Sea chests and sea chest plans

Welcome to Classic Sea Chests & Display Boats, I build classic sea chests, sea captain's ditty boxes, tool chests, and display models of lapstrake work boats from the 1800s. The sea chest signature dovetails and pins are hand cut producing a unique set of dovetails and pins for every chest. The classic sloping sided sea chest shown in the first two photographs is a reproduction of an antique sea chest that belongs to good friend. In his family for several generations the chest has long outlived its original purpose which is a testament to the craftsmanship of the builder. In addition to building the reproductions I have also developed a set of sea chest plans and construction manuals for the home builder. Click on the photographs for larger views.

Not all sea chests were built with sloping sides. The third and fourth photographs are of a square cornered version of the chest. I also provide sea chest plans and construction manual for a square cornered sea chest with a single board style lid with molded trim for the home-builder. This version of the sea chest also features larger dovetail pins, which are easier to layout and cut. The square cornered sea chest makes an excellent blanket chest when lined with aromatic cedar. The square cornered chest can also be built with or without Beckets, till, and drawer. The last two photographs are of a classic sloping sided sea chest built from select cherry with a hand rubbed oil and varnish finish.

The rope beckets are hand woven of natural fiber three-strand rope. Finishes are also hand applied and air-dried. These old processes produce wooden chests and classic display boats not found in most furniture stores. These fine custom built chests and display boats are an excellent graduation, birthday, or retirement gift. All of the chests are built from solid wood.

I studied traditional wooden boatbuilding at the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building in Port Townsend, Washington. The joinery techniques taught at the school are used to build the chests and display boats.