Building a Classic

A dispatch from Glen-L Marine

Here’s a brief interview from Glen-L Marine with boatbuilder William Van Lagen who recently launched his Malahini runabout.

We understand you’d been thinking about the Malahini for many years?

When I was 16 years old I wanted to build a boat. I went to the library and found a book on boat building. In the back of the book there was an ad from Glen-L. After sending a request for more information, I ordered the plans for the Malahini.

But once I found out the price of marine grade plywood, I gave up on it. Fast forward 23 years and I decided I wanted to build again. I couldn’t find the plans, so I went online and found the Glen L website. Looking over the many options I picked the Malahini again I was just about to order the plans when my mom called me to say she’d found my original set. Same company, same boat.

That winter I built the hull. My business started to grow, and the boat was put into the shed. A little over two years ago my 78-year-old dad said to me, “I’m almost 80 years old. One thing I would like to see, before it is too late, is that boat done.”

Last October I started again and finished in the spring of 2023. 33 years of dreaming and planning, but in reality, about ¾ of year at nights and it is finally done.

What about that design appealed to you then and now?

I am a cabinet maker by trade and love wood. I wanted to build something that showcases wood but is sporty at the same time. I wanted a boat small enough to build in the garage, but big enough to bring some people with me. I also wanted an outboard motor.

What was trickiest part of the build?

This is a good question. The plans are very well laid out. Because I grow up in the wood shop, I didn’t find any part of it very difficult. The hardest thing for me was finding a new, short shaft motor. It became my understanding that only Tohatsu still makes one.

You’re a cabinet maker and obviously quite skilled. What suggestions would you have for the first-time builder looking to build the Malahini or a similar-sized boat?

Make sure you find a motor before you cut the transom. There are a lot of people who will give you advice or you can watch YouTube on any aspect of boat building. I’m 49 years old and still learning more about wood working. Do not get overwhelmed, take one step at a time.

Are you pleased with the boat’s performance?

Overall the boat preformed exactly the way I thought it would. It’s is not designed for the Great Lakes, but for calmer bodies of water.

Where is your home or favorite body of water?

I live in Norwich, Ontario, Canada. I live by Lake Erie where it is great for fishing. I have a cottage on Lake Kamaniskeg in Barrys Bay, Ontario—and yes it is my favorite lake.

We’ve noted these mahogany runabouts never seem to go out of style. We imagine your Malahini has received plenty of compliments.

It doesn’t matter where you go or what you’re doing, people stop and ask questions. I pulled up to a lakeside restaurant and parked beside a boat worth $75,000. People came and drooled over the Malahini. The first question they ask is, “How old is the boat you restored?" This second thing they ask if it was a kit I built. We had a fundraiser for the local hospital and my boat made the local newspaper. If you want to talk to people, build an old classic.

What will you build next?

You get addicted to boat building. I am thinking of a Monaco or Riviera. I need to look into the motors required. Hoping to find someone who built one I can look at.

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