Birdwatcher II (#496)

Birdwatcher II is a 23.5-foot plywood and epoxy camp-cruiser designed by Phil Bolger as a shelter-first, minimalist exploration craft. We’re currently dialed into customizing and figuring her out as a practical family adventure rig for us and our two kids.

She features Bolger’s classic raised transparent coamings and central walk-through slot, letting you sail or row while seated down on the floorboards below the waterline. It keeps the center of gravity super low, gives high initial stability, and keeps everyone protected from the elements with a 360-degree view. Her offset mast step and off-center leeboard keep the main trench completely clear from bow to stern, making it easy to haul gear or set up camp flat on the floorboards.

We are running the original sliding gunter rig with a clean, silent 36V Newport electric setup (NK300) and a golf cart battery bank, so zero gas fumes inside the cabin when cruising at low speed. She’s shallow-drafted, dead simple to beach on sandbars for the kids to run around (provided you can get the rudder, centerboard, and motor up in time...), and easy to trailer between quick afternoon lake runs and hoping to do some multi-day island hopping trips in the San Juans (provided we find a babysitter). Unapologetically practical and honest, she has a form controversial enough to split every dock down the middle.

( Better photos and Youtube video on this boat soon via Baby Blues by Phil Bolger )