Baby Blues

Idaho is a 31-foot plywood and epoxy power sharpie designed by Phil Bolger and built by Bernie Wolfard as a wheelchair accessible river and coastal cruiser. Long, narrow, and flat bottomed, she is unapologetically pragmatic with a 5-foot-3-inch beam, shoal draft, and a low crouch cabin that favors space efficiency and usability. Her boxy construction makes her easy to beach, capable in protected waters, and surprisingly seaworthy for her simplicity. Idaho cruises economically on a 25-hp outboard and reaches a top speed of about 15 knots, sipping roughly a gallon of fuel per hour and delivering about 10 miles per gallon. She can carry enough food, gear, and fuel for multi-day family camp cruising and exploration especially around her owner's favorite destination, the San Juan Islands. With different load outs Idaho can run light and open for beach days on Lake Sammamish. She is a boat that values access and experience over polish and pretense, with a form honest enough to polarize.