Bolger Whisp (Design No 411)

Description

The Whisp Sloop No 411 (also referenced as Design 411 or simply Whisp Sloop) is a 20-foot sailboat designed by the prolific and unconventional American naval architect Philip C. Bolger (1927–2009), known for his innovative, often minimalist plywood boats emphasizing simplicity, amateur buildability, and practical performance over conventional aesthetics. This design appears in sailboat databases as a rowing/sailing canoe-like hull with a sloop rig (featuring a jib and a sprit or leg-o-mutton mainsail), likely intended as an easy-to-construct, lightweight daysailer or light cruiser suitable for protected waters, with Bolger's signature focus on efficient panel construction from sheet plywood. No major production builder is associated; it's a plans-only design popular among home builders following Bolger's "instant boat" philosophy (shared with collaborator Harold Payson), using stitch-and-glue or similar methods for quick assembly with minimal lofting or specialized skills. Quantities built are unknown but low, as with most Bolger designs—individual amateur or small-shop examples exist, with some variations noted (e.g., one built by Bolger's nephew).