The Skiff, the Scow, and the Footbridge

      A novel by Arch H. Davis.

     Will Foster is a twelve-year-old black adoptee growing up in Belfast, a small town on the shores of Penobscot Bay, in Maine, with his single mother, Helen. Together they build a sixteen foot skiff, the Buccaneer. Will is a dreamer, and his mother worries about his lack of friends, but building the boat engages the interest of Tim McGuire, a popular athlete in Will’s school, Tim’s friend Roger, and Patricia and Miles Sinclair, adoptees like Will.

      An unfortunate incident in the school cafeteria puts Will at odds with Frank O’Leary, a failing student who struggles with life with his alcoholic father. Meanwhile, old salt Murray Shipman sails into Belfast on his 45ft ketch, the Hatea. Frank thinks that he has made a new friend in Murray, but an ugly incident seems to turn the old man against him.

      Will and his friends launch the Buccaneer, and set sail on the Passagassawakeag River (the “Passy”), which flows in to Belfast Harbor. When they are tempted to venture into forbidden waters beyond the footbridge that divides the river from the harbor, they capsize under the bow of the Hatea, breaking the Buccaneer’s mast. Murray befriends the shipwrecked crew, and helps Will repair his mast. These events lead Murray to seek to mend the rift with Frank - but more trouble is in store.

"A good read - a book that has appeal for both adolescents and grownups … especially [those] who love messing around with boats." Dagney Ernest, The Republican Journal.

"Davis writes from the heart . . . An excellent book. I hope he will favor us with more stories about boats and the people who build them, youngsters or adults." Chuck Yahrling, Messing about in Boats.

"A true nautical adventure." Jim Miller, WoodenBoat.

      Paperback, 373 pages. $17.95.

      Arch Davis was born in New Zealand, where he was fortunate to grow up without television. He moved to Maine with his American wife in 1988. His lifelong passions have been boats and sailing; for most of his working life he has earned his living as a boatbuilder and designer. He is the father of two adopted children.