The Shellback dinghy was designed in 1986 by Joel White, Naval Architect, who was the son of the famous children’s author E.B White (Charlotte's Web to name a famous title). The Shellback is a small boat that can be rowed, sculled (propelled with one oar over the transom) or sailed. She is light enough to be handled by two people and can be transported on the roof of a car, or the cabin top of a larger boat. She is very seaworthy and easy to rig and sail.  She is designed to be a dinghy, a small craft used to ferry people and gear from a larger craft to shore and back, but she makes a great general purpose boat for all sorts of fun on the water.

Mr. Heil built a Shellback while he was in high school and has thoroughly tested the design in all conditions on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan and on many inland lakes and rivers. He has had up to six adults aboard for a short sail. Many kids and adults have learned to sail aboard his Shellback on inland lakes, secluded coves and archipelagos and even the open waters of Lake Huron and Michigan. She is a very seaworthy boat that can handle tough conditions with the right crew and gear.

Mr. Heil and friends out for a sail in his Shellback.