Matinicus 18
Prototype RED MOLLY Photos

Here are a few photos of "Red Molly," our prototype Matinicus 18 test boat. Molly, so far, has a workboat finish only; the red color you see is a tinted and unsanded outer coating of epoxy. The interior is unfinished as well and the floorboards are rudimentary. We have a simple thwart amidships for rowing and to tie in the centerboard trunk. Another simple thwart forward serves as the mast partner. Rear seating (a "U"-shaped arrangement) is also absent.

Molly was rushed to this state of "semi-completion" in the Fall of 2009 so that we could try out our design before the snow flew here in Maine. Molly was far-enough along to allow us some very good functional testing...our early test sails made us very happy indeed!

At the launch site at Greeley's Landing at Sebec Lake in Maine. The sail is brailed up as we load gear into the boat. Brailing is one of the great benefits of a boomless sail.
Jonthan Minott sailing alongshore in light winds.
Molly reacting to a gust. Winds this day were typical Fall winds in the mountains; squirrelly!
Rowing in a calm with sail brailed up, rudder trailing easily behind the boat, and centerboard still down.
Standing on the rail. Here, the Matinicus 18 shows her Maine peapod heritage by exhibiting a goodly amount of initial stability.
Crouching on the forward deck, again testing for instability, with none found.
Rowing into the lake source stream (note approaching beaver dam) at Garland Pond on a nice November afternoon in Maine.