An exceptionally good 8’ rowing praam -

the Wren.

    This is not a boat suitable for outboards, nor is it a very good tender despite its stability and light weight because it is too small, too sensitve to fore and aft trim to be used thoughtlessly when (dis)embarking in an open anchorage. [Nutmeg and Madrigal are better options for a tender]

It is simply an exceptional rowing boat in flat or choppy water, in light or strong winds.

Why?  In summary:

It rows easily in flat water, carrying way well between strokes,

It rows well in choppy water, making good progress with a short stoke.

It is amazingly dry and buoyant when rowing into or across the wind on choppy water on a breezy day.

It tracks straight and steadily even in a breeze, yet will turn on a sixpence.

(A more detailed explanation of the design, a couple of larger photos and a note on its construction can be found on the following page for those who might be interested.)

In strong winds on an open stretch of inland water, this design is enjoyable to use, unlike either a Light Dory or a Whisp, because the bow doesn’t blow off or the boat heel viciously by changing gusts ( as does the Dory), and as the praam has more freeboard than the Whisp and a deeper thwart, the oars don’t catch the wave tops and the bow doesn’t slam as noisily or blow off as maddeningly as the Whisp.  Both are good designs, but not for these conditions.  And for exploring a crowded anchorage or marshy backwater, the steadiness and agility of the pram are a delight.  A strong man can carry and put it on the roof rack singlehanded without damaging either boat or car.  It is a very useful, satisfying to use little boat that takes up little space either at home or in a dinghy park; and it is very inexpensive to make; and very straight-forward to build.  It looks pretty, too!  This little Jenny Wren has a lot going for her.

Full building plans are not offered, merely full size half sections on an A1 sheet for the bow, stern and centre mould with plank laps ready marked for lining out so there is no guess work involved in working out either the number or position of the planks, a 3 page A4 specification sheet, a 3 page A4 outline building procedure and a 1 page A4 mould set-up diagram.  Price: £16.50p plus £1.50 packing and postage.