Jim Michalak

Jim Michalak (1946–2021) was an American naval architect, engineer, and self-taught boat designer whose simple, affordable, high-performance plywood sailboats revolutionized home-built boating. Based in Champaign, Illinois, he spent over 30 years creating over 200 original designs—most under 20 feet—optimized for backyard builders using stitch-and-glue plywood, leeboards, lug rigs, and scow hulls. His motto: “Designs for the common man”.
Michalak’s boats are not pretty in the yacht-club sense, but they sail fast, carry heavy loads, and cost little—often built for under $2,000 in materials. His influence lives on through Duckworks Boat Builders Supply, where his plans remain bestsellers.