324 ALONGSHORE 



Although we only brought the Puffin home last spring, 

 we have had her long enough to prove that she is not 

 only quite seaworthy, but is perfectly manageable ashore. 

 In the latter respect she has exceeded our expectations. 

 Two or three men can launch her, one man on a capstan 

 can haul her up, if the beach is not too steep. 



The boat — 17 ft. 6 in. long, by 5 ft. 6 in, beam, by 

 3 ft. deep — is clinker built of elm, and double-ended, in 

 order that waves may not flop aboard over her stern when 

 she is being launched or beached. The main keel, the 

 point which differs most from ordinary construction, 

 instead of ending up short at the propeller, or running 

 above it into the stern-post, continues aft in one piece 

 underneath the propeller, till, curving upwards, it joins 

 the bottom of the stern-post; while a stout secondary 

 keel, into which the after-ends of the lower strakes are 

 rabbeted, runs from the main keel, over the propeller, and 

 into the stern-post higher up. Thus the propeller is 

 protected by the whole strength of the keel, and the boat 

 can be shoved upon the greasy ways down which she is 

 launched, instead of having to be lifted upon them. 

 Buoyancy tanks, a fire extinguisher, a sail and oars are 

 fitted for emergencies. Twelve people, the Board of 

 Trade limit for uncertificated power boats, can be carried, 

 and in the stern, with the side-seats out, there is room for 

 three or four drift-nets. 



The engine — a 4 in. bore by 4 in. stroke, single 

 cyhnder "Colonial" by Smart and Brown, well under 2 

 cwt., developing 4-5 brake horse power, and driving a 

 two-bladed reversible propeller — is placed amidships. At 

 rest or up to half speed the boat lies on an even keel. 

 Then the propeller is partly out of the water and thrashes 



