Paul Gartside

Paul Gartside (born 1953 in North Wales) is a distinguished British-Canadian naval architect, boatbuilder, and author renowned for his exquisite designs of classic wooden vessels that revive traditional craftsmanship while incorporating modern building techniques for accessibility and durability. Raised on the River Fal in Cornwall, where his family operated a boatyard, Gartside honed his skills through hands-on experience before formally studying boat design at Southampton College of Technology, earning associate membership in the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. Relocating to Canada in the 1980s, he established Gartside Boats in Victoria, British Columbia, where he has since created over 200 stock plans—ranging from elegant 15-foot lapstrake skiffs and rowing dories to larger cruising cutters like the 23-foot Mallard and 38-foot Friendship sloop—prioritizing timeless aesthetics, seaworthiness, and owner-builder feasibility using glued-lapstrake plywood or strip-planking methods. A prolific collaborator with magazines like Water Craft (which serializes his plans) and WoodenBoat, Gartside has authored influential books such as Classic Period Ship Models and contributed to educational programs at the WoodenBoat School; his one-off commissions, often in wood but adaptable to composites, serve both pleasure craft and commercial needs, earning him acclaim as a guardian of maritime heritage among enthusiasts worldwide. Today, at age 72, he continues to balance bespoke builds, design commissions, and mentorship from his West Coast studio, with his boats celebrated for their graceful sheers, balanced performance, and joyful handling in coastal waters.