When Carter Richardson founded East Passage Boatwrights in Bristol, Rhode Island, in 2006, he set out to create a dedicated workshop where owners of traditional wooden watercraft could bring their boats for careful maintenance, refit work and full restorations. Over the years the shop built a reputation for workmanship and the ability to maintain, refit or rebuild almost any type of wooden boat afloat, earning trust from owners who value classic construction and long-term durability.
Nearly four years ago Richardson developed a new ambition for the company: to design and produce a modern wooden launch that combined classic lines with contemporary construction methods. “I was out on the water with Woody Metzger from First Light Boatworks sailing in the Nantucket Opera House Cup Regatta when we got to talking about center-console-style wooden launches,” Richardson recalls. “I’d had the idea of building a boat under the business name for a while, but Woody kind of gave me the kick I needed to get the project rolling.”
Richardson discussed the plan with Evelyn Ansel of the Herreshoff Marine Museum, and the project quickly found a designer. “I was spit-balling ideas with Evelyn in the shop and asked her if she thought her father would be interested in designing the new boat,” Richardson says. Evelyn’s father, Walt Ansel, brought three decades of shipwright experience to the project and agreed to take on the design work immediately. Within weeks he provided renderings and Rhino CAD plans for a 24-foot wooden launch, the East Passage 24 (EP 24).
The lines of the EP 24 draw inspiration from a range of classic sources, including Herreshoff motor launches, Jonesport lobster boats and the work of designers William and John Atkin and Weston Farmer. Richardson remembers the moment he saw Walt’s drawings: “I immediately said, ‘Yes, that’s it, that’s the boat.’ We started building her back in October 2019.” From concept to hull, the EP 24 sought to balance graceful traditional proportions with practical contemporary detailing.
Richardson chose the 2021 Newport International Boat Show to unveil the EP 24, where the new launch drew considerable attention from attendees. The appeal is clear: a graceful sheer and tasteful tumblehome combine with a thoughtfully flared bow and carefully applied teak trim to produce a striking visual package. Hull No. 1 was finished in white topsides, buff decks and weathered bronze hardware with unfinished teak trim, a combination that gives the boat an authentic, salty character. Although this first hull presents a classic palette, customers may order the EP 24 in a range of color and finish options to suit personal tastes.
The interior is straightforward, centered on a solid, teak-trimmed center console. Forward of the console is a U-shaped lounge and a console seat, while the cockpit features a nearly full-width bench aft, creating comfortable seating for a day on the water. Richardson anticipates that future buyers will request additional layouts and options—such as a small cuddy cabin—and the EP 24 is offered on a semi-custom basis so owners can tailor the design to their needs.
Construction mixes traditional craftsmanship with modern precision. CNC-cut molds were used to shape and position steam-bent white-oak frames, keel, stem and transom. The hull is double-planked: an inner layer of Atlantic white cedar and an outer course of mahogany planks bonded to the cedar using West System G/flex epoxy. Decks are marine-grade plywood, fully sealed with epoxy and overlaid with fiberglass cloth for added strength and longevity. This method reduces the seasonal movement typical in planked wooden hulls and helps minimize annual maintenance.
“Our goal was to build a wooden boat that requires less annual maintenance,” Richardson explains. By adhering the outer planking with epoxy and leaving the teak trim unfinished by choice, the team reduced the need for frequent paint touch-ups and simplified regular upkeep. Richardson believes the EP 24 can often go two or more years between the annual paint touchups common to many traditional wooden boats.
Power comes from a single 150-hp Yanmar diesel engine driving a three-bladed bronze propeller (16-inch diameter, 14-inch pitch). Richardson had aimed for a top speed near 20 knots with a cruising speed around 15 knots. The first sea trials exceeded those goals: the EP 24 reached 24 knots at 3,700 rpm and cruised comfortably at about 15 knots at 2,800 rpm. “We don’t expect people to speed around at top speed, but it’s nice to have that extra speed when you need to get back to port in a hurry,” Richardson says. He praised the boat’s smooth, stable ride and expressed satisfaction with the initial performance.
Given the attention the EP 24 received at Newport and the positive sea-trial results, Richardson expects steady interest and orders for the model. The semi-custom approach allows East Passage Boatwrights to meet varying owner needs while retaining the boat’s classic aesthetic and dependable construction.
Specifications
LOA: 24’0”
Beam: 8’0”
Draft: 2’6”
Displ.: 4,400 lbs.
Fuel: 42 gals.
Power: (1) 150-hp Yanmar turbo diesel
Price: $295,000
This article was originally published in the December 2021 issue.