(Sharpie Type)
Reprinted from "The Boy's Own Paper"
by H.F. Hobden
A punt, or flat-bottomed boat, is so easily constructed that anyone with but the slightest knowledge of boat-building can fashion one, and for that reason it is the form usually selected by amateurs in their first attempt at making anything to float; but, even in building these simple craft, some definite lines are required to work to, or the result will be more like a coffin or badly made egg-box than a boat. Now, there is no reason why a punt should not be a smart-looking craft, and if you carefully follow these directions you may easily turn one out capable of good speed and of holding her own in appearance amongst craft of her size. Having only one sail, she is easily handled, and from her light draught and rounded floor can be taken into shallow water, up narrow creeks, or pushed over mud banks, where any ordinaryshaped. boat could not go. Then, owing to her flat bottom, there is plenty of room for living and sleeping on board for yourself and a chum, and, with a properly fitted canvas tent or cover, which I will describe later on, you will be very snug and comfortable on board.
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