Category: kit options

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Chesapeake Light Craft has developed canvas covers for the PT 11 nested and assembled. For years we have offered only a pattern for builders to make their own or hire someone to stitch the canvas but we think these custom made covers, made in the USA by Chesapeake Light Craft team members, are a great development. Photo captions lead to detailed information on each style of cover.Screen Shot 2026-06-09 at 5.06.12 PMSuitable for the PT Spear and the assembled PT 11 nesting dinghy

PT 11 cover nestedIdeal for the PT 11 when it. is nested and stowed.

Construction details:

This rugged custom cover will protect your PT Eleven when it is nested, hull up.

This custom-fit khaki cover is made specifically to fit over the nested hull of the PT Eleven, providing a “glove-like” fit that is well suited for use during storage or when traveling. The padded reinforcements at key stress points provide extra durability for many years of trouble-free performance.

This product is made from TopNotch® 9, a 100% solution-dyed 7.6oz marine grade polyester with a fluorocarbon finish, creating a fabric that is breathable, reversible and water repellent. The solution-dyed polyester fabric won't fade and provides superior strength compared to other solution-dyed fabrics. Excellent protection against cold-cracking also. The fabric is breathable to help allow interior moisture to escape.

This cover features:

  • Khaki color.
  • Heavy duty 1/4″ draw rope encased in the hem for easy installation and snug fit.
  • Vinyl reinforcements* sewn in at stress points (*when applicable).
  • Loops sewn into the four corners for tie-down.

Join seams are folded four-ply with no raw edges. Double-stitching and weather-resistant anti-wick thread are used throughout construction to add strength and durability. Double reinforced tie-down loops are sewn into the hem.

Note, this product is made to order and may take a couple weeks to produce.

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The Winter Solstice is always a special day here in the PNW where the days have been increasingly short and too often gray, dark, and cold. Russell and I send warm season's greetings to all and to ever brighter days going forward.

So many winter celebrations to honor so we wish everyone Happy Holidays in all the ways you hope for.

Dreamy drifting along
Dreamy drifting along

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In the building manual for the PT 11 it says: "The PT 11 sailing rig is designed to be light and easy to use, not to be bullet proof." In developing this rig, weight and ease of use were the biggest priorities. "Hiking (sitting on the rail and leaning out) is okay for one person to do but not two.  Sailing with two and having one person hiking and the other sitting inside is okay too, just not two sitting on the rail." Molly-sailingDSC_0170
The PT 11 sailing rig arrives ready to use with all of its running rigging. One small item is up to you and that is the traveler line. This is the line needed to clip your main sheet to.
You can tie a line with a little slack, using the existing holes on the transom inwale to clip your main sheet onto that. This self steering blog post shows this method.
The traveler can be be made shorter as shown below by drilling holes about 7" from the centerline (14" apart). We drilled 5/16" holes and then applied a few coats of epoxy to the walls of the holes to seal the plywood.
The traveler line can be around 3/16 diameter and be held with stopper knots underneath the inwale.

PT 11 traveler with holes drilled inboard.
A short PT 11 traveler
This image shows the tiller/hiking stick in the self-steering position. Self steering is good for brief periods and works best when there is opposing pressure on the rudder blade.
This image shows the tiller/hiking stick in the self-steering position. This is good for brief periods and works best when going upwind and only works when the boat is heeled.

When sailing, if you feel resistance on the tiller, check to see if the rudder is completely down or if you have caught kelp or other debris. Keeping the threads in the knob clean and greased is important. The threads in the knob are brass and the pin is stainless steel so it will corrode. A bit of maintenance will insure the knob does its job and keeps the rudder down.

Image shows using the forward daggerboard cap turndog to hold down the daggerboard by closing it over the hold down pin.
For post-2021 kits, use the forward daggerboard cap turndog to hold down the daggerboard by closing it over the hold down pin.
ptwatercraft.com
Pre-2021 daggerboards are thicker and shaped differently at the top. A loop of line at the right length becomes a hold down when captured by the aft turndog.
The Tack clips onto the boom as shown. (This image shows an older style gooseneck.)
The Tack clips onto the boom as shown. (This image shows an older style gooseneck.)

The outhaul (asymmetric) snap hook clips into the clew and the outhaul line should be snugged through the v-cleat on the boom:

Clew-clip-in-PT11

PT 11 Outhaul configuration during a regatta. Schooner Sir Isaac in the background.
PT 11 Outhaul configuration during a regatta. Schooner Sir Isaac in the background.
The vang clips into the eye strap on the mast.
The vang clips into the eye strap on the mast.
PT11-Vang
The vang controls the twist of the sail. Controlling twist is important for getting the most power out of the sail, but don't overdo it! Some twist is good but the boom isn't un-breakable.

When adventuring or in fluky winds, we carry our oars with the oarlocks in the forward sockets and the handles tucked under the bow as shown above.

If you are good at slip knots, you can do this in a consistent breeze. Avoid it if not and if it is gusty. Unsuccessfully yanking the slip knot free in a puff can result in capsize or at the least, thoroughly dipping the rail as Ashlyn can attest.
If you are new to dinghy sailing, avoid this use of a slip knot on the main sheet. Unsuccessfully yanking the slip knot free in a puff is a recipe for capsize.
If you capsize when sailing, after righting the boat, make sure the mast is fully seated in the socket before taking off again.
If you are new to dinghy sailing, it is better to start in protected waters or when there is an onshore breeze, preferably steady but not strong.
Keep your weight forward for speed, but move aft in stronger breezes and downwind sailing.
If the water is cold in your area like it is on Puget Sound, wear a wetsuit or drysuit in case you end up in the water. Hypothermia is no joke. It is always advisable to wear a life-jacket/PFD.
Learn to stall, or "park" by pointing into the wind and letting the sheet go. When the wind picks up more than you feel ready for, or you have taken water over the rail and you are feeling a little out of control, this is a good way to take stock: bail, check your rudder and daggerboard for kelp, sort out lines, and take a swig from your thermos before heading off again. The sail will flap and make noise but that is not a problem. When you are ready, reign in your sheet, and continue or head for safety.

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Notice
Port Townsend Watercraft will not be shipping out anything during the month of April, 2024

This includes sailing rig drop shipments, print books, bumper, Delrin turndogs, and fillet sticks. Dinghy kit sales are through Chesapeake Light Craft and not affected by this notice.

Ashlyn, the one who prints the labels and keeps track of it all will be out of town for the month of April. While away, Russell will be building PT 11 sailing rigs along with other projects on the bench. Sailing rigs on order will be shipped starting in May.

If you order our print books  or small items from our website after March 29th, they will be delayed. Alternatively, the books are available on other online book sites including Amazon. Wooden Boat Store in Maine carries them as do several outlets in Port Townsend, including Admiral Ship Supply, Edensaw Woods, and Duckworks Boat Building Supplies.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

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Our friends at Chesapeake Light Craft will soon be heading west for the Madison WI, and Port Townsend, WA boat festivals.  This is a great opportunity to save on shipping!

Save a bunch of money on shipping! Give us a call and we'll bring your big, heavy stuff with us for pickup in Madison and Port Townsend. Boat kits, big heavy items like rowing units, oars, even small orders of plywood, stuff that can be difficult (and expensive) to ship. Boat kit orders are due by August 16 so we have time to cut, pack, and stow in the rig. This offer's only good until space runs out. Call us today!

CLC show truck410-267-0137

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There was a time when we tried to redesign our footbraces for the PT 11 nesting dinghy to be easily removable since our standard footbraces are epoxied in place.

We used a heavy duty velcro type of material from 3M to attach them. It held really well if you pulled up but you could easily sheer them right off when bracing your foot or shoe against them! It was one of those 'oops' moments.

We have been storing a box of these shaped Sapele footbraces that are a little taller than our standard and tapered. We'd like to find good homes for them!

Footbrace2nds
See the BUY NOW below or contact our gmail: PTWATERCRAFT@

Because of their dimensions, they have to ship in a small priority box for $10. The footbraces themselves are on offer at $15 for a set of 4 or $25 for a set of 8 while supplies last.

ptwatercraft.com
Our standard footbraces in a completed PT 11 nesting dinghy.

The PT 11 uses 8 footbraces intended to allow 2 trim positions for a tall person and a shorter person so if there is usually only one rower, 4 footbraces is enough. The forward and aft positions are to adjust trim based on the load. This is a limited offer and for addresses within the lower 48 United States. If you are local in Port Townsend, contact us for "will call", ie, no shipping.


Sapele Footbraces Special



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A PT 11 builder wrote to ask if I know of

...any rower/kayaker/dinghy sailor who might be interested in a pair of auto-bailers. I bought them for my Penguin racing dinghy about 60 years ago and never installed them, so they are still like new, with instructions, installation templates, and mounting fasteners as purchased. Here is a link to photos:
Mine were branded "Falcon." Almost exactly the same item is sold by various marine stores, branded "Anderson," for ~$60 to $80 each today. I would like to be paid $60 for my pair, or best offer.
Contact ptwatercraft @ Gmail.com to be connected to the seller located in Davis California.

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Chesapeake Light Craft is offering to bring your PT 11 kit to the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival happening September 9-11, 2022. If you are regional, plan to attend the festival, and have been wanting to get a PT 11 kit but balked at cross country shipping, now is a good opportunity to order.

To take advantage of this deal, which only lasts until the truck is filled, you must call in your order to 410-267-0137, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern."

And here is a link to our page with all of the fine print:

See my favorite customer video!

ptwatercraft.com
Lil' B, Pato, and Rascal