15 ft. built in 1976 with a midship livewell. Does anyone know of a plan it was built from?

[Chief Captain]

Wondering if this could be an old plan from Glen-L or another designer, or if it was taken from a boating magazine or something like Popular Mechanics. I've done a lot of searching and haven't been able to find anything. The orginial builder is deceased.

 

[gonzo]

That looks like a typical skiff from North Carolina, particularly the Outer Banks. They were not built to plans. They secure the sides to the bowstem and the transom. Then add a spreader somewhere around the middle until it looks good and add the bottom.

 

[Chief Captain]

Thanks, gonzo. It may be an idea that was borrowed from the Outer Banks, as it was actually built in the foothills 300 miles from the coast. I acquired it from the builder's son, who recalled spending many days in it with his dad fishing lakes of western NC, SC, GA, TN & VA.

 

[messabout]

The type was often called Port Ritchey Skiff , in Florida, back in the day. As Gonzo has noted, there was no formal design, the builder used two wide planks for sides and sprung them apart until it met the builders concept of "about right". Back in the day when these boats were popular, Florida had plenty of Cypress wood because it grew in almost every fresh water lakeside or swamp. That wood worked exceptionally well for little boats like the ones here. The boats were possible and practical because the trees were big, wide planks were easy to get, and affordable as well.

Many moons ago, I spent lots of happy hours in boats just like the ones the OP has shown.

 

[Chief Captain]

Mine was built 'after hours' at a furniture factory and I believe the sides are either Cuban or Honduran mahoghany, which were the predominant materials for fine grade furniture in the mid 70s. I've managed to find a gentleman who was a master woodcarver there at the time and plan to meet with him soon. I do know for a fact that he personally knew the builder, so I'm hoping he has some knowledge of the boat and the materials.