2. Kits & Plans
  3. Powerboats
  4. Bluebill 12
Bluebill 12
Bluebill 12 cruising the river
Bluebill 12 Thumbnail
Bluebill 12 cruising the river Thumbnail

Bluebill 12

Builder Testimonials

The Devlin Bluebill 12 is an evolution of his Broadbill sneakbox. It can carry two hunters and their gear, compared to the Broadbill’s single-hunter-plus-dog design. This boat also incorporates an outboard well. A well for the 20hp outboard creates a better load and balance setup for a small boat.

  • Skill Level Advanced
  • Estimated Build Time 150 Hours

Builders undertaking this kit should be comfortable reading traditional boat plans, and have at their disposal stationary tools such as a tablesaw and a bandsaw. The drawings and documentation assume a good working knowledge of woodworking, epoxy, and fiberglass techniques.

The builder's desired finish—"from workboat-style" to "Concours"—and the level of detail in outfitting will impact construction time significantly.

Build this boat if...

  • You are looking for a sneakbox type of boat that has a low profile in the water to make it evident to waterfowl that you are hunting.
  • You often hunt with a friend and want a duck boat that will carry both of you AND your gear.
  • You are looking for a small boat that can take a reasonably sized outboard, so you can get home in hurry as the sun is setting at the end your day of hunting.

  • Classic Appeal

    Traditional looks that will never age

  • For Woodcrafters

    Boatbuilders, sharpen your block planes! 

  • Sophisticated Design

    Nothing else like it to buy or build

Classic Appeal

Some might argue that small craft design reached the zenith of looks and performance in the 19th century. We wouldn't disagree. Designs like this one will still look good in a hundred years.

If you love woodworking, this is a project where you get to make wood shavings. You'll need to be comfortable with a sharp plane and a Japanese pull-saw, but the reward is a work of craftsmanship that's all your own.

This is a design with qualities and features that are unique in the marketplace, both among DIY projects and production boats. Refined, tested, uncompromised, outstanding, and unique!
Build Your Kit Pay in full or choose a flexible payment plan with Learn More
Shipping & Returns

Builders also looked at...

Plan view of Devlin Bluebill 12 duckboat

We Can Help You Build This Boat

We offer classes for many of the boats we sell. For boats, such as this one, we can offer private classes upon request. Some customers also ask us to build the boat for them.
Bluebill 12
Bluebill 12 cruising the river

Bluebill 12 cruising the river

Bluebill 12 Thumbnail
Bluebill 12 cruising the river Thumbnail

Specifications

Length
12' 0.75"
Beam
59"
Draft
7.25"
Cockpit Width
3' 1.5"
Cockpit Length
6' 11.5"
Depth: Coaming to Floorboards
12"
Max Depth: Keel to Top of Coaming
15.5"
Hull Weight Dry
225 lbs
Max Horsepower
20-hp (short shaft)

Performance

Stability

4 out of 5
Very Tippy
Very Stable

Speed

3 out of 5
Cruiser
Racer

Cockpit Room

3 out of 5
Close Fit
Huge Cockpit

Payload

3 out of 5
Day Tripper
Freight Hauler

Ease of Construction

2out of 5
Requires Patience
Very Easy
Bluebill 12 cruising the river
Bluebill 12 cruising the river

Overview

Sam Devlin created the Bluebill 12 as an evolution of his Broadbill sneakbox. It's larger than the Broadbill and can carry two hunters and their gear, compared to the Broadbill’s single-hunter-plus-dog design.

The Bluebill 12 incorporates the innovation of an outboard well, with its various advantages. Shifting the 20-hp outboard forward into a well results in better load and balance for a small boat carrying this much power. It creates perfect spots for fuel tanks on either side of the well. Sam feels very strongly that not having an outboard hanging off the back of the boat helps you outsmart those wary late season birds.

The Bluebill 12 offers the usual Devlin advantages of ruggedness, versatility, and ease of construction. Plans include both Imperial and metric dimensions.

LOA:  12′ 3/4" --  3.68m

Beam:  4’ 11″ --  1.5m

Draft:  7.25″ --  182mm

Weight Dry:  225lbs. --  102kg.

Depth Combing to Floorboards:  12″

Depth Keel to Top of Coaming:  15.5″

Width of Cockpit:  3′ 1.5″

Length of Cockpit:  6′ 11.5″

Max HP:  20 HP (short shaft)


Epoxy required to build the Bluebill 12:

One #3 Epoxy Kit is required to build this boat. 

 Epoxy required by item:

  • Resin 3 gal
  • Slow Hardener 1.5 gal
  • Wood flour, cell-o-fil fillers, & pumps


NOTE: Boat plans will need to be purchased from Devlin Builders, separately for all kit variations.


Buying Options

Choose Your Boatbuilding Experience

Building your boat begins with selecting the option that best fits your skill level and shop size.

  1. Select Your Configuration

    Build From a Kit:
    Most builders will start with the Base Kit. Everything’s there.
    Build From Scratch:
    Source your own materials and hardware, and work from full-sized patterns.
    Build From a Wood Parts Only Kit:
    We provide the CNC-cut wooden parts and timber. Typical "wood parts only" kit buyers have their own supply of epoxy, fiberglass, and hardware.
    Order Study Plans or Manuals:
    Like to study up a bit first? Download study plans or a copy of the assembly manual.

  2. Choose Options and Add-Ons

    Additional Components:
    Some of our boats have options such as a center console. Many boats can be enhanced with nonskid decking, storage covers, trailers, and more.

  3. Get Building!

    Computer-cut kits feature all of the latest tweaks to ease assembly, including slot-together frames, pre-drilled holes for stitching-and-gluing, puzzle joints, and precision in the fitting of parts.

Buy Now, Pay Later Pay in full or choose a flexible payment plan with Learn More

Standard Configuration

For the Bluebill 12 design, Chesapeake Light Craft offers a CNC-cut kit of all plywood hull parts and a full set of building plans.

$1,677.50

Bluebill 12, Plywood Only Kit includes: CNC-Cut Okoume Plywo...

Bluebill 12, Plywood Only Kit includes:

  • CNC-Cut Okoume Plywood Parts (9mm, 12mm, 18mm)

 

Builders Manual not included.

Devlin building manual
$154.00

Bluebill 12, Hull Timber Package includes: Cypress and/or Ma...

Bluebill 12, Hull Timber Package includes:

  • Cypress and/or Mahogany Timber Parts

Builders Manual not included.

Devlin building manual
$285.00

Bluebill 12, Fiberglass Kit includes: Fiberglass Cloth &...

Bluebill 12, Fiberglass Kit includes:

  • Fiberglass Cloth & Tape to complete the project
$45.00

Devlin's Boat Building Manual: How to Build Your Boat the Sti...

Devlin's Boat Building Manual: How to Build Your Boat the Stitch-and-Glue Way, Second Edition.

384 pages. The bible of modern backyard wooden boatbuilding, expanded with new designs, streamlined techniques, and in a larger format!
$439.95

This pre-packaged kit includes 2 gallons resin, 1 gallon non-...

This pre-packaged kit includes 2 gallons resin, 1 gallon non-blushing slow hardener, 1 gallon wood flour, 1 gallon cell-o-fill thickener, metered dispensing pumps. It's the same epoxy package that we include in many of our boat kits.

Economy Kits offer the lowest prices on MAS Epoxy anywhere!

* International Customers: we do not ship this product outside the US.


Don't have a set of pumps? Here's a video on proper use of measuring cups.

Videos

A Legacy of Craftsmanship: Devlin Wooden Boat Building

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I order this kit?

Click on the Buying Options tab the top left of this page and follow the directions.

How much does this boat weigh and how much can it carry?

The weight and payload of this boat, along with other statistics such length and beam, can be found under Specs in the Specifications section, which is just below the lead image seen at the top of this page.

Can you send me the plans digitally?

Sorry, but until digital rights management technology for marine architectural work catches up to that used for books and music, we are unable to transmit digital plans. Currently, only study plans and manuals can be sent digitally.

Classes

We Can Help You Build This Boat

We offer classes for many of the boats we sell. For boats, such as this one, we can offer private classes upon request. Some customers also ask us to build the boat for them.

View Classes

We Also Recommend

Black Brant III View Buying Options

Black Brant III

Related Products

Need Help Building it?

We’re here to help with any questions you might have during the build process.

Phone

Available Mon – Fri, 9am–5pm EST

410.267.0137

Email

We answer emails 7 days a week and within 24 hours

Contact Support

Chat

Available Mon – Fri, 9am–5pm EST

Start Chat