Piscataqua River Wherry

Wherry developed as a water taxi for one or two people.  Detailed plans show the small compartment under the stern sheets where the ferry man could keep lunch. The plans also include the l/2" pine false bottom that protected the orig­inal boat from wear as an off-the-rocky­ beach ferry. The plans also show a lighter scantling set used in the wherry built by the students of the Williams College-Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program at the Museum.  With its narrow flat bottom and the fair curves of its long, lean shape, this wher­ry builds easily, with only 8"-wide boards needed to lay out the planks. Others have found that she is easy to plank in plywood. If plywood is used, it would be well to drop a size from the grown plank scantlings in order to keep the weight down. From 87 Boat Designs by Ben Fuller.  Plans drawn by Mystic Seaport staff in 1978.

WSP.7.91