The reproduction of the exquisite Coquina

By all accounts, the original Coquina was one of Nat Herreshoff's favorite boats. Designed in 1889 for his own use, this 17' Cat Yawl stayed in the family for years. Nat's original drawings of this exquisite design are held in the nautical archives at MIT. ( Massachusetts Institute of Technology )

Under a license from The Hart Nautical Collection and in collaboration with Maynard Bray, Doug Hylan's fairly recent project brought the original plans into the reach of the contemporary boat builder by modifying the design for glued-lapstrake construction. This building method retains the graceful lines of the traditional design while providing a tight "mono-hull" that is easily trailered.

Nat Herreshoff's Coquina
One of the advantages of the split rig is the ability to balance the boat under a variety of weather. With the mizen set, the vessel will head up into the wind, assisting setting or lowering the mainsail. Here she rests peacefully at anchor during lunch at the Small Reach Regatta in Maine.


In light air...

One of the joys of sailing a small boat with an easily driven hull is just ghosting along in a light breeze. And, as the wind freshens, the fore and aft rig allows adjusting her balance.

The rudder set up takes a little getting used to. Instead of a tiller, steering ropes run just under the rail, port and starboard.

Calico Jack at Mystic

Details by boat builder Tim Schleiff

The mast partners

An innovation by Nat Herreshoff allows the main mast to "snap secure" into it"s partner. The whole rig is easily set with no need of standing rigging.

Timm Schleiff demonstrates some fine craftsmanship in the details of his Coquina completed in 2007. This was Timm's first boat. He plans to build many more out of his shop in Renick, West Virginia. Read more...
You may contact him at Schleiff Boatworks.com

Sailing in New England

Boat Plans

Traditional Boat Plans
This boat comes with some very strong credentials. Nat Hereshoff kept this one in the family until a hurricane destroyed her. His original boat was built with eastern cedar on white oak frames. Planking done by traditional lapstrake is long lasting and can be very satifying to work with. A true reproduction would make a very fine boat!

Original plans by Nat Herreshoff are available.

Contact Kurt Hasselbalch, Curator of the Hart Nautical Collection

Plans for Glued Lapstrake Construsction
The newer method of glued lapstrake construction also has it's advantages, but does lack the ability to easily replace damaged planks. On the plus side, epoxied plywood creates a structural advantage and uses fewer frames. These boat are often lighter weight and will take a pounding over the back roads on a trailer.