Company Blog

You may have noticed I've changed the scope of my blog a bit. Although having a blog named for the once and future boat was cool, I think I'll get more out of this blog if I cover all my boat related news and hijinks. Worry not the Mayfly will be built! Just not right now. One thing to remember when building something or trying to achieve a goal is not look to far ahead. Reminds me of a saying in the Russian Army "An officer who looks to far ahead trips over his own boots." And right now I'm tripping a bit on my boots. I'm still working on getting boats out while still getting a good grip on the basics of construction. I'm hampered a bit by a fast changing season, limited funds, lack of workspace and tools. So I'll throw out another quote, this one by Teddy Roosevelt. "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are". As Calvin noted it was not in the bathtub he said that but it is a very good quote. Looking at the mainpage for the IP&NCo. it says this:

Our goal is to help spread the word about low cost boats for pleasure and or trade in the Inland Pacific Northwest and across America. In these tough times having one's own boat can be an excellent diversion or a business opportunity. The focus will be on  boats that can be built from one or two sheets of readily available plywood. These easily built and sturdy boats can carry two adults and are perfect for gigging frogs, fishing for crab, bait fishing, sailing, teaching and much more. Designed for the sheltered waters such as lakes, ponds and slow moving rivers they are ideal builds for families and can be constructed in as little as weekend.

That goes back to the beginning of my want to build boats and setting up an awesome website to follow my progress. So although my fourteen foot boat may be far back in  my yard I promise it's still there. In the mean time I shall focus my energy on getting the best boat that fulfills the goals of my "company", and finding a good small boat that everyone can build and enjoy. And maybe even find away to get this idea to the masses. And as I'm doing that I'll be caching away knowledge and tools for MY boat. In the end I'll post a thought from my original blog on the kind of boating I'm looking forward to.

This is the kind of sailing I’m looking forward to. When I’ve finished Slow Boatbuilding…

Whatever your craft, whether a rowing boat, or a luxury yacht, it’s your relationship with your boat and the sea that matters. 

 Regardless of length, price and equipment, your craft isn’t just another of your many possessions but rather an agreeable travelling companion with whom you can learn about the sea and, more importantly, about yourself.

Spend time aboard your craft even if it’s just tied up in the harbour. 

Make the boat part of your living space. Do little jobs aboard, this will heighten your sense of ownership and will strengthen the ties between you and your craft.

Leave your hurries and worries on the quay when you go sailing.  

Go without a set time to return, as if you were leaving for a long journey. Forget your watch and let the sun guide you. If you take speed and time out of the equation you’re left only with space: the sea.

Sail without a strict course or destination. 

Let the wind and sea take you where they will. Don’t think about miles covered or those still to go. Don’t go anywhere, just sail and enjoy the moment.

Disconnect the electronics and sail like they used to. 

 Learn not to depend on your instruments. When was the last time you took a bearing? Or a sun sight? Find your position and mark it on the chart. Forget the windspeed indicator, feel the wind on your face. Learn the art of sailing, become a real sailor.

Disconnect the mobile and turn off the music.

  Cut your ties with the land. Listen to the murmuring sea, the bow wave, the flap of the sail, the breathing wind.

Don’t hog the helm. 

Let somebody else take it. How long has it been since you stretched out on deck or sat at the bow? If you’re sailing alone, tie off the tiller, balance the sails and let yourself go. Trust in your crew and in your boat.

Write a log book. 

 Detail your sailing trips and note down your feelings. Then go back over your notes and re-live the experience. Share your experiences with others in what ever way suits you best.

Race, if that’s what you like, but don’t go for the prize.

  Go to learn about the sea, your boat and yourself. There’s no more stimulating prize than this.

Don’t desert your boat, she’d never desert you.

(This is a play on a famous Spanish campaign to stem the amount of pets that are abandoned by the roadsides in Spain, particularly during the summer holidays.)

Contemplate the sea for a while each day,

let its energy flow into you and take it wherever you go.

By Joan Sol via Ben of the Invisible Workshop – where you’ll find some great videos of Ben sailing the Western Mediterranean in a boat not unlike the Walkabout I’m building.

Thanks Joan and Ben.