Piccup Pram

The Piccup Pram is one of Jim Michalak’s earliest—and most enduring—designs. His goal was simple: build the largest, useful boat that could still fit in the back of his small pickup truck. The result is a compact, multi-chine pram with surprising capacity and a calm, predictable feel on the water. Paired with its straightforward lug rig, it delivers far more capability than its footprint might suggest.

What makes the Piccup so appealing is how it balances portability, buildability, and real-world usefulness. It’s small enough to handle alone, light enough to launch almost anywhere, and simple enough for a first-time builder. But once afloat, it behaves like a much bigger boat: steady, cooperative, and willing. It rows well enough, sails well, and doesn’t require perfect technique to get the best out of it. For many people, it’s the first boat that feels like a “real boat,” not just a project.

Over time, the Piccup Pram has gained a loyal following because it just works. Whether used as a day-sailer for one or two adults, a casual camp cruiser, or a quiet solo boat for evening sails, it delivers an easy, enjoyable experience in a package that’s inexpensive to build and easy to maintain. It’s one of those designs that proves Michalak’s philosophy: simple boats, honestly built, can bring an outsized amount of joy.