Otter

Otter is the first boat I built, forty years ago. She is a Gloucester Gull, as designed by Phil Bolger. She's logged a lot of nautical miles and fulfilled many purposes. Phil designed a simple, lightweight craft, with timeless grace. I must admit, the boat as specified by the Master of light craft was not durable enough to be used daily as a commuter vessel and work boat. After a couple seasons of being side-tied to various boats under working conditions and constantly subjected to the vagaries of Pacific Northwest weather, she was no longer the Light Dory from Bolger's pen.


But she's held up.

Subsequent owners of Otter have kept in touch and recently I received a note from the last mariner to love her. He had given the dory to his grandson. I'm happy to report Ian is a budding mariner himself.

 And apparently, so is his brother.

Happy rowing and sailing to these young gentlemen. I couldn't think of a better fate for the old Otter.

Old Shoe

That would be the Oldshoe by Phil Bolger. One of his "Square Boat" series. My friend Tom Gale is a square boat fan.

Tom sent me these photos of the maiden voyage in his new old shoe. His first impression was that she had a lot of leeway in a breeze. Here he's trying to tack to windward and miss that dock.

My first impression was that's a boat designed for utility and simplicity.
The Oldshoe has been described as a twelve foot cockpit, with the rest of the boat left off. Big, roomy and safe. Just right for Tom and his family who like to cruise Lake Powell every year.

The skipper looks pleased. I've never known Bolger's little square boats fail to bring a smile to the person at the tiller.





Thanks to Heather Gale for the photos.