A Mid-Winter Boat Launch

"We’ve all read about the magnificent Maltese Falcon, but at the other end of the sailing spectrum is my 7-foot, 7-inch Lil Love," writes John Chille of Alameda. After countless man-hours of labor, she was finally launched on Christmas day.

Despite the limitations of winter weather, John completed this little gem right where he started her eight months ago, on a "utility float" at the Oakland YC. The little Eastport Pram was built using the stitch-and-glue method, from plans provided by Chesapeake Small Craft Company. Rather than buying a complete kit of pre-cut wooden elements, John opted to loft her himself, figuring he’d learn a thing or two in the process. "I shortened her about two inches," he explains, "to fit the foredeck of my Golden Gate 30 Love in Vane, as a working and sailing dinghy."

We’re happy to report that all John’s efforts have resulted in a jaunty little craft that floats on her lines, rows nicely with one, two, or three aboard and will soon be seen sailing on the Estuary — as soon as he completes her rig.