BUILDS AND RESTORATIONS
Over the years the Bayles Boat Shop has undertaken many small wooden boat projects. Whether an individual contract or undertaken to raise funds, these projects ranged from complete new boat builds and restorations of classic wooden boats to small one-time repairs, whether a rotted transom or a cracked hull. Each year the Bayles Boat Shop also allots time and space for building a small wooden craft of a popular design which is raffled off each Summer during our annual Quick & Dirty Boat Building Competition. This years raffle, a 12' Harry Bryan design, Fiddlehead canoe.
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In Fall of 2018 we started our Student & Youth Boat Building Program. Working under close supervision with several of our dedicated volunteers, the program is designed to introduce 14 to 18 year-olds to basic boat building skills and techniques. We are excited about this program and look forward to expanding it to include more complex building projects and required skillsets. With the advent of our Whaleboat 1776 Project, the present class of students have been learning a more traditional boatbuilding skill; shaping the six, 16 foot ash oars which will be used on the completed whaleboat. As the project progresses, these learned skills will be expanded upon to include other necessary fabrications. The '21-'22 "Wood Duck" student boat build can be viewed below under recent projects.
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In Fall of 2022 the boat shop embarked on our most exciting and challenging project to date; building a reproduction of a colonial armed whaleboat of the type used in the coastal Long Island Sound skirmishes of the American Revolutionary War. The project has been undertaken in partnership with the Port Jefferson Conservancy and the Village of Port Jefferson and it represents the village's early vision and commitment in preparing for America's 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026. Follow the Whaleboat 1776 Project link for more information concerning our newest project
RECENT PROJECTS
Shown below are projects recently completed in our shop. We invite you to stop by and we'll be more than happy to give you a tour and explain our current project build, the Whaleboat 1776 Project. In the mean time, simply click on any of the photos below to see highlights of several recently completed project's.
 1949 Old Town CanoeThis vintage Old Town HW (Heavy Water) Model canoe was in poor shape when she came to us. Built with red cedar planking over white cedar ribs and canvas wrapped she has open gunwales of spruce. The HW model design has an extra fullness at bow and stern enabling it to ride over large waves instead of cutting through them as well as more draft below the waterline for steadiness in windy waters. This near-total restoration will (hopefully) keep her paddling for another 70+ years. |  Kaholo 14 SUPThe KAHOLO 14' SUP was our 2023 raffle craft. This Chesapeake Light Craft kit has been a top-selling design for many years. It is stitch & glue constructed using okoume plywood applied over a strong and lightweight internal frame. Designed for speed and stability it is also forgiving to paddle and easy to keep on track. The 280 lbs combined weight allowance means you can safely paddle with a child or your dog aboard plus carry your incidental beach gear along with you. |  Chester YawlThis Chesapeake Light Craft design is definitely one that makes you turn back for one last look as you walk down the dock or beach. With her distinctive wine glass transom, she's as pretty a fixed-seat rowing boat as you'll find on the waterfront and if speed is your game she's definitely fast enough to benefit from a sliding seat. Constructed using okoume hull and bulkhead parts and mahogany gunwales she features three rowing stations allowing solo or tandem rowing or rowing with a passenger. |
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 Wood Duck 12 KayakThis Chesapeake Light Craft kit was selected as the 2021-2022 Student/Youth Boat building project due to its easy building technique particularly for first time boatbuilders. It is constructed of okoume marine ply with a contrasting sapele plywood deck. Designed for a single paddler and fairly light (40 pounds), the Wood Duck 12 is easy to transport and offers brisk, responsive handling. This is probably the closest thing to an all-things-to-everybody kayak in this corner of the universe. |
PAST PROJECTS
Below is a small sampling of some of the watercraft Bayles Boat Shop has built, restored or repaired over the years. If you see a particular design that sparks your interest or maybe dreamed of building someday please contact us or stop by. We will be happy to discuss how to make your dream become a reality. There are just so many great design possibilities to getting you out on the waters!
Beautiful Ian Oughtred design. Built from plans
Fully restored classic sloop indigenous to Long Island's Great South Bay. Completed boat was sold at auction for a mere $3500 with proceeds going towards a new wood stove for the shop. A win win project for all parties!
The Wagemaker Company was extremely popular in the 1950's within the DIY boat building community. This 12' speedster was brought in for some much needed repairs.
Beautiful Ian Oughtred design. Built from plans