Re: [bolger] Re: William D Jochem's Schooner (also long)
Fjords, waterfalls and glaciers? Sounds like out my back door.
HJ
Will Samson wrote:
HJ
Will Samson wrote:
>Hi Bjorn,
>
>Musta taken a lot to say 'Dix points' for a Norwegian! ['In' joke for we people from this side of the Pond.]
>
>Seriously, though, I was in Norway for the first time in May this year - Bergen, Flam, paddling kayaks in Naeroyfjord. What a country! Probably the most memorable holiday of my life!
>
>To you other Bolgeristas, Norway is THE place for scenery and atmosphere. AH! The fjords! The waterfalls! The glaciers! GO there if you ever get the chance!
>
>Hope to take in Oslo before too long.
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Bill
>
>
> The whaler in the pictures looks to be a trulyThe best guess is that it is a fiberglass boat build by Van Dine
> graceful thoroughbred, Peter. Do you know the design's name and
> designer?
about 30 years ago. Mike Goodwin, who reminded me of the Van Dine
boats, remembers the loa as 28'. I paced it off as closer to 30',
but that is very approximate.
I have always assumed the Van Dine whaler was the boat that was
given up by the man for whom PCB drew his gaff-rigged whaler sloop.
(I don't remember the design name). The larger variation on Yarrow.
But, I remembered the length as being in the low twenties, so I may
be all mixed up.
As for the comparizon to Rozinante, they are certainly designed for
the same niche, one with a little more pretention, the other with a
little more tradition. Remember also, PCB's whaler ketch for Peter
Lane which PCB described as being as close to as beautiful as
Rozinante as he could deliver.
Peter
I recently bought 10 sheets of Signal MDO 3/8'sx4x10 for $60 a sheet plus about $100 shipping from Md to SC from Harbor Sales. Nice folks. Nice plywood. I've cut up 9 sheets and have not yet found a void, The manufacturer says they use marine ply glue. The overlay is seriously stuck down--no splintering, shredding, or pulling away in cuts made with either a skil saw or a saber saw. My objection to fir plywood is it checks unless you cover it with a layer of fiberglass. My hope is that I can get a decent, long lasting finish without the expense of fiber glass and resin and that I can cut way back on my least favorite part of boatbuilding--sanding and filling and sanding and sanding ....
John T
John T
----- Original Message -----
From: Jack&Lois
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2004 11:57 PM
Subject: [bolger] RE: William D Jochem's Schooner (also long)
Appreciate the feed back and encouragement, Bjorn and Peter. I truthfully do
tend to lean toward WDJ. I do after all have the plans. I mean a hand in the
bush is better than...er, I mean a two handed bird... no wait, a rolling
bush...must be a tumble weed?
At any rate the plywood is still a sticking point. Both Noah Marine and
local suppliers give HUGE discounts when you buy a HUGE pile of ply all at
once. MDO would be a viable option if local suppliers were a viable option
(as in existed at all). Lestat was/is truly inspiring. I strove to match
your standards, Peter, with Teah McGee's restoration, even though she's only
made of AC construction ply. The only MDO I've been able to find is one
sheet of 3/4" I found by accident at a local building supply store. Not only
did I find it by accident, it also seemed to somehow be there by accident. I
bought it for painting a mural I've been commissioned to do for a fair trade
coffee museum. It'll be fine for that purpose but many voids are evident at
its edges, which make me more than a bit suspicious of its innards. I'd
appreciate any leads anyone might have on suppliers of boat construction
quality MDO.
I'm totally with you Peter, on the appeal of schooners. My current bed time
reading is Michael Ruhlman's 'Wooden Boats'. His description of the joys of
schooner sailing along with Bjorn's jubilant narrative makes a pretty strong
case in their favour... which I guess kind of keeps Berengaria in the
running. These musing will stay in the realm of the cerebral for now. I DO
have to do something with the JC before starting another big project. So
many boats, so little time.
jeb, sitting on the dock of a bay (of Fundy that is) watching the tide roll
in, and in, and in...
Bolger rules!!!
- no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, or flogging dead horses
- stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
- Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
- Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax: (978) 282-1349
- Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
- Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The whaler in the pictures looks to be a truly graceful thoroughbred, Peter
V.. Thanx for sharing the pictures. She almost looks like a schooner rigged
Rozinate. I'd love to see her under way. Do you know the design's name and
designer?
Jeb
http://www.geocities.com/pvanderwaart/tw2.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/pvanderwaart/tw3.JPG
Here are some pictures of a schooner of about the Jochems's size.
They make an interesting comparison in a lot of ways. Jochems is
certainly much lighter and easier to build, much less fixed draft,
probably faster in a lot of conditions, has much more interior room.
This whaler has beauty and a large cockpit, and a much gentler
motion.
Peter (not the Peter referred to in the first line.)
V.. Thanx for sharing the pictures. She almost looks like a schooner rigged
Rozinate. I'd love to see her under way. Do you know the design's name and
designer?
Jeb
> I'm totally with you Peter, on the appeal of schooners.http://www.geocities.com/pvanderwaart/tw1.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/pvanderwaart/tw2.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/pvanderwaart/tw3.JPG
Here are some pictures of a schooner of about the Jochems's size.
They make an interesting comparison in a lot of ways. Jochems is
certainly much lighter and easier to build, much less fixed draft,
probably faster in a lot of conditions, has much more interior room.
This whaler has beauty and a large cockpit, and a much gentler
motion.
Peter (not the Peter referred to in the first line.)
> I'm totally with you Peter, on the appeal of schooners.http://www.geocities.com/pvanderwaart/tw1.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/pvanderwaart/tw2.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/pvanderwaart/tw3.JPG
Here are some pictures of a schooner of about the Jochems's size.
They make an interesting comparison in a lot of ways. Jochems is
certainly much lighter and easier to build, much less fixed draft,
probably faster in a lot of conditions, has much more interior room.
This whaler has beauty and a large cockpit, and a much gentler
motion.
Peter (not the Peter referred to in the first line.)
Appreciate the feed back and encouragement, Bjorn and Peter. I truthfully do
tend to lean toward WDJ. I do after all have the plans. I mean a hand in the
bush is better than...er, I mean a two handed bird... no wait, a rolling
bush...must be a tumble weed?
At any rate the plywood is still a sticking point. Both Noah Marine and
local suppliers give HUGE discounts when you buy a HUGE pile of ply all at
once. MDO would be a viable option if local suppliers were a viable option
(as in existed at all). Lestat was/is truly inspiring. I strove to match
your standards, Peter, with Teah McGee's restoration, even though she's only
made of AC construction ply. The only MDO I've been able to find is one
sheet of 3/4" I found by accident at a local building supply store. Not only
did I find it by accident, it also seemed to somehow be there by accident. I
bought it for painting a mural I've been commissioned to do for a fair trade
coffee museum. It'll be fine for that purpose but many voids are evident at
its edges, which make me more than a bit suspicious of its innards. I'd
appreciate any leads anyone might have on suppliers of boat construction
quality MDO.
I'm totally with you Peter, on the appeal of schooners. My current bed time
reading is Michael Ruhlman's 'Wooden Boats'. His description of the joys of
schooner sailing along with Bjorn's jubilant narrative makes a pretty strong
case in their favour... which I guess kind of keeps Berengaria in the
running. These musing will stay in the realm of the cerebral for now. I DO
have to do something with the JC before starting another big project. So
many boats, so little time.
jeb, sitting on the dock of a bay (of Fundy that is) watching the tide roll
in, and in, and in...
tend to lean toward WDJ. I do after all have the plans. I mean a hand in the
bush is better than...er, I mean a two handed bird... no wait, a rolling
bush...must be a tumble weed?
At any rate the plywood is still a sticking point. Both Noah Marine and
local suppliers give HUGE discounts when you buy a HUGE pile of ply all at
once. MDO would be a viable option if local suppliers were a viable option
(as in existed at all). Lestat was/is truly inspiring. I strove to match
your standards, Peter, with Teah McGee's restoration, even though she's only
made of AC construction ply. The only MDO I've been able to find is one
sheet of 3/4" I found by accident at a local building supply store. Not only
did I find it by accident, it also seemed to somehow be there by accident. I
bought it for painting a mural I've been commissioned to do for a fair trade
coffee museum. It'll be fine for that purpose but many voids are evident at
its edges, which make me more than a bit suspicious of its innards. I'd
appreciate any leads anyone might have on suppliers of boat construction
quality MDO.
I'm totally with you Peter, on the appeal of schooners. My current bed time
reading is Michael Ruhlman's 'Wooden Boats'. His description of the joys of
schooner sailing along with Bjorn's jubilant narrative makes a pretty strong
case in their favour... which I guess kind of keeps Berengaria in the
running. These musing will stay in the realm of the cerebral for now. I DO
have to do something with the JC before starting another big project. So
many boats, so little time.
jeb, sitting on the dock of a bay (of Fundy that is) watching the tide roll
in, and in, and in...
"Will Samson" <willsamson@...> writes:
and we'll go sailing in my the hopefully repaired WDJ....
Bjørn (still representing the Norwegian jury...)
> Hope to take in Oslo before too long.You just call --- out your name (or is it 'my name'?)--- and you now -- wherever I am...
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Bill
and we'll go sailing in my the hopefully repaired WDJ....
Bjørn (still representing the Norwegian jury...)
Hi Bjorn,
Musta taken a lot to say 'Dix points' for a Norwegian! ['In' joke for we people from this side of the Pond.]
Seriously, though, I was in Norway for the first time in May this year - Bergen, Flam, paddling kayaks in Naeroyfjord. What a country! Probably the most memorable holiday of my life!
To you other Bolgeristas, Norway is THE place for scenery and atmosphere. AH! The fjords! The waterfalls! The glaciers! GO there if you ever get the chance!
Hope to take in Oslo before too long.
Best wishes,
Bill
Musta taken a lot to say 'Dix points' for a Norwegian! ['In' joke for we people from this side of the Pond.]
Seriously, though, I was in Norway for the first time in May this year - Bergen, Flam, paddling kayaks in Naeroyfjord. What a country! Probably the most memorable holiday of my life!
To you other Bolgeristas, Norway is THE place for scenery and atmosphere. AH! The fjords! The waterfalls! The glaciers! GO there if you ever get the chance!
Hope to take in Oslo before too long.
Best wishes,
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: Bjorn Harbo
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2004 7:16 PM
Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: William D Jochem's Schooner (also long)
"Will Samson" <willsamson@...> writes:
> Must say that when I was planning my kayak cockpit, my 'ars' was more 'broada' than 'longa', or ( ! ) rather than (!) . . .
>
> Bill :) [Sorry, I couldn't resist!]
Me LOL as well!!! Never thought of it that way... Dix points from ze
Norwegian jury...
Bolger rules!!!
- no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, or flogging dead horses
- stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
- Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
- Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax: (978) 282-1349
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
"Will Samson" <willsamson@...> writes:
Norwegian jury...
> Must say that when I was planning my kayak cockpit, my 'ars' was more 'broada' than 'longa', or ( ! ) rather than (!) . . .Me LOL as well!!! Never thought of it that way... Dix points from ze
>
> Bill :) [Sorry, I couldn't resist!]
Norwegian jury...
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Will Samson" <willsamson@y...> wrote:
away the bottle now,pop your biscuts in the oven and bring yer buns
ta bed :-D
Peter Lenihan,feeling much younger lately,then is usual...must be
the laughter of late!
> Must say that when I was planning my kayak cockpit, my 'ars' wasmore 'broada' than 'longa', or ( ! ) rather than (!) . . .
>LOL!!!....All is forgiven Bill in the name of humour.You can put
> Bill :) [Sorry, I couldn't resist!]
away the bottle now,pop your biscuts in the oven and bring yer buns
ta bed :-D
Peter Lenihan,feeling much younger lately,then is usual...must be
the laughter of late!
Must say that when I was planning my kayak cockpit, my 'ars' was more 'broada' than 'longa', or ( ! ) rather than (!) . . .
Bill :) [Sorry, I couldn't resist!]
Bill :) [Sorry, I couldn't resist!]
----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Lenihan
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2004 10:48 AM
Subject: [bolger] Re: William D Jochem's Schooner (also long)
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Bjorn Harbo <bharbo@o...> wrote:
> (vita brevis - ars longa) ((Lang ist die Kunst - das Leben ach so
kurz))
Bjorn,
Truer words,in either language,were never spoken! C'est la vie!
Pierre Lenihan
Bolger rules!!!
- no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, or flogging dead horses
- stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
- Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
- Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax: (978) 282-1349
- Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
- Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
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a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
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c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Bjorn Harbo <bharbo@o...> wrote:
Bjorn,
Truer words,in either language,were never spoken! C'est la vie!
Pierre Lenihan
> (vita brevis - ars longa) ((Lang ist die Kunst - das Leben ach sokurz))
Bjorn,
Truer words,in either language,were never spoken! C'est la vie!
Pierre Lenihan
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Bjorn Harbo <bharbo@o...> wrote:
All the positive feedback regarding
> my report on WDJ (as unpolished as the boat) will force me to
reinstall
> the video editing software and start digging out those old
> tapes.
Bjorn,
I,for one, will now take a solem oath to not be critical of
your video production,regardless of lack of editing,out-of-focus
shots,poor lighting etc......Happiness will be seeing the video,in
all its un-cut glory! In other words, do not get stressed out over
this Bjorn,just copy what you got,name your price and we,the
audience, will enjoy :-)
Next summer,instead of trying to find someone to steer
Esmerelda,find someone who can hold and aim a video camera instead.
The odds are better that you will find a person with
camera"experience" and,best of all,you'll get to be the star of your
own video :-)
Christmas is just 49 days away!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,looking forward to a winter filmfest,from along the
shores of the St.Lawrence...........
"Peter Lenihan" <peterlenihan@...> writes:
you make me want to build another one...
Thank you. I will show your posting to my wife (who still has not
completely forgiven my 'Verliebtsein' in WDJ
Bjørn
(vita brevis - ars longa) ((Lang ist die Kunst - das Leben ach so kurz))
> Sincerely,Ah Peter,
>
> Peter Lenihan,with visions of a SCHOONER abuilding,down East,in a
> bowshed,with one happy soul,glad that he's a bluenoser,and doing his
> level best!
you make me want to build another one...
Thank you. I will show your posting to my wife (who still has not
completely forgiven my 'Verliebtsein' in WDJ
Bjørn
(vita brevis - ars longa) ((Lang ist die Kunst - das Leben ach so kurz))
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Jack&Lois" <jalo@i...> wrote:
Glad to hear that global warming hasn't changed the weather
patterns down East. I read that the Farmers Almanac predicts the
appearance of the sun sometime during the first week of April.Sit
Tight! ;-)
It was interesting to read about your personal journey
through boatland. As far as being able to identify any particular
pattern with your vessel aquisitions, I dare say this phenomena was
all but laid to rest during the Heidelberg Symposium(1952) when one
Karl-Henrick Besswheinertick presented his brief titled" Wunderbar
Kunstboats and other distractions".Without wishing to bore you to
tears nor to inspire false hope,he concluded by saying,and here I
paraphrase,"the role of the missionary will soon come to pass and
vessels luring one to their rescue are nothing more then cheap,un-
redeamable Kunsts not worthy our higher ambitions or talents."
With that cheery note in mind, I feel compelled to encourage
you in the direction of the WDJ. As with any amateur boatbuilding
venture,you are in a most remarkable postion of being both
builder/client at once. As the builder,you can strive to render the
boat to the best of your abilities for the client, while as the
client,you can be really sweet and understanding should delays crop
up :-) Furthermore there is no need to buy ALL your materials in one
go since it is unlikely one can consume it as fast as it arrives.
This makes the whole process much less stressful since there is
little strain on the purse strings and no worries about the stock-
piled "inventory" being stolen/roting/used for other things etc....
Beyond that, is "marine ply" really called for? Would a good quality
MDO,properly dressed not serve just as well? Remember when you
visited my Micro? She was 10 years old at the time and only built
with MDO. Surely she did not look that bad?
I do,however,empathize with your wondering eye and find both
Manatee and Berengaria worthy objects for serious reflection, and
that notwithstanding the Kunstballast system shown for Berengaria.
The WDJ can now be considered a proven design,enhancements
have been rendered from the good office of PCB&F's to perhaps make
her a better boat still and,last but not least........she is a
SCHOONER,my good man, and you're in SCHOONER country,by golly, and
no self respecting bluenoser would ever consider goin'ta sea in
anything less then a SCHOONER. Besides,SCHOONER ale is delightfully
refreshing under a hot summer sun and would look mighty fine to
anyones eyes as they pry open the onboard cooler of the(your) WDJ
SCHOONER while the rest of the crew of pirates take relief in the
lee of the foremast :-)
So,that's me feeble attempt at weighing in on the "to Jochem or
not to Jochem" debate.Hope it helps make the winter perhaps a wee
bit more bearable for ya!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,with visions of a SCHOONER abuilding,down East,in a
bowshed,with one happy soul,glad that he's a bluenoser,and doing his
level best!
> I hope fellowdebate. In the
> Bolgerados will weigh in on the "to Jochem or not to Jochem"
> meantime,Hi Jack,
Glad to hear that global warming hasn't changed the weather
patterns down East. I read that the Farmers Almanac predicts the
appearance of the sun sometime during the first week of April.Sit
Tight! ;-)
It was interesting to read about your personal journey
through boatland. As far as being able to identify any particular
pattern with your vessel aquisitions, I dare say this phenomena was
all but laid to rest during the Heidelberg Symposium(1952) when one
Karl-Henrick Besswheinertick presented his brief titled" Wunderbar
Kunstboats and other distractions".Without wishing to bore you to
tears nor to inspire false hope,he concluded by saying,and here I
paraphrase,"the role of the missionary will soon come to pass and
vessels luring one to their rescue are nothing more then cheap,un-
redeamable Kunsts not worthy our higher ambitions or talents."
With that cheery note in mind, I feel compelled to encourage
you in the direction of the WDJ. As with any amateur boatbuilding
venture,you are in a most remarkable postion of being both
builder/client at once. As the builder,you can strive to render the
boat to the best of your abilities for the client, while as the
client,you can be really sweet and understanding should delays crop
up :-) Furthermore there is no need to buy ALL your materials in one
go since it is unlikely one can consume it as fast as it arrives.
This makes the whole process much less stressful since there is
little strain on the purse strings and no worries about the stock-
piled "inventory" being stolen/roting/used for other things etc....
Beyond that, is "marine ply" really called for? Would a good quality
MDO,properly dressed not serve just as well? Remember when you
visited my Micro? She was 10 years old at the time and only built
with MDO. Surely she did not look that bad?
I do,however,empathize with your wondering eye and find both
Manatee and Berengaria worthy objects for serious reflection, and
that notwithstanding the Kunstballast system shown for Berengaria.
The WDJ can now be considered a proven design,enhancements
have been rendered from the good office of PCB&F's to perhaps make
her a better boat still and,last but not least........she is a
SCHOONER,my good man, and you're in SCHOONER country,by golly, and
no self respecting bluenoser would ever consider goin'ta sea in
anything less then a SCHOONER. Besides,SCHOONER ale is delightfully
refreshing under a hot summer sun and would look mighty fine to
anyones eyes as they pry open the onboard cooler of the(your) WDJ
SCHOONER while the rest of the crew of pirates take relief in the
lee of the foremast :-)
So,that's me feeble attempt at weighing in on the "to Jochem or
not to Jochem" debate.Hope it helps make the winter perhaps a wee
bit more bearable for ya!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,with visions of a SCHOONER abuilding,down East,in a
bowshed,with one happy soul,glad that he's a bluenoser,and doing his
level best!
"Jack&Lois" <jalo@...> writes:
my report on WDJ (as unpolished as the boat) will force me to reinstall
the video editing software and start digging out those old
tapes.
Unfortunately all filming was done from inside the boat while
sailing. Nice shots of the rig but no "bird perspectiv". Personally I
have yet to "admire" the rig from distance. I have only seen the video
and no one has till now been willing to steer the boat while I stay on
shore or in another boat.
I hope they may still be of some interest for those of you who just
enjoy watching this kind of film or are ambivalent towards choice of
building project.
I don't think I can help you out in your dilemma between Jessie Cooper,
Manatee, Berengaria or WDJ, jeb. You does not seem to run out of
procjects. Your production is impressive. And I envy your boat shed!
Good luck!!
Bjorn
PS I will all let you know when the DVD is finished.
> Thank you so very much, Bjorn, for your exhaustive report onThank you, jeb, for the kind words. All the positive feedback regarding
> building/sailing Esmeralda. And a big thanx to Peter for mentioning the
> meantime, Bjorn, please put me on your video list.
my report on WDJ (as unpolished as the boat) will force me to reinstall
the video editing software and start digging out those old
tapes.
Unfortunately all filming was done from inside the boat while
sailing. Nice shots of the rig but no "bird perspectiv". Personally I
have yet to "admire" the rig from distance. I have only seen the video
and no one has till now been willing to steer the boat while I stay on
shore or in another boat.
I hope they may still be of some interest for those of you who just
enjoy watching this kind of film or are ambivalent towards choice of
building project.
I don't think I can help you out in your dilemma between Jessie Cooper,
Manatee, Berengaria or WDJ, jeb. You does not seem to run out of
procjects. Your production is impressive. And I envy your boat shed!
Good luck!!
Bjorn
PS I will all let you know when the DVD is finished.
Thank you so very much, Bjorn, for your exhaustive report on
building/sailing Esmeralda. And a big thanx to Peter for mentioning the
concept of sunlight and Bay of Fundy (in November) in the same sentence. A
very rare combination in the real world. Bjorn, your narrative evokes great
passion and ambivalence. I purchased my plans for WDJ about the time you
started building. At the time getting underway with building her was of the
highest priority... almost. Largely influenced by your description of
working in the open air of Oslo I decided that an enclosed, semi climate
controlled work space was essential, especially given the shores of Fundy
climate is probably not unlike that of the shores of Skagerrak (even if we
are 15 degrees further south). After building a 36'x18' bow shed structure
especially for WDJ construction I too took time out to build two stitch and
glue kayaks (is there a pattern here?). Rather than purchase a CLC kit I
took a course from a local kayak master. Sitting near his workshop was the
sad but glorious remains of a micro he'd built many years earlier for a
client then later repossessed. When asked of her fate he said he planned a
big bonfire funeral for her once summer arrived. Like a fool I adopted her
and her flaking trailer and snuck her home on back roads in the wee hours.
Her restoration filled the bow shed and the following two years. We finally
launched her last September and enjoyed two spectacular but heartbreakingly
short weeks of cruising Mahone Bay before stepping out onto heavily frost
covered decks in the morning convinced me the season was over. But even a
year before that I adopted the battered remains of a Jessie Cooper which had
been brutalized by Hurricane Juan (is there another pattern emerging here?).
So here's the ambivalence. The Jessie Cooper is a Bolger boat of about the
same dimensions as WDJ, though admittedly less evolved, which can be made
sea worthy in less than two years at a fraction the cost of building WDJ
from scratch (despite her wounds, JC's not in nearly as bad shape as the
Micro was). But your report has prompted me to also dig out my WDJ plans
once more and drool. But my agony is now around the issue of building yet
another big plywood boat, which would require an outlay of approx
$6000-$7000 Can. (as of quotes two years ago) for marine plywood alone,
never mind 45+ gallons of epoxy, vs making a departure to cold moulded or
strip plank construction. I know cold moulded construction is not likely any
cheaper (no kidding!) overall, but work and cash outlay can be more readily
stretched over the building time. To some extent this would also apply to
strip planking, though wood selection would be a fussier process. At any
rate I'm now looking wistfully at Berengaria, though to my knowledge she was
never fully designed, and Manatee, which is about as tried and true as you
can get. These contemplations will occupy my mind this winter as I use my
now empty bow shed to build an Auray Punt to serve as tender for the Micro
next summer. I used my June Bug for this purpose in September, but felt
silly towing a 14' skiff behind my 15' 4" sail boat. I hope fellow
Bolgerados will weigh in on the "to Jochem or not to Jochem" debate. In the
meantime, Bjorn, please put me on your video list. I'll gladly convert my
Canadian dollars to a money order in whatever currency (within reason) works
for you.
jeb, currently pulled in way too many nautical directions on the roaring but
sunless shores of Fundy
building/sailing Esmeralda. And a big thanx to Peter for mentioning the
concept of sunlight and Bay of Fundy (in November) in the same sentence. A
very rare combination in the real world. Bjorn, your narrative evokes great
passion and ambivalence. I purchased my plans for WDJ about the time you
started building. At the time getting underway with building her was of the
highest priority... almost. Largely influenced by your description of
working in the open air of Oslo I decided that an enclosed, semi climate
controlled work space was essential, especially given the shores of Fundy
climate is probably not unlike that of the shores of Skagerrak (even if we
are 15 degrees further south). After building a 36'x18' bow shed structure
especially for WDJ construction I too took time out to build two stitch and
glue kayaks (is there a pattern here?). Rather than purchase a CLC kit I
took a course from a local kayak master. Sitting near his workshop was the
sad but glorious remains of a micro he'd built many years earlier for a
client then later repossessed. When asked of her fate he said he planned a
big bonfire funeral for her once summer arrived. Like a fool I adopted her
and her flaking trailer and snuck her home on back roads in the wee hours.
Her restoration filled the bow shed and the following two years. We finally
launched her last September and enjoyed two spectacular but heartbreakingly
short weeks of cruising Mahone Bay before stepping out onto heavily frost
covered decks in the morning convinced me the season was over. But even a
year before that I adopted the battered remains of a Jessie Cooper which had
been brutalized by Hurricane Juan (is there another pattern emerging here?).
So here's the ambivalence. The Jessie Cooper is a Bolger boat of about the
same dimensions as WDJ, though admittedly less evolved, which can be made
sea worthy in less than two years at a fraction the cost of building WDJ
from scratch (despite her wounds, JC's not in nearly as bad shape as the
Micro was). But your report has prompted me to also dig out my WDJ plans
once more and drool. But my agony is now around the issue of building yet
another big plywood boat, which would require an outlay of approx
$6000-$7000 Can. (as of quotes two years ago) for marine plywood alone,
never mind 45+ gallons of epoxy, vs making a departure to cold moulded or
strip plank construction. I know cold moulded construction is not likely any
cheaper (no kidding!) overall, but work and cash outlay can be more readily
stretched over the building time. To some extent this would also apply to
strip planking, though wood selection would be a fussier process. At any
rate I'm now looking wistfully at Berengaria, though to my knowledge she was
never fully designed, and Manatee, which is about as tried and true as you
can get. These contemplations will occupy my mind this winter as I use my
now empty bow shed to build an Auray Punt to serve as tender for the Micro
next summer. I used my June Bug for this purpose in September, but felt
silly towing a 14' skiff behind my 15' 4" sail boat. I hope fellow
Bolgerados will weigh in on the "to Jochem or not to Jochem" debate. In the
meantime, Bjorn, please put me on your video list. I'll gladly convert my
Canadian dollars to a money order in whatever currency (within reason) works
for you.
jeb, currently pulled in way too many nautical directions on the roaring but
sunless shores of Fundy