Wooden Boat building on Cape cod

[Don Chapin]

Wondering what interest there might be on Cape Cod for some occasional, informal get togethers with other builders here. I am just starting the build of a 26 foot diesel launch and know there will be times when a "second" opinion might be extremely helpful. I am sure there are other builders here that might be like minded.

Don

[Ian McColgin]

Drop by the Cape Cod Boatbuilders show, Feb 11, 12, 13 at the Cape Cod Resort & Conference Center in Hyannis or some such name - we think of it still by the old name of Dunfies. At the Hyannis Main Street West End rotary, angle what ends up a nudge left (third spoke off the rotary) and it's right about there. I'll be wandering about and so will plenty of others. Other amateur builders show up to see what the pros are doing so it's a matter of chatting up. We often have a WoodenBoat Forum evening somehow about that time. It will be discussed.

[Don Chapin]

I will be there Friday afternoon / evening. Sounds like a great idea.

[HarryH]

Don--

I am in Mashpee on the Cape, and building this:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Harrible/PogoConstruction#

Would like to see your project..looks like a real eye-catcher. Are you in Yarmouthport?

[Ian McColgin]

Nice work Harry. While the show is really for professionals to boost the marine trades, amateur builders are an important part of the boatbuilding economy - not just aesthetic important as that is, but money in the industry what with wood and fastenings and coatings and fittings and machinery and sails and all. The show itself costs exhibitors to enter, but one of these days we need to find a way to have amateurs able to show off stuff - really share stuff - for essentially no cost to them. I'm thinking essentially a small booth that is really three or so curtain walls to hold up photos. Perhaps something to talk the Trades Council into for 2012.

We often have a WBF EBS (Elbow Bending Society) meet starting on Marmalade and moving as soon as we're cold to someplace with food. Having scouted places that can accomodate a sort of early such event - start when show closes for the day - 1700-1800 I think - I'm thinking Tommy Doyles at the intersection of Main Street and where Barnstable Road becomes Ocean Street. Keep an eye pealed as we all figure out whether this is to be Friday or Saturday. Or, for gluttons like myself . . . both.

I think a picture wall gathering place would be a great addition to the show.

[rbgarr]

I'm going to be at the boat show on Friday and would like to share a peace pipe with the Massachusetts Forumbega tribe. Please do post a meeting time and place! ;)

[Don Chapin]

Harry,

Great looking build. Those times when a second set of hands would help is exactly why creating a solid group of Cape "amatuers" appeals to me. My shop is in Yarmouth, right off exit 8. I'll be at the show Friday afternoon.

Ian, I think that some type of presence at the show would be a great thing to work towards next year.

Don

[HarryH]

I wonder if periodic meetings of local amateurs at a place like the CC Maritime Museum or such would be a welcome idea, supporting both amateur and museum and generating some public interest to boot?

The idea comes to mind from my past involvement in both the South Shore and Cape Cod Astronomical Societies. We met at the Museums of Natural History in each locale; meeting agendas consisted of a speaker/slide show or similar sharing of experiences, with follow up discussions of techniques and methods. We helped each other build gear on weekends, etc. An occasional "business meeting" served to give structure as membership grew. This concept is familiar to fishing clubs, yachting enthusiasts, and other groups who share a common interest.

Is there is a core of wooden boat enthusiasts on the Cape that would participate in a similar group?

[Ian McColgin]

I think the Maratime Museum would be enchanted. Brilliant thought and a good way to have an amateur corner at the show.

The plot thickens.

[elf]

Core of wooden boat enthusiasts?

Well, on the upper Cape there are about 50 beetle cats which race mostly on Buzzards Bay from their respective "yacht" clubs (read garages) from June to October. Then Quissett has a fleet of 7 Herreshoff S boats as well as a mob of H12s. Pocasset has a large fleet of H12s as well. Then there are about 80 Cotuit skiffs over in Cotuit and 28 or 30 Wianno Seniors in Cotuit and Osterville.

Beyond that there are a bevy of beautiful wooden objects in Red Brook Harbor, most cared for by Ballentine's Boat Shop and a smattering of fine ancient large catboats along most of Buzzards Bay.

In North Falmouth Damian McLaughlin grows cold molded wooden boats, while in Quissett Douglas Cooper grows plank on frame ones. Quissett Boat Yard cares for many wooden H12s and Ballentine's in Cataumet cares for huge numbers more.

Then there's the junk in Quissett and the 4 or 5 Friendship sloops which generally hang out in Woods Hole.

Finally, there's the Woods Hole Museum with a collection of retired knockabouts, spritsels and dinghies and a year-round program of lectures and boat building activities.

Yes, there are a lot of people on the Upper Cape who take care of a lot of wooden boats.

Whether they're interested in such a group or not I can't say. I suspect most of them are pretty busy people.

[HarryH]

Not necessarily the folk I'm talking about. Yep, there is a slew of wooden boat owners, and a significant group of professionals who build and maintain them around Cape Cod (and most any coast).

'Amateur' is the operative word in the scenario I am suggesting for such a group...like the folk who are the heart of this forum, learning and creating wooden boats for the sheer love of the task.

Interestingly, "amateur" comes from the Latin 'Amator': lover, devotee, etc.
An amateur has freedom: can build what he wants, when he wants, how he wants for whomever he wants....not often so for the pro who needs income for his efforts.

But I digress...there are hundreds of amateur organizations...one formed around the building of modest wooden craft would seem a natural for the Cape..

[Don Chapin]

Harry,

I think you are really on to something with this idea. We all dream of building boats during the drudgery of our everyday lives and it is a passion and much more than just a hobby for most of us. To bring that to the attention of others that are not yet so afflicted would be a wonderful thing.

The amatuer also runs a complete gamut, from the livingroom nutshell builder to I suppose people like myself who are so out of touch with being responsible adults that we rent expensive heated shop space to have a place to "play". I do not build boats to sell, although that is what ultimately seems to happen as I move onto the next "project". I in fact tend to build the types of boats that won't sell with the hopes of getting to keep them all; boats that are of older designs or styles that just simply need to be built and ought to be seen "in the flesh".

Together a few of us could host a monthly meeting at a place like the museum. Additionally, we could have a second meeting each month at one "shop" or another to look over projects, provide a "critical" eye or advice to one another.

Have a great day,

Don

[elf]

A visit to a boat shop usually finds it populated by a mix of pros and amateurs. Those who love wooden boats can't stay away from boat shops.

[Hunky Dory]

Cape Cod Maritime Museum is going to have a both at the show this yr. might be a good place to meet up at the show if we figure out a good time for all.

[elf]

I'll have a booth there. We can assemble chez moi.

[Don Chapin]

Adam,

I will come and find you at the show Friday afternoon. If anyone wants to satrt a monthly get together we can certainly meet up at my shop in Yarmouth, right off exit 8.

Don

[Ian McColgin]

People are coming to the Cape Cod Boatbuilder's show by any means possible.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs042.snc6/167289_1578064166632_1086461839_31287111_6340418_n .jpg

[Hunky Dory]

I'm not to sure they will allow the dogs.

[Hunky Dory]

Well the show has come and gone and we still have time to kill before boating season so we sould try to set up a first time to meet. If Don wants to set a time to meet at his shop I will stop in and we can see who else in interested. Most any time except Thursday night is good for me, we work at the museum's shop thursday night.