T_he Cosine Wherry is an amazing design. It has the classic lines of a boat designed to be rowed, from a time when the livelihood of the owner might depend on it’s properties. It is 14 feet overall, with a 54 inch beam, and can easily maintain 3.5 knots when rowed solo, and yet has a capacity of 550 lbs at the design waterline. The cedar strip process brings the weight to about 90 pounds, so two people can move it from a vehicle to the water.
I have had a wherry available for rent in Madeira Park. They have proved stable and forgiving for beginners, and fast enough to cruise the harbour in the company of kayaks and canoes. In fact, they can be very fast indeed, I note that Maggie a cosine wherry in England, was the overall winner of the great river race again, beating more than 300 other teams.
The wherry is best rowed, single or tandem, but could be driven by a small outboard motor; electric or gas.
I can build yours to order for $6800.00 Canadian.
Cosine Wherry Wedding Photo
My friend Paul in one of the rental boats at
April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge. Check out the fun at Apriltools.ca