I’m working with Lurker John at developing a new boat-building material that, like wood, is 100% natural and biodegradable. Like all experimental materials, knowledgeable people examine the material and the problem and then approach the problem with their particular SWAG.

photopoint casualty

I took the hot-molded approach, and here you see the hull ready for the autoclave. I found the material mix, autoclave temperature, and the warm, soak, and cool cycle, are important to the ultimate success of this approach, but not so critical as other, well-known, materials used in similar “cold” processes.

another photopoint casualty

Lurker John, on the other hand, being a rather hide-bound conservative in his approach, decided to build his boat using the Bob-Cleek-approved traditional method of plank on frame but, as you can see, the nature of the material is such that googe is far more appropriate than screws as fasteners. Both methods were seemingly satisfactory until John turned his hull over.

still another photopoint casualty

Unfortunately, at this point in time, the official event photographer was otherwise engaged and this picture doesn’t show the extent of the damage caused by both googe and plank failure.

Lurker John then switched tacks and produced a hot-molded hull to continue his developmental work. I believe, based upon this limited research, that the hot-molding process will likely be the process employed to build boats of this miracle Gingerboard ® material.

ditto

Here is another shot of my boat, Hesperus, with her mast steps and partners in place. I am a firm believer in keel-stepped masts, especially as I like the rigging-free look that can be achieved with other, more suitable spar materials.

ditto

Hesperus with her spars, built of Pretzawood ®, another material which I developed as a replacement for the traditional Spruce or Fir.

As a consequence of the Delta ® pilots, Hesperus, as of yet, is still without sails, but you can see that Lurker John (that's him to the left) has developed a Gingercloth ® material which he employed for the sail on his boat.

ditto

We have found that yachtclubs and marinas are not interested in associating with individuals owning yachts build of these non-traditional fibers, even when we point out that there have been no, not even one, reported case of seasickness on a yacht made of Gingerboard®! So regretfully, we hired SWMBO to build us a Gingerboard ® clubhouse.

ditto

Happy New Year! Ed


[This message has been edited by Ed Harrow (edited 01-01-2002).]