Happy New Year's Eve

 31 Dec 22:

Y'all keep it to a dull roar out there. We'll keep our crew under control.

And we'll see you next year! 

Cheers,

Skipper and Clark

Herreshoff Style Cleat

 31 Dec 22:

Found a Herreshoff-style, open-base, cast bronze cleat on ebay, might get added to the Nutshell Pram. For some reason this style appeals to me a little more than the horn cleat. This one was made by Wilcox. Crittenden and Company, Inc.

It would also make a nice door handle.

SMALL BOATS 2023 from WoodenBoat

 29 Dec 22:

The 2023 Edition of SMALL BOATS is out, published from the Editors of WoodenBoat. There may still be time to order print and digital copies, and receive the digital copy in time to enjoy this New Year's weekend. 

(Image: SMALL BOATS 2023. WoodenBoat)

(Image: SMALL BOATS 2023. WoodenBoat)

Of particular interest to us is Arch Davis' Sand Dollar, fine lines and a useful look. After designing the popular Penobscot 14, Arch made a few changes to ease the method of construction.

From Arch: "Sand Dollar is designed for the first-time builder, including those with no previous woodworking experience. She is a flat-bottomed skiff, with lapstrake sides. The bottom and sides are marine plywood, glued and screwed to a simple framework. As with the Penobscot 14, I took great pains with the lines, building a model to refine the shape. The result is a very pretty, practical little boat that will satisfy both the novice and experienced boat builder. 

I included some innovations in the construction method, that made it possible to include some details that have the look of the craftsman's work, but which are really very easy to do. One is to install the seats before the side planking, which avoids having to cut them to fit inside the boat, as you would if they were installed later. I also developed very simple methods for cutting and fitting other parts that add so much to the boat's appearance. 

Sand Dollar is a delight to build, and versatile on the water. She is a pleasure to row, and handles beautifully under sail. She is great for daysailing or fishing, and of course you can put a small outboard on the transom if you wish." (Arch Davis Designs Sand Dollar)

(Image: SMALL BOATS 2023. WoodenBoat)

Trimming the thwarts and seats to fit before planking is a brilliant idea. And her 120 pound dry weight offers tender and cartop possibilities. We have added a Sand Dollar to our future build list, with the idea of selling the boat once finished. 

(Image: SMALL BOATS 2023. WoodenBoat)

We hope you have a chance to take a look at the latest edition, and have a Happy New Year in the process.

Cheers, 

Clark and Skipper

SMALL BOATS ANNUAL: https://www.woodenboatstore.com/products/wbs-small-boats-annual-magazine-2023

Sail Boat Plan Book by The Rudder, 1939

27 Dec 22: 

Rudder, The. 1939. Sail Boat Plan Book. New York, NY: The Rudder Publishing Co.

Library

Designs To Inspire by Anne and Maynard Bray

 23 Dec 22:

Bray, Anne and Maynard. 2000. Designs to Inspire. Brooklin, Me: WoodenBoat Publications.

We persused this nice book by Anne and Maynard Bray recently, their picks from sailboat and powerboat designs published in The Rudder magazine from 1897-1942. 

171 pages of designs. One of our favorites is the Cape Cod Catboat drawn up by Fenwick C. Williams, his boats always have a little extra flair.

Library

Mucking About in Small Boats

 26 Dec 22:

We don't mess about, we like to muck about. If we find water that goes over the top of our muck boots then we might be in too deep. Here's a chart of one area we'd like to explore just off the entrance to the James River. Depths of 1/2 foot charted, low bridges, pilings. Probably remnants of trade schooners and steam packets swirling around in the confluence of the rivers and creeks.

In the late 1600s-early 1700s pretty much every creek had some type of water powered mill operating and small boats going every which way. Large schooners, 3-4 masted, operated in and out of the Pagan River, heading to far away places with timber, pork, produce and tobacco, among other things.

Letter of Marque

 24 Dec 22:

In the Christmas Spirit we offer a sample Letter of Marque issued 5 October 1776 in Norfolk, VA. The commission granted license and authority from the delegates of the United Colonies for mariners to take prizes on the high seas, or between high water and low water marks. John Sinclair was a resident of Smithfield, VA and sailed his eight gun schooner NICHOLSON from his house on the Pagan River, down the James, Hampton Roads and to who knows where after that?

We chuckle that it appears to be a pre-printed form, with blanks to be filled in. All in all it seems pretty easy to issue and acquire a letter, we are considering offering Restoration Letters of Marque.

Worldwide Classic Boat Show Virtual 2023

 17-26 Feb 23:

Worldwide Classic Boat Show, presented by Off Center Harbor. Virtual access.

It's ALL ONLINE at www.classicboatshow.com and features: 

+ 8 fascinating daily presentations by a diverse group of experts with live Q&A 

+ The incredible, comprehensive Interactive World Map with... 

+ Over 1,000 beautiful boats of all sizes and types sharing their beauty and history 

+ Over 1,000 boating-related organizations including festivals, marine trades & yards, suppliers, clubs, schools, and museums 

+ The ability to connect with other boat lovers - in your town or around the world So, mark your calendars and watch this space.

Lumber Mill

 22 Dec 22:

We are gathering materials to build a wooden Sunfish and wanted cypress for the side planks. Cypress was easy to find in NW Florida and while timber is plentiful in the Mid Atlantic (Great Dismal Swamp), not many companies mill or sell it to the public locally. We were lucky to locate a tree service that runs a lumber mill on the side, and got on the waiting list for some donor cypress. A call came in Tuesday that planks were available, so I took the trailer to gather the lumber, 1x8x12 rough cut. More on those later as we get into the construction phase. For now they are in the garage to start drying out.

Here's part of the tree that our planks came from, the tree was in a right of way and had to be removed. We may be interested in those 2 inch live edge slabs as well for other projects. 

Of course I didn't get a picture of the 6 planks that we picked up, they'll be photos soon enough, but here's a photo of the lumber yard cat.

Sawmill.

Twin blade edger.

Tour guide.

WoodenBoat School 2023 Calendar

20 Dec 22:

From Brooklin Maine, the 2023 WoodenBoat School calendar. Classes run 03 Feb - 13 Nov. 

Online registration opens Monday, 02 Jan at 8:00 AM EST:

"From surveying wooden boats, to building them in bottles, we have a course for you. Never sailed before? We’ve got you covered. Maybe you’ve been sailing your whole life, but you never had a chance to do it on a gaff-rigged sloop? With over 95 courses, there is something for everyone here at WoodenBoat School!"

WoodenBoat School

Boat Works

 19 Dec 22:

When I grow up, maybe I can have a boat shop like this. I like how they rigged the hoist. 

Flying Boats

 19 Dec 22:

Flying boats combine two of our interests, and some of them were quite impressive. They connected many parts of the World before there were a lot of runways.