Oyster Bay Boats

Oyster Bay Boats are built of western red cedar, trimmed with local fir and maple, and system three epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth. This provides strong, weather-resistant craft that show the beauty of the wood, with lower maintenance and less weight than traditional construction.

Currently we offer: a row boat, Cosine Wherry, and a small canoe, Wee Lassie.

The 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 two wherries 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.

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 $3,500.00 Canadian.

My favorite is still the Wee Lassie canoe; 30 pounds, just big enough for one, and all the gear needed for lightweight touring. My wife and I have taken several five and six day trips in the interior of BC with ours. The Wee Lassie is a modern interpretation of a very old design, a "double paddle canoe" as built by Rushton in the 1880’s and made popular by George Washington Sears, who wrote for "Forest and Stream" under the pen-name Nessmuck. Perhaps you have a little trout lake in mind, one that can only be reached on foot, and is a little too far to lug that 70 pound canoe. Or maybe you just want paddle whenever the fancy strikes you, no need to get help to load the boat.

If you want a boat that you can pick up with one hand and carry down to the water, that is a pleasure to portage as well as paddle, I can build one for you for $1,700.00 Canadian.

For inquiries about commissioning a boat:
Rick Crook
Oyster Bay Boats
RR1 site 16 C-4
Madeira Park BC
Canada
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