Bo Jest

For a PDF study plan download, click HERE

"I loved its tugboat style and its just-right size for our cruising needs—big enough to stay in for a few days and small enough to avoid high moorage costs." —from an article in WoodenBoat magazine's Small Boats.

While our BO-JEST design is a real charmer, it's much more than just another character boat. You'll find this pocket cruiser packed with pleasant surprises beyond its attractive traditional workboat facade. For example, there's a cozy pilothouse with full standing headroom and virtual full-circle visibility, walk-around decks, self-draining cockpit of ample size, incredible economy, and long range; all features one would expect on larger boats, but are surprising to find on a boat of these modest proportions.

While compact in size, BO-JEST has been carefully planned so the cruising couple won't get claustrophobic. Dining, sleeping, and lounging takes place in the trunk cabin on a 7' berth that becomes 6' wide when the table is lowered and pivoted to form a filler. Space for a head is located under the berth, and a curtain can be rigged to close off the trunk cabin for privacy when desired. Hanging lockers port and starboard give ample storage, and provisions exist for a workable galley. Two hinged seats in the pilothouse pivot out of the way when not necessary.

The semi-displacement vee bottom hull on BO-JEST is both easily driven and maneuverable, being more capable than most boats this size. Freeboard is ample and a skeg assures directional stability for positive control even in tough conditions. Yet construction is well suited even to the first timer. Framing members are simply sawn to shape from the full size patterns, and sheet plywood is used for the planking. Our plans with instructions, material listing, and fastening schedule show how it's all done. Best of all, BO-JEST is easy to trail anywhere you wish, expanding your cruising waters considerably.

COMPLETE PLANS include FULL SIZE PATTERNS for stem, breasthook, and half-section patterns for the frames and transom. Includes instructions, Bill of Materials, and Fastening Schedule.


Builder Reviews:

"Please pass along to your Dad how grateful I am for the job he did designing the Bo-Jest. As you may have read on my blog site, we were caught in a storm with 30+ mph winds and 6-7' waves on Mobile Bay. I never imagined being on my little tug in those kinds of conditions, but the boat handled the situation great (much better than I did). It felt solid and handled predictably during the whole ordeal! I hope I'm never in that situation again, but I now know that the boat can handle just about anything, and that's a good feeling since my cargo is usually my precious grandchildren and my wonderful wife!" —Tom Smitherman - Montevallo, AL

"Thanks for great service. Incidentally, the prints and patterns for Bo Jest are fantastic. I am extremely pleased with quality and detail." —Sam Marfat, Lithia, FL

"Before the Bo-Jest, I'd never built a boat. Actually, I've never even driven, much less launched one from a trailer. Yet, I decided to build a boat for my family. (5 kids). As a school teacher, I know of so many kids that stay at home all the time and play video games, or hang out at the mall. I wanted my kids to have adventures. I already have an Airstream trailer, but with a boat I can just add to their scope of adventures.

"I didn't want to get a plastic Tupperware boat because everyone has one. The type of manufactured boat I wanted was way out of my price range. So I decided to build one. I wanted a boat that was unique, fits on a trailer, slow, fuel efficient and livable. The Bo-Jest was perfect. Even with all the other completed Bo-Jests out there, none of them look the same.

"Building a boat can be one of the most rewarding undertakings that you can experience, but keep your family involved. Let the kids help and give your wife lots of praise, flowers and dinners. Have fun!" —Rick Klemm, BC Canada.