Description:
The Cabin Boy is a charming 7’6” wooden skiff celebrated for its compact size, seaworthiness, and timeless design. Originally created as a tender for auxiliary sailboats, it became widely known after appearing in Building the Skiff Cabin Boy by Clemens C. Kuhlig—an iconic guide that inspired generations of boatbuilders worldwide. Elegant, practical, and beautifully balanced, the Cabin Boy represents the perfect blend of simplicity and craftsmanship.
This 30-inch custom-made scale model is handcrafted to order, capturing every authentic detail of the original design. Built using the traditional plank-on-frame construction method, each piece is made from premium Western Red Cedar, Teak, Mahogany, and other fine exotic woods. Every model requires approximately 4–5 months of precise handcrafting to achieve museum-quality accuracy and finish.
Throughout the build, clients receive progress photos at key milestones for review and approval:
- Hull construction and planking
- Deck and interior detailing
- Final varnishing, painting, and finishing touches
Upon completion, the model is securely packed in a reinforced wooden crate for safe international delivery.
Available exclusively as a custom-made project, the Cabin Boy boat model celebrates the enduring beauty of traditional craftsmanship and small-boat design. To begin your build or request custom specifications, please visit Custom-Made Projects.
History:
Cabin Boy, a 7'6" flat-bottomed skiff by John Atkin, became widely admired after an entire book—Building the Skiff Cabin Boy by Clemens C. Kuhlig—was published about her construction, sparking strong interest among home builders. Designed with modest dimensions yet a surprisingly burdensome hull, she makes an ideal tender for the average auxiliary and offers a satisfying, achievable boatbuilding project. Fitted with a simple sprit rig, daggerboard, and rudder, Cabin Boy easily converts into a capable little sailing craft, perfect for enjoying quiet harbor breezes. When built in white cedar as specified, she weighs only about 70 pounds, making her both practical and charming for sailors seeking a compact, versatile tender.