian boats in the whole catalog.

Mud Daubler 22 H.B. – What’s This?

Recently Sam offered study plans for the Honker H.B. 20 - a houseboat placed into an extended and widened Honker. The study plans sales response was amazing. Could we go one better? Introducing the Mud Dauber 22 H.B. based on the Mud Dauber 23 design. The parallel sides of the hull give more of a houseboat feel and the beach landing gear in the bow make her useable for extended beach cruising with all the luxuries of a tiny home on the water!  The Mud Dauber 22 H.B. offers a full-time queen-size berth, enclosed head, galley, dinette for two, wardrobe closet, settee - a true big sister to the wonderful Honker H.B. 20.

Mud Peep 12

Grace and motion says it all when describing the Mud Peep 12 under sail. She is a light, responsive, and fast enough for good transportation.

MugWump 22 – Just Added! – 8 Full Color 3-D Renderings

The MugWump 22 is a pocket cruiser design that does it all in a small trailerable package that can be towed by a 1/2 ton pickup or mid-sized SUV. We've just added 8 full color 3-D renderings to both the downloadable construction and study plans.

Nancy’s China 15

Devlin's Nancy's China is easy to handle, easy to set up from trailer, and an enjoyable sailboat that was an instant success for Devlin Designing Boatbuilders.

Nancy’s China DC 15

In this new version of our old favorite, Nancy's China gets an electric motor built right into the rudder.

New for 2023 – Updated and in Color Snow Goose 16 Plans

If there were a best all around boat Oscar category, then the Cackler-type boats (like Snow Goose 16) would be nominated year after year. Now you can purchase the newly revised Study and Construction Plans featuring the addition of a removeable Pilothouse.

The Devlin Noddy 16 is a simple, versatile cabin fishing boat designed especially for use on the Puget Sound.

North Haven 24

The North Haven 24 shines at weekend cruising, and the huge, completely open cockpit is ideal for a flexible arrangement of folding deck chairs, a kayak or two, and/or a couple of four-legged friends. With a deep underbody and full-length spray rail, she’ll be a dry runner, and you won’t find many days when you have to throttle her back in rising seas.

Oarling II 17

Sleek lines and a beautiful sheer make the Oarling a delight to row and own. She is light, responsive and easily maneuvered, providing great transportation for the single oarsman or with passengers and cargo.

The Onyx 28 is a capable sailing vessel for longer cruises and variable conditions. She incorporates a simpler overall design with a more elaborate hull form and the kind of interior cabin that will take you on new journeys in comfort.

Oolichan 13

Oolichan 13 is the Northwest Native American name for the Candlefish. Check out this new variation of the Candlefish 13 aimed at a wider, faster, more stable platform for fishing. Study plans and Construction plans available!

Oolichan 13 vs. Candlefish 13: Side by Side Comparison!

Comparing the Candlefish 13 to the Oolichan 13 - a new third page for the study plans has been added today! See the differences drawn clearly and explained.

Oso Blanco 54

A 54 foot dreamboat motorsailor for traveling the world's oceans, rivers, and canals. A captain's suite aft, a generous bridgedeck with galley and ample seating midships, and a forward crew's quarters. Inspired by a trip to the coasts of Greenland, Sam has designed Oso Blanco as his dream vessel to get him through the Northwest Passage and back to the beautiful shores of Greenland.

The Oysta 25 is one ultra-seaworthy and compact little cruiser.

Sam has always loved this style boat.  In fact his love of the double ended Norwegian fishing troller resulted in his Oysta 28 motorsailor cruiser.  We hoped it would lead to full construction plans someday, but for now that’s on hold.

This lovely boat was built here at the shop many years ago.  It found a wonderful life in British Columbia for many years with a documentary film maker and his family.  Sadly, one day while it sat at its mooring buoy, someone boarded and robbed all her valuables...

The Oysta 42 is a true 50/50 motorsailer capable of motoring through any sea condition; with the sail-assist it's capable of doubling its useful cruising range.

The Oysta 52 is the second largest of the Oysta lineup to date, a trawler style long distance cruiser capable of taking the entire Brady Bunch comfortably into the far corners of the world.

The Ultimate Oysta, the big'un, the Oysta 62 is an aft-pilothouse dream cruiser for long duration adventures into almost any conditions in total comfort. Being a true 50/50 motorsailor, she's also capable of remarkable economy for such a big girl - not to mention reenacting battles from the age of sail with your friends or hosting an entire family reunion above the Arctic Circle...

The Pamlico 32 is a lean, shallow water cruiser filled with carefully considered livability and numerous design features.

Grace and motion says it all when describing the Devlin Peeper. She is a pleasure to row, light, responsive, and fast enough for good transportation.

Pelicano 18 Bassboat

The Devlin Pelicano Bassboat is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to maximize "livability" in a 18'-4" speedboat.

Pelicano 18 Center Console

The center console version of the Devlin Pelicano 18 is a nimble, versatile, and seaworthy open fisherman.

Pelicano 18 Shrimper

The Shrimper version of the Pelicano 18 has the heart of a workboat in a modern, fast planing hull.

Pelicano 20

The Pelicano 20 is a longer version of the Pelicano18. It add some cabin livability without sacrificing any of the easy trailerability or the garage storage option of the 18 footer.

Pelicano 23 Bassboat

The Pelicano 23 Bassboat features good seating in the cockpit and a cabin for sleeping overnight and staying comfortable on longer trips. It's a unique combination of real world durability mixed with the classic Devlin style.

Pelicano 23 Center Console

The Pelicano 23 Center Console version features a totally open cockpit, with open space for wrestling those big fish and hauling bulky gear.

Pelicano 23 Shrimper

The Pelicano 23 Shrimper features a covered helm area and large cockpit for fishing fun! It's a unique combination of real world durability mixed with the classic Devlin style.

Peregrine 36

The Peregrine 36 is a Devlin concept design for a long range sailing yacht with the long, low lines of crisp sailing performance and long term comfort for your adventures in northern waters.

Poleboat 13

The Devlin Poleboat 13 is a modern take on a traditional marsh hunting boat. A simpler boat from a simpler time...

The Polliwog is a great entry into wooden boat building! With the Polliwog, it is our intention to offer the amateur builder the opportunity to build a lightweight and strong dinghy or tender. Polliwog's performance is crisp, clean and efficient - you won't be disappointed.

Pond Skipper 14

A small and easily launched kayak that combines Devlin's rugged stitch and glue construction with an efficient paddle explorer.

Pyladian 31

The Pyladian 31 is a luxury performance cruiser from Devlin Boats. Her 300hp diesel and relatively shallow draft allow you to travel far and fast. Her interior appointments and high level of finish take you there in comfort.

Red Salmon 33

The Red Salmon is a high performance cabin cruiser with solid fishing leanings. In addition to disappearing in a hurry on twin 300hp outboards, she features the Mercury joystick maneuvering system for incredible ease of docking and handling. Hang on!

River Crawler 22

The River Crawler is a concept design that combines a shallow draft with a proper cruising cabin. Perhaps it can explore a river near you.

Rover 29 Cruiser

The Rover 29 is a diesel powered, double ended, full displacement sturdy and seaworthy cruiser inspired by the little fishing trollers of Norway. The cruiser design sports a full girth saloon and forward pilothouse and a generous well appointed interior

Rover 29 Halibut

The Rover 29 is a diesel powered, double ended, full displacement sturdy and seaworthy cruiser inspired by the little fishing trollers of Norway. The Halibut design boasts a pilothouse with a cockpit in front and a separate cabin forward

Rover 29 Troller

The Rover 29 is a diesel powered, double ended, full displacement sturdy and seaworthy cruiser inspired by the little fishing trollers of Norway. The troller design is for the fisherman and minimalist boater

This lightweight 6 and 1/2 foot dinghy answers a boatowner's request for the most compact 2 person rowing ship to shore boat possible - now available in both study and construction plans.

Sandpiper 8

This 8 foot rowing and sailing dingy was designed as a day sailer and yacht tender. The ease of handling, large carrying capacity, and its versatility for rowing and sailing are accentuated by the fact that Sandpiper weighs only 63 pounds.

Scarlet Macaw 33

With over 500hp of diesel power under the throttles, the Scarlet Macaw 33 is the boating equivalent of a 7 series Beemer. Big, fast, agile, comfortable, and polished.

The Scaup 16 is a sneakbox style duckboat with enough room for three hunters, 120 decoys, and a faithful canine companion.

The Scaup 18 is the bigger sister to the 16. It allows a couple of more hunters aboard, or large dogs, or more decoys. The key difference is the considerably larger volume of boat that the increased length and beam give you.

The Scout 20 is the dream of John and Helen Carson. A compact motor cruiser with a lot of function in a small package.

Sculldugery 15

The Devlin Sculldugery is a purpose built boat for those of you who like to sneak up on your waterfowl.

Sculldugery II 17

Sculldugery II 17 with its greater length and beam allows for 2 hunters in one boat.

The Sea Bug is a more compact version of the Sea Chaser, an inboard fisher with enough cabin to live comfortably on fishing trips.

Sea Chaser 23 Study Plans and Construction Plans now Available!

The Sea Chaser 23 study and construction plans are now available in our store. This is a serious get out there quick fishing boat that can be built in only months and is quite a quite seaworthy and stable fishing platform.

Sea Swift 19

The protected waters of the Northwest offer a myriad of uses for a seaworthy boat like Sea Swift.

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IN THE RIGHT PLACE

In the right place: by gulley.

June 30, 2023 by Richard Leighton

Here’s an unusual vessel about to launch at Naskeag Point and motor up to Great Cove to moor. She’s a stitch-and-glue constructed Lichen 20 designed to be easily transported and to sail primarily in relatively calm waters.

Her name is Gulley Jimson , the name of the talented but disreputable artist in Joyce Cary's novel The Horse's Mouth  (1944). She’s a 20-foot cruising sailboat with a pram (flat) bow for extra cabin space, a vee-bottomed hull for a good draft, and a relatively narrow 7’8” beam (widest width) for “trailerability.”  

Gulley also has a large open cockpit, a mast that pivots up or down on a tabernacle, extra-large portholes, and a huge “barn-door” rudder. She was designed and built by Sam Devlin, who has a boatbuilding company on the shores of the Puget Sound in Washington and who is part of the faculty at the WoodenBoat School. (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on June 19 and 24, 2023.)

10 Best Small Sailboats (Under 20 Feet)

Compact, easy to trailer, simple to rig, easy to maintain and manage, and affordable, the best small boats all have one thing in common: they offer loads of fun while out there on the water.

So whether you're on a budget or just looking for something that can offer ultimate daytime rides without compromising on safety, aesthetic sensibilities, alternate propulsion, and speed, the best small sailboats under 20 feet should be the only way to go.

Let's be brutally honest here; not everyone needs a 30-foot sailboat to go sailing. They come with lots of features such as electronics, entertainment, refrigeration, bunks, a galley, and even a head. But do you really need all these features to go sailing? We don't think so.

All you need to go sailing is a hull, a mast, rudder, and, of course, a sail. And whether you refer to them as daysailers, trailerable sailboats , a weekender sailboat, or pocket cruisers, there's no better way to enjoy the thrills of coastal sailing than on small sailboats.

There are a wide range of small boats measuring less than 20 feet available in the market. These are hot products in the market given that they offer immense thrills out on the sea without the commitment required to cruise on a 30-footer. A small sailboat will not only give you the feel of every breeze but will also give you the chance to instantly sense every change in trim.

In this article, we'll highlight 10 best small sailboats under 20 feet . Most models in this list are time-tested, easy to rig, simple to sail, extremely fun, and perfect either for solo sailing or for sailing with friends and family. So if you've been looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats , you've come to the right place.

So without further ado, let's roll on.

Table of contents

{{boat-info="/boats/hunter-15"}}

The Marlow-Hunter 15 is not only easy to own since it's one of the most affordable small sailboats but also lots of fun to sail. This is a safe and versatile sailboat for everyone. Whether you're sailing with your family or as a greenhorn, you'll love the Hunter 15 thanks to its raised boom, high freeboard, and sturdy FRP construction.

With high sides, a comfortable wide beam, a contoured self-bailing cockpit, and fiberglass construction, the Hunter 15 is certainly designed with the novice sailor in mind. This is why you can do a lot with this boat without falling out, breaking it, or capsizing. Its contoured self-baiting cockpit will enable you to find a fast exit while its wide beam will keep it steady and stable no matter what jibes or weight shifts happen along the way.

This is a small sailboat that can hold up to four people. It's designed to give you a confident feeling and peace of mind even when sailing with kids. It's easy to trailer, easy to rig, and easy to launch. With a price tag of about $10k, the Hunter 15 is a fun, affordable, and versatile boat that is perfect for both seasoned sailors and novices. It's a low-maintenance sailboat that can be great for teaching kids a thing or two about sailing.

Catalina 16.5

{{boat-info="/boats/catalina-16-5"}}

Catalina Yachts are synonymous with bigger boats but they have some great and smaller boats too such as Catalina 16.5. This is one of the best small sailboats that are ideal for family outings given that it has a big and roomy cockpit, as well as a large storage locker. Designed with a hand-laminated fiberglass sloop, the Catalina 16.5 is versatile and is available in two designs: the centerboard model and the keel model.

The centerboard model is designed with a powerful sailplane that remains balanced as a result of the fiberglass centerboard, the stable hull form, and the rudder. It also comes with a tiller extension, adjustable hiking straps, and adjustable overhaul. It's important to note that these are standard equipment in the two models.

As far as the keel model is concerned, this is designed with a high aspect keel as the cast lead and is attached with stainless steel keel bolts, which makes this model perfect for mooring or docking whenever it's not in use. In essence, the centerboard model is perfect if you'll store it in a trailer while the keel model can remain at the dock.

All in all, the Catalina 16.5 is one of the best small sailboats that you can get your hands on for as low as $10,000. This is certainly a great example of exactly what a daysailer should be.

{{boat-info="/boats/hobie-16"}}

There's no list of small, trailerable, and fun sailboats that can be complete without the inclusion of the classic Hobie 16. This is a durable design that has been around and diligently graced various waters across the globe since its debut way back in 1969 in Southern California. In addition to being durable, the Hobie 16 is trailerable, great for speed, weighs only 320 pounds, great for four people, and more importantly, offers absolute fun.

With a remarkable figure of over 100,000 launched since its debut, it's easy to see that the Hobie 16 is highly popular. Part of this popularity comes from its asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam sandwiched hulls that include kick-up rudders. This is a great feature that allows it to sail up to the beach.

For about $12,000, the Hobie 16 will provide you with endless fun throughout the summer. It's equipped with a spinnaker, trailer, and douse kit. This is a high-speed sailboat that has a large trampoline to offer lots of space not just for your feet but also to hand off the double trapezes.

Montgomery 17

{{boat-info="/boats/montgomery-17"}}

Popularly known as the M-17, The Montgomery 17 was designed by Lyle C. Hess in conjunction with Jerry Montgomery in Ontario, California for Montgomery Boats. Designed either with keel or centerboard models, the M-17 is more stable than most boats of her size. This boat is small enough to be trailered but also capable of doing moderate offshore passages.

This small sailboat is designed with a masthead and toe rail that can fit most foresails. It also has enough space for two thanks to its cuddly cabin, which offers a sitting headroom, a portable toilet, a pair of bunks, a DC power, and optional shore, and a proper amount of storage. That's not all; you can easily raise the deck-stepped mast using a four-part tackle.

In terms of performance, the M-17 is one of the giant-killers out there. This is a small sailboat that will excel in the extremes and make its way past larger boats such as the Catalina 22. It glides along beautifully and is a dog in light air, though it won't sail against a 25-knot wind, which can be frustrating. Other than that, the Montgomery 17 is a great small sailboat that can be yours for about $14,000.

Norseboat 17.5

{{boat-info="/boats/norseboat-17-5"}}

As a versatile daysailer, Norseboat 17.5 follows a simple concept of seaworthiness and high-performance. This small sailboat perfectly combines both contemporary construction and traditional aesthetics. Imagine a sailboat that calls itself the "Swiss Army Knife of Boats!" Well, this is a boat that can sail and row equally well.

Whether you're stepping down from a larger cruiser or stepping up from a sea kayak, the unique Norseboat 17.5 is balanced, attractive, and salty. It has curvaceous wishbone gaff, it is saucy, and has a stubby bow-sprit that makes it attractive to the eyes. In addition to her beauty, the Norseboat 17.5 offers an energy-pinching challenge, is self-sufficient, and offers more than what you're used to.

This is a small, lightweight, low-maintenance sailboat that offers a ticket to both sailing and rowing adventures all at the same time. At about 400 pounds, it's very portable and highly convenient. Its mainsails may look small but you'll be surprised at how the boat is responsive to it. With a $12,500 price tag, this is a good small sailboat that offers you the versatility to either row or sail.

{{boat-info="/boats/sage-marine-sage-17"}}

If you've been looking for a pocket cruiser that inspires confidence, especially in shoal water, look no further than the Sage 17. Designed by Jerry Montgomery in 2009, the Sage 17 is stable and should heel to 10 degrees while stiffening up. And because you want to feel secure while sailing, stability is an integral feature of the Sage 17.

This is a sailboat that will remain solid and stable no matter which part of the boat you stand on. Its cabin roof and the balsa-cored carbon-fiber deck are so strong that the mast doesn't require any form of compression post. The self-draining cockpit is long enough and capable of sleeping at 6 feet 6 inches.

The Sage 17 may be expensive at $25k but is a true sea warrior that's worth look at. This is a boat that will not only serve you right but will also turn heads at the marina.    

{{boat-info="/boats/laserperformance-laser-sb3"}}

Having been chosen as the overall boat of the year for 2008 by the Sailing World Magazine, the Laser SB3 is one of the coolest boats you'll ever encounter. When sailing upwind, this boat will lock into the groove while its absolute simplicity is legendary. In terms of downwind sailing, having this boat will be a dream come true while it remains incredibly stable even at extraordinary speed.

Since its debut in 2004, the Laser SB3 has surged in terms of popularity thanks to the fact that it's designed to put all the controls at your fingertips. In addition to a lightweight mast, its T- bulb keel can be hauled and launched painlessly. For about $18,000, the Laser SB3 ushers you into the world of sports sailing and what it feels to own and use a sports boat.

{{boat-info="/boats/fareast-18"}}

As a manufacturer, Fareast is a Chinese boat manufacturer that has been around for less than two decades. But even with that, the Fareast 18 remains a very capable cruiser-racer that will take your sailing to the next level. In addition to its good looks, this boat comes with a retractable keel with ballast bulb, a powerful rig, and an enclosed cabin.

Its narrow design with a closed stern may be rare in sailboats of this size, but that's not a problem for the Fareast 18. This design not only emphasizes speed but also makes it a lot easier to maintain this boat. Perfect for about 6 people, this boat punches above its weight. It's, however, designed to be rigged and launched by one person.

This is a relatively affordable boat. It's agile, safe, well-thought-out, well built, and very sporty.

{{boat-info="/boats/chuck-paine-paine-14"}}

If you're in the market looking for a small sailboat that offers contemporary performance with classic beauty, the Paine 14 should be your ideal option. Named after its famous designer, Chuck Paine, this boat is intentionally designed after the classic Herreshoff 12.5 both in terms of dimensions and features.

This is a lightweight design that brings forth modern fin keel and spade rudder, which makes it agile, stable, and faster. The Paine 14 is built using cold-molded wood or west epoxy. It has varnished gunnels and transoms to give it an old-time charm. To make it somehow modern, this boat is designed with a carbon mast and a modern way to attach sails so that it's ready to sail in minutes.

You can rest easy knowing that the Paine 14 will not only serve you well but will turn heads while out there.

{{boat-info="/boats/wd-schock-lido-14"}}

Many sailors will attest that their first sailing outing was in a Lido 14. This is a classic sailboat that has been around for over four decades and still proves to be a perfect match to modern small boats, especially for those still learning the ropes of sailing.

With seating for six people, the Lido 14 can be perfect for solo sailing , single-handed sailing, or if you're planning for shorthanded sailing. While new Lido 14 boats are no longer available, go for a functional used Lido 14 and you'll never regret this decision. It will serve you well and your kids will probably fall in love with sailing if Lido 14 becomes their main vessel during weekends or long summer holidays.

Bottom Line

There you have it; these are some of the best small sailboats you can go for. While there are endless small sailboats in the market, the above-described sailboat will serve you right and make you enjoy the wind.

Choose the perfect sailboat, invest in it, and go out there and have some good fun!

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Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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