Sparkman & Stephens just redesigned the iconic Downeast Peapod double-ended row boat and tender, and they launched the first one in Newport, Rhode Island, on Valentine’s Day. It was S&S Design Number 2838.
The boats are called peapods because they are shaped like a pod of peas with a stem at each end. They were first used by Maine lobstermen in the 1800s for inshore work because of their shallow draft and easy maneuverability. The lobstermen often rowed them standing up and they could row easily in both directions.
In subsequent years, peapods became popular as recreational rowing boats and tenders, because of their seakeeping abilities.
“Downeast Peapods have long been revered as some of the finest, most sea-kindly small boats ever built in New England,” said Donald Tofias, the CEO of Downeast Peapod. “Now we can offer them in three versions that are about half the weight.” The new peapod weighs 98 pounds.
To create the new boats, S&S scanned the lines of a classic Jimmy Steele Downeast Peapod, built with plank-on-frame construction more than 20 years ago. Then they used 3D modeling to reengineer the hull for strip-planked construction, using western red cedar and West System epoxy. The seats and sheer strakes are made out of cherry.
The new peapods kept the lines of the original, but the new boat is lighter, faster, and easier to row. It’s 13’8” long with a beam of 4’ 8” and it can easily hold four adults.
The boats are built by hand in Bristol, Rhode Island, and the company says that everything on the boat, including the hardware, is made in the U.S. The new peapods come in three models: The Rolls (pictured above) is the top of the line, and it’s varnished inside and out. The Cadillac has varnished seats and sheer strakes. The Chevy has all painted surfaces. The base boat starts at $24,000 and has a set of Shaw & Tenney spruce oars and bronze oar locks.
Tofias bought Steele’s Downeast Peapod company in 2007 and moved it from Maine to Newport. He also owns Sparkman & Stephens. Read more:
https://www.downeastpeapod.com/gallery
