34' Arno Day Lobsterboat

Malone Boatbuilding is working on an exciting project. We are building a 34' Arno Day designed lobsterboat. This boat is being constructed out of wood using traditional methods, and will be for pleasure use. Arno created some excellent designs, and after considerable research we chose one of his earlier models. It will be a relatively low powered boat compared to the modern fiberglass lobsterboats used commercially.

The original of this model was built on Deer Isle, Maine in 1964. The boat has a semi-displacement hull and cruises at a leisurely pace with only a modest sized engine.


Here it is half planked up.


The planking has been completed, the caulking started. There are temporary stiffeners across the hull.

We are using the very best woods available for the construction. White oak is the choice for the keel, stem, and transom framing. The steam bent ribs and floor timbers are also white oak. Northern white cedar is used for the planking. The backbone is fastened with bronze bolts and the planking with bronze screws. The transom is mahogany.

The deck is made of high grade mahogany marine plywood. It is then covered with dynel and epoxy for a durable, non-slip surface.

The interior appointments will be modest, there will be a vee berth, head, stove & sink. The boat is primarily for day use.



Dimensions are:

• Length Overall: 34'
• Length of Waterline: 32'-9
• Beam: 9'-10
• Draft: 3'-2

26' Friendship Sloop

This boat lives on Lake Michigan, a long ways from Friendship, Maine for which the boats are named. Originally lobsterboats in the days of sail, the Friendship has become a popular cruising pleasure boat. This particular boat was in need of new ribs and much new planking.


To gain access for replacing the ribs, we found lifting the deck off to be reasonable. Some planks had been removed and some ribs replaced by another boatyard.


Here we are in the midst of rib replacement. Hang on, got to answer the phone.


So the ribs are all in. Some of the floor timbers as well as the engine beds were replaced. The deck is back down. We've started planking, three new planks at the bottom and a new sheer plank.


View from stern. A pile of mahogany planking stock is in the foreground.

Manhassett Bay One Design

We did work on this boat several years ago and now it's time for a new deck covering. The old canvas deck had begun to rot. To lessen future maintenance we'll cover the deck with dynel and epoxy. This gives a traditional non-skid canvas look to the deck, but is very durable for the long term.

The next steps are painting the deck, and installing the rails, coamings, and hardware.