 | From Ocean Navigator #143 January / February 2005 |
Covey Island Boatworks in Petite-Rivière, Nova Scotia, celebrated 25 years of boatbuilding this past year by starting construction on their 85th boat. A motorsailer based on L. Francis Herreshoff’s Walrus, the 50-footer will be launched this spring.
Covey Island’s most recent project, Niñita, a 50-foot Starling Burgess schooner, sailing off Petite-Rivière, Nova Scotia.
Image Credit: Courtesy Covey Island Boatworks
The yard started in the industry building mostly small craft like skiffs and kayaks, gradually working up to rugged commercial boats, and then developing a line of custom sailboats, which today is the yard’s main business. Covey Island’s boats are all wood-epoxy construction, allowing for a hybrid of traditional Nova Scotia craftsmanship and modern technology, according to yard president John Steele.
Covey Island is also working on a 63-foot Nigel Irens gaff schooner for an experienced American sailor with plans for circumnavigation. The fast cruising high-aspect-ratio schooner will be the second largest vessel ever built by Covey Island.
