Designs for seaworthy, affordable cruising boats -- specializing in wood/epoxy construction

Design Philosophy

I've studied yacht design (I'm a graduate of the Yacht Design Institute, a school founded by Ted Brewer), but my real education with boats has been years of sailing, building, repairing, reading, and thinking about them. When I sit down to draw up a new design my foremost concern is how the boat will perform, keeping in mind that performance in a cruising boat involves much more than speed. It includes a boat's motion through the water, how dry and comfortable she keeps her crew, her ability to work to weather when a sea is running, and how well she heaves to. I've sailed 30,000 miles offshore over the last few years, and I design boats to perform well in the conditions (both good and bad) that one encounters out at sea.

I've done a lot of boat repair -- much of it under less than ideal conditions. It's something I don't enjoy much, and as a result, when I work on a new design, I seek to eliminate future problems whenever I can, and at the very least to facilitate repairs that might be needed down the road.

I don't believe in quick fixes, or instant boats (at least not when they're bigger than a dinghy). Good boats require a healthy investment of time, money, and quality materials; the boat you build will be as good as what you put into her. That doesn't mean she needs to take 10 years to build, or cost a fortune; but be realistic when budgeting time and money, and don't be tempted to cut corners .