About Rescue Minor

     Once again I was inspired by an article in "Wooden Boat" magazine. It was a story of an 18 year old Virginia boy who built this beautiful shallow water boat. Two things struck me. This boat was capable of going full speed in 6" of water which was perfect for the shallow bays where I live. Second, I said to myself, if an 18 year old can build this then I can too.

     Rescue Minor is the name given by it's designer, William Atkins. He conceived this boat in 1942 and envisioned it as a WWII rescue craft. Originally designed to hold two stretchers up front and steered by a lone pilot and tiller, it could be beached and loaded quickly.

   The secret to her shallow water ability was her stern tunnel drive design. The prop and rudder are protected inside a raised cavity. I have achieved speeds of 18 mph with 25 hp while sipping one gallon of diesel fuel per hour.