Bruce Wohlfeld of Seven Point, TX/Port Aransas, TX is building an Annapolis “wherry” at Farley Boat Works. A wherry is a type of craft that was traditionally used for carrying passengers or cargo on rivers in England. Wherries were built with long overhanging bows so passengers could step ashore dryshod before wharvess were built.

Wohlfeld is building this wherry for his daughter Anne and her two children Libby and Sam. Anne was a member of the 1999 Brown University national championship rowing team. Now that she is married, she wanted a rowing boat for exercise and to teach her children how to row. Grandpa Wohlfeld agreed to build the wherry, his fourth boat build.

The Annapolis wherry was designed by Chesapeake Light Craft, and hundreds have been built around the world. It is an all mahogany craft, 17’ 9” in length, with a 38” beam, and weighs 65 lbs., and will have a sliding, rowing seat with 9 1/2 ft. oars. It will take Bruce about 5 weeks to build. When launched, it should sprint at about 7 knots and cruise at 4/5 knots.

The wherry is being built at Farley Boat Works, Port Aransas, TX. Farley has a long, interesting history of boat building. Founded in 1915, Fred Farley and Sons became famous for their tarpon fishing boats, which President Roosevelt used to catch his first tarpon in 1937. Farley Boat operated until 1975 when the mass production of fiberglass boats and smaller, more powerful outboard engines made it difficult to compete.

Today Farley Boat Works is owned by the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association (PAPHA). Farley is a non-profit organization and operates under the motto “We will help you build your wooden boat”. Originally they focused on preserving the nautical history of Port A and building the Port Aransas mahogany skiff. While still building this skiff, they also consult in the building of more exotic fishing, sailing, and rowing boats. For more information, contact Dan Pecore, shipwright and manager, at 361/816-9789.