Little Bit O' Work

It was a relatively short and quite day. Experimented with a boom on my spirit sail. Excessive boom rise but I'll keep at it. I do like the spirit sail for it's simplicity and ease of set up. One thing I need to remember is this is a SMALL boat and should be treated as such. I draw inspiration from the Ensigns Gig a two sheeter I found at Duck Works. I am a patriot. So today I raised Old Glory above the deck of the S/V Sea Hawk.

This means my sail will no longer be stored outside as the flag is permanently attached to the sail. Well as permanent as duct tape. No tape on the flag though! I also spruced up the mast step a bit.

Now is the time for the dreaded bits and painting. I'll be varnishing the inside for a more traditional look and I'm excited to get that started. But I'm off to Idaho for a few days so I'll be boat free for a bit.

Boat Camping Wish List

Don't think I'll get any boat work done today so I thought I'd post one one of my favorite topics, Boat Camping. The allure of heading out on a local lake and going from spot to spot for a few days has really fired my imagination. Last night it was waiting out a rain storm, who knows what it will be tomorrow! But I thought I'd throw up a wish list of gear. Now it should be noted that this is not everything and just what my rather uniformed mind would like. But for those of you wondering, here is my list:

-Bivy Sack
A must for boat camping. Near as I can understand it's a one man tent that could be set up IN my boat. How cool is that? I figure I'll carry a full tent for shore excursions but if I'm on the boat for the night it seems to make sense. It'll need to be waterproof and had a good price. And I'd like a full bivy, not just a "shelter". A one man tent may fit the bill. But it is my plan to ask for a bivy for Christmas.

Lightsabre Bivy by Black Diamond

-Camp Stove
Again an essential if I want to eat more then Cliff Bars and trail mix. Okay I'm reaching a bit there but having a couple of sizzling sausages in the morning while I watch a hunting Great Blue Heron while sipping a mug of hot chocolate seems like it's the way to go. Or turning plump freshly caught trout with the blade of my boat knife while I wait to for my tea to boil. Will it happen? Who knows but this is all in my mind at the moment. Something small and one burnery I think. Or an old battleship Coleman two burner. I think in my future boat I'll have the room for one of the green monstrosities, I grew up with them so I have no doubt one would continue to serve me well.

Coleman Fold n' Go Instastart 2 Burner Stove

 -New PFD
I have one and would never imagine sailing a small boat without it. But I would like a new one. A PFD that gives me more room to move and doesn't break the bank. I've been looking at kayaking vests and they may fit the bill. Will need to hit my local REI to ask questions and find a good one. But I think for extending sailing my current PFD will be better left as a back up or emergency floatation.

Extrasport Eagle Type III PFD

-GPS
A back up to my tennis ball log and compass. Not a necessity but it would be nice to have. Something rugged and inexpensive. I don't want a $400 dollar unit on my local lakes. If I ever move or journey father afield a full featured GPS would be the order of the day. But right now, it's not.

Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS

-Marine Compass
This is a must for any kind of navigation. I'd prefer the marine type. If I can get one in a binnacle all the better but I can forsake fomanticism for functionality.

Tr-31Gclm by Ritchie

-Spy Glass
Because I want one dammit!

Tesco Specialty 25x30mm Brass Spyglass

-Binoculars
Because it's smart. And a good pair will last forever.

NcStar BA1050R 10x50 Full Size Binoculars

-Marine/Weather Radio
This one is also a must. I can call for help and keep track of my local weather. 'nuff said.

Cobra MR HH125 Compact Waterproof Marine Handheld Radio

Foul Weather Gear
-Because not having it in the great state of Montana for any sort of outdoor activity is just plain stupid. And if I get one the odds are it won't rain because I have it.

Coleman PVC/Nylon Rain Suit

Well there you have my current want list All the items can be found on Amazon for less then $100 and if you'd like to send me stuff, go right ahead. I'm off to live vicariously through others blogs. I can smell the campfire now!

A Day of Work

The year is 1905 and Seitz Boat Yard and Print Shop is running two shifts.

Spent a good day at The Typesetter's house helping him work on his boat, the S/V Pica. By helping him I sat in the shade reading a wooden boat book, took some photo's and held things when he needed. it. But the end result was a finished mast and mast partner and a completed bottom. It's a truly and amazing thing to watch a boat come together. Doing it with a good friend is even better. And by better I mean constant petty bickering that leads to more thinking and good results. It's a good time had by all. That's probably why it's just the two of using doing it.

S/V Pica enjoying her new bottom.

I work best in the morning for some odd reason. I like it when the sun is coming up and the world is just getting up. No better time to work. So for the last few weeks I've been stopping by The Seitz Boat Yard and Print Shop to assist in the creation of the Montana's newest home built boat.
On a previous entry I made mention of the idea that changing the plans kills kittens and cuts off your fingers. I should clarify after our session today. There is a huge difference between changing the plans for the sake of changing the plans room to set them "right" again. I'm sure The Typesetter can cover what is and is not changed but we're, that is HE, is gong about it right. How those decisions are arrived at is not as important. What is important that a lot of thought and banter goes into these decisions. For myself I'm building a boat vicariously and it's a blast. It's nice to to see how my Mayfly will get together and after watching this boat I'm pleased to say it'll be quick and painless. I hope. but I know I can count on a good friend to help me. Because he'll have another boat to build. Even if he doesn't know it yet.. So I'll end with some photo's taken during the build today. You can see how the boat is coming along well, the creation of the new mast step and partner and a man building a boat to get away from it all. Doing a pretty good job of it I think.

Es hält Wasser von Gott!!!

S/V Sea Hawk does indeed hold water! But we'll get to that in a second. The hardest part of building a boat is the very end. Where all the bits are going on and it's tough to find a direction to go in. My way of getting past this is to work on the boat until decent progress is made every morning. And I have fulfilled that requirement for today.
The plan for the Cygnet calls for a whimsical duck shaped rudder. If I were to show up on a wharf in Hong Kong with a rudder like this I'd have the tar kicked outta me by wharf rats. A ducky rudder will simply not do. So I decided I'd make it like I have everything else, I'll guess.
First up was the top part of the folding rudder. I got a pencil and drew out what I think it will look like. Then I cut it out. Now I'm using 1/4" luann so I'll laminate it for a full 1/2".

 If the lamination fails I'll simply these bits out of full 1/2" plywood and call it a day. With that sorted out it was on to the rudder. Yes, I am still fascinated by Titanic's rudder so I made one that looks like that. Much bigger and broader then my last one mind you.

That...looks about right. I think.

Once that was cut out twice and put in a vice grip to cure I decided it was time for the dreaded water test. That and I had nothing more I could do at this point.So I grabbed the garden hose and filled her up.

Takes a lot of water to fill this small boat!

 The good news is that if I was taking water over the bow at the rate of the hose and if the world were perfect I could bail fast enough to keep the water out. Of course she leaked. but nowhere near as bad as I had feared. It was mainly along the tops of the chines and along the bottom of the transom where the angle isn't the best. All easily fixed.

  I think once she takes up a bit the leaks will slow down and or stop. I also plan on running a bead of DAP Roofing Sealant around the interior edges as an added barrier. But these leaks are at acceptable levels and sea trials are a go as soon as I have the rest of my bits done. Darn those bits!

More and More Boatlike!

Not as much progress as I was hoping for today. I blame it on lack of good plywood. I have a loot of checking scrap lying around but for my leeboard and my rudder I'd just as soon use good plywood and only have to use it once. But on to today's progress!
First thing out of the gate was the leeboard support. I wasn't satisfied with what the plans called for, surprise surprise and I put the thought of a centerboard out of my head. I ended up following Andrew Linn's leeboard he used on his Harley 8a, a simple sideways table like set up. I cut them short, then had to cut them shorter. Then had gaps I'll use PL Premium to fill. But they seem to be sturdy and in the right place. That's what counts!

Looking over the plans and from what research I've done it appears I need about about 1 1/2sqft to get the proper leeboard to sail size ratio. I'm thinking I'll do the Michelak thing and do my boards out of laminated 1/4 ply for strength and straightness. With the support out of the way I grabbed an old skeg I had kicking around, cleaned it up with a jigsaw and attached it. Now lying upside down the S/V Sea Hawk looks like a boat lying upside down.

 That is my favorite part of building a boat, watching these pieces of plywood come together into a form someone can recognize as a boat! And this is going to be my trim little racing privateer. I've decided on having a regatta during the WMHBBA messabout in September so this is going to be my best and only chance of winning! Sailing ability is going to be key in this boat and the ones that follow it. I want a boat that sails well in a good wind. I'm not so worried about slight and gusty winds but in a good stiff breeze I want to have a vessel answering it's helm and commander and allow me to worry about getting there and not if I will get there at all!

Progress has Struck!

It was a busy day at the IP&NCo. fleet yards! The S/V Sea Hawk is nearing it's launch date, with luck this coming Sunday! How did we get here? Well with the help of some friends and lots of work, as all such things happen.
Last week I managed to snap one of the gunwales while putting it on. Note to self, start at the pointy end! So Sea Hawk was put on a brief hold while I helped The Typesetter work on his boat, the S/V Pica. He needed access to a table saw and my neighbor has one so he came over to use it. Turns out we had to dig it out of assorted clutter but in the end his 1x4x16 was turned into a beautiful set of gunwales for his teal. And since I had him over he helped me put on my chines. One of the issues was that all my tools are spread between his yard and mine and since I was visiting on a regular basis I sent Sea Hawk home with him figuring I could work on her next time I came over.

Sea Hawk underway for the first time!

Later in the week we picked up a few 1x2's to be used as gunwales and soaked them over night. Adding water to cheap lumber really helps to assist it in making a curve! And on an 8' boat those curves can be pretty intense! Gunwales were applied as was the bottom. Because I put the frame in the wrong position I have a slightly curvier boat then the plans call for and the remaining luann sheet was not enough for the bottom. In my defense the plans are slightly confusing if you read them quickly. Okay that's not much of a defense but we had some more luann. Of course the sheet had been torn in half during a move but we know how to make a butt joint and it worked out perfectly!
I was out in the truck today so we swung by The Typesetters and picked up the boat. Then it was to work! The goal for today was get the mast in place. I'm following the build notes for the Cygnet so it's run inside, pull up the site, get a measurement, run back out and work. It should be noted that the OSS was not designed to take a sail rig, so there is not a whole lot of info out there on converting the boat to sail. But so far I think I'm doing alright.

Mast partner and step

 According to the plans the mast partner is 26" behind the tip of the bow and the step has three settings for rake. I'm really pleased with how my mast step came out. It's just a scrap of 3/8" I had lying around with a 1/2" plate underneath it for reinforcement. But it looks clean and works quite well. The other rack positions are a bit superfluous as they don't work. But it looks cool! I'm still planing on adding some sides for a 'well' look to it. And if you are wondering, yes I made sure to add some money, in this case a 2007 Montana state quarter beneath the step.

With the partner and step in place I had to put the sail up! I cut it down about a foot to make the height the same as in the photo's of Cygnet. With a bit of finagling I got the sail working and went yard sailing. It worked perfectly! I was very pleased with it's performance and am sure if the boat doesn't sink, the COE is in the right place and the rudder works I'll have a sail boat.

And I leave you with a song. Yes, a song. I have a habit of singing sea chanteys when I work on a boat and got one stuck in my head and figured I'd record it. I'm not the best singer but neither were those who sang this when it was used for work. You'll also get a blurry tour of the boat. Enjoy!

What remains are what The Typesetter and myself call "The Bits". Rudder, leeboard, fit and finish. I'm contemplating doing Cunard colors with varnish in board. Should be a sharp little boat when I'm done. Looking forward to it.

S/V Sea Hawk Work Suspended

Pending access to a table saw.

One Sheet Skiff or...

I'm debating if OSS stands for One Sheet Skiff or One Sh*&#y Ship. The S/V Sea Hawk is now partially completed. It's been a hell of a day. It wasn't until after I started the build that I realized everything I need to do a quick build is over at the S/V Pica site. Great....well it's just an obstacle right? So I thundered on, I have a deadline to meet! Got the sides cut out and then dug right on in to the center frame. It was raining like crazy so I was in my neighbors shop. Got the frame finished and the rain stopped. Wandered next door and did a test fit. Hmmmm...something wasn't right. Made the frame 4 1/2" to long. No problem, took 2 1/4" inches out of each side and secured them back together.
Now the directions say to attach the stem first. This is the same general design as the Teal and the Mayfly 14 so I decided to warp the sides around the main frame. Turns out the work table I have isn't exactly flat. Well crap. Then I found out my Titebond I swore I had kicking around here wasn't to be found. So I used some Gorilla Wood Glue. We'll see how it turns out. But with lots and lots and lots of little nails I got the sides on the frame.She started  looking like a boat so I was doing something right.
Found some decent 1/4 ply in the scrap heap and framed up the transom. Now here is the odd thing: The sides are 9" high but the transom is listed on the plans as 10 1/2" inches high. Oh well I followed the plans. Now it should be mentioned at this point I was beyond the point of no return, I was going to get as much done before dark as possible. Attached the transom and figured if it was wrong I could maybe..uh...we'll figure it out.
Now for the last part of the evening, the stem. Oh the stem. I have access to a table saw but it's not ready yet. So I had to use a jigsaw. Next time I'd rather nail my tongue to a cactus using a rusty Popsicle stick and a dull hammer then ever do that again. In the end it was a bloody inch short. Oh well looks fine from about fifteen feet away so why worry?. Slobbered some glue on it and with a few 3/4 screws got the stem installed.
Right now I'm sweaty and tired and need a shower. My throat and nose are full of sawdust and I itch. But  have a good start on my boat. The OSS is a decent size and I would suggest anyone out there build it. But make sure you have everything you need first.

Not to shabby, not to shabby at all.

Tomorrow I plan on getting the gunwales and chines on to stiffen her up. Bottom will go on later in the week. This boat will be saved by PL Premium, God's gift to those who build cheap boats.

Did I I Forget to Mention...

My first spirit sail. 25 sq. ft.

In my last post I made the comment I'm cheap and lazy. I'm also rather impatient. The sail for the S/V Sea Hawk is done. Yes yes I know I said it was going to be a gaff rig. But I don't have the blocks nor the lines to set up a gaff rig tonight. After looking at it I DID have all the parts for the spirit rig. Took a few notches in the mast and spirit and I had a sail.
This is the best sail I've made so far. The shape is much, much better the then any of my previous sails. I don't get the wrinkles or folding at any of the edges when the wind hits it. Sail creation is not witchcraft it just takes some time and research. The sail was amazingly easy to put together and I see why it's a popular sail option for small boats. I need to figure out a better snotter (How cool is that? Snotter snotter snotter!) set up but the sail is done. In his book, Jim Michalak says to build the sail first. With that out of the way the only thing left to do is get the hull built.

And it even works!

Needlessly Overcomplicating Things.....Again.....

Due to the fact I've not had a boat in a few weeks I feel the urge to build one. As Blue Flower is a long term project I've decided to knock out a Herb McLeod designed One Sheet Skiff with a sail rig to finish out the season and have a boat for the first WMHBBA messabout in September. The OSS is an amazing little craft. It was in fact the first boat I really wanted to build but it's 9" freeboard didn't seem to make much sense in the rough waters of the inland northwest. But my experiences on Lake Union have convinced me that it may yet hold some promise.
As we work on the build of the S/V Pica sail math and center of effort have taken center stage. Knowing that I want my OSS to have a sail I needed to see if anyone had done it before and save me the math. Someone had! Enter the Cygnent, a sailing version of the OSS mounting a 25 sq.ft spirit rig. Looking over the rig I thought "I can do this". So I set up the polytarp and did it!

Huge tarp staked out and ready for cutting.

This used to be the rain fly for a massive tent. Now it's sail material. The plan for the rig looked deceiving enough. There was ample direction. So I sketched the plan out and went to work. I didn't have a measuring device long enough for some of the edges, but with a simple string compass managed to get the lengths and angles close. Now I am a cheap, lazy, bastard at heart so when it talked about running rope around the edges I simply decide since I had grommets I'd use those. To cover the edges I decided to save time and not use the carpet tape as I have in the past. I simply ran duct tape down all the edges and called it good. Will it last? Long enough I think. If I really like how the skiff sails I'll simply make a better sail down the road.
As I've mentioned the plans call for a spirit rig. Well I'm not a fan. So after getting all the grommets in place and the mast cut down to size I was trying to figure out what to use for the spirit. And the more I looked at it the more "Gaff Rig" kept popping up in my head. Now Andrew Linn has a plan for a single halyard gaff set up. When I tried (and failed) to put a gaff rig on the Wawona I used this set up and it seemed to work fine. I still had my gaff jawed yard and thought, why not? So I may be working on the smallest gaff rigged vessel in all of the inland northwest. It may be needlessly over complicated but I like it. And if it doesn't work I'll sell it.
So here is the sail in all it's glory ready for a boat. Needs some tweaking but I have high hopes my gaff rigged OSS will be the hit of the 1st Annual Frenchtown Pond Messabout!

You'll Cut Your Fingers Off and Kill Kittens!

I'm a frequent lurker and contributor to many of the forums on wooden boat building. Frequent may be generous but I'm around. One is dedicated to certain designer and writer who have produced a very popular set of plans and boats. It's a great place to get the info on epoxy glue or just what the plans say. So as we work on the build I made a few queries as to a change in the plans we were contemplating.. The end result as near as I can tell is just what my title says. If we change the as written plans we'll cut our fingers off and kill kittens. Little white fluffy ones with big eyes and cute ears Okay maybe not the kittens part but it was mentioned that someone cut their fingers off because they "Were so excited". I really hate to pull out the net speak but WTF?
It's amazing how entrenched in a manner of thinking boat people get in. And this is the worst kind, a fear that change is something to be avoided or not discussed. And the idea that a design is "perfect". No design is perfect. A boat the size of the one we're building, 12 feet, is a whole series of compromises. We learn to live with and love these compromises as we wrestle what we want out of a boat. And this might mean change in the plans, sail, sail area, lee board, etc. This is part of boat building, some might say the best part! Just look at my last build I added a lot to the boat that wasn't there. Still have all my fingers! Did the boat handle better? I'm not sure. But I know it sailed and it didn't sink. I learned a lot about building boats and myself. So what's the big deal with changing plans?
"The designer knows what he's about" is a mantra and with good reason. The designer DOES know how to build a boat and it's wise to consult them before major changes. But we all want to make our boats our own. So do some homework. Find out about CE and CLR and how they relate. Learn about different sail rigs and rudder designs. And do this before you make your changes. Knowledge can be a great thing. Also ask a lot of questions and only accept good answers. But be prepared for the consequences when you make changes to a proven design. Such as cutting of your fingers or killing kittens.

WMHBBA Founded

 Today marks the founding of the Western Montana Home Built Boat Association. We are are a grassroots group who enjoy building and sailing wooden boats in the inland mountain west.  The hope to eventually move up to become a full fledged chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association. This would make us the only chapter in a rather large area. If anyone out there would like to join, let me know. As of now there are no benefits of joining other then the comradeship and fellowship of fellow like minded boaters.

Big Minds, Small Boats 

Busy, busy, busy

It's been a busy week so far! As I mentioned in an earlier post I'm helping Mike with his Bolger Teal and I've forgotten how it can wear on you. The last few days we've been hitting the heat of the day and it's killer! But the work progresses quickly and we can see one of the many ends in sight. And that is what boat building is building to a series of ends.
They say the work is never done on a boat. That's debatable but there can be many points where the work you've been doing is at an end. The hull is done. The paint and finish is complete. The mast and sail are as you want them. The paint is redone. And at all these points you sit back, take stock and maybe, a break. Then that it starts to gnaw on you a bit and before you know it your back in the backyard, or someone else's and your doing it all over again. But there you have the fun of it. I'd right more, have a lot more to say but I'm up early and I'm bushed right now. So...maybe we'll catch up later.

The Importance of Tools

Today marks a milestone in my boat building career I have purchased my first power tool, a saber saw. It's an orange $5 Kmart special most likely older then me but as near as I can tell it works.

 And that is the important thing. As I read various blogs I find that tools and the acquisition of tools play a huge part in boat building. For the instant boats I build a jigsaw is key. Cutting sides or ripping rub rails it makes the job simple and easy although I suppose a circular saw could do it faster. But there is something satisfying about watching that blade chew up a line that you drew with precision. In an afternoon sides and a transom appear. And soon the cutting is all done.
In prep for the up coming build I grabbed a table from a friend of mine, propped it up on some sawhorses and now I have a workspace, something lacking in my last build. A decent place to work is just as important as having decent tools. I'm looking forward to laying my tools out in the morning and having a place for everything as I work. That will save time as I'll not be searching the lawn looking for the nail I dropped or wondering where I put my wrench.
Over the weekend my buddy Andrew Linn posted build pics of the Lazy Weekend Canoe a boat that has many similarities to my upcoming Mayfly. Andrew builds boats like I hope to and it shows in this build.

Helping Friends

After a bit of initial banter my buddy Mike has started down the long road o f home boat building. He's been a great help in the building of my first boat and it was time he started as well. So for $21 dollars in materials he can start working on his own Bolger Teal, a very nice instant sharpie. There will be some changes and updates but I'll let him tell you about it once his blog get started. I will say that some of these changes will help with the building of S/V Blue Flower. I wish him good luck and following seas!

Home Built Boat Weekend, July 24th-25th 2010

I figured I'd post some more of the photo's I took at my first real boat show.

 I'm a complete steam nut, having operated both locomotives and tractors pretty steadily for the last five years. Here is the CWB steam launch Puffin. We were able to go out in her for a short jaunt and it was marvelous. And although when it comes to steam I'm completely biased, but I think wind is the way  to go on the water.

 Getting over the fear of big water took a few hours. Here I am paddling about in the relative shelter of the docks. The Harley 8 does not paddle well being so short, but I think she'd make a fine rowboat. Another thing I recognized right off were the need to be able to make sail while in the boat, not just tied up at the pier if I were to get anywhere in this civilized boating thing.

Here is the future owner of my Wawona, Saaduuts in a boat he built himself. It was late in the show but it was great to see him paddling about. No stitch and glue or lapstrake here!

If I'm not mistaken this might be James McMullen and his Rowan, a Iain Oughtred Sooty Tern. He was busy giving rides all weekend, cool guy that James. Good name too.

Here serendipitously are the two boats I went out out on during the show. The first is Luna, the Caledonia Yawl I spoke of earlier and the second is a Thomas Nielesn's Tiki 26. Both were gracious hosts and I learned a lot in the two or so hours I spent out on the lake in a boat bigger then a single bed.

Another shot of Luna under sail. That is a great handling boat. What else can you say?

 And I can't forget Coot. I have always wanted to own a tugboat. And here is a Devlin designed possibility. She has all the comforts of home, cruises at seven knots and looks good.The owners were most gracious, feeding me lunch and offering encouragement.
To all at the show, thank you! I'll see you next year for sure!

First Steps

How does one start a boat building blog? This is actually my second blog on the subject, the first is for my "company", but this shall be dedicated solely to the the process of building my second boat. My first boat was a success if of limited scope. S/V Wawona was an 8' Harley 8 sloop an excellent first boat.
For years I've wanted to build a boat and one day went out, bought the lumber and did so. She was a sturdy little boat and served me well. Wawona was featured in the 2010 Home Built Boat Show held at The Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle, Washington. Below is a picture of her and myself underway on Lake Union during the show.

Photo Courtesy Tim Yeodan

But Wawona was destined to stay, as her namesake, in the Puget Sound area. She was given to the artist in residence at CWB, Haida master carver Saaduuts for his grand children. I hope she finds a home on the Salish Sea and continues to bring joy to those that sail her.
I returned to Montana boatless and broke, but elated. I had conquered bigger waters then the local pond and was awash in knowledge and the desire for more. Being around some of the big names in the Northwest wooden boat world had filled me with the drive to make a truly usable boat, something a narrow skiff would not fulfill. Even before I had headed further west I was toying with what I wanted for my next boat. It was down to two contenders, the famous Puddle Duck Racer, or the Bolger Teal. Both had their pluses and minuses. The PDR was a boxy eight foot boat but it sailed well and could carry a crew and gear. The Teal was a very elegant boat but even at twelve feet long could only comfortably carry one. Then while at the HBBS I experienced the Caledonian Yawl known as Luna.
Luna was captained by Todd Waffner and was kind enough to bring me aboard and show me what sailing was really like. It was a blast.

Here was a boat that was big by my standards anyway and stable. It sailed well and with only two aboard it seemed to fly over the water. I wanted this. So on the way home I went over what I wanted in a boat.

• The ability to carry more then one person safely and comfortably.
• A proven design with a greater build history then the Harley 8. 
• Enough room to sleep one in relative comfort, and if not carry the gear to allow it.
• "Instant" construction using plywood.
• Small car compatible, either on top or behind.

This meant the Teal was out and the PDR could meet these requirements if I stretched them a bit. The thing was I didn't want to stretch them. I wanted the first of the boats I have not doubt I'll be building. One that will grow with me and teach me more about not building but sailing as well. So the search was on for a new boat. While browsing my local Barnes and Noble I stumbled across Jim Michalak's Boatbuilding for Beginners (And Beyond). In the back I saw it had full plans for several of his boats but in a slightly reduced size. One of them was for a fourteen foot sailboat. Fourteen feet? I could build a fourteen foot boat. I sat down and read more. I felt the excitement building in me. Here was a boat that could fit the requirements I had set out. With a full list of plans and a step by step guide. The level of difficulty would be a bit higher but nothing I couldn't do or had not done already. It was settled. I had found my next boat.

 Mayfly 14 built by John Dominique of Louisiana

So at this point all the remains is to get started. The hardest part of any project. And this is a far more encompassing project then my last! With a weight of close to if not over 200lbs I'll need a trailer. Which means a trailer hitch for my 1970 Volkswagen Type 1 (Beetle, Bug). The tongue of the trailer I'm looking at will have to be lengthened to accommodate the vessel, not to mention the wiring for the lights.
It's easy to get overwhelmed by the multitude of details, but if you take it one step at a time, it's quite easy.
Now on the name, which a few have wondered about. The truth is it comes from James Cameron's Avatar. Neytiri's Ikran was named Seze or Blue Flower. I loved the idea of the Ikran and the ability to experience something that you had to work for. imagined having a boat would be very much like that. Getting aboard and harnessing the wind to go places you might not go otherwise without the need for an engine.
So I give you the S/V Blue Flower. Let's see how this goes.