Gartside 16′

The 16-foot open-water rowing skiff “Bob” is a double-ended design by renowned designer and boatbuilder Paul Gartside. It was developed as a light, fast beach cruiser that can be rowed by one or two people and can also carry a simple downwind sailing rig.

Specifications

Designer: Paul Gartside
Length: 15’11 3/4″ (4.87 m)
Beam: 4’7″ (1.4 m)
Weight: approximately 145 lb (66 kg)

Design

The hull is narrow and light, with fine ends and generous flare. It is primarily a rowing boat. A simple lug sail can be used when running downwind, but there is no centreboard and the design is not intended for sailing upwind.

Construction

We build the skiff from strip-planked western red cedar, sheathed inside and out with glass cloth and WEST SYSTEM epoxy. Our strip-planking process uses a tongue-and-groove profile that simplifies alignment and reduces construction time.

The fitout makes use of Tasmanian boatbuilding timbers, including a celery top pine backbone, Huon pine risers, inwales and breasthooks, and King Billy pine bottom boards and thwarts.

Rowing arrangement

The boat can be rowed by one or two people. The aft thwart is movable so the trim can be adjusted when a second rower is aboard. We have also built lightweight western red cedar oars to suit the boat.

Built-in buoyancy chambers at each end add useful reserve buoyancy for open-water use.

Rowing the Gartside skiff Bob — Rowing *Bob*

Bow view of the Gartside skiff Bob — Rowing *Bob*

Please note: the Gartside 16′ Open Water Skiff is not available from Denman Marine in kit form.

For further information, or to enquire about a completed Gartside 16′ Skiff, contact us.