The beautiful 1950s-era runabouts are icons of style in the world of wooden boats. CLC wanted one themselves, so designed this small runabout to echo the grace of the post-war Lyman and Chris Craft runabouts. 30 years of experience designing wood-epoxy composite boats allowed us to create a smooth-running powerboat that is light, durable, and fast. And you can build it in your garage!

The name "Rhode Runner" was chosen for this shapely and able boat, referencing CLC's nearby Rhode River, site of decades of CLC prototype launches, photo shoots, and small boat symposia.

This is a CNC-cut stitch-and-glue design, requiring no building mold. Yet the hull has a striking, sculptural -- and fully functional -- shape. 

The Rhode Runner is part of the CLC ProKit fleet, a design suitable for confident builders with a couple of stitch-and-glue boats under their belts. The complete kit can be assembled in 250-300 hours.  Full-size plans are also available for the scratch builder.   

In trials CLC saw 24mph, just under 21 knots, with a 25hp motor. The boat doesn't skid in turns, is well behaved in general, and is not much slowed by a crew of three adults. The deep sheer line in unusual in a retro runabout. She looks almost Norwegian at idle speed.

Here are the basic specs:

Length ...................... 14' - 9" (4.5m)
Beam ........................ 5'-5" (1.65m) 
Dry Weight ................ 350lbs (160kg)
Max Power ................. 25hp outboard (200lb, 91kg)
Min Power .................. 15hp outboard
Motor Shaft Length ...... 20" (508mm)
Max Motor Weight ....... 200lbs (91kg)
Fuel Capacity .............. 6 US gal external (not included)
Passanger Capacity....... 4 adults
Max Payload ............... 1,000lbs (500kg) - (motor not included)
Hull type .................... LapStitch™ topsides w/ Vee bottom (12.5° deadrise at the transom)
Hull Materials .............. Plywood LapStitch™ construction, sheathed with fiberglass cloth & epoxy resins

The Rhode Runner has been featured in Small Boats Nation, follow this link for the full article.

A note on ProKits:

Chesapeake Light Craft got its start developing easy-to-build boats for beginner boatbuilders. That continues to be their mission. However it is worth noting that the Rhode Runner is part of CLC's newly launched Prokit range. These designs are intended for boatbuilders who have experience with stitch and glue construction, are comfortable reading plans, and who don't need the extensive step-by-step build instructions that are included with all of CLC's most popular designs.

The reasons for this vary; some designs are simply waiting for a detailed assembly manual.

All have extensive plans and documentation that exceed the average level of detail found in amateur boat plans, but nevertheless assume a knowledge of wood-epoxy boatbuilding and the ability to work from drawings.

Denman Marine Rhode Runner kits:

The vast majority of solid timber supplied in these kits will be Meranti or similar, with some blackwood or similar for the deck inlay accent strips (depending on availability). The kit is supplied with the deck inlay accent strip channels cut, and the timber ready to glue in.

The base/wood only kits include all CNC cut seating.

The base kit includes almost everything you need to build your Rhode Runner, see our Whats included in a kit page for further details.

The base kit for the Rhode Runner does not include, windshield, or hull hardware.

Please contact us if you are interested in hull/window hardware, this may need to be brought in from CLC directly.

This kit does not include a trailer, outboard, remote controls, or steering components. The remote controls/steering components will be specific to your outboard of choice.

A builders plate may be required. The laws around Australia Builders Plates and what is required to be displayed on them changes from state to state, you will need to check with your local authority.

Due to the lack of availability of 1275mm wide fiberglass cloth in australia, a longer length of 1000mm wide cloth is supplied.

Shipping is tailored to individual orders, please contact us if you would like a quote.