Another splash was made at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding recently. This time it was the launch of a 17' 5" Whitehall built by instructor Ray Speck and students to classic H. V. Partelow lines. The lucky owners are Bostonians Dan McNichol and Jin Li, who christened the boat, Xiao-Ying (Little Hero—Jin’s Chinese birth name), and plan to aid a sort of species reintroduction, rowing a waterfront that once teemed with similar conveyances.

Although it was a blustery day, it seemed everyone in attendance wanted a ride. Rated for only five, there were at least six aboard most of the time. No matter, the Whitehall showed her load-ferrying lineage by swallowing the additional crew with ease. Speck says the boat could have carried another couple hundred pounds. In fact, he advised her new owners to carry some removable ballast when they row solo.

With her “past plumb” stem adding more length to her keel, she was slow in turning, but rock steady. Speck was pleased with overall performance.
“With all that weight she was a little slow to get moving, but she tracked like a train and really carried her way.”

The original oars were 8-footers, but after the shakedown it was decided that 8' 6" oars would better match the forward station.

At about 200 pounds and four feet of beam, she’s a substantial vessel. In addition to serving as a capable family rowboat and showpiece, she’d make a nice exploration boat.

Planking and floorboards are of Western Redcedar; stem, backbone, transom, knees and gunwales are Khaya (a type of African mahogany). Her oars, thwarts and stern sheets are of Sitka spruce.

If you’re interested in having something similar built, or in attending the school yourself, check out nwboatschool.org or call (360) 385-4948. •SCA•

If you’ve recently built, or restored and launched, a small boat, send us a few photos and up to 500 words about the project for possible inclusion in a future Down the Ways column.

E-mail: smallcraftadvisor@earthlink.net or send to:
SCA, Down the Ways, PO Box 1343, Port Townsend, WA 98368
Please include SASE if photos are to be returned.