Nutshell Pram 7'7

Description

The Nutshell Pram 7'7" is a classic glued-lapstrake plywood rowing and sailing tender designed by renowned American naval architect Joel White (of Brooklin Boat Yard fame) in 1983. It originated from a discussion with WoodenBoat magazine founder Jon Wilson and technical editor Maynard Bray about creating a simple, attractive, and effective plywood boat without unnecessary complexity; White built the prototype himself, and the design has become one of his most beloved and widely built small craft. Plans are sold by the WoodenBoat Store (8 sheets, no lofting required), with optional kits, hardware, and a companion book Building the Nutshell Pram by Maynard Bray; construction uses glued lapstrake plywood (primarily from 8 ft sheets for efficiency), resulting in thousands built worldwide since the 1980s (exact quantity undocumented but very popular among home builders, families, and as yacht tenders). Features include exceptional rowing and towing performance (tracks straight, light tow wake), shallow draft with a pivoting centerboard/daggerboard for beaching or easy launching, a simple balanced lugsail rig (easy to step, roll up around spars for storage), lightweight yet stable pram hull (wide beam, good capacity for 2-3 people or gear), and versatility as a tender, daysailer, or introduction-to-sailing boat—often praised for its forgiving nature, beauty, and fun in light-to-moderate conditions.