A: It is a classic design with shallow draft. It is a traditional design that is similar to boats built 100-200 years ago. Shallow draft means that it draws three feet of water; the more shallow the draft, the better - that is about as shallow a draft as you're going to find on a 54 footer.

Q: What about construction material?

A: Fiberglass is currently the most common material used to build boats. Boats built from fiberglass enjoy a long life and low maintenance and can have an excellent finish. Fiberglass allows it to be built cheaply as well, because hulls can be produced from a mold for less money than custom built hulls from other materials. With hulls built from a mold, you can be certain about the length of construction time, and about the quality of the product. Before you even start, you know what the exact shape of the hull is going to be.

Q: Can the Lands End 54 lend itself to custom design modifications?

A: The only fixed quantity in the Lands End 54 is the hull shape and the form that comes out of the mold. The number of masts, dagger board, keel, or centerboard are easily adapted to the owners desires. Using the hull mold you can produce a hull and put a deck arrangement of your own choice, or a mast and rigging of your own design. The only fixed thing is the hull. The mast design, cabin design, and layout are completely open. It leaves it up to the individual to customize his or her own boat.

Q: What about the designer of the Lands End 54?

A: Clark Mills was one of the world's most famous designers. He produced hundreds of boats as a master wood boat builder, and has thousands of boats that have been built to his design. This boat was his last big boat design. He died on December 11, 2001 - to read more about him and view his obituary, go to the "About Clark Mills" page on this site.

Q: What about the builder?

A: I graduated from New College in Sarasota, Florida with a degree in liberal arts. I have worked for 25 years building fiberglass boats and doing mold and plug construction. I have worked on many projects with well known designers and boat builders. One of the most famous boats that I helped build was called "Imp" that won the World Ocean Racing Championship. This boat has been noted as one of the best ocean racing sailboats of the last 25 years.

What are your questions? E-mail them to Tom Mayers.