Water Rat Developments

My customer and friend, Ross Trinder from Toowoomba, Australia, has just launched the very first (to my knowledge 10.8 ft length Water Rat. Prior to this there had been a number of the original 9 footer on the water, but Ross is the first 10.8 ft version.

Ross Trinders Water Rat 10.8 racked on top of his Green Island 15

Jon Trinder, at 6 2", gives some proportion to the boat.

Jon seems a big fellow, but the 10.8 version sits high in the water

Ross and Jon Trinder elected to instal a commercial seat

Ross Trinders beautifully finished Water Rat 10.8

Al Burke has written a couple of nice pieces for Duckworks about his Water Rat here (scroll down to Water Rat) and here (again, scroll down to Water Rat).

Als Water Rat showing that even the short version can carry a load

Als wife, Rhonda, showing that the tumble home topsides make paddling easy even though the boat is wide. She is also showing that though Al is an expert pilot as well as waterman, she is better looking than him....

As you can see Al Burke did a top-class job of this Water Rat

Here is a photo of my youngest son, Steve (a long time ago), showing how stable the very first boat was. She was originally designed by my great friend, Doug Laver - I collaborated with the project, but the idea was Dougs and I still call her his design. Since the original, Ive worked over the projections and some of the proportions, but as much as possible Ive stayed true to Dougs original concept and shape.

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