When I first saw the evocative photograph of the compact, diesel-powered Down Easter featured on this month’s cover, I knew it had to run in the magazine. The image captures a timeless moment at sea: a clean, purposeful boat, quietly confident in its element. Give me that scene any day.
The boat is the North Shore 22, built by William Colbert in his one-man shop, Grey Barn Boatworks, in Newton, New Hampshire. The North Shore 22 uses the hull mold originally associated with the respected Sisu 22, a round-bilge semidisplacement design known for steady, forgiving performance in a variety of conditions. It’s precisely the kind of hull many boaters seek when they want simplicity, seaworthiness and fuel efficiency without sacrificing comfort.
What makes the North Shore 22 appealing is its flexibility. Colbert can deliver a straightforward, no-frills boat finished entirely in fiberglass, or he can elevate it to what he calls “mini-yacht” status with warm teak accents—sole, transom, coamings and toe-kicks—plus a built-in head and custom helm seating. Varnished mahogany and traditional joinery are undeniably beautiful, but they also demand regular upkeep. Having spent long seasons maintaining brightwork, I appreciate the argument for a simpler finish that lets owners spend more time on the water and less time polishing.
Regardless of finish level, the hull’s handling has been consistent over many years. Colbert emphasizes the comfortable ride. “It gives a nice forgiving ride,” he says. “It doesn’t pound or bang, so you can be on it comfortably all day.” That kind of predictable, dry behavior in a semidisplacement hull is one reason these boats are attractive to cruisers who want to leave the dock in a range of weather conditions.
The North Shore 22 is offered with either inboard or outboard power. The full-keel inboard version draws about 2 feet and is typically fitted with a 110-hp Yanmar diesel that uses roughly 3 gallons per hour. For the outboard configuration—paired with a shallower keel—Colbert recommends a 115-hp Suzuki 4-stroke. Of the 16 boats Colbert has built, all but five have been outfitted with inboard engines, reflecting many owners’ preference for the diesel in terms of range and long-term durability.
Performance figures are straightforward and practical: top speed is around 25 mph with the diesel inboard and roughly 29 mph when powered by the recommended outboard. The builder reports a comfortable cruise speed of about 20 mph, which balances fuel economy and hull motion. The base prices reflect the two configurations, with the standard outboard model starting at $65,000 and the inboard version at $70,000.
Colbert, 45, learned his trade in his father’s boatyard in Revere, Massachusetts, where he worked for nearly three decades and then ran the yard for ten years before founding Grey Barn Boatworks in 2005. As a single-operator shop, he emphasizes accessibility to systems and close, personal service. “When a customer calls, he talks to me,” Colbert says—an important reassurance for buyers who value direct communication with the builder.
For information, contact William Colbert at (603) 382-0055 or visit www.greybarnboatworks.com. Colbert’s approach reflects a broader tradition of small-boat craftsmanship in New England: accessible systems, durable construction, and a willingness to tailor a boat to an owner’s needs.
The 22-foot round-bilge semidisplacement hull was designed by the late Royal Lowell, a designer celebrated for efficient, seaworthy lobster-boat forms. In addition to Colbert’s North Shore 22, versions of the 22 are built by Royal’s nephews, Jamie and Joe Lowell, through their Lowell Brothers shop in Yarmouth, Maine. They build a line of Down Easters ranging from 22 to 43 feet and, like Colbert, offer options from bare hulls to fully outfitted boats.
“The idea is to get people off the mooring and out in the boat, including in foul weather,” Jamie Lowell told us previously. “We think it’s important for a boat to look good sitting at the dock, but anyone can design a pretty boat. What’s really important to me is how it moves through the waves, how it sheds water.” That focus—on seaworthiness and practical seakeeping—drives builders who favor these hull forms.
The Lowell brothers can be reached at (207) 846-4878 or via www.lowellbrothers.com. If you’re exploring builders who favor this proven hull, also consider the work of Chris MacLeod of MacLeod Custom Boats in Falmouth, Maine. MacLeod has built several thoughtful boats on similar molds and is a vocal enthusiast of these designs; contact him at (207) 650-9554 or www.macleodcustomboats.com.
One small piece of lore: “Sisu” is a Finnish word that roughly translates to determination, perseverance and tenacity—qualities that suit these sturdy, capable little hulls well.
“The watery pastures … the wild watery loneliness.”
— Herman Melville
This article originally appeared in the December 2009 issue.