Denman Marine Newsletter

Hi Denman Marine, and welcome to the latest Denman Marine newsletter.

In this month's newsletter we have:

• East Coast 32
• Kit spotlight - Teardrop Camper
• For Sale - Sassafras 16 built by Denman Marine
• Special - $150 Off Sassafras Canoes
• Build Updates

If there is anything you would like to see in our future newsletters, discuss, query or order, please contact us via the contact form on our website.

The East Coast 32 — a design by renowned naval architect Andy Dovell. Stormy Weather was built by Denman Marine and launched in 2018. Created for day trips and the occasional overnight on Sydney Harbour, she also has the legs for short coastal hops in good weather.

Classic looks meet modern composite construction for a strong, lightweight, low-maintenance hull. Powered by a 150hp 6-cyl Steyr turbo diesel and 5-blade CNC prop, she tops out just under 20kts and cruises comfortably in the mid-teens, running dry and smooth in a chop.

An emphasis was placed on having an open flow, uncluttered interior to facilitate interaction between the cockpit and the forward cabin area. Accommodation includes two forward berths, an enclosed head, plus a practical main cabin with helm seats, settee/day bed and compact galley. Standard gear includes Raymarine Axiom, bow thruster, Muir windlass, and a teak swim platform with transom door and ladder.

Specs: LOA 10.8m | LWL 9.51m | Beam 3.065m | Draft 0.75m | Engine 150hp Steyr turbo diesel

Why leave your passion for wooden boats at the shoreline? With CLC’s Teardrop Camper, you can take that same spirit of craftsmanship on the road. Teardrop trailers are small, streamlined campers with roots going back to the 1930s. Today, as vehicles get smaller, fuel costs continue to rise, storage space becomes more expensive, and leisure time more precious, there’s growing appreciation for the simplicity, efficiency, and charm of a really good Teardrop Camper.

A fan of small boats, small cars, and small houses, designer John C. Harris found the concept of a teardrop camper irresistible.  "Think of it as a big step up from a tent in terms of comfort and utility.  But it's so compact and light that I could tow it behind my Mini Cooper.  Even the smallest 'traditional' RV trailers are going to require at least a mid-sized tow vehicle, and will make a giant dent in your gas mileage."

Teardrops have always been available as build-your-own projects.  You can find ads for kits and plans in old magazines from the 1930's and 40's. Some of these are pretty sophisticated, but most are clumsily-built, and look and feel cheap.  "What if we take the same boatbuilding materials and techniques we've been refining for 25 years at Chesapeake Light Craft and build a teardrop trailer? And the same sculptural approach that we bring to boat design?" Harris asks.  

The result is the 5' x 8' (1.5 x 2.4m) teardrop you see here, and it's a lot more elegant than the common "canned ham" teardrop designs. Drawn around a 60 x 80" (1.5 x 2m) air mattress, this little camper is small on the outside but surprisingly roomy on the inside.  Two adults up to 6'6" (198cm) can stretch out in great luxury.  Large doors on both sides and a 15" square hatch on the roof provide easy access and copious ventilation.  There's room for a 12-volt electrical system to run lights, fans, a stereo, and charging plugs for devices.

A large galley occupies the locker in the rear of the trailer.  While this space could be customized in many different ways, staff designer Dillon Majoros has devised a brilliant shelving unit that drops in as a separate module, and which we'll offer as a kit option. For car-camping or tailgating, this will be a giant improvement over a tent.  No fooling around setting up a tent:  arrive at destination. Park. Open door. Climb in. Go to sleep. Please note, due to availability issues Australian Galley Module kits include a standard gaboon plywoood face rather than Sapele veneered face.

While a trailer won't be included in the kit package, one of the key features of the design is that it can fitted on nearly any trailer. "The architecture lends itself to fitting on just about anything with wheels.  Boat trailers, flatbeds, whatever.  Just bolt it down and go." -John Harris

The Teardrop Camper Integrated Cargo Carrier increases storage capacity to a cavernous 23 cubic feet (0.66m3) - comparable to a contemporary hatchback - while adding only 9" (23cm) of height to the complete package. The cargo volume is divided into five flexible storage compartments so you can organize and stow your gear as you see fit. It's an easy retrofit if you already have a Teardrop Camper, or you can build it alongside your Teardrop Camper project.

Head over to our Teardrop Camper page for further details and to place your order today.

Don’t miss this opportunity to own a Denman Marine-built Sassafras 16 canoe, now reduced to $4,500 ono.

Visit our For Sale section for full details.

The canoe is currently located at our workshop in Kettering, Tasmania. If it’s of interest, please get in touch. We can arrange Australia-wide shipping and are happy to provide a freight quote.

$150 OFF Sassafras Canoes

Keen to build one yourself? Snag $150 off a Sassafras Canoe kit - Full or Wood parts only - until the end of March using the coupon code: 150OFFSASS

Checkout the Sassafras 12 or Sassafras 16 kit for further details and to place your order.

Denman Marine is Chesapeake Light Craft's Australian and New Zealand agent for their fantastic range of DIY kits. There is a huge selection of over sixty designs, including kayaks, canoes, rowing and sailing boats and even a teardrop camper. Be sure to head on over to our Chesapeake Light Craft page to grab a bargain on your next project. Below you can find a few recent examples of what our builders have been up to.

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us at any time via our contact form to discuss your next boat or project.

Please note, any prices listed above are in Australian Dollars.

® Denman Marine 2024
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