Old Salt Founders Build
In ProgressDesigner:Brandon Davis·Design:Old Salt
The Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend WA hosted a two week class building the Old Salt prototype. Shop time of 2 weeks and 4 weeks extra was offered. I chose the 2 week extra time for a total of 1 month.
Chapters
Old Salt Founders Build Getting Started
Introduction
The Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend WA hosted a two week class building the Old Salt prototype. Five boats are being built at once. Shop time of 2 weeks and 4 weeks extra was offered. I chose the 2 week extra time for a total of 1 month. Class started March 1 2026. Class is led by Joel Arrington boat shop manager of the Northwest Maritime Center. Joel is an accomplished and knowledgeable craftsman and has lead classes building dozens of designs. The first prototype was built over the winter and is in the first picture.
Week 1 was spent laminating CNC cut parts, trimming, squaring alignment pegs and slots.
Old Salt Founders Build Week 2
Week 2 we zip tied the two hull pieces and added the garboard plank and the transverse bulkheads. The centerboard trunk was added to the starboard side of the hull (it is located in the starboard bench seat. All are supported by a prefab form to control shape. Everything was then filleted and glassed into place.
Progress End of Week 2
Notice the kerfs in the garboard planks at the bow that enable the correct shape to be obtained.
Old Salt Founders Build Workshop End of week 4
After 4 weeks away from my wonderful wife it was definitely time to go home. I could not have done this much in a late spring - to late fall in Chicago.
Getting bulkheads, mast step, centerboard slot, and motor well detailed
This was where we ended up a day before my departure.
Getting the boat home
I used uShip as a broker - guy towed with a diesel powered BMW sedan. New trailer from Westside Marine in Port Townsend WA. Great guys - they delivered the trailer (I had no car), picked up a lock and tie downs, and gave me a discount on top of that! My Old Salt is now waiting for it to get warm in the same shed at Larsen Marine in Waukegan IL that I rebuilt my schooner 20 years ago.
Get updates on this build
New posts, photos, and progress delivered to your inbox. It's free.
Home Build - Week 4
The boat has been home for 4 weeks, slow but steady progress
Sign in to ask a question.