Welcome Message

Welcome to "The Deadrise" blog. We hope you will find this a great place to explore and share your experiences with the rebirth of a classic boat on the Chesapeake Bay.

Anyone that has ever visited the Bay has probably seen the classic white hull of a workboat, many of us never thought twice about the boat. It provides an image of a hard working class of people that fished the Chesapeake Bay for crabs, oysters, stripers and many other seafood. While I did not grow up as a waterman, I did spend a few summers and even some winter days working for my grandfather as an apprentice waterman. I may not have the muscle definition in my upper body to show for this work, but I have a lifelong appreciation for the waterman, the salt marsh ecosystem and especially their workboat.

Recently with kids of my own, our family has been exploring the history and next generation of this classic boat. The deadrise is making a slow return to the bay as a picnic or pleasure boat. Many lifelong boaters are finding that the design of the deadrise provides one of the best rides on the unique conditions of the Chesapeake Bay as well as being highly functional and efficient to operate. The original boats were built strictly from wood. Today's deadrise is a fiberglass hull with a variety of amenities typical in modest and fine yachts.

I hope to chronicle my memories of working the bay in a classic deadrise called the Miss Diane (named for my cousin... the only granddaughter) and watching a 40+ foot deadrise being built with a chainsaw, Carpenter's adze and square knife. Additionally, we will share our experience in researching, selecting and getting a custom built deadrise of this next generation.

So if you are passionate about the Bay and this classic boat, let us know. We're certain that there are other stories similar to ours.

Fair winds!
Terry