14' traditionally built wooden power skiff

[DaveM]

Note: this may be a bit of stretch, I'm squeezing this in under the idea that if a kayak is ok to post here then maybe a skiff is as well. If that's not the case please feel free to pull this ad or notify me and I will.

FOR SALE: small wooden power skiff

Location: Redwood City, CA, USA

Description: I'm selling Olallie, a small traditionally built solid wood power skiff. I am the owner and builder. Olallie is 14' long and 4'6" across at the widest. Thick lapstrake planking and solid wood throughout. 6hp Nissan outboard (max speed about 10 tp 11 mph). Perfect boat for exploring and fishing small bays, harbors, and lakes. See link below for more details and images, or dm me for inquires.

Website for pics more info: https://sites.google.com/stanford.edu/olallie/home?authuser=0

Price: $3,600 with HF trailer and 6hp Tohatsu outboard

Known Problems: HF trailers suck, but this one's free with the boat! ; )

Edited to add: I would also consider a trade for a sm camp/gear trailer, but the only one I know of at the moment that would fit the space I have available is the Taxa Woolly Bear (due to its narrower than typical width).

 

[jscusmcvet]

Wow, beautiful skiff. I have built 3 boats all in this size range, but none as pretty as yours. Congratulations. Great price for what you are offering as well.

 

[DaveM]

Thanks, she's a great little boat, we've been beach camping with her many times on Tomales. That's the winter "move it fast" price and is probably about what the materials cost. If you were to hire a boatbuilder to make her I think it would be $5k or more just for the boat. I'd love to know she went to an ExPo person who would use her on their adventures!

 

[MotoMind]

Could I use this to commute into SF, and maybe catch a fish for dinner on the way home?

 

[DaveM]

Could I use this to commute into SF, and maybe catch a fish for dinner on the way home?

One of my favorite parts of the book "The Unlikely Voyage of Jack De Crow" by A. J. Mackinnon, is when he discovers the true difference between the meaning of the words "can" and "may" while trying to row his little boat up a side canal somewhere in eastern Europe. Yes, you may take this boat across SF Bay for work and fish in it on the way home. But I'm inclined to say you can not actually do this in reality as it might be fatal.

In all seriousness, this boat is too small to commute in and way too slow for the busy waterways across the central bay. Having been in a much bigger boat that had to cross the deep sucking hole left behind by the wake of a passing ferry (which crashed over our 26' boat like tidal wave) I can say with confidence this little skiff does not belong anywhere near the main sea/bay lanes. It's great in the south bay, or Tomales Bay, Tahoe or any-other lake or reservoir. My favorite place to go with her is Tomales Bay. I've been out in the ocean at Half Moon Bay, that was a little scary but safe if you stay in the bay. She'd probably be fine of the coast in Santa Cruz or Monterey Bay on calm days. And a day spent gunk-holing around the delta would be perfect in a boat like this!

 

[MotoMind]

Thank you for humoring me in your reply! Yes, I can see how hazardous it could be, and how pleasant it could be to boat in the right conditions. Kayaking the bay on a small craft advisory day was educational to say the least.

I will take away a book recommendation and wish you best of luck with sale.

 

[DaveM]

Hey MotoMind, sorry I hope I didn't offend you. I actually thought you were joking around with me! I have always wanted to take Olallie up to the city to putt around the water front and I actually think it could be a lot of fun. But the boat traffic up there can be intense and Olallie only does top 10 - 11 mph. If you stayed out of the main main lanes and away from the ferry terminal I think you'd be ok. She'd be perfect for anchoring off the ball park too.

The Unlikely Voyage of Jack De Crow is a great read, lots of humor, a good travel tale. Cheers, David.

 

[MotoMind]

No offense taken, my question was mostly in jest though I have seen fishermen out on skiffs in very bad conditions on large European lakes and was mildly curious about the potential. Thus your reply was taken exactly as you intended and both informative and amusing. Maybe I have been in Germany too long, my follow up reply must have had too much of that earnestly polite dryness that seems almost offended to Americans. In any case, a buyer I am not, had my fill running a Zodiac out on the bay years ago, but you have a fine boat. Best of luck!