Captain Heritage
Atkin Wideawake Boat 16ft Custom Built Wooden Boat
Atkin Wideawake Boat 16ft Custom Built Wooden Boat
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The Wideawake rowing boat is a classic wooden craft designed for stability, simplicity, and a natural connection with the water. Recognizable by its elegant lapstrake (clinker-built) hull, gently curved bow, and wide open cockpit, the boat offers a balanced and comfortable platform ideal for quiet rowing on lakes or calm rivers. Its traditional profile, moderate beam, and practical bench seating provide both stability and ample space for passengers, making it well suited for relaxed outings, nature watching, or peaceful afternoon rows.
Our workshop builds faithful recreations using premium marine Mahogany, Western Red Cedar, and Teak, carefully shaped to form the boat's distinctive lapstrake hull. Each plank is precisely fitted and reinforced with fiberglass cloth, then sealed with high-grade marine epoxy for durability and water resistance. The interior layout follows the traditional rowing configuration shown in the design, with sturdy wooden thwarts, reinforced ribs, and classic oarlocks for smooth and efficient rowing. The entire boat is finished with multiple coats of marine spar varnish to highlight the natural wood grain while providing deep gloss and long-lasting protection. Every boat is handcrafted by skilled artisans, with a typical build time of 4-6 months depending on customization.
General Characteristics:
- Classic lapstrake (clinker-built) wooden hull designed for strength, stability, and smooth rowing performance
- Open interior layout with traditional wooden bench seating for rowers and passengers
- Reinforced ribs and thwarts providing structural support and comfortable seating positions
- Equipped with classic oarlocks and long wooden oars for efficient manual propulsion
- Simple, functional design ideal for recreational rowing on lakes, rivers, and calm coastal waters
Dimensions:
- Length Overall (LOA): 16 ft
- Beam: Approx. 4.5-5 ft
- Draft: Approx. 0.7-1 ft
- Passenger Capacity: 1-3 persons
Propulsion: Traditional rowing with wooden oars
This wooden boat crafted by us is built from Atkin, with full credit given to the original designers. For each custom commission, we acquire the appropriate plans and construct the vessel to order-offering both full-size boats and finely detailed scale models.
The Wideawake is a classic icon of the early 20th-century 'displacement launch,' a design born from the era when the journey was as important as the destination. Refined for the modern traditionalist, the Wideawake was developed to provide a stable, seaworthy, and incredibly fuel-efficient platform for long days on the water. It represents the 'slow boating' movement at its finest-built for those who want to stay 'wide awake' to the beauty of the shoreline and the rhythm of the tides.
Celebrated for its 'big-boat' feel in a compact footprint, the Wideawake was the preferred choice for family day-trippers and coastal explorers who valued safety and range over high-speed sprinting. Its design utilizes a plumb bow and a fine entry to slice through chop without the pounding associated with planing hulls. This legacy of dependable, high-quality craftsmanship has made the Wideawake one of the most respected names for those who appreciate the 'quiet confidence' of a well-found wooden vessel.
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What makes our wooden boats so unique and special?
Hundreds of hours go into the construction of our boats, as perfection is the only options.
- ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY: We use only certified top-grade, hand-selected wood such as Canadian red cedar, mahogany, rosewood, teak and more.
- THE ART OF CRAFTSMANSHIP: Merging centuries-old customs with technological innovation, we bring you boats that excel in every categories.
- IN-HOUSE QUALITY CONTROL: Each of our wooden boats goes through a demand quality control process including in water testing before leaving the workshop.
About Woodenboat USA™
The story of time-honored traditions of boat building.
More than just watercraft, our wooden boats, kayaks and canoes represent connections to a legacy of craftsmanship and old world techniques. Woodenboat USA is invested in the type of construction that recalls generations of boat making. Over thirty years in business, our commitment has always been and will continue to be, to excellence, to tradition and to creating products that you can enjoy both for their performance and incredible beauty.
Inspired by history, the names of our watercraft are derived from the northern waterways where natives and settlers have used them for centuries. Merging centuries-old customs with improvements in technology, we bring you boats that excel in every category.
Beginning with pliable, high quality Canadian cedar and hardwood, our craftsmen hand join each individual strip. Hundreds of hours go into the construction of our boats, as perfection is the only option. Once built, the piece is encapsulated in fiberglass epoxy resin adding an extra layer of durability and strength. At last, the water craft is ready for its nautical debut.
FAQ's
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What are your canoes and kayaks made of?
Our canoes and kayaks are made of the highest quality western red cedar and some hardwoods. The larger boats are made of western red cedar, pine, and hardwoods such as oak, mahogany, teak, and some locally available woods. Our wooden watercraft are then coated both inside and out in an incredibly durable American made fiberglass and epoxy resin.
You mentioned that you use fiberglass in your boats, so what is the difference between your boats and fiberglass boats?
We only use 1 or 2 clear thin layers of fiberglass coating on top of the wood for reinforcement and added integrity. You never see any fiberglass, only beautiful, hand-joined cedar and hardwoods.
What is a typical cedar strip canoe or kayak weight?
A 15’ kayak weighs approximately 45lbs, making it very easy for one person to carry. A 16’ canoe weighs about 48lbs.
What type of boats do you build?
Our wooden strip canoes and kayaks are hugely popular for touring and recreational purposes. We also build wooden dinghies, wooden sail boats, classic wooden runabouts, and speedboats. Additionally, we can custom-build any design with which you supply us.
What methods do you use to build the boats?
Focused on integrating traditional technique with modern design, all boats are built by hand, typically taking hundreds of man hours to create.
How do I order?
Please contact our dealers or call (877) 88 Boats for more information.
How long does an order take?
Boats that we have in stock can be shipped to you within a week). New or custom products generally take 2-3 months as everything we sell is 100% hand crafted.
How do you ship it?
We can ship via trucking company very safely. We also insure all freight so in the very rare case that a shipment is damaged during transit, we will take care of the details and immediately replace the item for you. We also have distributors all over the world, so please contact us to find out more information.
How do I become a distributor of your products?
We welcome qualified dealers and distributors all over the world. Please contact us today at (877) 88 Boats or email us at info@woodenboatusa.com for more information.
What kind of warranty can I expect?
For all products we offer a 6 month limited warranty on materials and craftsmanship.
Guidelines for use
CARE:
With a little bit of care and maintenance, your beautiful canoe can last for generations. While our products are certainly durable and solid, they still require the right type of care and handling to ensure that they perform optimally.
- It is recommended that you rinse your canoe off with fresh clean water after every use.
- Upon returning from the trip, allow your canoe to air-dry in the shade.
STORAGE:
Besides taking care of your canoe, storage also plays an essential role in maintaining your canoe’s appearance and beauty.
- Always store your wooden canoe in shade.
- Turn it upside down on the support thereby keeping it off the ground.
- Hanging your boat from the rafters in your garage or shop would be ideal storage.
REPAIR:
Minor scratches can be repaired by marine spar vanish or some brand of automobile wax. Smooth the damaged area with sand paper, wipe clean, then apply marine spar vanish.
SAFETY:
Wooden Boat USA strongly recommends that a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is worn whenever paddling.