Description
The Arctic Tern is a versatile, double-ended open sailboat designed by Scottish naval architect Iain Oughtred, known for his elegant wooden boats inspired by traditional Shetland yoals (Norse-influenced fishing workboats). First introduced in the late 1980s as a scaled-down version of Oughtred's larger Ness Yawl, it evolved into a standalone design emphasizing camp-cruising, day sailing, and long-distance rowing or sailing adventures. Built primarily from glued-lapstrake plywood for lightweight strength and ease of home construction, it's intended for solo, or two-person use, with enough open cockpit space for comfort and flotation compartments for gear storage during weeklong trips. The boat is rigged as a gunter sloop (with options for lug or yawl rigs), offering a balance of speed, seaworthiness, and simplicity—no outboard motor is typically needed, though modifications exist.
