The beautiful 1950s-era runabouts are icons of style in the world of wooden boats. We wanted one for ourselves, so we designed this small runabout to echo the grace of the post-war Lyman and Chris Craft runabouts. 30 years of experience designing wood-epoxy composite boats allowed us to create a smooth-running powerboat that is light, durable, and fast. And you can build it in your garage!

We chose the name "Rhode Runner" for this shapely and able boat, referencing the nearby Rhode River, site of decades of CLC prototype launches, photo shoots, and small boat symposia.

This is a CNC-cut stitch-and-glue design, requiring no building mold. Yet the hull has a striking, sculptural -- and fully functional -- shape. 

Featured in Small Boats Nation

The Rhode Runner is part of our CLC ProKit fleet, a design suitable for confident builders with a couple of stitch-and-glue boats under their belts. The complete kit can be assembled in 250-300 hours.  Full-size plans are also available for the scratch builder.   

In trials we saw 24mph, just under 21 knots, with a 25hp motor. The boat doesn't skid in turns, is well behaved in general, and is not much slowed by a crew of three adults. The deep sheer line in unusual in a retro runabout. She looks almost Norwegian at idle speed.

The kit includes CNC-milled grooves in the plywood deck, with dark cedar strips glued in, evoking the traditional runabout decking. Builders can choose the kit with integral wooden seats, or, for those who prefer aftermarket seats, without seats.

Here are the basic specs:

Length ...................... 14' - 9" (4.5m)
Beam ........................ 5'-5" (1.65m) 
Dry Weight ................ 350lbs (160kg)
Max Power ................. 25hp outboard (200lb, 91kg
Min Power .................. 15hp outboard
Motor Shaft Length ...... 20" (508mm)
Max Motor Weight ....... 200lbs (91kg)
Fuel Capacity .............. 6 US gal external (not included)
Passenger Capacity....... 4 adults
Max Payload ............... 1,000lbs (500kg) - (motor not included)
Hull type .................... LapStitch™ topsides w/ Vee bottom (12.5° deadrise at the transom)
Hull Materials .............. Plywood LapStitch™ construction, sheathed with fiberglass cloth & epoxy resins

Check out Rhode Runner's November 2020 Sea Trials