Vancouver Sailor and Boat Builder

[Sailorbob8599]

I've just signed on to Cruisers forum and I hope to chat with many of you in the next little while.

My name is Bob and, although quite ancient, I still love sailing. I reside in the Vancouver area of BC Canada.

I'll confess to all right now, I've been building a boat for far too long ... but recently found someone who has been building a similar sized vessel for much longer ... which, makes me feel a bit better.

It's not that this is a big vessel, in fact it is only 24'6" on deck, 10' beam and 4' draft. It is what one might call a 'big' little boat, having 6' standing headroom throughout the cabin space ... spec-wise it is similar to Lyn & Larry Pardey's first boat "Serraffyn". in fact that's the reason I bought it in the first place.

It was a F/G Hull & Deck assembly with no drawings or plans when I acquired it a long time ago. The boat is of traditional design, not unlike a Falmouth cutter. The interior is finished with Teak and Yellow Cedar with loads of teak trim on the exterior ... including a teak deck which is currently in the process of being installed.

There have been many long periods of inactivity ... usually due to other priorities such as: An almost total rebuild of our home, A major interior renovation as well as major landscaping projects in both front and back of the house.

I recently renewed my interest in the boat ... so I'm hoping I can stick with it so that I might take my long time sweetheart (my wife) sailing once more while I am still able.

I will have some questions of you folk but will leave that until my next post.

[Ex-Calif]

Hi Bob and welcome to Cruisers Forum - I gave your post it's own thread so people can welcome you properly.

Lot's of sailors "and" builders here. Maybe they'll help keep you motivated to reduce the "periods of inactivity"

Good luck and enjoy the forum!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Bob,
Your project sounds great! Welcome aboard and I'll bet you haven't been at it any longer than I have on mine.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[Sunspot Baby]

When I meet folks who have built their own boats, I am in awe. I would get started, spend a lot of money on supplies and realize a couple of decades later than I was never going to get it down.

Hang in there and welcome aboard.

George

[Vasco]

Knew a guy that took 17 years to build his boat (45 ft). Wife left him in year 16, guess he really put a spurt on after that and finished it!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Rick,
It was the wife that kept him from finishing it?
JohnL

[Vasco]

Don't know John, didn't know the guy that well. Maybe he had a lot of other chores when she was around.

[SkiprJohn]

Rick,
I think you've hit on. Bob, let this be a lesson to you. If only I didn't have to build a house, help with chores, mow the lawn, pick up beer cans, maintain the cars, pick up more beer cans, I'd have been off cruising 17 years ago. Did I mention picking up beer cans enough?
JohnL