The Matt Layden Interview

About the evolution of his designs, his personal adventures, and those odd little protuberances he calls chine runners.

Matt Layden and his Sand Flea

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In spite of his taciturn nature, Matt Layden has gained substantial recognition for his innovative and rather unorthodox small-boat designs and their impressive performances—including his own in the hyper-grueling Watertribe series of races. We were finally able to catch up with Matt and ask him a few questions about the evolution of his designs, his personal adventures, and those odd little protuberances he calls chine runners.

When did you start designing boats professionally?

As a real day job, in 1995, but that might better be described as “participating as a cog in the slow-turning wheels of large yacht design.” My small craft have always been a hobby that I occasionally share with others; I haven’t really tried to make them pay.

Enigma

Are there any small-boat designers you consider influential to your own work?

Phil Bolger of course, the original unencumbered thinker and expositor in the field. I can’t recall ever looking over a Bolger drawing without saying “Aha!” at some insight, or learning something useful. Of course there are plenty of other designers and builders whose work I’ve learned or borrowed from; the Herreshoffs, Clapham, Monroe, on through Reuben Trane (Mon Poulet), Tom Jones, Michalak, and others.

It’s a fascinating dichotomy, your designing mega-yachts by day and sailing microcruisers on the weekends. Are small boats closer to your heart?

Of course.

We understand you don’t have a driver’s license. Is this another result of your minimalist nature?