Re: MICRO NAVIGATOR

Too bad. I think there is a nice home business to be had there by someone who is boat savvy, just marketing the existing popular designs. One could support somewhere between 12 and 25 designs and sell a bunch of paper each month. Black Skimmer, Topaz to Black Liner, Old Shoe to AS-39, and a selection of others that are well proven, built more than once.

Suzanne could get to finishing some commissions that date back years, and then move on with her passion for the Blackliner series.

Many of the books (all 3 that I own) have plans and keys for some designs. The images in mine are so fine in detail they are easily blown up into working drawings. One might need to go to a print shop to get them printed, after having scanned them at a very high 'dot per inch' setting. These don't include some of the most popular designs, but it is surprising what is available. I take all that detail as an invitation to build from the book.

I wouldn't bring this up, except that PB&F doesn't seem to be getting back on its feet. A handful of designs are available through Common Sense Boats. They are not supported by PB&F. In fact per what I have read, CSB has effectively stolen/are stealing the designs. The versions they sell include Long Micro, Martha Jane, Idaho, Brick, and MicroTrawler. Bolger extensively revised Martha Jane for safety and utility. CSB's version does not reflect those changes.

Don Schultz

> Sadly, there will be no more thoughtfully written letters from the
> hand of PCB. Though, even without plan sales in the near term, that
> doesn't mean that there is no way for builders to keep on building
> Bolger's boats. Considering the massive amount of detail about these
> boats already published in magazines and books, it just means there is
> a need for more study and more lofting. Any builder who is
> experienced with lofting can build most any Bolger design from the
> magazine illustrations. Certainly this is true with the Micro
> Navigator.
>

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Hallman <hallman@...> wrote:

> Sadly, there will be no more thoughtfully written letters from the
> hand of PCB. Though, even without plan sales in the near term, that
> doesn't mean that there is no way for builders to keep on building
> Bolger's boats. Considering the massive amount of detail about these
> boats already published in magazines and books, it just means there is
> a need for more study and more lofting. Any builder who is
> experienced with lofting can build most any Bolger design from the
> magazine illustrations. Certainly this is true with the Micro
> Navigator.
>

Bruce, No doubt you are correct, however I would wager that many first time builders have built Bolger designs, which without "official" plans they would not have had the energy or courage to tackle. It would be sad to see that segment of the builder market lost to other designs - but it almost surely will be so without ongoing availability of plans. Luckily there is a support group like this.
Tom

On Mon, May 17, 2010 at 1:11 PM, Tom <tomoll@...> wrote:

>
>
>
> Impression and reality seem to be two different things. Has anyone actually received anything from PB&F in the last month or two? I have also been trying with no success. With all due respect and sensitivity to the situation and parties involved, it would be nice to know directly from PB&F what the intentions are (if any) for continuation of the business, and just how patient we need be (1 month, 2, 6?). I for one, am looking elsewhere, as one can only wait so long based on what seems to be a complete lack of response, confirmed by the experience of others. Reality is that I can only interpret such lack of response as effectively being out of business. I truly hope that this is NOT the case and that there is a way for builders to carry on the legacy and keep building Bolger designed boats.
> Tom

Sadly, there will be no more thoughtfully written letters from the
hand of PCB. Though, even without plan sales in the near term, that
doesn't mean that there is no way for builders to keep on building
Bolger's boats. Considering the massive amount of detail about these
boats already published in magazines and books, it just means there is
a need for more study and more lofting. Any builder who is
experienced with lofting can build most any Bolger design from the
magazine illustrations. Certainly this is true with the Micro
Navigator.

Impression and reality seem to be two different things. Has anyone actually received anything from PB&F in the last month or two? I have also been trying with no success. With all due respect and sensitivity to the situation and parties involved, it would be nice to know directly from PB&F what the intentions are (if any) for continuation of the business, and just how patient we need be (1 month, 2, 6?). I for one, am looking elsewhere, as one can only wait so long based on what seems to be a complete lack of response, confirmed by the experience of others. Reality is that I can only interpret such lack of response as effectively being out of business. I truly hope that this is NOT the case and that there is a way for builders to carry on the legacy and keep building Bolger designed boats.
Tom

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Gene Tehansky <goldranger02-boats@...> wrote:
>
> That is not the impression that Susanne has given in her few postings
> on this site. She is slowly trying to pull herself and the business
> together. I have plans for the Micro Navigator. I have just
> receintly turned the boat and started installing internal panels. I
> am very excited at the boat that is developing. I think it would be
> worth your while to have patience and be persistant trying to acquire
> the plans. If you search through past posts you will find replys from
> Susanne. They may be of interest to you.
>
> Sincerely,
> Gene T.
>
> On 16 May, 2010, at 8:24 PM, Wilderness Voice wrote:
>
> >
> > They are no longer in business, Phil Bolger died last year
> >
> > --- On Sun, 5/16/10, Nostromo <giovannijjones@...> wrote:
> >
> > From: Nostromo <giovannijjones@...>
> > Subject: [bolger] MICRO NAVIGATOR
> > To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Sunday, May 16, 2010, 4:07 PM
> >
> >
> > anyone out there have any MICRO NAVIGATOR plans?
> > I've written and FAX'D Phil Bolger and Friends but have received no
> > answer.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Wilderness Voice wrote:

>
>
> They are no longer in business, Phil Bolger died last year

They ARE in business!!! Susanne Altenberger is still there!

She may be slow in responding, but you will eventually get a response.

That is not the impression that Susanne has given in her few postings on this site.  She is slowly trying to pull herself and the business together.  I have plans for the Micro Navigator.  I have just receintly turned the boat and started installing internal panels.  I am very excited at the boat that is developing.  I think it would be worth your while to have patience and be persistant trying to acquire the plans.  If you search through past posts you will find replys from Susanne.  They may be of interest to you.

anyone out there have any MICRO NAVIGATOR plans?
I've written and FAX'D Phil Bolger and Friends but have received no answer.