Fellow boat builders in central va

[WoodboatCoop]

I am looking to see if there is any one that is interested in a wood boat builders group. I live in Mechanicsville, Va . Even if we can get together 2 or 3 times a year to exchange ideas, drink a couple beers or show off projects. Let me know if interested. Thanks

[Draketail]

I'm in Lexington,VA, a little less than 2 hr from Mechanicsville.
"I Like Rust" is in Richmond, I believe.
There is a forum member form Mt Solon, VA but I don't remember his name.
"Eddiebou" is about 1/2 way down the Northern Neck

[DGentry]

Hi - I'm in Harrisonburg, which is central, but on the other side of the state. I'm always up for a little networking.
There are a few other builders in the area, too.
Are you familiar with the "Eastern Messabout" someone is trying to organize? Here's the relevant group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EasternMessabout/

Dave

[Thorne]

Go ahead and organize a Wooden Boat Forum "EBS", aka "Elbow Bending Session". This is a traditional way to get together with fellow builders & boaters in your area. We've hosted a few in my area and they've been wonderful!

[ILikeRust]

HELLZ YEAH!

I'm in Short Pump - about 20-30 minutes from Mechanicsville.

On a related note, I'm also very active in the Richmond Antique Tools Society (RATS). I'm in charge of the RATS website and newsletter. We'd love to get some new members, if you're interested.

Oops, I just noticed I need to update the site...

Anyhow, the annual antique tool show is coming to The Showplace in Mechanicsville on January 1 and 2.

But back to the topic at hand - yes, absolutely, I would love to be part of a Richmond-area wooden boatbuilding group.

[captsct]

I'm over in Newport News, not too very far off.
Bill, thanks for cluing me in on the tool show. I'll try to get there too.

[Draketail]

So,

When?

and

Where?

[ejds]

Hi,

I'm in the Northern Neck near Heathsville and I would like to attend some kind of get together. ]
Just got the plans for a Bluejacket 25.5, but I need to build a bigger shop first before I can start on the boat.
It's about 1.5 hr. to Mechanicsville.

Egbert

[Mark Giegel]

Hello
I am in Kilmarnock on the Corrotoman River. I am interested as well. Have plans for an Arctic Tern , not yet started.
I will check back here for details.

Mark

[Eddiebou]

OK count me in. I'll be at the old tool sale @ Showplace weekend after x-mas. Rick Long will know who's who I guess. I'll be wearing a red St. Micheals cap. Look 4ward to meetin yawl.

[orbb]

I'm not in your area, but have kin in the area (Heathsville), so I'll stick my two cents in and give you a suggestion. You might want to meet at the Reedsville Fisherman's Museum in Reedsville. They have several old boats that they restored, and a shop where they build boats. There is also a restaurant on Cockrell's Creek where you can bend your elbow, as Thorne suggested.

[Draketail]

Folks,

I've been to the Reedville museum, and it is delightful. But, it's a 4 1/2 hour drive from Lexington.

Seems like we're getting replies ranging from the Valley to Tidewater. Perhaps the Richmond/Mechanicsville area would be a bit more centrally located for all. Unfortunately, I haven't lived in the Richmond area since 1987, so am well out of date on appropriate gathering places.

Jan 2?

Any suggestions for a place?

[k4lmy]

Thanks for the tip on the tool show.. I will be making that one.. Will have a WB cap on.. I am about an hour south west of Mechanicsville..

[paladin]

Not close to you guys, am closer to Annapolis, but if you ever get over this way......
(ex K5LMA) now N4EZV

[ILikeRust]

As far as location, I would think that somebody's house/workshop might be nice. If mine were not so embarrasingly sloppy, I'd be more than willing to host.

If we set the date far enough out, I might could try to get the place slightly more organized so that I'm not so mortified at the prospect of letting others actually see the carnage that I loosely refer to as my "workshop."

Other than that, I'll have to give it some thought - can't think of an interesting place off the top of my head right now.

[Eddiebou]

Yeah , Reedville's too far out of the way for most. Mechanicsville is more central to central Va. I'll be @ tool sale when the door opens Sat. am. We need a few hrs to survey it all. Let's make RATS table our rendezvous around 11:30. Huh?

[Draketail]

Will be at a wedding in Pittsburg on the 1st. But can make it to the RATS show by 11:30 on Sunday, the 2nd.

Anybody else?

[Eddiebou]

All the good tools will be gone by Sun. I don't want to go 2 days in a row. Sorry you won't be there, Draketail. I'm particularly interested in your build. I will be glad to host a meeting @ my shop anytime, except first weekend in Feb. I'm about an hour from Richmond/ Fredericksburg and Reedville.

[Draketail]

Eddiebou,

I was afraid that would be the case... Enjoy the show and we'll catch up some time in the (near) future.

[marshcat]

I am just north of Richmond and keep my boat on the Corrotoman near Yankee Point. I can't make it on the 1st, but will keep my eye open for future opportunities.

Also, I can't say that I am actively a boat builder. I have built a cedar strip canoe, but my Penobscot is just a stem, transom, and a few frames (and has been for 5 years). When the kids get older I hope to have more time again.

[WoodboatCoop]

I am glad there has been a great response to my post. I live 5 minutes from the Bass Pro Shops on Interstate 95 at Lewistown Exit. We can meet at the farm where I work on my skiff in the old dairy barn. It isn't much but under cover so we can all get together and chew the fat. Jan 22 works for me. Just let me know if this works or if there is any other ideas. Hope the weather cooperates.

[ILikeRust]

I've put it on my calendar for Jan. 22 and I should be able to make it.

[ejds]

Count me in, if it is not to early in the morning.

Egbert

[captsct]

I so wanted to go to the tool show today and meet up with ya'all, but I'm sick as a dog and layed up in bed. Unfortunately Jan 22 has me working, so I'll miss that elbow bending session too.

[ILikeRust]

I didn't go to the tool show - I've got too many projects at home to work on, and I'm not really in the market for any more old tools right now. I've got too many as it is!

[k4lmy]

Did make the show today.. Where were the rest of the Virginia crew.. ? Lots of antique hand wood tools .... some machine tool bits and pices ..... and lots of antiques..... with prices to match.. but did not spend a dime other than entrance fee... Wife and I enjoyed the exercise... eddiebou ... do you have a contact number for the Every chap? Privite mail info if you will...

[Eddiebou]

I didn't go to the tool show - I've got too many projects at home to work on, and I'm not really in the market for any more old tools right now. I've got too many as it is!

What? No such thing as too many tools. Last year I found a lofting pick from Egg Harbor boat co. for $1.00. Yesterday, I bought a lignum vitae seam rubber for $6.00. I'll probably see yawl on 22nd. What time? Where?

[ILikeRust]

I have discovered, much to my shock and surprise, and counter to my many years of closely-held belief, that it is, in fact, entirely possible to have too many tools. Or maybe the more correct way to express the concept is that it's possible to have too little space in which to keep all your tools.

All I know is, my shop was (is) at the point where it's nearly unusable, due to overcrowding. Anyone ever heard the expression "ten pounds of (stuff) in a five-pound bag"?

[Eddiebou]

Rust- You're right. I resist bringing home a lot of stuff. One of my rules is- My workshop is not a storage building.

[jacketch]

Chester VA here.

I went to the show yesterday and despite having a similar situation as ILR, I did buy a few tools; an incannel crank neck gouge and a Stanley #30 angle divider. My only excuse is that they were small.

[WoodboatCoop]

I hope to see all of you here on the 22nd. I figure on 10am, the temp should be up by then. Hope for a nice sunny day. If earlier would be better, thats cool, what ever works for the most people. I have all day open. The farm is located near Interstate 295 and va state route 301. if it goes for a while, we can either go local for food or do something there. I live close by, we can figure something out. Hope this works out.

[ILikeRust]

Will you PM us a more specific address or driving directions? I know pretty much where you're talking about.

[Draketail]

WoodboatCoop,

I too would appreciate a PM with address and directions. With any luck at all I can make it on the 22nd.

Thank you for agreeing to host the gathering.

Draketail

[jacketch]

PM needed here also.

Thanks.

[ejds]

Please send me the information too.

Egbert

[UCanoe_2]

I'm the guy in Mount Solon, NW of Staunton and about 2 hours from Mechanicsville. You are not far from my sister's house.

Thanks for the invitation. I can't make this event, but please PM the information. I'd like to keep in touch.

Thanks for the information about the tool show. I'll keep an eye on the date for next year, even though I sometimes think it is possible to have too many. It might even be possible to have too much lumber on hand.

I'm in the process of packing up all the stuff in my garage, in preparation for demolishing the old garage. We're going to build a new one, and the workshop bay will have a level wood floor. So far there's a tool box of big hammers and wedges, a couple for drills, one for the router, one for gun cleaning equipment, a box of circular saws, a file cabinet for fasteners and hardware, etc., etc. I'm saving the Shopsmith, band saw, radial arm saw, and drill press for last. Isn't there a 12 step group for this stuff?

[ILikeRust]

Thanks for the information about the tool show. I'll keep an eye on the date for next year, even though I sometimes think it is possible to have too many.

It's always the very first weekend in January. Sometimes it's been Dec. 31/Jan. 1 when the 31st is the Saturday.

It might even be possible to have too much lumber on hand.

I'm apparently attempting to disprove that proposition. I actually know a guy who is way, way, way ahead of me (and most any other normal human being). He has literally thousands, and perhaps tens of thousands of bf of various rough-sawn lumber stashed in various places in two or three counties.

I'm in the process of packing up all the stuff in my garage, in preparation for demolishing the old garage. We're going to build a new one, and the workshop bay will have a level wood floor. So far there's a tool box of big hammers and wedges, a couple for drills, one for the router, one for gun cleaning equipment, a box of circular saws, a file cabinet for fasteners and hardware, etc., etc. I'm saving the Shopsmith, band saw, radial arm saw, and drill press for last. Isn't there a 12 step group for this stuff?

If you're asking us, welcome to The Support Group From Hell. The first step is to admit you don't have enough stuff. See www.owwm.org.

[WoodboatCoop]

Alright boys, it is on. The 22nd at 10:30. I have PM the info. If there is anyone else, let me know. Hope the weather is good.

[Barry]

Anyone ever heard the expression "ten pounds of (stuff) in a five-pound bag"?[/QUOTE]

My Sainted Irish Mother called that a "Blivey"!!!

[Eddiebou]

Can you post a picture of a map of the area with a dot or a star or something on it so we can see where we're going?

[ejds]

Can you post a picture of a map of the area with a dot or a star or something on it so we can see where we're going?

If you are interested in carpooling, let me know. I'm going by Warsaw and 360. I do have to make a stop on the way back at BJs in Mechanicsville to pickup a few groceries while I'm in that area.

Egbert

[WoodboatCoop]

Thanks everyone for the great response. We have at least 8 members confirmed. Hope to see more. Someone bring a digital camera to post pictures. see you soon!

[k4lmy]

Wish I could be there.. Keep me in the loop also..

[jacketch]

Bump for any interested parties.

[Draketail]

Two of us coming from Lexington. See you tomorrow.

[k4lmy]

OK! out with the report.. Who showed up and what was the agenda? Give us the news.. Please.....

[Eddiebou]

Cold as a cast iron commode on the shady side of an iceberg.

[ILikeRust]

I'd like to know whose idea it was to meet OUTSIDE on a day when the high temp was 24 degrees F.

We had eight boat-addled nut-cases in attendance. Now, of course, you're going to expect me to recite who everyone was. I'm terrible with names - my wife is always chastising me that I need to get better at that - so although we did introductions all around, I promptly forgot most everyone's real names (I'm lucky I remember my own sometimes). But I think I remember everyone's screen names. As someone said, maybe we should have had name tags.

There was Ed (WoodboatCoop) who started this whole crazy venture. I remember his name because (1) he was the organizer and (2) it was printed on the shirt he was wearing. Thanks for that, Ed - made it much easier.

There were the two members who occupy the "Draketail" user name. They might have set the record for distance driven to attend. It was only about 20-30 minutes for me, but those guys came from about 2 hours away, I believe.

Also Egbert (ejds) and Eddiebou were there, representing the Northern Neck region.

And Jacketch and MarshCat were there also.

I think that's everyone - did I miss anybody?

We met at Ed's family farm and stood around an outdoor fire pit, trying desperately to keep warm while our feet and toes went numb on the frozen ground. We went into his boat shed and took a look at the little wooden skiff he's building. He demonstrated its sturdiness by jumping up into the middle of the boat, which is on sawhorses, and bouncing his bulk around. Looks like pretty strong construction. We discussed whether he should epoxy and glass the bottom and put a keelson on it, and whether the keelson should go over or under the glass, and the need for a skeg, and what size motor to put on it, etc... Then we realized we were all getting freezing cold again, so we headed back out to the fire pit and stood around shooting the breeze about boats and boating and various stuff. Then Ed suggested we head over to a local pizza joint for lunch, so we all descended upon the place and promptly took over half of it. Pretty good food! The Draketail guys told us about how their construction was going - complete with some sketches on a yellow pad. A little more wooden boat construction questions ensued, as well as discussion of "free" boats (and the corollary that there ain't no such thing).

We agreed we should do it again - but maybe in June.

Did I mention it was COLD?

[marshcat]

It was a great group - thanks Ed for hosting and motivating us to get together. Watching Eddiebou and Draketail sketch bottom planking techniques on a notepad at lunch reminded me of all the times I've drawn similar sketches trying to figure out one problem or another. Too often I forget that others share this affliction.

Ed's skiff was a great reminder to just quit dreaming and just build something. Impressive that all the lumber came from his family farm.

We forgot to take any pictures! Yakking too much at lunch, and too cold to take our hands out of our pockets prior.

[jacketch]

I had a great time. Haven't had a chance for a good while to gather around a fire with a group who all suffer with the same "affliction" as I have. I loved seeing Ed's skiff and his "wood pile" and really enjoyed listening to the boat related chatter, particularly Eddiebou's stories about the nearly extinct local watermen and their wooden boats.

ETA Thanks Ed for hosting the EBS