I built one for a grandson about 4 years ago. A couple of things to think about....

1. When laying up strips in a rowboat/wherry type of hull, keep in mind the tremendous torture you put the wood strips through. I think it is easier to plank/strip a 17 foot boat, than trying to get all those %$#@*&!! strips to stay put on such a short, but fat hull. I did it - but once is enough.

2. As my son did when the baby outgrew the cradle - he simply made up a set of oars to scale size and epoxied them with blade tip inside the boat and oar handles sticking out over the stern. Made up a small set of cradles to keep the boat from tiping from side to side, and then paid a visit to local glass company that cut a 3/8 thick tempered glass top cut slightly larger than gunwale shape. The glass is supported at three points - the stem that sticks up at bow, and one each handle at stern. Had a painter line attached that extended out to half a mooring buoy but was a pain in the butt with kids (and grandpas) tripping over the thing, so we removed the buoy and just let the line be led back into and coiled on the seat.

They now have it in the family room as a coffee table in front of sofa - and this one WILL become a "hand-me-down". If we did it again, would probably use some screws in unseen places to hold oars - so it could be put back in use as a cradle for future little ones.

Plans were from the CRADLE BOOK available from Library.