I know Ive posted this over in "misc" but Ive a feeling some people dont go over there and I would like some help so Im posting in both areas...

Ive got a question... The group of "disabled" people Im with has decided that theyre going to start building this stitch and glue design by Tracy O'Brian and donated to us by a fellow forumite, in the New Year... hopefully starting in late January early February... as they figure to start easy and work up to the Simmons Sea Skiff after some experience, and have asked me if I can ask a couple of questions here.

So question 1 is... does anyone know of anyone who has built it?

Question 2 is... whats it like as far as seaworthiness goes?

Question 3 is... are there any websites with actual build comments or photos out there that any of you know of?

From my own point of view its going to be an "interesting" build... I have one small question that Ive probably already sort of answered as Ive thought about it... anyway the question is...

Can a side panel be changed to allow wheelchair access?

I was thinking that a section of the side panel near the transom being cut out and fitted with hydrolic lifts and heavy rubber seals could be incorporated in the build... any thoughts? any ideas? would or could this work?

We intend to locate some wheelchair runners and wheel clamps/chocks just behind the centre console with small bench type seating for other more mobile fishers along the bows toward the stern... intent is to take out 2 wheelchair fisherers at a time and a couple of amputees or others for a days fishing every now and then... but the wheelchairs bother us a bit so am in need of ideas and imput.

Thanks in advance

Take it easy
Shane

Oh if your wondering about the sanity of this... there is none! ... well okay... the fishing will be done in the semi protected waters of the Mandurah Estuary here in West Aussie... safety will be paramount and shore contact maintained at all times while out... some of our people cannot swim due to their "disabilities" but love to fish and love to build things and intend to build this and hopefully other boats...

A couple of words from some of the people I work with may help get your thoughts and imaginations working...

"a challenge is only a picture within my mind to be changed by altering framework of the challenge itself to meet my abilities"... Susie Launders age 17 paraplegic and Ability Plus member...

"Nothing can take away my ability to succeed at what I want to achieve except myself and the apathy and ignorance of others" John Burgess 35 Multiple Amputee and Ability Plus member...

"People say I cant do this or that, because Im not like they are. But they dont see what I can see, they dont have the vision that I have and they dont have the power I have within myself, because they have never needed it, one ounce of that power within myself or any other "disabled" person can change the world" Cliff Trelor 46 Blind Amputee and Ability Plus member...

"Together anything can be achieved, its a simple matter of changing the boundaries of what is "normal" to fit the environment we live and work in" Shane Eyre 44 Cirvical and Lumbar Spinal damage and Ability Plus member and wooden boat nut... oh and also a member of the gathering of some of the nicest people on the internet... the woodenboat forum

Take it easy
Shane

[This message has been edited by Wild Dingo (edited 12-22-2001).]