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Certainly opinions vary. Some are relaxed, some purist, some stray into snide elitism. I would remind those purists again that few would say a tarp sail is the equal of a custom professional sail....

Jim, you're a nice guy, but there is room for every kind of boat and sail. Some (not I) would disdain your boats because they are plywood. Some seem to think that if you can't afford the time or...

I side with those who believe they have a place. I made a simple lug sail for my canoe, of blue polytarp and clear duct tape. It cost eight dollars and took perhaps an hour to "build". While it...

I've also had success with a trolling motor for daysailing.

Thanks for posting the pics Phil. That spray shot is actually in a river.
No Gareth, the boat is "Running Free". I do like her though. Lots of beautiful woodwork, and a bowsprit.

That does sound good.

Thank you all. I did say "fastened into the df sheerstrake". It is nominal 3/4" douglas fir timber. I can't add fenders to the dock, as there are no assigned positions. I do suspect that most harm...

My dinghy ties to a floating dock with structure on the side. A fresh or strong south will beat her up. I had ss screws that came with the rubber rubrail, they pulled out and gouged the sides. I...

Four years ago I brought WS up from Florida. We were treated to two early season tropical depressions, but arrived safe and sound. This year I was invited to join the crew of a 36' Gozzard from St...

I can't complain too much. Wandering Star has been on the mooring for two weeks. I still have to finish bending on sail, I was away on a delivery.

|;)
My wife prefers to let me row and sail. She wants to just be "the pretty girl on the boat". Good luck with that shoulder.

Not snowing, but nights in the 40s. Still need the heater, which I deeply resent.

Thank you.

Nice!

But what you added is very cool.
Good luck with the boat, keep us posted.

It's repaired, the boat is on her mooring. I found a good piece of bronze pipe in the basement, after buying more of course! It still needed filing, now it just has to weather to match. Thank you all...

An update. I've found that limiting (severely) my consumption of nightshade (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant) really helps.

Try to meet sailors, and go sailing. There are weekly races nearby, I'm sure. Some of those same guys go offshore too. Network! Good luck!

There are websites and such for crew opportunities. I found crew for an ocean delivery online, I'm crewing for a friend next week.

He's adorable, and quite young. But I have a (film) photo of my 5 year old neice steering my 16 ton ketch by herself.

The whole thing makes me smile. Thanks for sharing. You can save time sanding glue drips by scraping as it starts to cure. Let it get a little rubbery, then clean it with a sharp scraper.

To the OP: It depends also on the wood in the ply. Okoume is not durable: be careful with it. I built a douglas fir plywood dinghy 24 years ago with gallvanized screws. It has been stored outdoors...

If it isn't going to be in sunlight, varnish doesn't require many coats. I think my (outside) helm has only two. I keep a cover on it.

Way cool.

You can also build your frames of straight stock joined by gussets. (Triangular pieces overlapping the joint) Traditional dories were built this way, and my dad built a couple like that.

Wood will spring back some, even after a long time. My father and I worked on a gaff sloop well sunk onto it's cradle. When we jacked it onto a new cradle, the wood slowly returned to near it's...

I'm overboated, but that's a really good deal.

Thanks for the update.

Cool.

I just read the whole thread, I think you're doing fine. I once built a pine skiff from lumberyard stuff that lasted years in a freshwater lake. You'll be proud of yours when it's done, even moreso...

If two planks have come loose, it would be wise to check the other fastenings, especially at the ends. If in doubt, replace those at the ends and any butt blocks. If one springs in the water she'll...

This forum loves pictures. And it's always a pleasure to see a boat grow out of a pile of lumber.

Good luck, have fun. My Pop built a pretty good dory without plans. Yours will come out alright.

Great, thank you all. Just the sort of response I hoped for. And I'll try the binocular trick!

I've been using those drug store single use ones. I'm thinking of buying one. I considered 35mm, but the film and developing costs add up. Though I guess only if you shoot often. So probably digital....

The only way to judge is to closely inspect her. Bring a camera, and a notebook. Research the engine and parts. Estimate your time and money, double that estimate. Ask yourself seriously how much...

Cool stuff.

Sounds great, but it's Easter weekend. Busy.

Pennant Boats had edge glued planks over sawn frames. There were many around Long Island for decades. The smallest were 16', the largest 32, iirc. I think Dickerson also used glued planks on their...

There is a junk rigged Spray replica in British Columbia, Canada. For sale on Yachtworld, $40k Canadian.

My old boat had a plywood bottom over an oak keel. She still required swelling, but not much.

I am on the Sound, did ok in Sandy. The South Shore, City Island, Staten Island, NJ took the worst. People died, lost their homes. Many are still without power. We lost electric for a week, phone and...

Keep it clean, well ventilated, out of the rain and direct sunlight. Don't sail it in spring until it swells tight. Put the sails indoors if you can. Keep critters out with mothballs, or cayenne...

It's my father's fault! When I was four, he built a kit canoe, canvas over wood stringers (Trailcraft?). Then a glass kit canoe. Followed by purchasing wooden outboard skiff, then a converted wood...

Sounds familiar. We both served on seagong cutters, rescue stations, and small boat stations. I loved my time in the service, I only left because I got a better offer from NYPD.

Beautiful.

+1
Don't remove too many planks or frames at once, you'll lose her shape. And ply decks on a carvel boat are fine. All of my keelboats have been built that way.

Something else to consider: Your lightweight, glued lap boat may not have the structure to sail in a fresh breeze. The pictures I've seen have no frames. My glued lap canoe was given a stock canoe...

Good news.

Nice boat Whale.
I can't help with your search for information on the navy boat. I was active in the CG from 1981-87 (BM2). I served on Decisive, at Station Fort Totten NY, and on Cape Horn. You?