Wooden Boats: In Pursuit of the Perfect Craft at an American Boatyard by Ruhlman

12 Aug 18:

Author Michael Ruhlman spends some time at the boatyard of Gannon and Benjamin, learning about the craft of wooden boatbuilding. He offers up the definition of "boatstruck" in his book Wooden Boats: In Pursuit of the Perfect Craft at an American Boatyard.

"Some people become boat smart; others are simply struck. Something happens to certain men when they see a boat, and they become crazy. A man, or the occasional woman who is boatstruck shows no discernible outward signs of the illness....On the contrary, the boatstruck look more than reasonable. They are successful people. They are smart, cool, self-possessed, and they are pretty good on the water. They brim with a free and adventurous spirit. You tend to like these people - - they can be inexplicably magnetic.
And yet there is something exquisite about the condition of being boatstruck. An ecstasy runs through it, compulsive and contagious. You can see it, sense this delight, even if you happen to be free of this affliction yourself or don't sail or even if you don't particularly care for boats. Sometimes a beautiful boat is simply worthy of devotion, reverence and awe, and no one doubts it. A beautiful boat is as obviously invaluable as a Leonardo sketch or Monet's water lilies. The boat can be a magnificent structure." (p.11)

" Wooden boats have a soul, living drawn from the forest...wooden boats teach us about our purpose on the planet...wisdom, beauty, science...as old as mankind." (p.4)

Along the way there are notes on finishing and preserving planking:
-Paint ok on one surface.
-May take a year or two to seal up and find its "home."
-Saltwater is excellent for pickling.
-Wood needs to expand and contract, so look for some bug juice, i.e. modified blends of tung oil/varnish/linseed oil/maybe CETOL.
-If leaks persist, look for checking or cracking, especially around fasteners/screws/rivets.
-Stain not recommended due to oil base fighting preservative finish.

"The greatest fun in boating usually comes from the simplest boats." (p.152)

Ruhlman, Michael. 2014. Wooden boats: in pursuit of the perfect craft at an american boatyard. New York: Penguin Books.

Small Boat Restoration Library

Barbashela Log 12 Jul 16

12 Jul 16:

Teaching a new generation how to caulk a bateau.

Checked out the new plank pieces aka "dutchmen."

Barbashela can hold up her own bow now.

Sanded the bottom plank repair joints, dutchmen and frames.

Worked on the starboard gunwale repair.

Laid down the flood coat of Valspar alkyd enamel, Swiss Coffee is the off white color and Whipped Apricot.

Check out Barbashela's full story.

Barbashela Log 18 Jun 16

18 Jun 16:

Caulked the planks with 1 pound of Bristol Sussex cotton, also a little wicking in some areas. Painted the caulked seams with alkyd enamel (oil) to seal the cotton.

Cleaned out the starboard garboard seam and filed down corroded areas for dutchmen.

Posed for pictures.

Click her for Barbashela's full story.

Willow Has A USB Port

Picked up Willow from Lou's Marine, Gary did a great job fitting a new stern light and automatic float switch for the bilge pump. Battery wiring was lengthened as well so it can be moved for bilge maintenance. Another thing we did was add a power port for accessories (searchlight) and a USB port to keep our smart phone charged up. I cut the mounting panel from some scrap marine grade okume and Gary did the install. I asked him to sign the back of it so now he is officially part of the boat's history.

Willow in Sea Oats

Dropped Willow in the Bay and we went for a little cruise. While we were out the oil light came on, indicating it was time for the 20 hour oil change. So back on the trailer Willow went and off to Lou's Marine to spend a few days with Gary. While Willow is there Gary will add power ports for accessories and USB ports to charge our phone. Also getting a new stern light that can be easily removed when we cover the boat, a float switch for the bilge pump and longer wires to the battery so we can move it as needed during bilge cleaning.

The Great Loop

The Great Loop is the continuous waterway that encompasses the eastern portion of North America including the Atlantic and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways, the Great Lakes, the Canadian Heritage Canals, and the inland rivers of America's heartland. We met a few of the cruisers at Juana's on Navarre Beach and decided we should start on our own loop. So we took Willow out for the first mile.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Wagemaker Wolverine Ply-Lap

Our buddy Keith in Michigan came across a Wagemaker Wolverine Ply-Lap No. 1874 Offshore Catalina and offered it to us for a great price. We already had a full queue but found a new owner for it through our Small Boat Restoration Facebook Page.

Wagemaker made boats in Grand Rapids Michigan. The boat has a double hull of plywood and lapped plywood, very unique. She has found her way to a new home in Florida and we hope to see her out on the water after restoration.

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