Plan 'B'

[UnlikelyVoyager]

Cabin Boy's build is now proceeding smoothly... I'm perfecting my planking technique, but nothing to exciting to report, so I thought I'd take a bit of a diversion...

While finishing up Cabin Boy, I'm also preparing for my 2000 mile voyage on the Blue Moon.

One piece of Blue Moon equipment that desperately needed replacement was the bunk cushion. The old one was grungy, damp, and well past it's due date. I chucked it onto the garbage pile while I was down in Florida, and thought I'd just buy a replacement.

That was until I got a quote for $450! No way I was going to plunk down a King's ransom for a bit of foam. Surely I could make one myself for less? And -- more importantly -- learn a valuable new skill...

Read complete blog post: Swedish Furled Foam

Enjoy: John

[UnlikelyVoyager]

As I've been planking Cabin Boy, I've been trying to figure out ways to make the job easier and faster. But I found it difficult (nay, impossible!) to do more than one plank per day.

The reason? Lots of steps. In fact, I counted 34 different steps per plank...

Read complete blog post: Planks and a Scarf

Enjoy: John

[Hud3]

Nice website, John. I admire your work. I've never built a boat, but have made some furniture in my checkered past. Working with wood can be a spiritual experience.

[UnlikelyVoyager]

Cutting out and fastening Cabin Boy's bottom was easier than I expected. Using plywood, rather than the spiled cross planks that I'd planned on, saved a few days work, at least.

Since it's almost time to pull the boat off the forms and start working on the interior, I decided to drive up to the Maine Boat Builder's show in Portland, to steal some ideas from 'real' boat builders.

I'm glad I made the trip. Some great pics!

Read complete blog post:

The Unlikely Boat Builder: Ready to Flip

Enjoy: John

[UnlikelyVoyager]

Originally Posted by Hud3

Nice website, John. I admire your work. I've never built a boat, but have made some furniture in my checkered past. Working with wood can be a spiritual experience.

Thanks, Hud. I appreciate it. Lots of work, but the most fun I've had in years (both the building and the writing ).

-- John

[UnlikelyVoyager]

At this moment, I am blogging from the middle of the river that flows through Steinhatchee, FL. Helena and I have spent the last few days preparing the Blue Moon for its 2000 mile voyage from the West Coast of Florida, around the Keys, and up the east coast of the US, to New York.

Actually, I was focused on preparing the Blue Moon. Helena was focused on preparing me. We both must have done a pretty good job, because I'm tucked up in my comfy bunk (with my home made foam mattress), anchor light burning brightly from the mizzen mast, and -- miracle of miracles -- an Apple laptop connected to the Internet by a cell phone card, so I can blog all the way home.

My intention is to up anchor around 9:30 tomorrow morning, to catch the morning tide for a ride out into the Gulf of Mexico. But before I start talking about the Blue Moon, I'd better talk about Cabin Boy's launch...

Read complete blog post: Launch Day!

Enjoy!

[UnlikelyVoyager]

Hi guys! Thanks so much for following along as I built Cabin Boy. It's been a blast.

Now that Cabin Boy is done, it's time for him to set off on his big adventure as the Blue Moon's tender as they cruise down the palm-fringed shores of the Gulf of Mexico, 'round through the Keys, and up the East Coast of the US.

I've started a new thread for this 'voyage'. Hope you'll follow along!

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ure-39295.html

Thanks: John