First Kits Available in March
Our first kits will be available in about a month’s time. We’ve already cut our first run of wood components for our sliding seat/rigger kits, and they look beautiful. Everything has been been pre-cut, so the total assembly process will be straightforward (no cutting or shaping), and will be 4-6 hours. If you’re interested in purchasing our complete sliding seat/rigger kits, they will be available in early March. And the exciting news is we’ve completed our prototype for the Salamander, and will have kits available for this model in about a month's time. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="160"]
The prototype for our new open boat. It's designed for versatility - good for a family picnic or solo voyaging. This is an open boat designed for simplicity and comfort.[/caption] They say that boat design is all about compromise – if it’s good at one thing, it will suck at another. While this often is the case, we feel we’ve done a pretty good job of making our open boat do a lot of things. It has traditional good looks fused with modern design elements for speed and comfort. It’s perfect for those that want to row alone, and also ideal for those that want to bring along a couple passengers and the family dog for a picnic. Buoyancy chambers at each end provide additional seaworthiness, and the hull is shaped for stability and speed. All this, and it weighs just a smidge over 60 lbs.
You can check out a few pics of our prototype model. Bear in mind this is a rough build with rudimentary trim. Pics here. We’ve made a few tweaks, and the next step will be building the final model from our CNC cut wood panels. Shortly after that we will have both plans and kits available for the Salamander. The wood will be cut from Lloyds BS1088 Okoume plywood, and trim will be mahogany.
By the way, we’re thinking of changing the name for the Salamander. Our open boat has some elements of traditional boats such as the wherry and Whitehall. We might choose a name that reflects these origins (you’ll love the wineglass transom shaped from 8 panels).
Next month we'll be working on getting kits available for our popular Expedition model.
4 Responses
Tom the rower
It looks really cool! I personally can’t hardly wait for the camper rowboat plans. I want to take the camper rowboat on the Everglades Challenge. Colin, you out to come down and join us. a mere 300 miles, which is nothing for you.
Phil Meagher
I would love to purchase the plans for the Colin Angus Cruiser Row Boat or, if possible the kit or boat itself. Willing to sell my big cruiser motorbike to purchase this boat, I have been looking for something like this for years.
Ian
Colin, glad to see the Salimander maturing. I’ve been looking forward to seeing it. Call me crazy but I miss the mock up’s square stern, a lot! Is it possible to alter the wine glass into the original version?
admin
Hi Ian,
Yes, we’re pretty excited to have the Salamander/Oxford Wherry on the cusp of readiness. I’m pleased you like the square stern, because that’s the way it’s going to be. I just realized from your comment that you’re envisioning a horizontal wineglass – I guess I should clarify. The wine glass shape (coming together to a tapered point) actually describes the shape of the transom, coming down to a point like the shape of a wineglass. Thinking about it, I can see how that could easily be confused for the shape of a tapered stern from above.
We’re pleased with how the kit build we’re just completing is shaping up, and are looking forward to getting some pics up after it is varnished and painted.
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