Arch Davis

I’m Arch Davis – I learned boatbuilding and design in New Zealand in the 1970s. I have been helping people to build beautiful wooden boats since 1988. My approach to design is to put into your hands the means to use modern materials – marine plywood and epoxy resin – to build a truly lovely boat with classic lines. 

I believe that a boat should be beautiful, not just by virtue of her lines, but also in her construction. No material makes this possible like wood. My aim is to take advantage of wood’s unique strengths, in a structure that captivates the eye. I want you to feel that you are always doing good work in building one of these boats.

You’ll see that I have a small collection of designs. That is because I understand your need for clear, comprehensible, detailed plans and instructions. I put a lot of time into my drawings, building manuals and DVDs. I also spend a lot of time helping people through their projects, on the phone or by e-mail. I really am here to help!

You won’t see promises here that building a boat is quick and easy. What I do promise is that building one of my boats will be an extremely rewarding and satisfying experience, and that you will be enormously proud of the finished result. Can you build one of these boats? Certainly – some of them are entry-level designs. Others are more challenging. Many have been built by people with no prior woodworking experience at all. Others have found stitch and glue a little unsatisfying, and want to try their hand at something that makes better use of their woodworking skills. All my plans include clear, detailed building manuals, and my personal back up, when you need it. Just don’t build one of my boats unless you are willing to show her off, wherever you take her!