MAINE - Life in the Slow Lane
Bruce that is a very nice boat, want to see some pictures of it while you are fishing.
See Yah
Lee
Very nice! I've been wanting to build a few boats for some time now, i just can't seem to find the time, not to mention my shop has turned into storage for all the leftovers from my Mom's house and daughter's dorm.....I think i need to have a big yard sale.
was this you first boat? What are your lessons learned/advice ?
This was the first boat that I will actually finish! I started a larger more complicated one about 4 years ago and didn't get beyond the garboards. One lesson is that a boat in the shop makes for a big surface to set junk on in the middle of your workspace while you work on other things! Space management with the boat in the shop was really the lesson. The first boat was a lapstrake plywood number and built on frames upside down. The frames take up a lot of space. I didn't have the space without a lot of reconfiguring to then work out the planking. The boat that's almost done is a Goat Island Skiff. You can download plans from the net and there is an online community of builders. The beauty of this design was that the parts are made from a pattern that you draw and cut out from the plywood before the boat is in the way. Didn't take long to get the thing together. I started early this summer. Probably have close to $1000 into it with the plywood, paint, epoxy etc. Cleanup work and painting the interior was tedious and seemed like close to half the work so far. Many builders varnish the interior which hides more of the blemishes. It's been fun and we're looking forward to fishing in it next season. I always enjoyed fishing out of a wooden boat. I'd like to do a light canoe next. There are a number of plans available.
We were at it this summer working on our skiff. Spent more time fooling with the boat than fishing. We should be on the water next season, but maybe not in time for ice out. Got the interior completed and the boat flipped over and then the weather starting getting colder and I had to finish painting the house, fixing the porch etc. So in the spring we need to finish the exterior and some varnish on the rails and we should be ready for rowing anyway. Still need to get a motor and decide how I want to mount it. Only takes 3-6 hp. May need to notch the transom. Also have sailing parts to make. Mom isn't all that excited about fishing, so we thought we might get her on the water for sailing, picnics etc. We'll see. Don't know how to sail! Here are a couple photos of the work in progress.