Options
Prices
FAQ
History
Contact Us
|
Customer Responses
"I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed my Jersey Skiff. It has been a fantastic sailing boat for sailing the many lakes of Western Washington and Puget Sound. I am a long time boater but new to sailing and it has been a great, fun challenge to learn the art. The Jersey Skiff sails easy enough for a beginner like myself to quickly become comfortable, yet has more than enough performance to challenge any sailor. I have sailed it in flat calm to 20 knots of wind in rough seas on Puget Sound, having a great time all the way. It even rows well. It tracks straight and carry well with only 5-6 strokes a minute to keep it up to speed." "The only problem I have had is getting away from the dock because so many people come by to ask and comment about my interesting boat." "Thanks, Gig Harbor, it's been a real treat getting to know you and the boat and I'm sure it will be for many years to come." -- From C. S., of Kent, Wa. (17' Jersey Skiff) "I have a Jersey Skiff that I row and sail in the Pacific Ocean off the mouth of the Rogue River. To launch the boat I've rigged a sling and use the hoist at the end of the pier. We lower the boat about 20ft at low tide from the pier down to the water. I've taken her out to Hell's Gate on nice days where I have caught many, many fish ( As many as 50 a day, most catch and release; ling cod, black cod, etc.) from the Jersey Skiff because I can get to locations not normally frequented by other fishermen. I have hooked Ling cod so large they dragged the boat through the kelp until I had to cut them lose." "I have been out the open water in 15 ft ocean swells, where she handles like a dream, we just ride them up and down. I've launched her off Gold Beach a half dozen times. I use an old piece of PVC pipe as a roller and my buddy and I just roll her down, shove off and row like crazy to get through the shore break. Rowing through the surf is easy going out, and takes a bit more attention coming back in. So far, so good, haven't dumped her yet!" "I'm a neophyte sailor and my experiences so far are either too much wind or too little. But she's easy to rig and with time I will get more confidence. The boat seems very capable, I just need more time on the water." -- Louis English, Gold Beach OR. (17' Jersey Skiff) "Well, I finally got out in the Jersey Skiff I bought back in December. Needless to say, I was very pleased with its performance! I was out both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. I did have a bit of light breeze come up both days, and under sail, she pointed up very nicely. She seems tender at first, but hardens up nicely when heeled a bit. The air was very light, so I got a chance to row it and it performed well. I am glad that I put the rowing seat in for several reasons. When rowing, having the sliding seat offers a full body stroke, which is nice on a boat this size and mass. But also, when sailing, it is very convenient to move the seat to the aft position to get it out of the way. I got out again in the Jersey skiff on Sunday. It was a great day for sailing. I put in at Fort Worden and rode the Northeasterly down into Port Townsend Bay, and past the downtown area. After a bit, I turned the boat around and tacked out into the bay towards Marrowstone. After several tacks, I made my way back North, making a final tack right into the boat ramp at Fort Worden. The winds were a bit stronger than my first outing, and the boat handled very well. I am finding that with one hand on the main sheet, and the other on the tiller, I can adapt very quickly to gusts and changing conditions. I can't tell you how glad I am that I got the roller furling set up. This was your suggestion. I found that I could instantly reduce sail area on the head sail, complete my adjustments on the main, and then pull out the genoa again without feeling the slightest loss of control. I did encounter one problem putting in and getting out of the water on Sunday. Everyone wanted to stop and ask me about the boat! " E. D. Thielk, Port Townsend WA. (17' Jersey Skiff) " Ran the Honda 2 hp yesterday, for the first time. You guys put some thought into the engine mount. Everything works great. The adjustment on the engine allows vertical alignment of the shaft so the anti-cavitation plate runs paralell to the water surface. There is no conflict withfull rudder movement required under sail since the Honda tilts up and out of the way. The skiff easily ran into a headwind blowing up to 15 mph with seas up to 1 ft, at 5 mph calculated. In calm water, my estimate is 6mph or better. The GPS failed, so I'll send a more accurate report sometime later. This was run sans mast and rigging, so I only had to run at 1/2 throttle. The best character of this boat, that continues to impress me is its' seaworthiness. " J. Van Houten, Michigan. (17' Jersey Skiff with deck and motor mount) I have had several months experience now with my Jersey skiff. The boat definitely attracts questions as to its origins and many positive comments. I typically rig the boat for sailing and spend about one hour rowing ( with the boom up) for exercise. I keep the boat on Lake Washington Seattle at leschi and often have to row in and out of a tight channel. I am 69 years old and have owned many boats large and small (as many as 10 at a time). This boat is definitely a keeper. The boat does everything you say it will, a refreshing twist on advertising. E. Schulman 9/5/07 Don't know if I already gave you this, but just in case here it is again. In calm to light winds, with the Honda 2 hp, cruising at 1/2 throttle at 5.7 mph, mileage is over 31 mpg! I've run this test several times now, so its a true average. Tried the boat in Lake Huron this summer when the waves were sufficient size to nearly drown the Honda, but the hull easily handled the 2-3 ft wind driven waves. No sails that day, just oars and Honda. John Van H. 10/26/07 Newsletters which mention the Jersey Skiff:
"We have been rowing the Melonseed almost every other day since we got it. We have a swell here most of the time and have found that rowing into it is OK, but rowing with it is grand fun. We crab our oars now and again when rowing with the swell abeam. My GPS indicates that we do about 4kts rowing at about 40 strokes per minute. An hour of that is about all we are good for so far. She's a wonderful boat!" -- B. Fallows Port Townsend WA. (17' Melonseed) Newsletters which mention the Melonseed:
"In 1997 I had the good fortune to have Gig Harbor Boat Works build a 16' Swampscott Dory. I rowed it almost daily in Puget Sound and it handled like a dream. It sailed remarkably well even in light air and moved smartly when powered with a small electric motor. In 1998 circumstances necessitated my making a quick move accross the US and I brought my boat to Dave Robertson to put on consignment. Dave sold it within 30 days.... This outfit has my highest recommendation and appreciation." -- T. Blanchard (16' Swampscott Dory) "The boat is dream come true. Although I wasn't going for distance, we covered many miles and really made quite a respectable dent in the lake's vastness. My hands were the limiting factor. Tape and gloves helped. The dory swallowed up all my gear with ease and was a pleasure to row. After a couple nights worrying about the boat at anchor in windy conditions, I beached her (a snap as it turned out) on rough nights and slept better. On my last night her name came to me: Simplicity." -- T. Kitting (16' Swampscott Dory) "I love my Swampscott Dory so much I made a website to show it off!" Swampscott Dory -- G. Powell (16' Swampscott Dory) "My Swampscott Dory now sits on my trailer in my front yard, and what a beautiful view it is. It will take the maiden voyage on Saturday. I picked it up today and uncrated it in my driveway this afternoon. Ray, that is a masterful crating and packaging job! Very impressive to say the least and the boat arrived in a perfect condition as a result." "Dave, what can I say, she's a beaut! Everything I hoped it would be. You guys make a great boat and I can't wait to row it." "Thanks for making my lifelong dream come true." -- J. Lord, Virgina (16' Swampscott Dory) Newsletters which mention the Swampscott Dory:
"Recently we went out with my friend who is a very experienced sailor. He was really impressed with the versatility and performance. He was particularly impressed with how well it sailed to windward, especially with 4 people aboard! Thanks!" -- M. Timlinson, Lake Quinault, WA (15' Lobster Boat) "We have had a lot of fun with the Lobster Boat. Earlier this year we used it for Shrimping and now it is Crab Season. We used the motor for shrimp but as the crab are close to shore just use the oars. Also we are working on our sailing skills." -- B. Porter, Hood Canal, WA (15' Lobster Boat) "We had the 'Blue Crane' out on Lake Tahoe twice this weekend. Last Friday, we made a motorized run over to Emerald Bay on a flat calm day and had a very nice time on a sunny beach until the lightning started playing about the peaks and rain threatened. The boat performed very well and makes a good Tahoe motor boat." "One of my brothers and I went sailing on Sunday and had an amusing time. I am a very inexperienced sailor. My brother has lots of sailing experience, but most of it is 20 years old, and, of course, he had never sailed this boat before. As we were leaving the dock, the Rescue Boat came by to advise against going out, reporting a small craft advisory for winds to 35 knots. We went out anyway and had a nice, if wet sail, around the south end of the lake. The winds were nowhere near 35 knots--I would estimate 20 knots max, but my brother thought they might be nearer 25. The "seas" were 18" to 2 ' and the boat rode through them nicely. The boat performed perfectly, although we had to beat back to the harbor and I got a nice Tahoe soaking as the "rail meat" on the gunwale keeping the boat on a slight heel. Even two not-very-good-sailors could handle the boat in some conditions that had the Rescue Boat hanging around (not just for us--there was another sailboat out that they were eyeing)--they could not know that my brother's experience was in some nasty San Francisco Bay conditions and mine in Alaska. Both of us are capable of handling more than we met on Sunday, and we were never in the slightest danger. The boat will move very nicely on a run in 20 knot winds. It is very stable under all the conditions we encountered." "We are very pleased with the boat and would enthusiastically recommend it." -- Jim, Lake Tahoe, CA (15' Lobster Boat) Newsletters which mention the Lobster Boat:
"What a great boat, the Whitehall. We've sailed and rowed on the Snake, Chacoleot, and Cour d'Alene. It does everything really well. Thank you. It is much admired and appreciated." -- G. Rubens, Idaho (14' Whitehall) "This boat is perfect for my needs!" -- W. Miller, Colorado (14' Whitehall) (Check out Mr. Miller's other activities at Miller Entertainment.
"THANK YOU!!! I REALLY LIKE THIS BOAT!!!" -- J. Black, Seattle (14' Whitehall) "A quick note to tell you how neat we all think our little boat is. It rows easily and we all have had a sail. It is easy to rig and our son-in-law who knows little about sailing actually got it rigged from memory and had a great time." -- A. Clapp (14' Whitehall) "Angel Shell is a near perfect boat. I have rowed, skulled, paddled, poled, sailed, and captained any variety of power boats up to 40+ feet in all types of water and conditions, from whitewater rapids to the doldrums. I got my first 9' aluminum rowing pram when I was 9 years old. Since then, I have had experience with wooden boats, glass boats, plastic boats, inflatable boats, and boats made of steel and concrete. I have had opportunity to spend days in deep blue water and nights stuck on mud flats... But, I have never been on a better boat than the Kevlar Whitehall I recently purchased from you. " "The boat is as lovely on the water as she is easy on the eye. She dances and responds like the sweetest Tango partner. Grace, balance, and charm are her trademark attributes. She makes this old sea dog smile. I have rowed her in the black water Satilla River at flood stage, skirting cypress snags in a six knot current. I have taken her in the tidal creeks and sound between St. Simons and Jekyll Island in calm and moderate chop. She takes to water like a Labrador retriever. She rows so easily and light I feel as though I am above the water, not merely on it. She tracks straight; I set a course across a wide river against the tide, closed my eyes for nearly five minutes as I rowed; when I opened my eyes, I was perfectly on course! The sweeps and sliding seat could not be better engineered and balanced. In other words, I am quite happy with the boat and wish to thank you and your production crew for sending Angel Shell my way." -- Jaxon (14' Whitehall) "Got out in the boat today to take pictures of sea lions. The swell was about 1 1/2 feet with 1 foot wind waves superimposed, so the sea was NOT flat. Wind was blowing toward land at 5 to 6 kts or so. Still getting the hang of rowing again after many years, but she tracks straight as an arrow and is as dry as can be. The only water aboard came from splashing by my fumbled efforts with the oars. She rides very comfortably in a seaway and glided easily past a plastic kayak with two apparently competent paddlers." "With the wind behind, the roughly 1 nm trip back from the outer buoy took about 18 minutes for about 3 kt made good. It didn't take much more time to get out against the wind, but I didn't time that." "I rigged the sails at home and am impressed by how things fit together. I especially like the shroud attachments - cleaver! Will let you know my sailing impressions soon. Thanks for an impressive and seaworthy boat." -- A. Nelson Santa Barbara CA. (14' Whitehall) Newsletters which mention the Whitehall 14:
"Wanted you to know that Irene and I are very happy with our new Pt. Defiance. She glides through the water easily. And we have had no trouble rowing in tandem, but thanks for explaining the faster and faster phenomenon. We experienced it and knew to settle down and row a steady pace, thanks to your explanation. No real weather this weekend to test her stability, though a few boat wakes hint that everything you have said and more will be true. We have about 9-10 miles on her on the weekend. Due to the efficiency of the hull design, we traveled much further than we have done in the past by human power only. Nice to see parts of Hood Canal we haven't seen since selling our ski boat several years ago. In our travels this weekend we noted two Whitehall boats you have made. Nice to be among the classy crowd! Thanks for making such a great boat available!" -- P. Farsje, Happy Hollow Yacht Club(12' Point Defiance) "The boat is great and the times we've used it were great. Our 12 year old has learned to sail in it. Alyssa has not yet requested to sail it alone but she loves to take it rowing. We often have people ask about it and we are happy to tell them where it came from." -- J. Condon, Seattle (12' Point Defiance) "We have now put a few miles on the dinghy and are very pleased. I think it is exactly the right rig for our purposes. Also, people admire it and ask of its origin. " -- J. Horning, Bristol Bay, Alaska (12' Point Defiance) "I thought you would like to know how the boat behaved for us in some extreme circumstances. Jeffrey (9yrs) and I were heading for Rich Passage after spending 3 days camping on Blake Island. The wind was from the south and had been fairly strong that morning, but looked like it was blowing itself out at 12:45 when we left the harbor with both main and jib up. About 1/4 of the way across, the wind picked up and I had to lower the jib. The water still didn't look bad. At the half way point the wind began to really blow and I couldn't keep her sailing without being over powered. The waves were growing to what looked like 3 feet, also. I had to lower the main, take up the dagger board and we were still moving through the water at a respectable speed. Jeffrey held the tiller to point us in the right direction while I rowed. We were both scared. Especially when a 50 ft. yacht passed within 50 yrds. of us throwing huge waves in the opposite direction. This is not an experience I want to repeat, but it enabled me to get a feel for how the boat reacts in rough weather. We took on no water except a little that the wind blew in. The boat was easy to handle even in the heavy following seas. No wallowing or tendancy to turn when the waves came up from behind (although I think having the oars out helped in keeping her steady). The sails came down easily in the strong winds. I think she even handled better because of the weight of our camping equipment." --S. and J. Robinson (12' Point Defiance) "Thanks a million! I took her out for the first time this weekend and she is a fine little boat. She sails beautifully and rows with ease. You guys have a great thing going with these boats, both in style and function." -- Hector in Florida (12' Point Defiance)
"I have been rowing my Navigator 10 on the Puget Sound virtually every day, rain or shine, since August of last year. It is incredibly stable in rough water. It will take rougher water than I am willing or able to. My normal row is around the breakwater at Shilshole Bay Marina. I am regularly amazed at its ability to ride over waves which appear, as they approach, to be much higher than the boat. In addition to its ability to ride effortlessly over rough water, it glides several boat lengths on each stroke. It is truly a pleasure to row and I feel extremely secure rowing it in all types of weather." -- M. S. Stern, Seattle (10' Navigator) "The boat is amazingly fast and so easy to row. My neighbor's Ranger does not track anything like my Navigator. Sailing it with the main and jib is faster than many larger boats." -- The Neddermans, Gig Harbor (10' Navigator) "We are quite pleased with our new boat. It tows just great behind our 35' sailboat... You can put us down as happy in Portland." -- T. Kelly (10'Navigator) "My daughter and I took our Navigator out for the first time yesterday. She already had a good understanding of true verses apparent wind, boat parts, sail shape, lift, etc., but all from a big boat (40 foot) perspective. She had the tiller of the Navigator for less than a minute when she began describing how she could finally feel all of the forces that I had been babbling about. After about fifteen minutes she was playing the puffs and loving the acceleration. My wife stayed behind with the dog, but she had my daughter row her around for an hour after our sail. As soon as we got home my daughter asked me when she could have another turn at the tiller. The answer of course was any time you like. Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to obtain a great sail trainer (and tender, etc.) at just the right time." K., A., and H. Schricker. (10'Navigator) Newsletters which mention the Navigator Dinghy.
"The picture of our friend Steve shows how irresistible the dinghy is. Everybody wants to go for a row and three people have had their first rowing lessons in it. The maximum load we've had is four adults and the boat rowed well with plenty of freeboard." -- The Greenings, Illinois (9.5 Captains Gig) Newsletters which mention the Captain's Gig.
"Thanks for busting your rear end to get our Nisqually tender ready so we could leave the Northwest for points South on schedule. Now enjoy these photos of one of your dinghies rowing in Ensenada Grande, Sea of Cortez." -- Craig and Vicki (8' Nisqually) " My father purchased an 8' dinghy from you in 1991. I still remember standing in your shop the day we picked it up. Our ski boat is long gone -- but that little rowboat is still going strong. I originally loved it because it's the fastest rowboat I've ever seen. I love it now because it has held up beautifully after 15 years of fishing and duck hunting. I have only washed it once and it still looks new! You make a great boat!!! " -- D. Bellarts, WA (8' Nisqually) Newsletters which mention the Nisqually Dinghy.
If you have a story to tell us and/or any photos of you and your friends in your boat and would like to tell others about it contact us, and we will put them up here. We love to hear from our customers. |
|||
|
