Atkin Wideawake Boat 16ft Custom Built Wooden Boat

The Wideawake rowing boat is a classic wooden craft designed for stability, simplicity, and a natural connection with the water. Recognizable by its elegant lapstrake (clinker-built) hull, gently curved bow, and wide open cockpit, the boat offers a balanced and comfortable platform ideal for quiet rowing on lakes or calm rivers. Its traditional profile, moderate beam, and practical bench seating provide both stability and ample space for passengers, making it well suited for relaxed outings, nature watching, or peaceful afternoon rows.



Our workshop builds faithful recreations using premium marine Mahogany, Western Red Cedar, and Teak, carefully shaped to form the boat's distinctive lapstrake hull. Each plank is precisely fitted and reinforced with fiberglass cloth, then sealed with high-grade marine epoxy for durability and water resistance. The interior layout follows the traditional rowing configuration shown in the design, with sturdy wooden thwarts, reinforced ribs, and classic oarlocks for smooth and efficient rowing. The entire boat is finished with multiple coats of marine spar varnish to highlight the natural wood grain while providing deep gloss and long-lasting protection. Every boat is handcrafted by skilled artisans, with a typical build time of 4-6 months depending on customization.



General Characteristics:

- Classic lapstrake (clinker-built) wooden hull designed for strength, stability, and smooth rowing performance

- Open interior layout with traditional wooden bench seating for rowers and passengers

- Reinforced ribs and thwarts providing structural support and comfortable seating positions

- Equipped with classic oarlocks and long wooden oars for efficient manual propulsion

- Simple, functional design ideal for recreational rowing on lakes, rivers, and calm coastal waters



Dimensions:



- Length Overall (LOA): 16 ft

- Beam: Approx. 4.5-5 ft

- Draft: Approx. 0.7-1 ft

- Passenger Capacity: 1-3 persons



Propulsion: Traditional rowing with wooden oars



This wooden boat crafted by us is built from Atkin, with full credit given to the original designers. For each custom commission, we acquire the appropriate plans and construct the vessel to order-offering both full-size boats and finely detailed scale models.
The Wideawake is a classic icon of the early 20th-century 'displacement launch,' a design born from the era when the journey was as important as the destination. Refined for the modern traditionalist, the Wideawake was developed to provide a stable, seaworthy, and incredibly fuel-efficient platform for long days on the water. It represents the 'slow boating' movement at its finest-built for those who want to stay 'wide awake' to the beauty of the shoreline and the rhythm of the tides.



Celebrated for its 'big-boat' feel in a compact footprint, the Wideawake was the preferred choice for family day-trippers and coastal explorers who valued safety and range over high-speed sprinting. Its design utilizes a plumb bow and a fine entry to slice through chop without the pounding associated with planing hulls. This legacy of dependable, high-quality craftsmanship has made the Wideawake one of the most respected names for those who appreciate the 'quiet confidence' of a well-found wooden vessel.