1st Boat - Restoration

[jsheehan]

Hello!

I joined this forum to do some research for an upcoming build I'm planning. While I'm here, this is how I started out.

In July 2007 while on vacation in Maine I came across a dilapidated 8ft dinghy. Upon setting eyes on it I decided I must have it - $50 later it was strapped into the back of my Chevy Blazer (RIP).

This is the only before picture I have of "Cleo" (poor planning):

(The dashing young fellow on the left is me at the tender age of 18)

After letting her spend a year in the garage, I tackled the restoration in the summer of 2008. All told it took about 2 months to get the work done here and there - here's how it came out:

[alan white]

That's a sweet little tender. Tenders like that are so hard to find for a reasonable price.
Is that Maine location somewhere around Freeport/Yarmouth?

[jsheehan]

Not too far - Boothbay Harbor

[missinginaction]

What a great job jsheehan! It's wonderful to see someone take on these "rescue" projects. You have a great conversation piece there!

So what's your next project????

MIA

[jsheehan]

Thank you!
I've always found satisfaction in giving this type of "lost" project a new lease on life.

My next project? I want to sail - a few years of sunfish sailing got me hooked. Thing is, I live in Boston year-round these days (studying Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University) which really cuts down on my storage/workshop space.
Right now I'm weighing my options with what I can manage, and I'll have to do some fiddling to come up with a design that fits my needs. The goal is a portable, storable, 1-2 person craft for sailing in light to medium weather (I won't be taking it to Martha's Vineyard, but I'd like to be a little agressive with it on occasion).

[missinginaction]

Boston......well the good news is that you have Boulter Plywood Corp. in your backyard. They're in Somerville on lower Broadway just off I-93. We live in New York but have a lot of relatives up on the north shore. I've made a number of trips to Boulter on my way home from Gloucester. Saved the shipping charges.

Very helpful people!

MIA