The Whilly Boat was designed by Iain Oughtred for construction in glued lapstrake marine plywood, and is one of his most popular designs. A later version of the design is called the Whilly Tern.
The Whilly boat is a 14′ 6" long with a beam of 4′ 7". She’ll draw about 9 inches with the centerboard up and 3′ with the centerboard down. The boat weighs about 140 pounds in its "as-designed" configuration. It can be built as a balanced lug or a gaff sloop; sail area is between 74 and 80 square feet depending on configuration.
The boat takes its inspiration from double-ended boats used in the Shetland Isles. It is an excellent beach cruiser, a real jewel, but fairly weight sensitive until ballast is added to the boat (sandbags work fine).
We have also built Caledonia Sloops and Yawl’s to Oughtred’s designs.
Oughtred’s book, Clinker Plywood Boatbuilding Manual explains his methods for building these beautiful, functional boats. While his methods differ slightly from ours, both yield superlative results. www.amazon.com/Clinker-Plywood-Boatbuilding-Manual-Oughtr…
Nic Compton’s biography of Ian Oughtred, A Life in Boats, captures this complex, enigmatic designer. www.woodenboatstore.com/product/325-144
" Late at night, out in the workshop, builder’s of Iain’s boats have often admitted to feelings of invisible company, of being part of something much bigger; a strong sense that in the act of working with such beauty they too have become part of that great pantheon of boatbuilders. -Robert Ayliffe, founder, Duck Flat Wooden Boats
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding is located in Port Hadlock WA and is an accredited, non-profit vocational school. You can find us on the web at www.nwboatschool.org .
Our mission is to teach and preserve the fine art of wooden boatbuilding and traditional maritime crafts.
You can reach us via e-mail at info@nwboatschool.org or by calling us at 360-385-4948.
