Comments from my customers
Good afternoon – You may – or may not – recall that I ordered your Texas Duck kit last year. It arrived on time and as promised, and I promptly stored it in a cool, dry place in my basement. Since my wife and I purchased a condo in Florida and we were busy … Read more
Hi John, I just wanted to let you know that I received the tiller this week. It looks great. I’ve already received a lot of compliments on the rudder. Now I’m ready for a season of sailing. Thanks for the good work and getting it out to us. -Eric Brooklyn, New York
John, I received the center board last week. I have not installed it yet but wanted to tell you that your workmanship is fantastic. I appreciate the effort you have put into this, really a high quality job. Hopefully i will not need to make another one any time soon but if I do see … Read more
I can recommend John Owens to anyone wanting pretty much anything made for their boats, from frame and stem kits which are a really good way to start a project to things like tillers, rudder and centerboards. John Welsford John Welsford Small Boat Design Hamilton, New Zealand
Well John Owens has done it again. I just received my new tiller from him and like the hatch cover its a work of art. I am posting pictures under “My Boat” if anyone wants to see it. He now has the pattern for Sunbird tillers if anyone needs one. He is very reasonable as … Read more
John: The hatch is beautiful. The boat is NOT an O’Day. It is almost exactly like the O’Day 20. It is a 21footer designed by Jope Helsen in ’77 for a company then called Helsen International. Since then , several name changes and gone out of production. After I get the boat in the water … Read more
On my maiden run of the season, 18 miles from the launch down to the marina, I mistakenly entered a shallow area. the rudder kicked up just as it’s supposed to. I hate to think what would have happened if I’d had my old rudder in place . . . . so thanks again Dan Langley, Washington
I got my daggerboard, rudder and tiller today. I love them!! They are beautiful and a lot bigger than my old ones. Thank you for everything, Nancy San Antonio, Tx.
Thank you, John! The rudder/tiller assembly went together flawlessly with your fine instruction and I took the Holder out for a sporty sail. That rudder is awesome. It works way better than the original(may it rest in peace out on the lake bottom), and the kick-up feature is great and very easy to use. I’m … Read more
I finally got out on the boat on Friday afternoon. Thanks to your new hatch cover the boat pointed higher, tacked faster and sailed flatter than before!! Who would have thought a new hatch cover would do all those things? Actually, the boat was so beautiful because of the hatch cover it certainly seemed to … Read more