Favorite Mods: Simplifying "Modern" Boats

Your most satisfying or successful mods

We asked about your favorite mods and reader Rick Mowbray wrote to share his concept of taking modern production boats and simplifying them. He wrote:

“I’m forever modifying older, used boats but the reoccurring theme is to take a ‘modern,’ small boat (designed within the last 60 years) and simplifying them to something closer to the small fishing boats of the late 1800s. Why? Because those men required a practical, inexpensive to build/repair boat that could still move smartly, (think Howard Chapelle). Stainless shrouds and long, high aspect foils are the first thing to go. I love square sails and looong skegs.”

“This shallow water sailer (below) I modified from an old Windmill, specifically to sail the very shallow reaches of Lake Mills and Lake Aldwell, (both gone now — victims of ‘freeing’ the Elwha). With a low-aspect daggerboard and ‘T’ foiled rudder (Bolger), I can go upwind while drawing only 10” of water.” •SCA•