scamp sailboat interior

 S.C.A.M.P

I've been corresponding with Joshua Colvin and Craig Wagner, editors of , for a few years now, and have written articles and design features for quite a few issues. Even though we've not met face to face we've gotten to know each other some. The 8000 miles between us being only a fraction of a second away by e-mail. Knowing their bias to the small and simple I was not at all surprised to hear from them asking if a very small cruiser might be a practical proposition.

That's an area of boating that is very close to my heart. Being affordable is very important, as is being achievable, safe, and comfortable. Cruising yachts seem too often to be big, expensive, complex creatures that own their skippers rather than the other way around; what they were proposing was very much at the other end of the scale.

"Ten feet long," they e-mailed. "Sleep on board for a weekend. Something that would daysail an adult and a couple of children. Really easy to build in a garage, and small enough to not need an expensive trailer or a big car to tow it."

There were other considerations, but the above pretty much set the tone.

I have a very successful design called " ." It's a nine-foot long big little boat that will carry a heavy load in mountainous seas. Several of them are called which while not very original is appropriate and at least indicates that the owner-builders know a little of the history of Mt. Everest. Sherpa's a very good hullform for stability and load carrying. It sails well enough for a group of owners to have begun sailing as an informal class with a local yacht club, and is stylish enough to attract compliments. People love it, and I figure that it's one of my better designs.

With that as a starting point I drew a little sketch, photographed it, and e-mailed it to in Port Townsend.

The answer did not take long to come back to me-the response being very enthusiastic and encouraging. We had several exchanges of thoughts and ideas and I've since worked over the drawing, done all the arithmetic and adjusted a few things. S. C. A. M. P. (That's Small Craft Advisor Magazine Project) is a tad over 10 feet long and a whisker under five wide-she is short and fat. With her water ballast she will be exceptionally stable allowing the skipper to move around the little ship without worrying about falling out. SCAMP has plenty of freeboard, lots of dry stowage, a self draining cockpit-and for safety's sake a huge amount of air-tank buoyancy.

That little "cabin" is really a secure locker and buoyancy air tank. There is room in there for a sleeping bag, dry clothes, food, matches and such. There is also space for a lot more stores and equipment under the side seats, and if the skipper is intending to get away for a really big adventure, there is more space under the cockpit floor.

That self draining floor is the bunk, wide enough for shoulders, long enough for all but the tallest NBA player, sheltered and secure with their head up under the after end of the "cabin." I'd expect there to be about an even break between those who will tent the cockpit with a cover over the boom and those who will use a "bivysack" type outdoor sleeping bag. Either way it'll be easy to be comfortable in there.

Josh told me that a dedicated place for the bucket is very important, so there is a little well at the after end of the cockpit floor, the dinghy venturi bailers are positioned in there and it provides not only a secure place for the bucket in under the tiller, but also a place for any rainwater or spray to drain into.

The centerboard is hidden in the starboard side seat front, and does not get in the way at all. The asymmetry making such a tiny difference that few will ever notice from one tack to the other.

With twin skegs under her flat bottom, and a kickup rudder, she can sneak into very shallow water, and will sit upright when the tide goes out, often an ideal way of spending a night out in a small boat that would otherwise be bounced around by the waves and powerboat wakes in a big boat anchorage.

The rig is a simple balanced lugsail. I'd expect the boat to be ready to launch within 15 minutes of arrival at the boat ramp, the mast being unstayed and light enough to just pick up and plug in, the yard and boom with the sail being easy to fit, leaving only the rudder to put on.

I can imagine sailing around the point and into the glossy waters of a tiny sheltered cove, drifting along on the last of the evening breeze. It won't take long to get the tent up. The stove will have the water boiled for coffee by the time that's up and secure, and there are several choices of meals that can be heated and ready for supper by the time the coffee is down. While the little boat is indeed very small, it's comfortable, so why go home tomorrow, or even the next day? It's a big lake, and there are lots of anchorages like this to enjoy.

SCA (Small Craft Advisor) Editors on SCAMP

"What does a man need-really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in-and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all-in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade. The years thunder by, the dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed. Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?" -Sterling Hayden

Our own youthful dreams often featured small boats in supporting roles. Stalwart little vessels aboard which we'd venture across nebulous bodies of water in search of uncharted shores and uninhabited islands. Sometimes we'd land and go ashore to explore or make camp, often retreating to our boats to wait out a summer storm beneath a boom tent. We'd read sea stories by oil lantern and, on clear nights, sleep under a blanket of stars.

Curiously, these fanciful voyages never involved wrestling with a heavy mast, fussing with a smelly outboard, or being held off shore by our boat's draft. And even when we pictured whitecaps kicked up by a stout afternoon breeze, never was there a chilly capsize.

It was a longing for those simple pleasures that inspired thoughts of SCAMP. That and a persistent desire to go over "there"-that place we often see but can never quite reach. It seems to happen on every cruise. Never mind that we're usually sailing the smallest boat around for miles. We always come upon some ultra-shallow bay or intriguing tidal stream that disappears into the reeds, trees and rushes. To get in there-all the way in there-a boat needs to be light, shallow and easily propelled-and preferably flat-bottomed should we decide to stay though the ebb.

Trying our best to distill small-boat cruising to its essence, we sorted out our ideas and took the best of them to one of our favorite designers-John Welsford. It shouldn't have surprised us that, being of a like mind, he responded enthusiastically.

What we commissioned was the most micro of cruisers. We wanted a cabin, not for a claustrophobic casket-like berth-but for dry stowage, buoyancy and a bulwark against wind and seas. We tried to be honest about the compromises. In describing the boat to John we said SCAMP would be so small that, "the designer himself might cringe a little when he puts the pencil down."

Remarkably, where we expected John would need eleven or even twelve feet to meet our goals, he was able to do so in slightly over ten. And where we'd resigned ourselves to the possibility she might be at least slightly less capable than larger microcruisers, John drew SCAMP with a selfdraining cockpit, abundant flotation, and 145-pounds of water ballast. Unlike many larger designs, SCAMP should be recoverable from a complete capsize.

We've long been fans of pram bows and how they maximize volume at a given hull length, and before we could ask, John's initial reply suggested one for SCAMP

Thanks to an offset centerboard the cockpit sole/ single berth measures 25 x 77 inches, making accommodations almost luxurious for the solo sailor. Designed to be sailed, rowed and perhaps sculled, SCAMP can also be fitted with an outboard in place of her rudder-or with an optional mount for a trolling motor.

We believe every boat needs a bucket, so we asked John if he could design in a designated spot for one. He did. Every SCAMP sailor will have at hand a storage container, fire extinguisher, drogue or emergency steering aid, rudimentary head, bailing device, and a tool for filling the ballast tanks.

We wanted the simplicity of a single sail (single halyard, single sheet, etc.) and John wisely recommended the balanced lug. Although we're fans of this rig and unanimously saw it as the best choice, we wondered if some potential builders might prefer the more familiar gaff sail. At our urging, and with some reluctance, John drew SCAMP with a gaff. The resultant drawing with the much higher aspect rig looked less purposeful, unwieldy-almost fragile. Seeing SCAMP dressed like this so convinced us of the balanced lug's better suitability that we scrapped the gaff option altogether. John appreciated our coming to our senses and wrote, "The lugsail gets the right amount of area in the space available without getting outside the ends of the boat or going up too high. Remember that this is a very stable boat, and can carry a lot of sail without risk, and that's one of the strengths of the lugsail."

John suggests a practiced amateur could have the construction done and ready for paint in about 110 hours. It's our hope that new sailors and first-time builders will appreciate the small size and simplicity of the design, and that more experienced builders and sailors will appreciate SCAMP's surprising level of sophistication.

Although SCAMP wasn't designed specifically with kids in mind, we think she would make an ideal exploration boat for young sailors-safe, capable and easily handled. We intend to donate a set of plans to any formal organization or school looking to build a SCAMP for this purpose.

Now on to the next step-finding a builder for the prototype and getting SCAMP in the water! SCA

SCAMP Plans are available at Duckworks

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There was a long delay between starting the topside and finishing. I got Covid 19.

Although I got a somewhat mild version I still suffer from really low energy level after 10 months. I'm only just starting to feel mildly capable of working on the boat.

I continue working on the topside

Back cowling.

Since I was not sure how to deal with the connection of the back cowling I had left it overhanging.

I eventually decided to cut it flush with the edge and round it.

This will allow me to place the outside gunnel under it. If I need to replace the outside gunnel, I can do so without disturbing the back cowling.

Here is the back cowling after rounding. Before making the hole I had filled the underside of the back cowling with wood and thickened epoxy to fill the gap between the cowling and the back of the deck.

I did not fuss too much with the bushing, I made a hole and glued it in with thickened epoxy. This hole will be used to guide a line on for the traveler. I bought it from a farm supply house. It's a bronze bushing.

Sanding, ad nauseum.

The next couple of months were spent making sure all the fillets, on the various seams were good and smooth. There was a tremendous amount of sanding, filling with filler mixture, (mostly phenolic filler) and prepping to paint.

Phenolic filler comes as a red sticky powder that is mixed with epoxy. It takes a lot of powder to thicken epoxy so start with a small amount of epoxy and mix till it's thick enough to be a useful filler. It's moderately easy to sand.

I ran out of enthusiasm when it came to sanding under the deck. It was hard to reach. I just made sure the fillets were good and there were no sharp edges. I used a hand mirror to see if there were any obvious problems.

At this point I checked that I had plywood backing plates in place in the spots where I was going to put mooring cleats. I have 3 per side planned but I'm not sure it really needs 3. Probably 2 will work just as well for a 12 foot boat!

I used my random orbital sander for the big areas and my multi tool, (mine is dremmel) for the harder to reach area. Not much fun but it's done now.

The wooden ledge that will support the removable seat used for rowing was installed. I've cut a piece of 3/4 plywood for the seat.

Sanding the inside of the centreboard was difficult. I made a little padded stick to at least rough up the epoxy. There is at least 3 layers of epoxy on the inside surface and I'll try to put a coat of paint over that.

I cut, shaped, and glued a piece of wood to help support various bits of rigging hardware. Cleats mostly. I also prepared some plywood squares to support a downhaul pulley that will be placed beside the mast. I'm not sure of the exact position so I'll wait till I start the rigging to finalize these bits.

I finally start painting the topside

After a massive shop clean-up I get ready to start painting.

I put the first coat of blue paint on the top and side of cabin and on top of back cowling. It covers really well, Brightside paint. All the flaws show up of course with a coat of really shiny paint.

I prepared a modified paintbrush so I could get to the tight spot under the deck.

emails: Christine

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Boat Profile

A little camp cruiser for big dreams

From Issue   Small Boats Annual 2016 October 2015

N ever mind that until grounding on a mudflat less than 30 miles from the finish line, SCAMP #4 breezed through a difficult year in the 300-mile Everglades Challenge adventure race a few years ago, pressing on comfortably when many bigger boats had to quit. Never mind that during the inaugural Race to Alaska earlier this year, SCAMP #11 completed a very rough 40-mile open-water crossing of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, taking its solo skipper safely from Port Townsend, Washington, to Victoria, British Columbia. And never mind that yet another SCAMP (extensively modified for the venture by its builder) may attempt to round Cape Horn—yes, that Cape Horn—this year and, if successful, will be the smallest sailboat ever to do so. Despite all that, the overwhelming impression I get when Dave Ender drives up with his newly built SCAMP to take me sailing is: What a cute little boat.

The buoyancy of the blunt pram bow resists digging in while running downwind and reduces the likelihood of broaching.

SCAMP is short, curvy, beamy, and high-sided, with a well-rockered flat bottom and a distinctive pram bow—a cross between a bulldog, a basketball, and an angry rubber duck. It’s also one of the easiest-launching boats I’ve ever encountered. I barely had time to grab my gear before Ender had the boat rigged and ready: mast stepped, sail hoisted, and rudder hung on the transom. He backed the trailer into the water and shoved SCAMP off. Less than 10 minutes from arrival and it was time to sail.

Josh Colvin, who commissioned SCAMP—an acronym for Small Craft Advisor Magazine Project—wasn’t looking for an ultimate adventure boat when he approached New Zealand designer John Welsford (see WB No. 225 for a profile on Welsford and his design work). “My initial goals for the boat were based largely on a 150-mile sail down the Columbia River, from Beacon Rock to Astoria,” Colvin says. “I kept coming across backwaters and shallow estuarine areas and thinking, That’s where I really want to go , but my 16-footer was too deep, wasn’t easy to row, and if I wanted to overnight up among the reeds, wouldn’t dry out level if the tide left. So the idea I eventually took to John Welsford was for the smallest possible boat that would be able to do all of these things, but still be seaworthy enough to cope with something like the middle of the Columbia River on a breezy afternoon.”

Judging by SCAMP’s popularity among amateur builders—roughly 340 kits or plan sets have been sold since 2011, with about 60 boats launched—plenty of other people are interested, too. Designer John Welsford sees SCAMP as a sort of 21st-century version of a much-loved classic, the Mirror dinghy. “While we don’t expect to do anywhere near as many boats,” Welsford says, “it’s hitting a similar, but older market.” Along the way, SCAMP has fostered an enthusiastic and supportive community of builders and owners, encouraging new builders to take the plunge.

The SCAMPS’s 100-sq-ft sail is set high for good visibility under the boom and is easily reefed.

To bring the new design to life, Welsford was able to make good use of his previous experimentation with similar boats. “SCAMP is number six in a series of very beamy, shallow-bodied boats with that distinctive high-positioned pram bow,” Welsford says. “Tender Behind, Tread Lightly, and Sherpa are the other designs that made it to plans. All work really well, can carry huge loads for their size, sail well, and are well balanced. I learned something from each of them, and SCAMP is a result of that learning.” Besides Welsford, boatbuilder/designer Kees Prins of Port Townsend, Brandon Davis of Turnpoint Design , and adventurer/prototype tester Howard Rice all contributed to final design details and kit elements for SCAMP.

SCAMP is built upright on its flat bottom, which serves as the base for an egg-crate arrangement of plywood that forms the boat’s furniture and structural members. No temporary molds or frames are used. It’s a method that makes for an exceptionally stiff hull, and a safe one—the completed “boxes” create six entirely separate buoyancy chambers within the glued-plywood lapstrake hull. Welsford reports that one SCAMP was able to remain comfortably afloat despite suffering “a hole in the side that you could put your head through” after hitting a snag. And although there are plenty of parts to assemble when building a SCAMP, no single step requires more than moderate woodworking skills and a selection of basic tools.

S CAMP is rigged with a single balanced lugsail, an excellent choice for a cruising rig that’s simple to handle and easy to reef. With 100 sq ft of sail and the stability to stand up to it, the boat also performs well. On my second sail in a SCAMP, working to windward on a gusty day, I was able to keep ahead of a 21′ Sea Pearl for several miles. SCAMP’s shallow draft and flat bottom make it a perfect gunkholer, and 173 lbs of water ballast (roughly 40 percent of the total hull weight) make it capable of much more. It’s no pulling boat, but SCAMP won’t be too difficult to move under oars when necessary. Some builders have considered experimenting with a single sculling oar at the transom; Dave Ender plans to try a yuloh. There’s room to mount a small outboard on the transom for backup propulsion.

Builders have the choice of building from plans or from a kit, with custom sails and hardware available for purchase. Another popular option for builders is the SCAMP Camp , a two-week intensive class in which participants come together to assemble their own SCAMP kits under the direction of designer John Welsford and prototype tester Howard Rice.

One unintended feature of the design deserves mention: several SCAMP builders I have met describe the boat as “a chick magnet,” and from my own observations at various messabouts and festivals, I’d say that such a claim is closer to reality than to hype. For potential builders with wives or girlfriends reluctant to take up sailing, this might be the single biggest advantage SCAMP has to offer.

A kick-up rudder allows sailing in shallow water and twin skegs help the SCAMP sit solidly upright when grounded.

B ack aboard Dave Ender’s Scamp, we were away from the dock with an easy shove, heading across Lake Pepin, a wide stretch of the Mississippi that’s often subject to strong winds sweeping down between tall bluffs. Dave filled the ballast tank under the cockpit sole. With the drain holes open, the tank floods itself almost completely; the top of the tank is a few inches above the waterline, so must be topped off by replacing the plugs and pouring water in with a bucket from the cockpit before sealing. He could pour water in quickly without worrying about spilling or overflowing: The excess water drains out of the cockpit’s scuppers. With the water ballast in, we soon shook out the reef we started with, and Dave put me at the tiller. It was a windy day, but even under full sail we continued on in perfect comfort. SCAMP may be a small boat, but it’s the biggest small boat I’ve ever sailed. In fact, it’s almost impossible to categorize SCAMP by size. It weighs just over 400 lbs empty, but has the cockpit and freeboard of a 20′ keelboat (in fact, the freeboard is so high that reboarding the boat without a pre-rigged foot stirrup or rudder step would be problematic). It’s easy to drag up a SCAMP onto a beach for a quick stop ashore, yet filling the ballast tank adds stability well beyond the reach of a typical small boat. The self-draining cockpit sits high enough above the water that you feel like you’re aboard a much bigger boat—yet SCAMP is extremely maneuverable, tacking easily and spinning around within its own length like the smallest dinghy.

While it performs well enough to keep experienced sailors interested—Dave and I kept pace with several much bigger keelboats without much trouble—SCAMP would also be a great boat for beginners to learn on. The balanced lug makes tacking or jibing very simple and stress-free; lazyjacks hold the sail and boom securely in place, making reefing easy once the lines and cleats are set up; the boat is stable and comfortable. And it’s pure fun to sail. The only thing that I needed some time to get used to was being so far from the water compared to the sail-and-oar boats I usually sail. Of course, that higher freeboard and greater volume help make it easy to recover from a capsize (see the video below). By the time Dave and I returned to the dock, I was reminded again of just how much I like this design, and how much it can do.

The diminutive SCAMP is easily trailered, rigged, and launched.

With its quick launching capabilities, SCAMP would work well as a family-friendly daysailer. There is space enough for four adults in relative comfort (three is better; two is luxurious), and the boat’s stability makes it a comfortable ride even for the elderly and infirm, young children, or passengers who might simply be a bit nervous around boats. The boom is high overhead, minimizing the risk of hitting an inexperienced passenger, and the seats are wide and comfortable.

Cruising solo or two-up is where SCAMP really shines. The 8′3″ x 29″ cockpit sole provides ample space for one person to sleep aboard very comfortably (the offset centerboard is hidden in the starboard seat face), and filler planks between seats can be used to create a double bunk. The benches themselves (6′8″ by 17.5″) offer a place to stretch out but aren’t quite wide enough for sleeping. There is plenty of stowage space under the seats and cockpit. The “veranda” (a small cuddy/locker at the forward end of the cockpit) provides additional stowage, sitting headroom, and shelter from the wind, as well as a convenient place to anchor the forward edge of a cockpit tent. Forward of the veranda’s bulkhead there are 8.5 cubic feet of sealed stowage that provide extra buoyancy well above the waterline, just where it would be most useful in a knockdown. And of course, like all small boats, a SCAMP can easily travel to windward at 60 mph, pulled on a small lightweight trailer by a small four-cylinder car.

Tom Pamperin ( www.tompamperin.com ) is a frequent contributor to Small Boats Monthly and WoodenBoat.

SCAMP Particulars

LOA/11′11″ Beam/5′4″

Draft (board up)/7″ Weight (including rig)/420 lbs Water ballast/173 lbs

Plans and information are available from Small Craft Advisor . Their YouTube channel has several videos featuring the SCAMP, including a capsize trial with Howard Rice, below.

Is there a boat you’d like to know more about? Have you built one that you think other Small Boats Monthly readers would enjoy? Please email us!

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Comments (4)

Great article! Thanks. I especially enjoyed the fact that during the capsize test, Howard did not lose his hat! Now that’s a sailor. I’ve always been off put by the punt bow, but seeing the boat in action, I can now appreciate it.

That boat did not want to capsize…

Thanks for the kind words about the article; I enjoyed yet another excuse to go sailing aboard a Scamp. It’s a fun and very very capable little boat, that’s for sure.

These are great wee boats, totally sold on the concept especially the seaworthiness. The only thing I would do differently is wear a safety harness in winds like that in the video! I could quite easily see the boat sailing off while you flounder around in the briny!

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Announcing the SCAMP – in fiberglass by GHBoats!

by GHBoats Webmaster | Aug 10, 2011 | Announcements , SCAMP | 1 comment

The SCAMP is a 12′ micro-cruiser, shown here in wood. We’re now taking the first orders for a fiberglass version!

We have some exciting news to share!  We’re adding a completely new boat to our production line – the SCAMP!  Those of you familiar with new developments in small craft may have already heard of it… we are thrilled to be able to offer this 12′ micro-cruiser in a fiberglass version, with the same craftsmanship and attention to detail that you’ll find in our other traditionally-styled fiberglass boats.

The new fiberglass SCAMP to be built by Gig Harbor Boat Works will retain all of the characteristics of the wooden versions. Commissioned by Small Craft Advisor magazine, designed by John Welsford of New Zealand, the SCAMP has been available for the past year or so as a plans-only boat. Welford designed SCAMP for wood construction, but SCAMP is much more challenging to build in wood than is first apparent. Multiple bulkheads, reinforcements, water ballast tank, etc. have to be handcrafted in addition to the usual attention paid to frame shape/alignment, plus the usual seam-sealing and finish work. Soon after Small Craft Advisor began to offer plan sets, they received inquiries about when a fiberglass version would be available. The demand became such that SCA came to us and asked if we would be interested in building a fiberglass SCAMP.

We were immediately intrigued at the prospect of adding SCAMP to our line. But as mentioned, SCAMP is difficult to build- particularly so in fiberglass because the tumblehome stern will require a two piece hull mold…. Tooling for SCAMP will require more time and investment than for a typical 20 foot sailboat. And because of that, the retail price of a fiberglass SCAMP will have to be proportionately higher than your average 12’ sailboat.

We also want to ensure that the characteristics of SCAMP in fiberglass will be indistinguishable from well-built wood SCAMPs. Our goal is to have class consistency- in a race, neither wood or FRP construction should have an advantage. Hull shape, ballast tank, displacement and sail rigs must be completely competitive. There will be some minor cosmetic differences applicable to FRP construction, but that will be the limit of changes.

A few key points about SCAMP’s design: SCAMP is an eminently capable micro-cruiser commissioned by Small Craft Advisor magazine, designed by John Welsford. Only 12 feet long, yet the feel of a larger boat. High freeboard, hard chines and full ends give lots of buoyancy and carrying capacity. 178 pounds of water ballast. Flat bottom with keelsons tracks surprisingly well and sits flat on a beach or trailer. Swing keel with kick-up rudder. Balanced Lug Rig with lightweight carbon fiber spars Although only in existence for less than a year, homebuilt versions of SCAMP have completed challenging voyages such as the Everglades Challenge. Proven high capsize resistance and easy recovery. Fast and forgiving nature For further reading about the design, visit http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/10/designs/scamp/index.htm .

Because the tooling and molds will be complex, to help capitalize the project we will make a special ‘pre-introductory pricing’ offer to the owners placing the first six deposits for our fiberglass SCAMP:

GHBW fiberglass SCAMP pre-introductory offer (available to the first 6 buyers) includes: Complete, sailaway SCAMP with custom fitted high quality galvanized trailer for $12,795. Earn cash back; $200 per showing when we send you qualified leads who subsequently place an order. And more cash back; Earn $500 ‘finders fee’ per sale your referrals generate (no lead from us).

A deposit of $6,000 is required to secure this offer and your place in our construction queue. We already have several deposits; once we have the 6 th deposit we will commence tooling and expect to have SCAMP #1 finished about 4-6 months later. All deposits will be placed in a trust account so if 6 deposits are not received in a reasonable time frame they will be refunded 100%.

If this looks like the sort of boat you’ve been dreaming of, give us a call at (253) 851-2126 or email [email protected]! Once this becomes a regular production model, our price will have to go up, so don’t delay!

Click here to see updates  about the Scamp development (with photos) on our blog!

Dave, Super news on your involvement in the Scamp. I’ve really liked what I’ve been reading about it in SCA. You and your crew at Gig Harbor Boat Works are definitely the group to pull this off. I know from my experience owning a GHBW Pt. Defiance Skiff, Melonseed and now the perfect Jersey Skiff you guys put togeather for me, that the Scamp will be super. If I were able to do all the expidition rowing I dream about we might be talking about setting one up with my Forward Facing Oar system and you keeping the center board and sails. I’ll be stopping by as the project unfolds for a look see. All the very best.

John Quatermass R/V Mistress Dory Gig Harbor, WA

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The History of Island Nautical

The Early Years

As a young man growing up in Tampa, Florida, Clint Johnson learned about making sails from his parents, and in 1939 he bought an existing sail loft from local sail maker Jimmy Turner. After building sails for over twelve years, though, Clint was ready for new challenges, and in 1952 he retired from sail making.

But making sails had gotten into Clint’s blood and he soon tired of retirement, so by 1962 he was back making sails again, this time at a loft now named Johnson Sails Incorporated (JSI) “Red Arrow” sail logo was first created. JSI was not just a local Tampa Bay area supplier, though, and JSI “Red Arrow” sails were soon seen on boats all around the country, especially after becoming standard equipment on most boats built at the near-by Irwin Yachts manufacturing facility.

JSI also branched out into other marine fields, and soon began fabricating the complete interior and exterior cushion sets and canvas products for all vessels made by Irwin Yachts, among other commercial customers, as well as supplying cushions and canvas products for private boat owners. 

Clint Johnson Retires (Again)

By 1978, after building hundreds if not thousands of sails (cushion sets and canvas products), Clint was once again ready for retirement. A willing buyer for JSI was found in Larry French, who moved JSI to a location on Gandy Blvd. in Pinellas Park, Florida.

Clint Johnson had opened small marine rigging and mast fabrication departments at JSI, but under Larry French, JSI grew even larger, and in addition to sails, cushions, and canvas products, JSI began supplying marine rigging and complete Spar sets (mast, booms, etc.) for OEM customers as well as private sailors and customers around the world. 

With the opening of a large ship’s chandlery, over the next 22 years the Gandy Blvd. -located JSI developed a reputation as a true Marine Super Store, where anything and everything a sailor might want or need could be procured.

In addition to custom and OEM sails from the sail loft, the JSI Ship’s Store offered a huge range of items – everything from off-the-shelf goods and hardware from vendors around the world to custom goods that were built to an individual customer’s specifications in the spar, rigging, cushion or canvas departments.

JSI also became a major supplier of OEM goods for a variety of boat manufacturers such as Catalina Yacht, Hunter Yachts, Kadey-Krogen Yachts, Endeavour Yachts, and Manta Catamarans among many others. 

The Internet Age

In 2000, an Internet company named Sailnet based in Charlestown, SC , which had been hosting a web page for JSI, bought into JSI with a bold plan of expanding the company more fully into the digital age.

JSI/Sailnet went through a period of rapid expansion through sales created by the national (and international) exposure generated by the increased Internet presence, but when the tech bubble burst, JSI/Sailnet found itself somewhat “upside down”, and in 2003 the Sailnet/JSI partnership was broken up, with the JSI manufacturing facility in Florida bought by Mark Plock (head of Doyle/Ploch Sails), Bill Wright (a long-time Manufacturing Manager at JSI) and Ken Clark (who has spent years at JSI as an Operations Manager). 

The New JSI

JSI introduces the new “Island Nautical” brand in 2011, with a new Store and image. "Traditionally catering to the local sailboat industry and sailboat owners, Island Nautical will now offer services and equipment for powerboaters, as well," says owner Bill Wright. 

Sold In 2013 Robert Ingwall bought out JSI and renamed it keeping the brand name. Island Nautical Enterprises Inc. was created! 

Island Nautical started leasing out space in 2018. The Yacht Riggers moved in and bought out the rigging department. Gulf and Bay Divers also moved in and grew quickly adding dock building.  

In 2019 Robert sold the building. The Doyle Sailloft staff moved on. T-Bone the head sailmaker is now at Northsails in Saint Petersburg whom we recommend!

Katja Kendall and Thomas Cody took over Island Nautical’s canvas department and went by Gotcha Covered Marine in 2018, and in 2019 the cushion department keeping the Island Nautical name. 

  New Owners  

End of 2019 the new owners Katja and Tom (Tom has retired in 2022) found Island Nautical a new home! Now located at 1000 30th St South, Saint Petersburg FL.  With over 10,000 sq feet of work space including a frame department, showroom, and offering outdoor storage. Island Nautical is still going strong with a combined experience of over 55 years of canvas making.  In 2020 Gotcha Covered Marine merged with Island Nauti cal’s cushion department keeping the JSI / Island N autical brand name offering custom made canvas and cushions. 

2023 Brings new changes! We are excited to announce:

Island Nautical is moving to Pinellas Park. We will be working with Blue Innovations Group on providing in- house upholstery and canvas for their Electric Boats. We are op en to the public specializing in  custom boat canvas and upholstery. 

The new location is located at:

                                                  Island Nautical                                                   3690 70th Ave N                                                   Pinellas Park, Florida 33781

                                                  ( Entrance on 37th St N )

Appointments are necessary as we are not always in the shop. We could be out working on your boat! So, give us a call to set up a time to stop by at 727.459.1115. 

1104 21st Avenue S,  Saint Petersburg, FL 33704

Single Family

Anthony Koutroumanis

Keller Williams Realty- Palm H

Last updated:

September 6, 2024, 05:47 PM

About This Home

Welcome to this charming bungalow in the highly sought-after Euclid St. Paul's neighborhood. This beautifully renovated home, updated in 2017, greets you with stunning dark wood floors and a warm, neutral color scheme throughout. The cozy living room features a timeless wood-burning fireplace, complemented by modern recessed lighting. The spacious kitchen boasts shaker-style cabinetry, sleek stainless steel appliances, and a generous dining area perfect for entertaining. The bathroom and laundry room both have a modern touch with stylish travertine flooring and updated showers. Step out from the kitchen through French doors to your private backyard oasis, complete with a large covered deck and privacy blinds—perfect for entertaining year-round. The home also stands out with its inviting curb appeal, an oversized driveway, and a detached 1-car garage, with extra space to park an RV or boat. Energy efficiency is a bonus here, thanks to solar panels (paid in full) and double pane insulated windows, keeping utility costs low. This unbeatable location puts you close by to local parks, downtown St. Petersburg and the beaches. “Can You See Yourself Living Here!™” ….Don't delay make your appointment today!

Built in 1935

Price Summary

$618 per Sq. Ft.

Last Updated:

18 hour(s) ago

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Living Area:

720 Sq. Ft.

Building Area:

955 Sq. Ft.

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