Powerboats

  An outboard powered Sharpie Houseboat, or River Cruiser Designed by Mark Van Abbema "Leah Gent" The first boat I built was "Whippoorwill", a Wharram Tiki 26 catamaran. I launched it in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1989, and took it down the...

A trailerable, outboard powered houseboat.Designed by Mark Van Abbema Specifications: Length - 28'Beam - 7' 6"Weight Loaded - 4000 lbs.Weight Empty - 3000 lbs. I built the original Mark V 39 six years ago, and I have sold over sixty sets of plans for...

Designed by Mark Van Abbema My Dad wanted a trailerable boat for short cruises, and for traveling across the country exploring different waterways. He didn't want it to be any longer than 20 feet, because that would be the largest size he could fit...

This is a rugged steel workboat/fishing boat for coastal and offshore use. She has a large cockpit and enclosed wheelhouse with space below for a simple wc and/or galley. The steel hull panel shapes are given so that the hull can be...

We used the Edwardian 26 as a basis for this launch. We were asked to change the stern shape to a rather handsome counter and add more beam, but not too much, just enough to give her a more comfortable interior without taking away from her sleek lines...

Using between 5 and 6 sheets of 6mm ply the Sand Martin uses simple stitch and tape technology in her construction. She can be fitted out in a number of different ways but the standard arrangement shows two thwarts with side benches aft and a foredeck...

It would be easy to define the SILVER 45 and SILVER 55 as "Riva of the poor people" as we had ironically called them when they were presented in the pages of our newsletter. Obviously there is no intent of comparison with the famous runabouts (real...

The Egret is a slightly simplified form of the Classic runabout - she has a plywood hull which can be overlaid with Mahogany veneer and teak decking to give a classic look. She has tumblehome aft and a 'V' bottomed hull with a single chine built over a...

This motorboat is based on a typical Maine Lobster boat and has been designed for strip plank construction (although she could be built using clinker/ply techniques using the same moulds). The hull has a high freeboard with flat planing sections aft and...

A slightly modern 'take' on a classic type of launch - many built in the mid 20th Century were much larger so this is a mini version. Half the launch is outside seating in an open cockpit and half is simple accommodation in the form of a couple of...

Click images for larger views- The plans for the EXPLORER 3 came as a result of repeated reader interest and inquiry for a more robust design. It includes an ample beam, great freeboard, generous volume, seating for two +, and safety buoyancy...

The idea for the LONGBOAT came from a reader who wanted a simple yet useful portable hull design. It includes an ample beam, good freeboard, generous volume, seating for two, and safety buoyancy. It is sturdy, easy to build, quite portable and utilizes...