Boat Building
After building various small wood watercraft over the past few years, I have recently focused on two different boats for solo paddlers: the FIDDLEHEAD and the ELANDIA. These are both built in what is called glued lapstrake, a method I studied at the WoodenBoat School in Maine. Glued lapstrake combines an ancient technique (see the Vikings' ships) with modern materials. It results in exceedingly strong boats while minimizing weight.
After building various small wood watercraft over the past few years, I have recently focused on two different boats for solo paddlers: the FIDDLEHEAD and the ELANDIA. These are both built in what is called glued lapstrake, a method I studied at the WoodenBoat School in Maine. Glued lapstrake combines an ancient technique (see the Vikings' ships) with modern materials. It results in exceedingly strong boats while minimizing weight.
Most Recent Build: Project Piaba
Commissioned by Sea Life Aquarium in Minnesota, this boat and paddle were made for a display which explains a South American project in which local residents sustainably collect the exotic fish piaba for collectors worldwide. The challenge was making a roughly 1/2 scale replica of the typical utilitarian boats used on the Rio Negro, suitably "beaten-up" looking and able to fit into a restricted exhibition space. The boat is approximately 7' long and 24" wide. The paddle is full-size, approximately 5' long.
Project Piaba boat and paddle.
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Project Piaba boat (Detail)
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Penobscot 17
In early August of 2021 I completed two-and-a-half years of work on 17' wooden sailboat. The hull is lapstrake construction using marine plywood, spars are Sitka spruce, benches are yellow pine, thwarts and trim are sapele. Other parts are of white oak. The decks are covered with the traditional canvas. Fittings and fasteners are bronze. Every part of the boat that is of wood (except for the belay pins) was made by me.
I started with Arch Davis' (Belfast, Maine) plans for his Penobscot 17. It's a beautiful design, with a sweeping sheer and wineglass transom. I used my own ideas for finishing the interior and the sail rig (a balanced lug sail), with inspiration from Henry Rushton, Nat Herreshoff, and Iain Oughtred. The boat won't win any races, but it meets my goal for it to sail well while being stable, dry, and comfortable for four. For photos of the construction process: Penobscot 17 Build
I started with Arch Davis' (Belfast, Maine) plans for his Penobscot 17. It's a beautiful design, with a sweeping sheer and wineglass transom. I used my own ideas for finishing the interior and the sail rig (a balanced lug sail), with inspiration from Henry Rushton, Nat Herreshoff, and Iain Oughtred. The boat won't win any races, but it meets my goal for it to sail well while being stable, dry, and comfortable for four. For photos of the construction process: Penobscot 17 Build
Coaming finished, and badges of Sapele wood installed at the bow.
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A view looking aft, showing the tiller and a line for lifting the rudder.
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Handmade wooden blocks (pulleys) for the ropes controlling the sail and spars.
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The transom, rudder cheeks, and aft docking cleat of white oak.
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The foot of the mast, with the halyard cleated to a traditional belaying pin.
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Ready to step the mast, hoist the balanced lugsail, and launch.
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Underway on its first launch. The rig is a balanced lug.
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On the water; a view over the bow.
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"I'se the b'y what builds the boat, I'se the b'y what sails 'er…"
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Sculptural Work
In the Spring of 2020, when the pandemic crisis interrupted my supply of materials for boat building, I turned to using some of the scrap I had laying around in my workshop to create small sculptural works. Their shapes and construction are inspired by wooden boats. These 3-dimensional pieces are meant to be hung on a wall.
"PACIFIC TRAVELER"
"PACIFIC TRAVELER" Meranti, pine, sapele, and copper. 24" x 24" x 6", 2020 NFS
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"PACIFIC TRAVELER" (Details)
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"LEAF/CANOE"
"LEAF/CANOE" Meranti, steam-bent oak, sapele, pine, copper. 32" x 12" x 3". 2020 ($650 + shipping)
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"LEAF/CANOE" (Detail)
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"YACHT/WAVE"
"YACHT/WAVE" Meranti, sapele, pine, copper. Approx. 36" x 14" x 3.5". 2020 ($650 + shipping)
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"YACHT/WAVE" (Detail)
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"BOW/SURF"
"BOW/SURF" Meranti, Pine, Copper Rivets. Approx. 24" x 12" x 2". 2020 ($600 + shipping)
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"BOW/SURF" (Detail)
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"TRANSOM/RUDDER"
"TRANSOM/RUDDER" Meranti, Pine, Copper Rivets. Approx. 20" x 15" x 3". 2020 ($600 + shipping)
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"TRANSOM/RUDDER" (Detail)
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The ELANDIA
The ELANDIA is a boat of my own design, built for a solo paddler using a double paddle. Its 12' 6" length make it a little quicker than the Fiddlehead, and a small keel enhances tracking. It weighs 37 lbs. Marine plywood of meranti is used for the planks, with spruce, sapele, cedar, and ash used for other parts, and steam-bent, white oak for the ribs. All fasteners are bronze, and the rivets are copper. It is entirely handmade by me except for the caned canoe seat. The curved and rotating backrest was designed by Harry Bryan, and is quite comfortable. The exterior of the hull is painted using marine paint, and the interior given several coats of spar varnish. Contact me for availability and pricing.
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Construction photos of the ELANDIA can be seen here.
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The ELANDIA appeared in the May/June 2018 WoodenBoat magazine.
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Paddling the ELANDIA on Lake Huron.
The FIDDLEHEAD
The FIDDLEHEAD is a beautiful little boat for solo paddler, designed by Harry Bryan of New Brunswick, Canada. It is decked, much like some traditional kayaks, and built in glued lapstrake like the Elandia. It is 10' 6" long, and weighs about 42 lbs. Flat-bottomed, with no keel, it's quite maneuverable. As the Elandia, it is built of marine plywood, along with spruce, sapele, cedar, ash, and white oak. All fasteners are bronze. It also two watertight hatches which can be accessed and used to ensure a few items stay dry. The decks are given several coats of spar varnish, while the interior and exterior of the hull are primed and painted with marine paint. As with the Elandia, it is entirely handmade by me except for the caned canoe seat. Contact me for availability and pricing.
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Construction photos of the FIDDLEHEAD can be seen here.
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Two of my FIDDLEHEADS on Lake Nokomis, Minnesota.
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One of my FIDDLEHEADs is owned by a Colorado resident. Here it is on Twin Lakes, near the Continental Divide.
A SKIN-ON-FRAME CANOE for Solo Paddler
In the tradition of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic Circle, but using ballistic nylon instead of seal skin. 11' 6" long, 22 lbs.
CONTACT THE ARTIST:
patrickdengate@gmail.com
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Paintings, Woodcuts, and Boat Building by Patrick Dengate
Pinturas, Grabados en Madera, y construcción de barcos por Patrick Dengate
Gemälde, Holzschnitte, und Bootsbau von Patrick Dengate
Peintures, Gravures sur Bois, et la construction de bateaux par Patrick Dengate
Pinturas, Grabados en Madera, y construcción de barcos por Patrick Dengate
Gemälde, Holzschnitte, und Bootsbau von Patrick Dengate
Peintures, Gravures sur Bois, et la construction de bateaux par Patrick Dengate