1980 Custom 41 Chesapeake Dead Rise

At the conclusion of World War II, Edward Digs began working with his father, Edgar Diggs, building wooden framed boats at his father's residence in Mathews County, Virginia. The Digg's name in the world of wooden boat construction is considered by many as being dedicated with excellent skills in their designs and hands-on boat construction. Any boat designed and built by the Digg's family was designed for purpose and longevity.

The subject boat, a 41' wooden framed 'dead rise', was built by Edward Diggs in 1980. The original boat was torn down to the bare hull, totally gutted and rebuilt by Gary Stone of Chesapeake, Virginia in 2010 / 2011. Upon completion of the project, Mr. Stone sold the boat to its current owner in August 2015.

As part of the full restoration the original cabin was removed and rebuilt. The cabin was extended with the hardtop covering the entire engine box and forward half of the large, spacious cockpit. The 6V92 Detroit Diesel was also rebuilt with reportedly having 280 hours.

New equipment includes: Jabsco electric flush toilet and sanitation system, 18,000 BTU Cruise Air marine air conditioning / heat, fuel tank with supply, return and fill lines, potable fresh water system and a 6 KW Westerbeke generator is also part of the equipment.

As per a conversation with Gary Stone, I learned that all decks were restored with side decks being thicker than 2". Knotty pine overhead at the ceiling in cabin areas and the extended cabin along with good fit and finish gives the vessel the true ambiance of a nautical water craft showing pride in craftsmanship. Mr. Stone reported the cockpit sole is marine grade plywood with 1708 nitex fiberglass cloth over top. Cabin sole is thick marine grade plywood with tongue and groove bamboo hardwood flooring in found to be in excellent condition.

The interior bilge keelson measures 12" wide by 10" deep providing excellent hull stiffness and a point of attachment for various components. The hull is double strip planked with Douglas Fir which was then wrapped in 1708 Nite fiberglass cloth matting and reportedly 100 gallons of the WEST System was applied, totally waterproofing the hull sides and wetted surface areas.

Truly a classic, custom built, Chesapeake Bay Dead Rise complete with the rounded stern transom, she certainly turns heads. She exhibits classic lines that will surely make any owner proud to display.