Dark Harbor 17 1/2

[AdamG]

I am currently down to finish work on a Stevenson's Weekender. I would like to think I am getting ready for a very traditional craft like the Dark harbor. Anyone built this boat? Is there a small boat that could prepare me for this one? (bent frames, spiling, laid decks etc.) or should I just dive in? - Adam

[Todd Bradshaw]

How's 26" for small? WoodenBoat sells a kit for a model of the Dark Harbor. Obviously, there is a limit for how much hands-on building experience you'll gain that would transfer to the real boat, but it would be really cool to have the real boat out in the driveway and a perfect replica on the mantle.

[Ed Harrow]

Art Read is your man. He posted some pictures within the past week or so. Sweet boat. Use the search widgit up in the upper right, you should get lots of hits.

Welcome Adam, but be careful should you venture into Miscellaneous, they're not taking prisoners these days... http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/frown.gif

[Stephen Hutchins]

Just finishing one and ready for the next? Sounds like a true boatbuilder to me. A good way to learn is to buy the Dark Harbor plans from woodenboat and build a model from those plans. Maybee you could make copies of the lines plan so you could push pins through to x-fer the lines.

[True Love]

Art Read is building a Dark Harbor 12, the littler sister to the 17 & 1/2. He's still your man to talk to.

[Art Read]

Hi, Adam...

Well, a lot of this depends on what you want out of the project. If you just want to try your hand at "traditional" methods, a smaller, simpler boat or dingy would provide that without the time and monetary commitment that a boat like a DH 17 would entail. On the other hand, if you just REALLY want a boat like the Dark Harbor, well, there's really not too many ways to get one unless you get really, really lucky, or, you just build one yourself! That's where I am. Like everything else, if you want to badly enough, you can do it. Having built a "Weekender" already, you'll already have most of the basic tools you'll need, plenty of "confidence" when it comes time to take a power saw to an expensive hunk of wood on your bench and a pretty realistic idea of just what you're getting into. As for things like bending the keel/frames, spiling for the planking, caulking, etc., it all comes at you one "problem" at a time. You'll be working every "next" challenge through in your head while you're still wrestling with your solution to the "current" one. And the folks here on the Forum will get you through the scarier bits. Best of all, you'll have that "Weekender" to get out on the water and blow the sawdust out once in a while!

All that being said, it's a big project. I'd say my DH 12 project is roughly comparable to building a Haven. The 17 will be considerably more so. More material, more weight and more time. (and more MONEY!)Exponentially so. But it would also be a lot more boat!

So, should you "just dive in"? If you "want" one, YES! After your experience with your Stevenson, I doubt you really need any more "preparation". You're FAR more prepared than I was... Outside of a few models, the 12 1/2 is the first boat I've ever tried to build.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid29/pc687b2c0cfee46ccea6a65fec3b21b5d/fdf3df84.jpg

There are some other, random shots here if you're interested...


http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4292219521&show_all=1&start=1

(SWMBO, having read this over my shoulder, wants me to ask you for your "significant other's" e-mail... She wants to "warn" her off! http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/wink.gif )