When Manny Palomo sent me photos last week of the boat he and his dad are just finishing, the boat and the photos looked so good that I felt compelled to share them with OCH members. Here’s how Manny explains it:
“When a father and son can design and build a boat together, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We combined our skills: he’s a mechanical engineer, loves sailing, and it a bit of a poet; I’m a professional wooden boat builder.
“We wanted an early, easily-driven powerboat hull shape that we could rig for occasional sailing. Our design incorporates some aspects of S.S. Crocker’s work, some aspects of the traditional Muscongus Bay sloop, with some Noank lobsterboat thrown in. We opted for an outside deadwood instead of built-down construction, but tired the sternpost into deck for strength.
“We’ve been deeply satisfied with result so far. What began in August, 2013 as a few scratched-out pencil lines has since become a boat nearly ready for the water.”
The boat, to be named ABI, is 22′ LOA with a 7’10” beam. She’ll draw 3′ feet and is powered by a single-cylinder 10-hp Sabb diesel engine with a fully-feathering propeller. Manny steamed her to Mystic Seaport for the 2015 WoodenBoat Show there, and soon afterwards had her rigged and sailing. For more about this neat little cruiser, check out WoodenBoat issue 247 where you’ll see photos of her under sail.
Manny’s workshop is in a building originally constructed as a textile mill, back when weaving fueled New Bedford’s livelihood and once held 5,000 looms. It’s been reconfigured and is now known as the North Light Studio, home to several cottage industries. Check it out at <https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Light-Studios/179587918789343?ref=page_internal&sk=timeline>
When he’s not building boats, Manny builds wooden surfboards. Before this, he worked at Beetle Inc. building and restoring a variety of wooden boats. His craftsmanship speaks for itself, but if you want to view more images, here’s the URL: <www.manuelpalomo.com>
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Maynard Bray says:
WoodenBoat No. 247 has a comprehensive article on ABI with photos of her under sail by Ben Mendlowitz. Don’t miss it!
Edward Buckner says:
Absolutely beautiful. What brand of paint and what color is the green. That’s the color I’m looking for to paint the boat I am building.
Manny Palomo says:
sorry it took so long to get you the answer on the paint, It’s Kirby’s semi gloss french grey, easy to use and covers really well. I always have it in the shop so lots of things get painted that color.
take care, I’ll send some new photo’s soon should be splashing the water in just a few weeks
Manny Palomo says:
Thanks everyone. We’ll be updating photos at the end of the month as the project wraps up.
Charles Zimmermann says:
Great photos. Beautiful work. Can you post a sketch of the finished boat, with the rig?
Eigil Rothe says:
Unbelievable. Sweet. Very salty.
James Whitmoyer says:
Can’t wait to see the conclusion!
peter strietmann says:
It does not get any better than this. Beautiful work.