Fairing A smooth curve, usually referring to a line of the hull which has no deviations. To make something flush. A line is fair when it has a clear run. Wind or current is fair when it offers an advantage to a boat. In which we fret about the first two meanings of the term,…

We took a weekend off for sailing lessons in Casco Bay. It happened to be the hottest days of summer. We had a good time. Finally, Something Goes Wrong Trouble Oh trouble set me free I have seen your face And it’s too much too much for meTrouble Oh trouble can’t you see You’re eating my heart away And there’s nothing…

Next, after dry fitting, the chines and sheers we scribed the frames for in-letting before seating the chines and sheers and gluing and screwing. Pictured below you can also see that we removed frame nine from its station. We thought that forcing the 2×8 keelson over it and hoping it would align with the stem…

Did a whole batch of scarfs joints on the material for the chine and sheer. I like to use the nautical terms – in part it is like starboard and port. These specialized terms are anchored at the stern facing the bow. The starboard side of the boat is always the same even if I…

MOTOR WELL – We figured that building the motor well right off the bat would give us an anchor from which to attach the other ribs. We chose a rear motor well, (though the plans also offer a mid-engine version) and so the transom gave us the starting place. This part of the plans are…

FRAME MAKING We started with the transom (the back of the boat), which was one of the more interesting as far as frames go. It has the most glue joints. We laid it out on the pattern lofted onto the plywood then glued and clamped. The plans call for butt joints, and no screws as…

A Dragonfly stops by to bless the enterprise. The Dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization.  For a very long time, I’ve dreamed of building a boat. Most of the dream was about a cruising vessel, a live-aboard. Alas, as with much of life, dreams get deferred. Yet, I have learned a few lessons because… “The…