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Captain Heritage

Glen L Sweet Sixteen 19ft Custom Built Wooden Boat

Glen L Sweet Sixteen 19ft Custom Built Wooden Boat

Regular price $23,752.00 USD
Regular price $23,752.00 USD Sale price $23,752.00 USD
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The Sweet Sixteen is a playful and elegant utility vessel, instantly recognizable by its rhythmic lapstrake hull and warm, honey-colored varnished decks. Designed with a versatile, open cockpit and a stable beam, the Sweet Sixteen offers a secure and inviting environment for family outings or teaching the next generation to boat. Its aesthetic is one of 'classic charm'-emphasizing clean lines, functional hardware, and the natural beauty of high-grade wood. Our workshop builds faithful recreations using premium marine Mahogany, Western Red Cedar, and Teak-reinforced with fiberglass cloth and sealed with high-grade marine epoxy. Each boat is handcrafted using authentic lapstrake (clinker) methods, with each plank meticulously fitted and finished with multiple coats of marine spar varnish to achieve deep gloss and long-lasting protection. The interior is updated with modern marine-grade vinyls while retaining the period-correct aesthetic and polished hardware. Typical build time ranges from 4-6 months depending on customization. General Characteristics: - Classic lapstrake (clinker-built) hull for a forgiving lake ride - Open-cockpit layout with versatile bench or back-to-back seating - Classic raked windshield with polished frames - Reliable outboard propulsion system Dimension: - Length Overall (LOA): 16ft - Beam: Approx. 6ft - Draft: Approx. 1.2 ft - Passenger Capacity: Typically 4-5 persons - Original Power: 35-60hp Outboard Performance & Use: Designed for comfort and confident cruising, the Sweet Sixteen excels on inland lakes and calm river reaches. Its hull is engineered to pop onto a plane easily and remain exceptionally dry, offering a smooth, stable platform for social entertaining or leisurely exploration. It remains the ultimate choice for those who appreciate a 'user-friendly' classic with a rich family pedigree. This wooden boat crafted by us is built from Glen-l, 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 Sweet Sixteen is the definitive icon of the 'golden age' of family runabouts, a design that captured the heart of post-war America. Born from the desire for a compact, stylish, and easy-to-handle boat that could fit in a standard garage, the Sweet Sixteen was refined to be the most approachable wooden boat in the world. It represents the 'everyman's masterpiece'-a vessel that brought the beauty of varnished mahogany to thousands of families. Celebrated for its 'fun-sized' agility and user-friendly handling, the Sweet Sixteen was the preferred choice for those who valued simplicity and the joy of a Saturday afternoon on the lake. Its design focuses on being lightweight and easy to tow, yet it retains the same 'soft ride' and dry decks that made lapstrake construction famous. This legacy of accessible craftsmanship has made the Sweet Sixteen one of the most beloved and nostalgia-filled names in the history of wooden boating.
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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.

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