Class D Racer 15ft Custom Built Wooden Boat

The Class D Racer 15.5ft is an iconic mid-century racing runabout born from the pen of David D. Beach (New Jersey, 1951), and brought back to life through faithful re-interpretation by Keith Brayer and Classic Wooden Boat Plans. Designed as a pocket-rocket performance craft, the Class D combines sleek proportions with purposeful hull form to deliver spirited handling and timeless vintage character.

Our workshop faithfully recreates this historic design using premium marine materials-including Western Red Cedar, Mahogany, Teak, and U.S.-made Hexcel fiberglass finished with System Three marine spar varnish-built entirely by hand with the traditional plank-on-frame method.

Every detail from the original aluminium cowling to the classic hull lines has been preserved, with new, modern full-size PDF plans that eliminate measuring, lofting, or corrections. Typical build time is 4-5 months of meticulous craftsmanship.

Clients may customize dimensions, wood selection, finish, deck layout, and interior detailing to suit personal preferences-bringing a classic racing legend to life with bespoke touches.

General Dimensions

• Length Overall (LOA): 15′6″ (4.72 m)
• Maximum Beam: 5′ 6″ (1.68 m)
• Draft & Weight: To be confirmed based on construction choices; historical racing craft of this size were typically lightweight for performance, but exact specs vary by build and materials.

Hull & Construction

• Hull Material: Traditional wood plank-on-frame
• Cowling: Original aluminium detail accurately reproduced in plans
• Design Character: Racing runabout with purposeful hull shape; clean lines that emphasize speed and balance

Performance & Use

Originally envisioned as a high-performance racing runabout, Class D is designed for dynamic response and spirited handling in protected waters-ideal for vintage racing, classic boat events, or enthusiastic day cruising with a nod to heritage performance. Its classic proportions deliver a lively yet balanced ride that honors the era's approach to speed and style.

This wooden boat crafted by us is built from Classic Wooden Plan, with full credit given to the original designers. For each custom commission, we acquire the appropriate plans and construct the boat to order-offering both full-size vessels and finely detailed scale models.

Contact us to explore specifications, customization options, and build schedules for your Class D Racer!

Design History

The Class D Racer 15′ 6″ was originally designed in 1951 by naval architect David D. Beach of New Jersey during the golden age of American small-boat racing. Created as a lightweight, high-performance runabout, it was intended for competitive Class D racing-where compact hulls, quick acceleration, and sharp handling defined success on the water.

Decades later, the design was preserved and reintroduced through the efforts of Keith Brayer at Classic Wooden Boat Plans, who translated the original drawings into modern, full-size plans while retaining every authentic detail-including the distinctive aluminum cowling. Today, the Class D remains a spirited symbol of mid-century racing heritage and handcrafted performance.