Scamper: Weston Farmer's 1954 Cedar Strip Outboard Skiff
A 14 ft cedar strip skiff from 1954 that runs 12 to 14 mph on a modest 5 to 7 hp outboard.
Scamper is proof that a small motor can still feel lively. Weston Farmer's 14 ft (4.3 m) skiff pairs red cedar strips with a 5 to 7 hp outboard and moves along at 12 to 14 mph. The beam is 50 1/2 in (1.28 m), a sensible width for fishing or pottering about the bay. Its strips are edge-nailed above a wide stealer plank, giving the hull a warm, traditional wooden look that turns heads at any dock.
Scamper at a glance
| Detail | Scamper |
|---|---|
| Type | Outboard skiff |
| Length | 14 ft (4.27 m) |
| Beam | 50 1/2 in (1.28 m) |
| Construction | Red cedar strips edge-nailed above a wide stealer plank |
| Power | 5–7 hp outboard; 12–14 mph |
| Designer | Weston Farmer |
| First published | Sports Afield Boatbuilding Annual, 1954, pp. 33–37 |
| Plan sheets | 5 |
Small motor, cheerful pace
A 5 to 7 hp outboard is light, frugal and easy to handle, yet the 14 ft (4.3 m) hull is efficient enough to reach 12 to 14 mph with it. That makes Scamper a relaxed choice for anyone who wants to move around without a big engine on the transom.
Red cedar strips, edge-nailed above a wide stealer plank, build up a strong, handsome hull piece by piece. It rewards patience more than special tools, and the result looks every bit the classic wooden skiff. Watching the strips go on one by one is part of the pleasure of this build.
The original plan sheets
These are the 5 original sheets from 1954, scanned from the magazine. For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
Weston Farmer drew Scamper for the Sports Afield Boatbuilding Annual of 1954, pages 33 to 37. Farmer was a naval architect whose magazine designs and writing made him a favorite with amateur builders for decades.
Before you build
- Stay within the 5 to 7 hp outboard range the plan was drawn for, as more power will not suit this hull.
- Keep the cedar strips under cover and pre-drill near the ends to avoid splits when edge-nailing.
- Add buoyancy under the seats and carry oars or a paddle as a backup to the outboard.
Download the plan
The full 1954 Scamper plan in one file: five original sheets ready to print or follow on a tablet in the workshop.
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