The Westcoast traditional rowboat was designed by Rudy Kirmshe in 1971. His design criteria called for a rowing boat ideal for family use, seaworthiness, and ease of rowing and handling. The Westcoast 11.6 has an “untucked” transom rather than the “wineglass” shape of a Whitehall. The fuller hull shape adds buoyancy aft, making the [...]
The Westcoast slide seat single sculling rowboat just flies along using 9’6″ sculls and easily handles rowing in nasty chop or waves. Tracking is positive due to the full-length tracking keel. When utilized as a yacht tender or at the cottage, the sliding seat sculling gear provides complete exercise and workout for the rower. [...]
This rowboat handles and performs superbly under sail in both light and high winds. The hull shape forward produces a lift effect when gunnel down, hard on the wind. This makes it harder to drive the gunnel under and keeps the interior dry. Off the wind, the Westcoast sail model scoots along gracefully and is a joy to be aboard.
Westcoast 11.6 – Lifeguard Patrol Boat In the 1990s, designer Harold Aune was asked to help design and produce a rowboat specifically for use as a lifeguard patrol boat that is easily handled by [...]
In 2000, when the City of Vancouver embarked on replacing inventory in their fleet of wooden lifeguard patrol boats, they contacted Whitehall Rowing & Sail in Victoria, BC. Whitehall was asked if one of their models could be adapted and customized for use as a replacement for Vancouver’s aging wooden lap strake (clinker style) fleet. [...]