A 17' traditional rowing craft
These boats have been reported to be this country's first mass-produced boat. While not a distinct American innovation, the "Whitehall" evolved and was refined from various predecessors, rather than being created by actual design. Noted for rowing easily and swiftly in both smooth and rough waters, they also have a reputation as safe, dry boats with ample load carrying ability. Having a shapely "wine glass" or heart shaped transom, the waterline form is actually a double ender with a dead-straight keel and pronounced forefoot that provides excellent directional control.
The original craft were built using wood lapstrake or carvel planking, best suited to skilled craftsmen. Our WHITEHALL-Wood version features a modern, yet proven, form of wood strip planking, edge glued and nailed together to form a strong stress skin hull. The Fiberglass version uses C-FLEX fiberglass planking and fiberglass laminate "one-off" construction. Whether building in wood or fiberglass, the boat exhibits ample natural wood members to capture the beauty, character, and romance of their forebearers.
With our updated building methods, there are no permanent frames, no steam bending or caulking of seams, and no difficult "spiling" (fitting of planks). Full size patterns eliminate the task of lofting, even though a Table of Offsets is provided for those who want to perform this exercise.
- Length overall:
- 16'-11"
- Beam:
- 4'-6"
- Hull depth forward:
- 2'-6"
- Depth amidships:
- 1'-10"
- Hull depth aft:
- 2'-2"
- Weight (approx.):
- 350 lbs.*
- Passengers:
- 2-6
- Hull type:
- Traditional round bilge Whitehall rowing hull for wood or fiberglass construction.
- Wood Construction:
- WOOD version features glued and edge-nailed "bead and cove" strip planking (no plywood is used in this version).
- Fiberglass Construction:
- FIBERGLASS version features single skin "one-off" fiberglass planking (C-FLEX). Hull is built upside-down over temporary form members in both cases.
- Power:
- 8' to 9' long, one to three oarsmen.
- Can the hull be extended or shortened?:
- Extended, no. Can be shortened up to 10% by re-spacing the frames from the aft end of the stem to the transom a proportional amount. We do not recommend increasing the beam.
- Trailer:
- Designed for use with Glen-L Series 1700 boat trailer plans.
- (*):
- Will vary with type of lumber used.
