Dave Nussbaumer — 20′ BARTENDER

In the spring of ‘06 I ordered the 19’ Bartender kit and by May of that year had started building the boat. It took less than a year for me to complete it and was one of the most rewarding projects I have ever built. The kit really jump-started the project and made lofting unnecessary. Bill Childs is very knowledgeable and very good to do business with. He really cares about the success of your boat as well as preserving this great design for the next 50 years.

I launched the boat in May ‘07 in Juneau, Alaska and after some minor adjustments with the outboard trim it has served me very well this past summer, making several 100 mile round trips from Juneau up Lynn Canal to Haines AK. During this time I gained confidence in the design and what it’s capable of when the weather would turn for the worse. Size for size I think one would be hard pressed to find a more seaworthy design anywhere in a hull designed to plane. From my experience with the smallest of the Bartenders I can say it will make a fine boat for a couple to travel with economy, safety, and of course style!