Searching for Reuel Parker

[cjp63]

I have seen the threads on people trying to reach Mr. Parker and have tried the ph. no. for his brokerage to no avail. If anyone has any other ways to contact him I would appreciated it. If that fails then I am looking for a boat design like his 17' fisherman.

Thanks

[Tanbark Spanker]

You have to go down to the sea and call him with a conk shell. Two long blasts, one short. Careful, three long, and Jimmy Buffet answers.

[catndahats]

Last time I communicated with him ( a few months ago) his email on the website was working...have you tried email?



parkermarine@bellsouth.net

[cjp63]

unfortunately I forgot to pay my "Conch Shell" bill last month so that route is not available. Yes I tried e-mail x 2 and calls to his brokerage go unanswered. Who takes care of his affairs while he is up north? sooooo!!!! any ideas on 17' fisherman type plans out there?

chris

[RodB]

He has someone check his emails now and then so you should get an answer sooner or later...just don't expect it to be real quick unless you are lucky and you send him an email just before he checks on them.

RB

[cjp63]

Thanks for your reply Rod, fortunetly I'm not quite ready to start building, (I still have to clean out the garage) but I am hoping to get the plans before x-mas. patience does have it's limits.

[Meadowlarker]

I went by his place in Ft. Pierce about mid April and was told he had sailed off to Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas for the Out Islands Regatta. Last I looked he had left his phone number on his website somewhere. Have you found it there? I could try to find it for you if you'd like? What say?

[cjp63]

That would be great, unless it's the same one I already have. I have his brokerage number but I get the same reply as I do with the e-mail....... no reply. I would love to be able to donate to his food budget though.

[Meadowlarker]

I searched through the website and only found the 772-468-0060 number. If that has Reuel's voice recording then it's the one I was thinking of. The nunber looks like a Ft. Pierce number so it should be the one. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[kc8pql]

Not trying to be negetive but I don't think I'd buy a set of plans from a designer that's so hard to get in touch with. What happens if you have a question in the middle of construction? Just stop working for a month or two untill he shows up again?

[RodB]

I have talked to Mr Parker on several occasions as I had commissioned him to develop a design. I was always impressed with his knowledge and experience as both a designer and a live aboard crusing sailor. He has such a wealth of knowledge in practical day to day use of a boat in a broad range of cruising conditions. He also has a great fix on what works and what doesn't in cruising boat systems.

I would guess that Reuel has design projects keeping him very busy in makng a living...or he's cruising as much as possible. I don't think selling plans and offering support to boatbuilders is as high of a priority as the other two activities mentioned...and you can't blame him...I doubt anyone ever got rich selling plans. Just because a designer is prolific and produces lots of boat designs does not mean that he must be readily available long term to answer questions.

Maybe it comes down to if you like a set of his plans then educate yourself and email him with patience. If you will require a lot of support, then buy another designers plans.

RB