The design is based on photographs I have seen of a turfboat from the Watchet boat museum website. From these photos I have attempted to obtain the lines by estimating length overall and attempting to keep the proportions correct. This job was made easier by the turfboat being symmetrical fore and aft and with there being no rocker.

Turf boats were used historically for carrying turf (a fuel) on inland waterways. I feel this would make a very fine river rowboat. It has in my opinion many positives. One being that it has such simple lines it is very easy to construct. It has a fine hullform that should be easily driven with moderate force. The wide flare provides for a wide separation for the oarlocks allowing for efficient rowing. This 5m long hull has a waterline beam of 75cm at 150kg displacement. I feel that this is a good compromise between a fast narrow hull and a wider more stable hull.

The hullshape would be much better suited to rowing than the pirogue. It is true that it the hullform is not as seaworthy as a dory and would not have the higher initial stability that is to be found in the wherry. However it has the plusses of much lower windage than the dory, and is thus better suited to rowing in sheltered waters in a breeze. The advantage a turfboat wouild have over a wherry is that it is so much easier to construct. I have offsets available for those interested. Midsection freeboard is 22cm at 150kg, which I feel is a good compromise between low windage and keeping the water out. There is a small amount of sheer with the ends being 3cm higher than admidships. The bottom panel is 4m long and loa is 5m