tealsmith1
09-08-2003, 02:25 PM
Longtime lurker, rare poster, schoolteacher, husband, father, and now......
sailor!
After many years of lurking and reading, I built a boat (googe and ply, yeah I know some of you won't consider it a REAL boat.) Carnell's $200 (about double the
amount) version of Bolger's featherwind(15 1/2 ft.) I started in the summer of 02 and
finished in July of 03.
Never having sailed before other than tourist excursions, I nervously took it and my wife
to a local state owned 190 acre lake. (no motors allowed) We launched it from the back
of the truck, I rowed it towards the middle of the lake, and hoisted the sail. After going
in circles and ducking from the boom for about 5 minutes we finally figured out enough
to sail it up and down the length of the lake for a couple of hours. Man, I couldn't stop
smiling. I had been so afraid that either the boat would fail or I would fail. I'll never
forget the feeling of the wind catching the sail and the boat heeling slightly, and I love
watching the wake we produce. My wife is enjoying it as well. This is an addiction.
Thanks to everyone who posts helpful boatbuilding and sailing info here. I find myself
constantly watching the wind in the trees at home and thinking about how its all going
to waste with me on the lawn mower. I had about half a dozen good sails this summer
on the same lake. I plan on getting to some bigger lakes next year. I still hope to get
in a few more quick sails this fall. Maybe I'll eventually get a picture posted here.
Whoever said it takes 30 minutes to learn and a lifetime to perfect hit the nail on the
head. And I plan on enjoying the learning process. Now I'm thinking about the next
boat. Something that will sleep three or four people maybe.
You can read all the books you want, (I did) but until I felt the wind pull that sail I just
didn't understand the joy....
Pardon my poor writing abilities, but I just had to share what this forum has given me
and has inspired me to do. If you're a first timer and in the middle of your project,
keep working, you'll be glad you did. Thanks again.
sailor!
After many years of lurking and reading, I built a boat (googe and ply, yeah I know some of you won't consider it a REAL boat.) Carnell's $200 (about double the
amount) version of Bolger's featherwind(15 1/2 ft.) I started in the summer of 02 and
finished in July of 03.
Never having sailed before other than tourist excursions, I nervously took it and my wife
to a local state owned 190 acre lake. (no motors allowed) We launched it from the back
of the truck, I rowed it towards the middle of the lake, and hoisted the sail. After going
in circles and ducking from the boom for about 5 minutes we finally figured out enough
to sail it up and down the length of the lake for a couple of hours. Man, I couldn't stop
smiling. I had been so afraid that either the boat would fail or I would fail. I'll never
forget the feeling of the wind catching the sail and the boat heeling slightly, and I love
watching the wake we produce. My wife is enjoying it as well. This is an addiction.
Thanks to everyone who posts helpful boatbuilding and sailing info here. I find myself
constantly watching the wind in the trees at home and thinking about how its all going
to waste with me on the lawn mower. I had about half a dozen good sails this summer
on the same lake. I plan on getting to some bigger lakes next year. I still hope to get
in a few more quick sails this fall. Maybe I'll eventually get a picture posted here.
Whoever said it takes 30 minutes to learn and a lifetime to perfect hit the nail on the
head. And I plan on enjoying the learning process. Now I'm thinking about the next
boat. Something that will sleep three or four people maybe.
You can read all the books you want, (I did) but until I felt the wind pull that sail I just
didn't understand the joy....
Pardon my poor writing abilities, but I just had to share what this forum has given me
and has inspired me to do. If you're a first timer and in the middle of your project,
keep working, you'll be glad you did. Thanks again.