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Chester Yawl wooden rowing boat kit
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Chester Yawl
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Chester Yawl
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Chester Yawl
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Chester Yawl rowed by John H.
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Chester Yawl
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Woman rowing with a friend in her Chester Yawl, AVA.
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Reflections of a Chester Yawl tied up on the Grand River in Michigan
Chester Yawl wooden rowing boat kit Thumbnail
Chester Yawl Thumbnail
Chester Yawl Thumbnail
Chester Yawl Thumbnail
Chester Yawl rowed by John H. Thumbnail
Chester Yawl Thumbnail
Woman rowing with a friend in her Chester Yawl, AVA. Thumbnail
Reflections of a Chester Yawl tied up on the Grand River in Michigan Thumbnail

Chester Yawl

Builder Testimonials

The Chester Yawl is modeled after the wineglass-transom working craft used in the 19th-century as water taxis, and for general utility.

  • Skill Level Beginner
  • Estimated Build Time 120 Hours

This project was designed with the beginner in mind. Assembly manuals and documentation are calibrated for builders who are using epoxy and fiberglass for the first time. In kits, little or no trimming and fitting of parts is required.

Build this boat if...

  • You seek a classic rowing craft with an easily driven hull
  • You want the option of fixed-seat or sliding-seat rowing
  • You contemplate camp-cruising under oar power

  • Classic Appeal

    Traditional looks that will never age

  • Quality Materials

    Only the best professional-grade materials

  • 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.

Quality Materials

Our kits ship with the same first-class marine plywood, timber, epoxy, and fiberglass that we use in our own boatbuilding shop. It's not cheap, but these boats are meant to last forever!

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!

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Builders also looked at...

Take One of our Boatbuilding Classes

We offer classes for many of the boats we sell. Teaching sites stretch from Maryland to Washington State and from Maine to California. Click here to find out more.
Chester Yawl wooden rowing boat kit

Chester Yawl wooden rowing boat kit

Chester Yawl
Chester Yawl
Chester Yawl
Chester Yawl rowed by John H.

Chester Yawl rowed by John H.

Chester Yawl
Woman rowing with a friend in her Chester Yawl, AVA.

Woman rowing with a friend in her Chester Yawl, AVA.

Reflections of a Chester Yawl tied up on the Grand River in Michigan

Reflections of a Chester Yawl tied up on the Grand River in Michigan

Chester Yawl wooden rowing boat kit Thumbnail
Chester Yawl Thumbnail
Chester Yawl Thumbnail
Chester Yawl Thumbnail
Chester Yawl rowed by John H. Thumbnail
Chester Yawl Thumbnail
Woman rowing with a friend in her Chester Yawl, AVA. Thumbnail
Reflections of a Chester Yawl tied up on the Grand River in Michigan Thumbnail

Specifications

Length
15' 0"
Beam
42"
Hull Weight
100 lbs.
Max Payload
450 lbs.
Cockpit Size
Open

Performance

Stability

5 out of 5
Very Tippy
Very Stable

Speed

3 out of 5
Cruiser
Racer

Cockpit Room

5 out of 5
Close Fit
Huge Cockpit

Payload

4 out of 5
Day Tripper
Freight Hauler

Ease of Construction

2 out of 5
Requires Patience
Very Easy
Don J. built this Chester Yawl underway on Square Lake in Washington State.
Don J. built this Chester Yawl underway on Square Lake in Washington State.

Overview

Boats like the Chester Yawl were used as working craft in 19th-century.  Efficient movement through the water was critical in human-powered craft, so the designs evolved into easily driven hull shapes. Working watermen weren’t immune to good looks, either, so these “livery boats” were often beautiful.  The most famous of the type, the “Whitehall” boats of New England and New York City, are still considered a touchstone of small craft elegance.  The Chester Yawl is based on the Whitehall in the adoption of that design's distinctive plumb bow and “wineglass” transom.

This LapStitch™ design's long, graceful sweeps of plank achieve a hull shape of striking beauty with glittering performance. At 15’ long, the Chester Yawl is the right size for easy trailering some of our customers cartop their yawls.  The payload of 450 pounds means that two or three adults may safely set out for a picnic or even a camping trip.  Although 30 inches shorter than our Annapolis Wherry, the Chester Yawl has nearly twice the volume and much more freeboard for handling waves.  For casual rowing--single or tandem--we do not believe there is a better build-your-own-boat kit than the Chester Yawl.

Designer John C. Harris took particular care with the design of the interior.  Traditional shin-bruising thwarts were eliminated, opening up the interior for maximum flexibility and sprawling room. This allows the crew to stretch out in a sleeping bag while "camp cruising," or simply to take a nap alongside a shady riverbank. A moveable seat and footbraces are adapted from the work of noted designer L. Francis Herreshoff.  Full floorboards, standard in the kit, add even more livability.  The open interior also allows for easy installation of a sliding seat unit; more on that below.

Given a pair of 7-1/2' oars, the Chester Yawl has a lovely glide and can be rowed all day at an easy pace.  Designer Harris hoped that builders would contemplate a cruise under oars along hospitable shores, then sleeping on the beach in a tent or even aboard, on the 9-foot long floorboards.

Construction is straightforward, within the reach of anyone with a little woodworking experience. You'll spend around 120 hours, less than a strip-planked kayak.

Development of the Chester Yawl began in 2001. The prototypes were a familiar sight on Spa Creek in Annapolis while we tried different hull shapes and rowing configurations. More than a few of you tried out various iterations at two of our "OkoumeFests."

Enchanted with the design, the editors of Popular Mechanics, the giant do-it-yourself magazine, commissioned Joe Provey to write a beautiful illustrated article about the construction process for their October 2003 edition.  Subsequently, hundreds of Chester Yawls have been built around the world. You can read Provey's article here.

Many correspondents have asked about a sailing rig for the Chester Yawl. The Chester Yawl is a thoroughbred rowing craft and we do not offer kits or plans for a sailing version.  The term “Yawl,” by the way, doesn’t refer to a sailing rig but to an older definition of a small craft carried aboard a large vessel to carry the captain ashore on errands.

The Chester Yawl also rows beautifully with the Piantedosi Row Wing installed.  See the video and check out our shop tip for step-by-step installation instructions.

Buying Options

Choose Your Boatbuilding Experience

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

  1. Select Your Configuration

    Build From a Kit:
    Most builders start with the Base Kit. It’s all there.
    Build From Scratch:
    Build from scratch using our Plans & Manual.
    Build From a Wood Parts Only Kit:
    For those who 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:
    Most performance rowing craft will need a drop-in sliding seat unit and 9’6” sculls. You can also order nonskid decking, storage covers, oar bags, beach dollies, 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.

Standard Configuration

Most commonly, builders will start with the Chester Yawl Complete Rowing Kit.

Sale
$1,998.00 $1,790.00

This Chester Yawl kit includes fully illustrated step-by-step...

This Chester Yawl kit includes fully illustrated step-by-step instruction manual, computer-cut and -drilled parts, bulkheads, seats, floorboards, epoxy kit, fiberglass for hull, and one pair of bronze oarlocks and sockets. 

Alternative Configurations

More experienced builders may start with the plans and manual and build from scratch. They are likely to be well supplied with plywood, lumber, epoxy, and fiberglass. Other builders may have plenty of epoxy and fiberglass, but insufficient wood. They might order our Wood Parts Only kit with the plans and manual.

$1,369.00

This Chester Yawl "wood parts only" kit includes plans and in...

This Chester Yawl "wood parts only" kit includes plans and instructions, pre-cut parts, bulkheads, seats, and floorboards. Typical "wood parts only" kit buyers have an existing or ready supply of their own epoxy, fiberglass, and hardware.

Chester Yawl Wood Parts Only Kit
$25.00

This option includes the manual only. NOTE: CLC instruction ...

This option includes the manual only.

Manual

NOTE: CLC instruction manuals walk you through construction step by step with photos and drawings, and are a good way to get acquainted with the process in advance of a kit purchase. (Manual purchase refundable with kit purchase.) There is not enough information in the manual to build a boat from scratch.
$2.99

You can get printable study plans for most of your favorite ...

Study plans preview of the Chester Yawl

You can get printable study plans for most of your favorite kits and plans by return email --- for just a few dollars! 

When you order a set, you'll receive the study plans emailed in the form of PDFs at 8.5" x 11" (216x280mm).  

These printable drawings (most are two pages) help give a sense of the construction process and a feel for what the full-size plans or kit contain. Please note that a boat can not be built from Study Plans; they are to preview a project in print media; the Study Plans are an excellent broad-strokes look at the process. The subsequent escalation for more information is to order the boat's print instruction manual (where available), which will walk you through the project step-by-step.   

Upon placing the order, you'll receive an email with a link to the PDF.  Be sure to use the correct email address! If you have filters in place, ensure emails from "admin@clcboats.com" are not blocked.

Additional Options

$75.00

The Second Rowing Station kit will include all the materials...

The Second Rowing Station kit will include all the materials to make a second seat and special foot rest needed for tandem rowing.

Kit parts for the second rowing station are shown in the diagram.
$349.00

Spacered inwales are an elegant touch.  They are a bit invo...

Spacered inwales are an elegant touch.  They are a bit involved to install, and might not be suited to first-time boatbuilders.  Detailed installation instructions are here, and are worth a read before you jump in.   

This kit includes pre-cut breasthooks (and quarter knees where applicable), mahogany inwale stock proportioned to fit your boat, spacer block material, and a pair of oarlock riser blocks.  Expect to do some trimming and fitting of the parts, as every boat varies slightly.
$825.00

Arguably the best sliding seat unit in the sport, the Pianted...


Arguably the best sliding seat unit in the sport, the Piantedosi monorail design is simple, elegant, and stiff, with an exceptionally smooth slide. Multiplies the horsepower of a human being by bringing to bear nearly every muscle in your body. Sliding seat boats offer absolutely terrific low-impact cardio workouts.

This seat is required equipment for the Annapolis Wherry, Annapolis Wherry Tandem, Expedition Wherry, and Oxford Shell MK1; these boats were designed around the Piantedosi unit. These rigs also fit the Mill Creek 16.5, Northeaster Dory, and the Chester Yawl with our custom fit-kits, or any rowing craft at least 15 feet long with a clear space for installation. (Boats shorter than 15 feet long will have a hobby-horsing problem as the rower slides forward and back on the seat.) Supplied with Concept 2 oarlocks, composite seats, and foot stretchers. Unfortunately, wooden seats and foot stretchers are no longer an option.

Various fit-kits are needed to adapt the rig to different CLC interior configurations. Use the drop-down to select the unit for your CLC boat model. Sculling oars are to be used with the drop-in rowing unit. They are 9' 6" in length, with two different blade styles; see below for more info.

NewThe units are handmade in the USA in small production runs. Please call or email to confirm the turn-around time if you need a unit immediately.

[Drop-in Rowing Unit Assembly Instructions PDF]

 

Wanted: Used Drop-in Rowing Units

Do you have a used rowing unit or sculling oars that you no longer need? If they are in good condition, we may like to buy them from you.

Email details and photos to: ed@clcboats.com
The Chester Yawl SERENE under oars on a lovely autumn day.
The Chester Yawl SERENE under oars on a lovely autumn day.

What builders are saying

I built my Chester Yawl over the last 2 summers and launched her this year.  Despite my poor rowing technique, Esperanza rode the waves quite nicely and the day was a success.  I love my Chester Yawl -- thanks for a great design and tech support during the building process.

Jeff P. | ONT
Verified Builder

This Chester Yawl kit was purchased from Denman Marine in Tasmania, launched Sunday the 14th of May at Appletree Bay, just north of Sydney, Australia. The boat rows like a dream. Lots of compliments about the sweetness of the lines. 

Robert B. | AUS
Verified Builder

I took this picture of our Chester Yawl this past September at dawn at anchor in Princess Bay, on Portland Island in the beautiful Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada.  My good friend Roley and I completed “Chester” this past winter. Now my wife and I use her as a tender when we go cruising.  Rows like a dream!  I know the name “Chester” seems a bit unoriginal and less than feminine, but that’s what she was called when she was under construction, and well, the name just seemed natural when she was launched.

Matt L. | ALB
Verified Builder

I had a great time building and then rowing my Chester Yawl in Farmers Cay, Exuma, Bahamas.  We brought down 3 kits....one is complete, one half built and the third is still in the box....we're looking forward to many rowing adventures around the Exumas.  Thanks for putting out such a fun and beautiful product.

Steve B. | VT
Verified Builder

This Chester Yawl is the first one that CLC shipped back in 2005.  I got bit by the boatbuilding bug when I read all about this fine boat in the Popular Mechanics Magazine.  I placed my order and CLC told me that I was getting the very first production Chester Yawl.  You also knocked $100.00 off the kit price.  Lucky me!   I built this in my garage during the summer of 2005.  It took me about 200 hours give or take a few. 

I love this boat.  It handles great in calm waters but also navigates some pretty rough waves as well.  I named her KIKI ANN which is an old childhood nickname of my wife.  The picture was taken on Upper Silver Lake in Waterford, MI.  I finished this wooden jewel off with 6 coats of Pettit #1015 Captain's varnish (traditional amber color w/ extra UV protection) on the inside and several coats of Interlux Brightside #4359 White polyurethane paint.

I've enjoyed many hours of exploring the lakes with the KIKI ANN and hope to get in many more in the boating seasons to come.  I'm ready to build another one of your fine crafts.  Perhaps a sailboat this time.

Thanks CLC for making such a great craft.

Todd M. | MI
Verified Builder

We just launched our Chester Yawl "Serene" in Herford, Germany. She rows effortlessly and it is super easy to get in & out of the boat, even for my mid-80's grandma, shown here together with my father, both enjoying very much a short ride and the awesome autumn weather we fortunately had. The kit, supplied by Fyne Boat Kits, has been highly enjoyable and straightforward to build. Thank you very much for this wonderful design!

Johannes B. | DEU
Verified Builder

Some years back I bought a Chester yawl kit from you, which was an excellent package, and the boat is giving me stellar service kitted out with a custom rowing rig, and is used on Lake Wabamun, Alberta. I took exactly the 110 hours that you estimated, to build it, plus as much again in finishing time, of course! The yawl is indeed a pretty boat, and many at the lake comment on how it adds to the yachty visual appeal of this part of the lake. Well done CLC!

Keith B. | ALB
Verified Builder

My Chester Yawl now has many kilometres under its keel as I use it mostly for exercise with the sliding seat installed. The boat performs very well in all conditions and stays fairly dry even when punching through half meter swells. One of these days I will go out when there are some decent sets coming through from the northeast at Bonnells Bay in New South Wales, Australia, and see if she will surf!

Stewart B. | AUS
Verified Builder

Videos

ARGUS, A Kit Built Chester Yawl From Chesapeake Light Craft

Rowing Footage Of a Chester Yawl with Sliding Seat Rowing Rig

Chester Yawl with a Drop-In Rowing Unit

The Building Of A Chester Yawl

Chester Yawl Timelapse

Frequently Asked Questions

What is LapStitch Construction?

CLC'S LapStitch™ Construction

Patent No. 6,142,093 

Our system combines the unquestioned grace of lapstrake hulls with the proven ease of stitch-and-glue construction. The strength of the LapStitch™ joint is such that the designs require comparatively little fiberglass or fillet work, making them especially easy to build.

Lapstrake hull shapes evolved over millennia. Many would suggest that the type reached a high-water mark with the Viking longboats, but the actual building method was little changed right up into the 20th century. Planks were riveted together, and the technique required prodigious skill on the part of boatbuilders.

Over the last few decades, the advent of modern adhesives and high-quality marine plywood brought about the first major innovation in lapstrake building methods: "glued plywood" lapstrake hulls. This method of planking produces very strong, stiff, and beautiful hulls that never leak. This is progress, to be sure, but glued lapstrake boats still require molds and arcane joinery skills. It isn't a process suited to amateurs.

In 1997, Chesapeake Light Craft developed a way to build lapstrake boats without molds or complex "rolling bevels" on the lapstrake planking. Using sophisticated computer design software, we are now able to devise hull shapes that will assume a round-bottomed shape without a jig or "torturing" of the wood. A special "rabbet," or groove, is machined into each strake so that they are self-aligning. They are wired together just like a stitch-and-glue kayak. When these joints are filled with epoxy, the result is a remarkably stiff and strong hull that is visually indistinguishable from traditional lapstrake planking.

LapStitch™ construction is featured in these CLC boats:

After more than 15 years of development, the evolution of LapStitch™ has reached the stage where we can render complex lapstrake hull shapes in complete confidence without "strongback" molds.  Chesapeake Light Craft can design and build for you LapStitch™ hulls of any shape or size.  

How do I order this kit?

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

If I buy one of your boat kits, what else will I need?

Chesapeake Light Craft kits contain all the parts and materials you need to build the boat. The kit includes pre-cut parts, hardware, epoxy, fiberglass, plans and instructions. Our standard kayak kits also have the seats, hatches, bulkheads, footbraces, and the deck-rigging. About the only thing kits don't include is the final finish: paint or varnish. Your boat's color scheme is entirely up to you.

You'll need a few ordinary tools, like a cordless drill, a decent 5-inch sander, and for most boats a wood plane. You'll need disposables such as sandpaper and paint brushes and mixing cups.

You need a workspace a couple of feet bigger all the way around than the boat you want to build, and you'll need to be able to maintain temperatures between about 55 degrees F and 95 degrees F during steps when epoxy is being applied or curing. Since a lot of boatbuilding gets done during winter, we've written up some tips on how to heat a cold space cheaply, easily, and safely.

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.

Row, Camp, and Go

One or Two Rowing Stations

Builders can set up one or two rowing stations in their Chester Yawl. One seat and footrest comes with the Base Kit. Builders can build or a buy a second set. Builders can also install one or two Piantedosi Row Wing Drop-In Rowing Units.

Chester_Yawl_joe-provey-three-rowing-options

Removable Rowing Seats and Footbraces

For camp cruising, the owner can remove the seats and footbraces to make enough room to stretch out on the floorboards. You will also notice in this image that there are three pair of oarlocks in place. The pair in the center is for the solo rower. The other two are used in tandem.

Cartoppable

Though many owners transport their Chester Yawl with a trailer (we recommend the Trailex SUT-220-S Boat Trailer), it is also cartoppable, assuming you and your partner can lift the 100 lb hull over your car roof.

Classes

Take One of our Boatbuilding Classes

We offer classes for many of the boats we sell. Teaching sites stretch from Maryland to Washington State and from Maine to California. Click here to find out more.

View Classes

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